Tumor Microenvironment and Personalized Therapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer

Gastrointestinal cancer is a heterogeneous and aggressive disease. Tumors are constantly evolving entities where there is continuous interaction between the tumor cells and the diverse environment surrounding them. This microenvironment serves as a reservoir of factors that enable and sustain the characteristics and variability of cancer cells. Studies have shown that the interactions among these components can promote tumor progression. Consequently, the focal point of gastrointestinal cancer research has shifted from exclusively concentrating on tumor cells to comprehensive study of the tumor microenvironment, which includes tumor cells, inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, nerves, vascular endothelial cells, etc. In recent years, advancements in immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy have augmented the spectrum of comprehensive treatments available for gastrointestinal cancer. Nevertheless, predicting treatment efficacy remains challenging, with overall response rates remaining relatively low. It is becoming increasingly clear that certain important components in the tumor microenvironment influence the efficacy and indicate the response to the therapy. Therefore, gaining a deeper understanding of the microenvironment can unveil the mechanisms driving tumor progression, enable personalized treatment approaches, and facilitate the development of innovative therapy strategies.

This Research Topic aims at providing an updated understanding of the gastrointestinal tumor microenvironment, unraveling the mechanisms by which the interactions among its components contribute to tumor progression, thereby establishing effective predictive methods for assessing the efficacy of immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy, and furthermore seeking to develop novel therapy strategies considering this knowledge from both clinical and fundamental researches.

Researchers are invited to submit their original research, systematic reviews, mini reviews, clinical trials, case reports, and opinions relevant to the collection. The scope of the Research Topic includes but is not limited to:
● Analyzing the microenvironment of gastrointestinal tumors and investigating the mechanisms driving tumor progression.
● Identifying crucial cell components and biomarkers contribute to personalized therapy.
● Developing predictive models for therapy response or prognosis based on the components of the tumor microenvironment.
● Advancements in new immunotherapy, new molecular targeted therapy, and new chemotherapy strategies for gastrointestinal tumors.