Precision Therapy for Gastrointestinal and Head and Neck Cancer by Targeting Tumor Microenvironment

  • 10k

    Total downloads

  • 26k

    Total views and downloads

Submit your idea

You will be redirected to our submission process.

Submit your manuscript

About this Research Topic

Submission closed

Background

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex milieu on which tumor cells depend for survival. In addition to the extracellular matrix and various cytokines, TME is also composed of many stromal cells, participating in all aspects of gastrointestinal (GI) and head and neck carcinogenesis including tumor growth, metastasis, drug resistance and immune escape. Characterized by hypoxia, low pH and high pressure, TME not only determines tumor development at the genetic or epigenetic level, but also regulates the surrounding environment to promote the progression of GI cancer and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Therefore, targeting TME has become a new and efficient strategy for the treatment of GI cancer and HNSCC in recent years.

The precision therapy of GI cancer and HNSCC is based on the analysis of each patient's genetic basis and related biomarkers, such as how to better combine microenvironmental therapy with conventional immunotherapy. Thus, it is very necessary to select appropriate treatment based on biomarkers of GI cancer and HNSCC, which is one important goal of precision therapy to improve the therapeutic effect. Moreover, a striking finding from the recent deep sequencing of genomic landscape, was that the remarkable multiplicity and diversity of genetic alterations in these malignancies. Therefore, the identification and development of cancer biomarkers and new targets are essential for precision oncology by targeting TME. In addition, reshaping rather than eliminating TME will be a potential treatment strategy for GI cancer and HNSCC, which is worthy of further exploration.

On the other hand, GI cancer and HNSCC may deploy multiple mechanisms to avoid immune recognition and subsequent anti-tumor immune response. Recent revolutionary therapeutic strategies restoring T-cell mediated anti-tumor immunity in GI cancer and HNSCC demonstrated immune modulation and durable remissions, by targeting immune checkpoints. Additionally, animal models with a full functioning immune system can recapitulate the complexity of TME accurately.

This Research Topic aims at presenting recent advances on the role of TME in the progression of GI cancer and HNSCC, the development of precision therapy based on comprehensive assessment of TME as a dynamic spatiotemporal process, and the establishment of biomarkers for therapy response prediction to maximize patient benefits from an immunotherapy or targeted therapy for GI cancer and HNSCC.

We welcome submissions of Original Research articles, Clinical Trial and Review covering, but not limited to, the following topics:
• Selection strategies, such as genome and transcriptome sequencing of TME, of patients with GI cancer and HNSCC for the highest chance of benefiting from precision therapy
• Large prospective trials to validate reliable predictive biomarkers for GI cancer and HNSCC
• Characterization of GI cancer and HNSCC with different stages by distinct molecular and TME changes
• Role of TME in the immune escape, and effect of stress within the TME such as hypoxia, low pH, and inflammation on the progression of GI cancer and HNSCC
• Investigation of tumor and TME heterogeneity via organoids and PDX models, and screening druggable targets with translational research for GI cancer and HNSCC
• Relationship between remodeling of the TME by microbiome and the progression of GI cancer
• Role of GI microbiome in the prediction of precision therapy and prognosis for patients with GI cancer

Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.

Keywords: gastrointestinal cancer, tumor microenvironment, precision therapy, cancer biomarkers, head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

Topic editors

Frequently asked questions

  • Frontiers' Research Topics are collaborative hubs built around an emerging theme.Defined, managed, and led by renowned researchers, they bring communities together around a shared area of interest to stimulate collaboration and innovation.

    Unlike section journals, which serve established specialty communities, Research Topics are pioneer hubs, responding to the evolving scientific landscape and catering to new communities.

  • The goal of Frontiers' publishing program is to empower research communities to actively steer the course of scientific publishing. Our program was implemented as a three-part unit with fixed field journals, flexible specialty sections, and dynamically emerging Research Topics, connecting communities of different sizes and maturity.

    Research Topics originate from the scientific community. Many of our Research Topics are suggested by existing editorial board members who have identified critical challenges or areas of interest in their field.

  • As an editor, Research Topics will help you build your journal, as well as your community, around emerging, cutting-edge research. As research trailblazers, Research Topics attract high-quality submissions from leading experts all over the world.

    A thriving Research Topic can potentially evolve into a new specialty section if there is sustained interest and a growing community around it.

  • Each Research Topic must be approved by the specialty chief editor, and it falls under the editorial oversight of our editorial boards, supported by our in-house research integrity team. The same standards and rigorous peer review processes apply to articles published as part of a Research Topic as for any other article we publish.

    In 2023, 80% of the Research Topics we published were edited or co-edited by our editorial board members, who are already familiar with their journal's scope, ethos, and publishing model. All other topics are guest edited by leaders in their field, each vetted and formally approved by the specialty chief editor.

  • Publishing your article within a Research Topic with other related articles increases its discoverability and visibility, which can lead to more views, downloads, and citations. Research Topics grow dynamically as more published articles are added, causing frequent revisiting, and further visibility.

    As Research Topics are multidisciplinary, they are cross-listed in several fields and section journals – increasing your reach even more and giving you the chance to expand your network and collaborate with researchers in different fields, all focusing on expanding knowledge around the same important topic.

    Our larger Research Topics are also converted into ebooks and receive social media promotion from our digital marketing team.

     

  • Frontiers offers multiple article types, but it will depend on the field and section journals in which the Research Topic will be featured. The available article types for a Research Topic will appear in the drop-down menu during the submission process.

    Check available article types here 

  • Yes, we would love to hear your ideas for a topic. Most of our Research Topics are community-led and suggested by researchers in the field. Our in-house editorial team will contact you to talk about your idea and whether you’d like to edit the topic. If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. 

    Suggest your topic here 

  • A team of guest editors (called topic editors) lead their Research Topic. This editorial team oversees the entire process, from the initial topic proposal to calls for participation, the peer review, and final publications.

    The team may also include topic coordinators, who help the topic editors send calls for participation, liaise with topic editors on abstracts, and support contributing authors. In some cases, they can also be assigned as reviewers.

  • As a topic editor (TE), you will take the lead on all editorial decisions for the Research Topic, starting with defining its scope. This allows you to curate research around a topic that interests you, bring together different perspectives from leading researchers across different fields and shape the future of your field. 

     

    You will choose your team of co-editors, curate a list of potential authors, send calls for participation and oversee the peer review process, accepting or recommending rejection for each manuscript submitted.

  • As a topic editor, you're supported at every stage by our in-house team. You will be assigned a single point of contact to help you on both editorial and technical matters. Your topic is managed through our user-friendly online platform, and the peer review process is supported by our industry-first AI review assistant (AIRA).

  • If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. This provides you with valuable editorial experience, improving your ability to critically evaluate research articles and enhancing your understanding of the quality standards and requirements for scientific publishing, as well as the opportunity to discover new research in your field, and expand your professional network.

  • Yes, certificates can be issued on request. We are happy to provide a certificate for your contribution to editing a successful Research Topic.

  • Research Topics thrive on collaboration and their multi-disciplinary approach around emerging, cutting-edge themes, attract leading researchers from all over the world.

  • As a topic editor, you can set the timeline for your Research Topic, and we will work with you at your pace. Typically, Research Topics are online and open for submissions within a few weeks and remain open for participation for 6 – 12 months. Individual articles within a Research Topic are published as soon as they are ready.

    Find out more about our Research Topics

  • Our fee support program ensures that all articles that pass peer review, including those published in Research Topics, can benefit from open access – regardless of the author's field or funding situation.

    Authors and institutions with insufficient funding can apply for a discount on their publishing fees. A fee support application form is available on our website.

  • In line with our mission to promote healthy lives on a healthy planet, we do not provide printed materials. All our articles and ebooks are available under a CC-BY license, so you can share and print copies.

     

Participating Journals

Impact

  • 26kTopic views
  • 15kArticle views
  • 10kArticle downloads
View impact