About this Research Topic
Cancers are complex tissues not only comprised of malignant cells but also of a dynamic Tumor Microenvironment (TME) that influences tumor progression and treatment resistance. The TME, made up of stromal cells, immune components, extracellular matrix, and vascular networks, varies significantly by tumor type and plays a crucial role in the development of drug resistance, cancer recurrence, and immune evasion, leading to mortality. Advancements in single-cell sequencing and spatial omics now provide detailed insights into the cellular architecture and interaction dynamics within TME, highlighting the limitations of traditional models that categorize cellular components simply as pro-tumor or anti-tumor.
This research topic aims to delve deeper into the complexities of rare cancers by exploring how cancer cells and their interactions within the TME influence the development of early-stage drugs and immunotherapies. By bridging cutting-edge technologies with cancer biology, we aim to unearth novel cellular subtypes and interactions that have diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications, paving the way for innovative treatment strategies and disease management.
To advance our understanding within this critical area, we are seeking contributions that utilize innovative technologies and experimental models. Specifically, we invite articles that:
o Employ advanced omics techniques to dissect the heterogeneous nature of the TME, including but not limited to: • Multi-omics integrative analysis for characterizing TME, focusing on spatial transcriptomics and single-cell analytics. • Development of novel diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets through detailed TME analysis.
o Explore new therapeutic approaches including gene therapies and combinatorial treatments aimed at modifying tumor and stromal cell interactions within the tumor mass.
o Apply innovative preclinical models such as 3D cancer constructs for testing and development of new treatments.
Our intention is to gather a comprehensive array of articles including original research, brief reports, reviews, and perspectives that cover these novel and diverse aspects of cancer research.
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.
This research topic aims to delve deeper into the complexities of rare cancers by exploring how cancer cells and their interactions within the TME influence the development of early-stage drugs and immunotherapies. By bridging cutting-edge technologies with cancer biology, we aim to unearth novel cellular subtypes and interactions that have diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications, paving the way for innovative treatment strategies and disease management.
To advance our understanding within this critical area, we are seeking contributions that utilize innovative technologies and experimental models. Specifically, we invite articles that:
o Employ advanced omics techniques to dissect the heterogeneous nature of the TME, including but not limited to: • Multi-omics integrative analysis for characterizing TME, focusing on spatial transcriptomics and single-cell analytics. • Development of novel diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets through detailed TME analysis.
o Explore new therapeutic approaches including gene therapies and combinatorial treatments aimed at modifying tumor and stromal cell interactions within the tumor mass.
o Apply innovative preclinical models such as 3D cancer constructs for testing and development of new treatments.
Our intention is to gather a comprehensive array of articles including original research, brief reports, reviews, and perspectives that cover these novel and diverse aspects of cancer research.
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: rare cancers, tumor microenvironment, cancer associated fibroblast, tumor associated macrophages, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, cancer gene therapy, cancer immunology, local to systemic immune response
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.
