Research of the function and pathologies associated with the immune system, tumors, and the microenvironment they operate in were primarily studied separately in tissue-culture systems for many years, enabling detailed research to benefit the separation of variables. However, in recent years it became evident that the host is tightly connected with the immune system to promote progression and metastasis. Cancerous cells evade immune destruction and may "benefit" from chronic inflammation. The continuous growth of tumors inevitably involves complex interactions with surrounding cells. Metastases, which account for most tumors' mortal stages, further challenge malignant cells' abilities through a complex journey to distant organs. The tumor microenvironment includes immune cells, stroma, body fluids, extracellular matrix (ECM) and cancerous cells at tight proximity. Tumors also affect hematopoiesis and may educate the immune system to favor metastasis and tumor growth. Finally, it has been increasingly recognized that the immune system also controls the microenvironment in trauma and infectious episodes and regulates other cell types involved in wound healing and tissue fibrosis. This notion has led to the descriptions of tumors as "wounds that never heals".
Nowadays, we are fortunate to face the fulfilment of some century-old immuno-oncology ideas into successful clinical treatments. Advancements in Immunology and Cancer research accomplished FDA approval for treatments such as the checkpoint-blockade, CAR-T, monoclonal antibodies, and immune-modulating drugs. Additional interest is with established vaccines (e.g., HPV) and novel mRNA vaccines following COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding complex physiological interactions is critical to improving scientific knowledge and clinical treatments. Basic and clinical research benefits both holistic perspectives and many specific studies that enable the separation of variables such as new drug targets.
The abovementioned concepts in immunology and cancer, and related new data will be presented and discussed in the second immune-oncological meeting of the Israeli Immunological Society with the Rappaport Technion Integrative Cancer Center (RTICC) entitled "Immunity, Cancer, and the Microenvironment: Resolving a 3-way standoff". Accordingly, this Research Topic aims at highlighting recent advancements in Immunology, Cancer Research and their intersection with the pathological microenvironment discussed during the meeting. We encourage the attendees to submit Original Research and Review manuscripts focused on, but not limited to, the following topics:
1. Immune recognition of cancer and immune surveillance
2. The Inflammatory Tumor Microenvironment.
3. Immune-editing and Immunotherapy
4. Immune-regulation of the Microenvironment in Infections, Tissue Repair and Cancer
Research of the function and pathologies associated with the immune system, tumors, and the microenvironment they operate in were primarily studied separately in tissue-culture systems for many years, enabling detailed research to benefit the separation of variables. However, in recent years it became evident that the host is tightly connected with the immune system to promote progression and metastasis. Cancerous cells evade immune destruction and may "benefit" from chronic inflammation. The continuous growth of tumors inevitably involves complex interactions with surrounding cells. Metastases, which account for most tumors' mortal stages, further challenge malignant cells' abilities through a complex journey to distant organs. The tumor microenvironment includes immune cells, stroma, body fluids, extracellular matrix (ECM) and cancerous cells at tight proximity. Tumors also affect hematopoiesis and may educate the immune system to favor metastasis and tumor growth. Finally, it has been increasingly recognized that the immune system also controls the microenvironment in trauma and infectious episodes and regulates other cell types involved in wound healing and tissue fibrosis. This notion has led to the descriptions of tumors as "wounds that never heals".
Nowadays, we are fortunate to face the fulfilment of some century-old immuno-oncology ideas into successful clinical treatments. Advancements in Immunology and Cancer research accomplished FDA approval for treatments such as the checkpoint-blockade, CAR-T, monoclonal antibodies, and immune-modulating drugs. Additional interest is with established vaccines (e.g., HPV) and novel mRNA vaccines following COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding complex physiological interactions is critical to improving scientific knowledge and clinical treatments. Basic and clinical research benefits both holistic perspectives and many specific studies that enable the separation of variables such as new drug targets.
The abovementioned concepts in immunology and cancer, and related new data will be presented and discussed in the second immune-oncological meeting of the Israeli Immunological Society with the Rappaport Technion Integrative Cancer Center (RTICC) entitled "Immunity, Cancer, and the Microenvironment: Resolving a 3-way standoff". Accordingly, this Research Topic aims at highlighting recent advancements in Immunology, Cancer Research and their intersection with the pathological microenvironment discussed during the meeting. We encourage the attendees to submit Original Research and Review manuscripts focused on, but not limited to, the following topics:
1. Immune recognition of cancer and immune surveillance
2. The Inflammatory Tumor Microenvironment.
3. Immune-editing and Immunotherapy
4. Immune-regulation of the Microenvironment in Infections, Tissue Repair and Cancer