About this Research Topic
The tumor microbial microenvironment refers to the various microbial communities that exist in the microenvironment surrounding tumor cells and the environmental factors that interact with them. This would include tumor cells, the extracellular matrix surrounding the tumor, tumor-associated cells (e.g. tumor-associated macrophages and tumor-associated lymphocytes), the tumor microbiome (bacteria, fungi, viruses), and other environmental factors (e.g. oxygen, nutrients, drugs, etc.). The composition and characteristics of the tumor microbial microenvironment may vary between tumor types and patients, and this is an important consideration for personalized oncology treatment. In-depth studies of the tumor microbial microenvironment can provide new ideas and strategies for tumorigenesis, development, and treatment.
Current studies have revealed the role of some microbes as immune activators, suppressors, or bystanders. For example, immunogenic cell death (ICD) triggered by microorganisms can release antigens and adjuvants to enhance the immune response. Another example is the specific targeting of tumor microenvironments and the lysis of tumor cells by lysing viruses or bacteria. Interestingly, microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), bile acids, and inosine also play a potential role in the tumor microenvironment.
Although many aspects related to tumor microbes have been extensively studied, given the multifaceted role of the tumor microbial microenvironment, its modulation strategies including synthetic biology, antibiotics and probiotics could be used as a potential combination for immunotherapy and further research is needed. Our understanding of the tumor microbial microenvironment and its clinical significance in tumor immunity is evolving with the advancement of new research methods.
This Research Topic aims to contribute to the latest advances in the tumor microbial microenvironment, and a comprehensive understanding of intra-tumor microbes and their role in the tumor immune microenvironment will provide a conceptual shift in the study of the tumor-immune-microbe relationship. We welcome submissions of Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Methods, and Perspectives focusing on, but not limited to, the following topics:
1. The impact of changes in peri- and intra-tumor microbiome composition on tumor immunotherapy, and the regulatory role of the microbiome
2. The mechanisms of interaction between immunotherapy and the microbiome, and their impact on host health
3. The mechanisms and efficacy of using specific microbial agents to enhance the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy
4. The mechanism of microbial role in tumor immune escape and how to use microbes to treat immune escape
5. High-throughput sequencing analysis of microbiome in cancer cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells and development of associated biomarkers
Current studies have revealed the role of some microbes as immune activators, suppressors, or bystanders. For example, immunogenic cell death (ICD) triggered by microorganisms can release antigens and adjuvants to enhance the immune response. Another example is the specific targeting of tumor microenvironments and the lysis of tumor cells by lysing viruses or bacteria. Interestingly, microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), bile acids, and inosine also play a potential role in the tumor microenvironment.
Although many aspects related to tumor microbes have been extensively studied, given the multifaceted role of the tumor microbial microenvironment, its modulation strategies including synthetic biology, antibiotics and probiotics could be used as a potential combination for immunotherapy and further research is needed. Our understanding of the tumor microbial microenvironment and its clinical significance in tumor immunity is evolving with the advancement of new research methods.
This Research Topic aims to contribute to the latest advances in the tumor microbial microenvironment, and a comprehensive understanding of intra-tumor microbes and their role in the tumor immune microenvironment will provide a conceptual shift in the study of the tumor-immune-microbe relationship. We welcome submissions of Original Research, Brief Research Reports, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Methods, and Perspectives focusing on, but not limited to, the following topics:
1. The impact of changes in peri- and intra-tumor microbiome composition on tumor immunotherapy, and the regulatory role of the microbiome
2. The mechanisms of interaction between immunotherapy and the microbiome, and their impact on host health
3. The mechanisms and efficacy of using specific microbial agents to enhance the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy
4. The mechanism of microbial role in tumor immune escape and how to use microbes to treat immune escape
5. High-throughput sequencing analysis of microbiome in cancer cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells and development of associated biomarkers
Keywords: tumor microbial microenvironment, microbial metabolites, tumor viruses, tumor immunotherapy, microbiome
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.
