About this Research Topic
A family of pore-forming proteins called gasdermins were identified in the past decade as the executioners of inflammatory cell death known as pyroptosis. At the time of discovery, gasdermins were defined as an innate immune defense mechanism, because they are host molecules activated when host cells sense sterile danger signals or pathogens, thereby eliminating compromised host cells and destroying the replicative niche for pathogens. More recently, the physiological and pathological roles of gasdermins have been redefined by evidence that gasdermin-induced inflammation boosts the immune system against cancer. Gasdermins in cancer cells may be activated by granzymes from lymphocytes, a novel interface between tumor and the immune system. Due to the pore-forming nature of gasdermins, the membrane of cancer cells lyses during pyroptosis to release signaling molecules, which further amplifies lymphocyte-mediated anti-tumor immunity. With the potential of converting immunologically cold environments to hot, gasdermins are being developed not only as novel cancer immunotherapy, but also as vaccines for cancer prevention.
The goal of this research topic is to review the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling gasdermin activity in normal physiology and cancer, highlight the emerging roles of gasdermins in cancer and beyond innate immunity, and reveal potential clinical applications of gasdermins, such as cancer immunotherapy and vaccination.
We encourage the submission of original research and review articles from the perspective of anti-tumor immunity, immunotherapy, and vaccine development, covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Cancer-related pathways controlling gasdermin activity and molecular mechanisms of gasdermin-driven inflammation and anti-tumor immunity
• Signals released by pyroptotic cancer cells and inter-cellular communication between cancer cells and adaptive immunity
• Gasdermins as novel immunotherapy tools in the treatment of cancer
• Gasdermins as vaccines or adjuvants in cancer prevention
Please note, manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by robust and relevant validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this topic.
The goal of this research topic is to review the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling gasdermin activity in normal physiology and cancer, highlight the emerging roles of gasdermins in cancer and beyond innate immunity, and reveal potential clinical applications of gasdermins, such as cancer immunotherapy and vaccination.
We encourage the submission of original research and review articles from the perspective of anti-tumor immunity, immunotherapy, and vaccine development, covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Cancer-related pathways controlling gasdermin activity and molecular mechanisms of gasdermin-driven inflammation and anti-tumor immunity
• Signals released by pyroptotic cancer cells and inter-cellular communication between cancer cells and adaptive immunity
• Gasdermins as novel immunotherapy tools in the treatment of cancer
• Gasdermins as vaccines or adjuvants in cancer prevention
Please note, manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by robust and relevant validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this topic.
Keywords: Anti-tumor immunity, Pyroptosis, Gasdermin, Vaccination, Immunotherapy
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.
