Tumors develop in a complex network made of stromal cells, extracellular matrix, vessels, and immune cells, which together with neoplastic cells give shape to the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME can promote tumor growth and plays a role in angiogenesis and metastasis. Moreover, molecules released within the TME, including cytokines, chemokines, and products of cellular metabolism, can condition tumor-infiltrating immune cells, conferring them pro-tumoral features and establishing immunotolerance toward neoplastic cells. Correspondingly, immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, immune cell therapies, and vaccines have shown strong efficacy in an ever-growing number of tumor types. The advent of molecular technologies such as single-cell RNA-sequencing and Imaging Mass Cytometry have enabled a thorough dissection of the composition of the tumor immune microenvironment.
The immune landscape has been detailed for a number of cancers, revealing insights into the complexity and heterogeneity of the immune infiltrate including novel immune players and previously unappreciated cell-cell interactions. Nevertheless, several aspects still need to be addressed, including a functional dissection of the stromal and immune components of the TME, the identification of biomarkers in the TME, the investigation of the lipid metabolism of tumor-infiltrating cell subsets, the exploration of stromal-dependent mechanisms of resistance to therapy. Such aims may be achieved by means of integration of animal models and human data, coordination of clinic and bench work, application of single cell-based and spatial technologies.
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide an overview of recent advances in the field of “Profiling the tumor microenvironment to unveil biomarkers and develop novel therapeutics for cancer therapy”. We, therefore, welcome researchers to submit original papers and reviews and contribute to the dissection of the interplay between cancer and its microenvironment.
Potential topics include:
• Identification of biomarkers
• Profiling of the TME by mean of single-cell based techniques
• Dissection of the lipid imbalance in the TME
• Development of novel immunotherapies
• Overcoming resistance to cancer therapy
Tumors develop in a complex network made of stromal cells, extracellular matrix, vessels, and immune cells, which together with neoplastic cells give shape to the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME can promote tumor growth and plays a role in angiogenesis and metastasis. Moreover, molecules released within the TME, including cytokines, chemokines, and products of cellular metabolism, can condition tumor-infiltrating immune cells, conferring them pro-tumoral features and establishing immunotolerance toward neoplastic cells. Correspondingly, immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, immune cell therapies, and vaccines have shown strong efficacy in an ever-growing number of tumor types. The advent of molecular technologies such as single-cell RNA-sequencing and Imaging Mass Cytometry have enabled a thorough dissection of the composition of the tumor immune microenvironment.
The immune landscape has been detailed for a number of cancers, revealing insights into the complexity and heterogeneity of the immune infiltrate including novel immune players and previously unappreciated cell-cell interactions. Nevertheless, several aspects still need to be addressed, including a functional dissection of the stromal and immune components of the TME, the identification of biomarkers in the TME, the investigation of the lipid metabolism of tumor-infiltrating cell subsets, the exploration of stromal-dependent mechanisms of resistance to therapy. Such aims may be achieved by means of integration of animal models and human data, coordination of clinic and bench work, application of single cell-based and spatial technologies.
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide an overview of recent advances in the field of “Profiling the tumor microenvironment to unveil biomarkers and develop novel therapeutics for cancer therapy”. We, therefore, welcome researchers to submit original papers and reviews and contribute to the dissection of the interplay between cancer and its microenvironment.
Potential topics include:
• Identification of biomarkers
• Profiling of the TME by mean of single-cell based techniques
• Dissection of the lipid imbalance in the TME
• Development of novel immunotherapies
• Overcoming resistance to cancer therapy
