About this Research Topic
Germ cell tumors (GCTs) comprise a heterogeneous group of neoplasms arising in gonadal and extra-gonadal locations of male and female patients of a wide age range. Their pathobiology is linked to molecular events taking place during embryonic and germ cell development.
Most studies on the molecular mechanisms that drive GCTs have focused on testicular GCTs (TGCTs). TGCTs represent the most frequent solid neoplasm of young adult males, and their incidence is increasing likely due to environmental factors. Complete cure rates remain high due to the exquisite sensitivity of TGCTs to systemic chemotherapy. However, these tumors present several clinical challenges, including a need for: 1) non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis; 2) accurate risk stratification tools to avoid overtreatment; 3) novel therapeutic alternatives for a subset of neoplasms that develop resistance to cisplatin chemotherapy. Unlike TGCTs, other GCT have been comparatively less studied, including extragonadal GCTs, ovarian GCTs and GCTs occurring in pediatric age. Also, specific phenotypes such as cisplatin resistant GCTs, somatic-type malignancies arising in GCTs and growing teratoma syndrome present specific challenges, and the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena are still poorly understood.
The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a better understanding of GCTs molecular mechanisms, which can contribute to uncovering new biomarkers and treatments for these patients and improve clinical care. Studies focusing on in vitro and in vivo models of the disease are welcomed, including any GCT phenotype, and validation in clinical samples (tissue or liquid biopsies) is desired.
List of topics we are interested in but not limited to:
1. Biology of GCTs (genesis and risk factors)
2. Tumor heterogeneity in GCTs
3. Advances in molecular biomarkers for GCT patients
4. Novel targeted treatments for GCT patients
5. Tumor microenvironment in GCTs
6. Metastatic disease and mechanisms in GCTs
7. Chemo resistant GCTs and underlying mechanisms
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.
Most studies on the molecular mechanisms that drive GCTs have focused on testicular GCTs (TGCTs). TGCTs represent the most frequent solid neoplasm of young adult males, and their incidence is increasing likely due to environmental factors. Complete cure rates remain high due to the exquisite sensitivity of TGCTs to systemic chemotherapy. However, these tumors present several clinical challenges, including a need for: 1) non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis; 2) accurate risk stratification tools to avoid overtreatment; 3) novel therapeutic alternatives for a subset of neoplasms that develop resistance to cisplatin chemotherapy. Unlike TGCTs, other GCT have been comparatively less studied, including extragonadal GCTs, ovarian GCTs and GCTs occurring in pediatric age. Also, specific phenotypes such as cisplatin resistant GCTs, somatic-type malignancies arising in GCTs and growing teratoma syndrome present specific challenges, and the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena are still poorly understood.
The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a better understanding of GCTs molecular mechanisms, which can contribute to uncovering new biomarkers and treatments for these patients and improve clinical care. Studies focusing on in vitro and in vivo models of the disease are welcomed, including any GCT phenotype, and validation in clinical samples (tissue or liquid biopsies) is desired.
List of topics we are interested in but not limited to:
1. Biology of GCTs (genesis and risk factors)
2. Tumor heterogeneity in GCTs
3. Advances in molecular biomarkers for GCT patients
4. Novel targeted treatments for GCT patients
5. Tumor microenvironment in GCTs
6. Metastatic disease and mechanisms in GCTs
7. Chemo resistant GCTs and underlying mechanisms
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: germ cell tumors, molecular mechanism, oncology, genitourinary oncology
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