Traditional cancer treatments, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, have long been the cornerstone of managing malignancies. However, with the advancement of scientific technologies, novel cancer treatment modalities such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, sonodynamic therapy, and photodynamic therapy have emerged, revolutionizing the therapeutic landscape. These innovative approaches not only alter the paradigm of tumor treatment but also significantly influence stromal cells within the tumor immune microenvironment.

Immunotherapy, a groundbreaking treatment strategy, orchestrates the activation of the patient’s immune system to combat cancer cells. Yet, stromal cells existing within the tumor microenvironment, notably tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and cancer stem cells (CSCs), often exert inhibitory effects on immune cells, resulting in limited therapeutic efficacy. Overcoming the suppressive role of stromal cells on immunotherapy emerges as a pivotal aspect in enhancing therapeutic outcomes.

Targeted therapy, focusing on disrupting specific molecular targets crucial for tumor growth and spread, might also impact stromal cells within the tumor microenvironment. Certain targeted agents could modulate the secretion of stromal cells, consequently influencing the tumor microenvironment and immune cell functionality.

Sonodynamic therapy and photodynamic therapy, as non-invasive treatment modalities, selectively eliminate tumor cells. Nevertheless, they might exert certain effects on the tumor microenvironment, including the disruption of stromal cells or release of signaling molecules that will change immune cell activity.

Therefore, further comprehensive investigations are imperative to elucidate the impact of emerging cancer treatment modalities on stromal cells within the tumor immune microenvironment. Understanding the mechanistic influence of these treatment modalities on stromal cells is pivotal for optimizing therapeutic regimens and enhancing treatment efficacy. Moreover, synergistic effects achieved by combination therapy may potentiate the effectiveness of immunotherapy, and bring renewed hope and opportunities for cancer patients.

This research topic aims to figure out the potential underlying mechanisms of emerging treatment modalities such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, sonodynamic therapy, and photodynamic therapy on stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment. Concurrently, optimizing extant therapeutic strategies while exploring novel combination therapy for cancer treatment. We welcome submissions focusing on, but not limited to, the following subtopics:

i. Impact of immunotherapy on stromal cells in the tumour microenvironment
ii. Impact of targeted therapy on stromal cells in the tumour microenvironment
iii. Impact of sonodynamic therapy on stromal cells in the tumour microenvironment
iv. Impact of photodynamic therapy on stromal cells in the tumour microenvironment
v. Impact of combination therapy on stromal cells in the tumour microenvironment

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.

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