About this Research Topic
The multifaceted roles of Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILC) have been widely interrogated in tumor immunity. Whereas, Natural Killer (NK) cells possess tumor-suppressive properties across multiple types of cancer, the other ILC family members can either promote or inhibit tumor growth depending on the environmental conditions. The differential effects of ILCs on tumor outcome have been attributed to the high degree of heterogeneity and plasticity within the ILC family members. However, it is now becoming clear that ILC responses are shaped by their dynamic crosstalk with the different components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent years have witnessed a significant development in the current understanding of ILCs and their roles in the innate immune system, where they regulate tissue homeostasis, inflammation, as well as tumor surveillance and tumorigenesis. ILCs may be classified into three subgroups depending on their phenotypic and functional characteristics: Group 1 ILCs, which include NK cells and ILC1s; Group 2 ILCs, which only contain ILC2s and Group 3 ILCs, which comprise of LTi cells and ILC3s.
NK cells are the prototype innate lymphoid cells exhibiting potent cytolytic function that provide host defense against infection and tumors. They are able to kill tumor cells if these show surface markers associated with oncogenic transformation. Due to this property NK cells are able to control tumor growth (at least in the early phase of tumor development) and thus they are essential in tumor surveillance. Once target cells are recognized the balance of activating and inhibitory receptor signaling regulates their effector function against tumor targets. These properties and their capacity to enhance antibody and T cell responses highlight the role for NK cells as anticancer agents. Current research is focused on investigating how ILCs may be manipulated and employed as therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer.
This Research Topic aims to provide a broad/comprehensive overview on the versatile field of innate lymphoid cells response mediators in the context of cancer. This includes basic underlying mechanisms as well as translational and clinical advances in this area of research. The Research Topic will span different areas of NK cell as well as ILC research with emphasis on their role during tumor development and progression.
We welcome the submission of Original Research or Review, including, but not limited to:
1. NK cells in tumor recognition
2. NK cells in tumor surveillance/tumor control and control of metastatic spread
3. Organs/tissue-dependent differences
4. ILC function during tumor development, progression, or control
5. Mechanisms of tumor immune escape from NK cell surveillance
6. Potential exploitation for new therapeutic means in different cancer types (NK cell modulation
for tumor therapy)
7. Signaling pathways in ILC that contribute to their pro- or anti-tumorigenic function(s)
NK cells are the prototype innate lymphoid cells exhibiting potent cytolytic function that provide host defense against infection and tumors. They are able to kill tumor cells if these show surface markers associated with oncogenic transformation. Due to this property NK cells are able to control tumor growth (at least in the early phase of tumor development) and thus they are essential in tumor surveillance. Once target cells are recognized the balance of activating and inhibitory receptor signaling regulates their effector function against tumor targets. These properties and their capacity to enhance antibody and T cell responses highlight the role for NK cells as anticancer agents. Current research is focused on investigating how ILCs may be manipulated and employed as therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer.
This Research Topic aims to provide a broad/comprehensive overview on the versatile field of innate lymphoid cells response mediators in the context of cancer. This includes basic underlying mechanisms as well as translational and clinical advances in this area of research. The Research Topic will span different areas of NK cell as well as ILC research with emphasis on their role during tumor development and progression.
We welcome the submission of Original Research or Review, including, but not limited to:
1. NK cells in tumor recognition
2. NK cells in tumor surveillance/tumor control and control of metastatic spread
3. Organs/tissue-dependent differences
4. ILC function during tumor development, progression, or control
5. Mechanisms of tumor immune escape from NK cell surveillance
6. Potential exploitation for new therapeutic means in different cancer types (NK cell modulation
for tumor therapy)
7. Signaling pathways in ILC that contribute to their pro- or anti-tumorigenic function(s)
Keywords: Natural killer cells, Innate lymphoid cells, tumor surveillance, Innate Immunity
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