About this Research Topic
Accumulating evidence has revealed the criticality of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumor initiation, progression, recurrence, and resistance to current therapies, often localizing in specific niches within the tumor microenvironment (TME). This milieu provides a sanctuary for CSCs, fostering complex, reciprocal interactions with immune cells. CSCs exploit immune checkpoints to evade immune clearance and actively reshape the TME through secretion of extracellular vesicles and cytokines, promoting an immunosuppressive state. This synergy between CSCs and the immune system contributes to therapeutic resistance and tumor advancement. A comprehensive understanding of these interactions is essential for developing innovative cancer therapies, targeting both the CSC niche and enhancing immunosurveillance, thereby addressing a major hurdle in effective cancer treatment.
The primary goal of this research topic is to elucidate the complex interactions between CSCs and the immune system within the TME. Specifically, we aim to understand how CSCs evade immune surveillance and contribute to tumor progression and resistance to current therapies. By investigating the mechanisms through which CSCs manipulate immune checkpoints and alter the TME, we seek to uncover novel therapeutic targets. This research topic intends to develop strategies to disrupt these CSC-driven immunosuppressive pathways and enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy in treating cancer. Ultimately, our objective is to bridge a critical gap in oncology by providing insights into the dual targeting of CSCs and immune modulation, potentially leading to more effective and durable cancer treatments.
This Research Topic focuses on the intricate interactions between CSCs and the immune system within the TME, pre-metastatic niches, and distant metastatic sites, emphasizing their roles in tumor progression, therapy resistance, and overall outcomes. We welcome papers on topics including, but not limited to:
• Mechanisms of CSC-mediated immune evasion and immunosuppression within the TME, pre-metastatic niches, and distant metastatic sites.
• The role of immune checkpoints in CSC survival and tumor progression.
• Impact of CSC heterogeneity on immune response modulation.
• Crosstalk between CSCs and immune cells influencing tumor metastasis and recurrence.
• Novel therapeutic strategies targeting the CSC-immune interaction.
We are interested in a range of manuscript types including original research, reviews, mini-reviews, and perspective pieces. Submissions should offer novel insights or comprehensive analyses of existing data, contributing significantly to our understanding of CSC-immune dynamics in cancer. We also encourage studies unveiling new therapeutic targets or approaches to enhance immunotherapy efficacy against CSC-driven tumors.
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 primary goal of this research topic is to elucidate the complex interactions between CSCs and the immune system within the TME. Specifically, we aim to understand how CSCs evade immune surveillance and contribute to tumor progression and resistance to current therapies. By investigating the mechanisms through which CSCs manipulate immune checkpoints and alter the TME, we seek to uncover novel therapeutic targets. This research topic intends to develop strategies to disrupt these CSC-driven immunosuppressive pathways and enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy in treating cancer. Ultimately, our objective is to bridge a critical gap in oncology by providing insights into the dual targeting of CSCs and immune modulation, potentially leading to more effective and durable cancer treatments.
This Research Topic focuses on the intricate interactions between CSCs and the immune system within the TME, pre-metastatic niches, and distant metastatic sites, emphasizing their roles in tumor progression, therapy resistance, and overall outcomes. We welcome papers on topics including, but not limited to:
• Mechanisms of CSC-mediated immune evasion and immunosuppression within the TME, pre-metastatic niches, and distant metastatic sites.
• The role of immune checkpoints in CSC survival and tumor progression.
• Impact of CSC heterogeneity on immune response modulation.
• Crosstalk between CSCs and immune cells influencing tumor metastasis and recurrence.
• Novel therapeutic strategies targeting the CSC-immune interaction.
We are interested in a range of manuscript types including original research, reviews, mini-reviews, and perspective pieces. Submissions should offer novel insights or comprehensive analyses of existing data, contributing significantly to our understanding of CSC-immune dynamics in cancer. We also encourage studies unveiling new therapeutic targets or approaches to enhance immunotherapy efficacy against CSC-driven tumors.
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: Cancer stem cells, Tumor immune microenvironment, Metastatic niche, Extracellular vesicles, Immunocyte infiltration, Immune checkpoints, Tumor immunology, Therapeutic resistance
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.
