About this Research Topic
The editorial team is pleased to introduce a focused exploration into the microenvironmental evolution of chronic diseases and tumors in the digestive tract, emphasizing the identification of new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. The digestive tract plays a vital role in the human body, not only in nutrient absorption and digestion but also in maintaining immune system function and overall health. However, it is susceptible to a variety of chronic diseases and malignancies, including inflammatory bowel diseases, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other gastrointestinal-related conditions.
The microenvironment of the digestive tract is a complex ecosystem, characterized by interactions among epithelial cells, immune cells, stromal components, and the microbiota. These microenvironmental factors influence the onset and progression of diseases and significantly affect treatment response and prognosis. For example, chronic inflammation is a key driver of many gastrointestinal diseases, while dysbiosis of the microbiota has been closely linked to tumorigenesis. Furthermore, immune evasion mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment allow tumors to escape host immune surveillance, complicating treatment efforts.
This Research Topic aims to compile and showcase the latest research findings on these microenvironmental changes and their impact on disease. The editorial team particularly encourages studies that explore how these microenvironmental characteristics can be leveraged to develop new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Specifically, the issue is interested in research on the composition and function of the microbiome and its influence on the progression of digestive tract diseases; the mechanisms of interaction between immune cells and tumor cells; the role of chronic inflammation in disease; and the function of stromal components within the tumor microenvironment.
Additionally, discussions on translating these mechanisms into clinical practice are sought, including the development of novel diagnostic tools and personalized treatment strategies. By gaining a deeper understanding of these complex biological processes, the Research Topic hopes to drive innovation in the early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of digestive tract diseases, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
The editorial team warmly invites scholars with in-depth research in this field to submit their original research articles, review papers, and case studies. This Research Topic aims to collect articles highlighting advances in the study of less common chronic diseases and tumors. We hope this research topic will provide a compass for new researchers orienting themselves in this promising field and an opportunity for established ones to share their results and insights.
The potential manuscripts we are interested in include but are not limited to Original Research. Methods. Perspective. and review articles covering the following topics.
•Composition and Role of the Microenvironment in Disease:
The roles of immune cells, epithelial cells, stromal components, and microbiota within the digestive tract microenvironment.
The impact of microbiota on digestive tract diseases, including changes in their composition and function.
•Chronic Inflammation and Disease Progression:
Mechanisms of chronic inflammation in digestive tract diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, gastritis, and cancer.
How inflammatory signaling pathways influence tumor formation and progression.
•Immune Evasion Mechanisms in the Tumor Microenvironment:
How tumors alter the microenvironment to evade host immune surveillance.
The role of immune checkpoint molecules within the tumor microenvironment.
•Interactions Between Stromal Components and the Tumor Microenvironment:
The influence of stromal components, such as fibroblasts, blood vessels, and the extracellular matrix, on tumor growth and metastasis.
Mechanisms of interaction between stroma and cancer cells.
•Impact of the Microenvironment on Treatment Response:
How microenvironmental factors affect the efficacy of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy.
Contributions of the microenvironment to treatment resistance and its underlying mechanisms.
•Development of New Diagnostic Markers and Therapeutic Targets:
Identification and validation of new molecular and cellular markers based on microenvironmental changes.
Design and evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies targeting microenvironmental features.
•Translational Research:
Pathways and challenges in applying basic research findings to clinical practice.
Development and clinical validation of novel diagnostic tools and personalized treatment strategies.
•Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Microenvironmental Changes:
Basic research on the molecular and cellular basis of microenvironmental changes, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics analyses.
The microenvironment of the digestive tract is a complex ecosystem, characterized by interactions among epithelial cells, immune cells, stromal components, and the microbiota. These microenvironmental factors influence the onset and progression of diseases and significantly affect treatment response and prognosis. For example, chronic inflammation is a key driver of many gastrointestinal diseases, while dysbiosis of the microbiota has been closely linked to tumorigenesis. Furthermore, immune evasion mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment allow tumors to escape host immune surveillance, complicating treatment efforts.
This Research Topic aims to compile and showcase the latest research findings on these microenvironmental changes and their impact on disease. The editorial team particularly encourages studies that explore how these microenvironmental characteristics can be leveraged to develop new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Specifically, the issue is interested in research on the composition and function of the microbiome and its influence on the progression of digestive tract diseases; the mechanisms of interaction between immune cells and tumor cells; the role of chronic inflammation in disease; and the function of stromal components within the tumor microenvironment.
Additionally, discussions on translating these mechanisms into clinical practice are sought, including the development of novel diagnostic tools and personalized treatment strategies. By gaining a deeper understanding of these complex biological processes, the Research Topic hopes to drive innovation in the early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of digestive tract diseases, ultimately improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
The editorial team warmly invites scholars with in-depth research in this field to submit their original research articles, review papers, and case studies. This Research Topic aims to collect articles highlighting advances in the study of less common chronic diseases and tumors. We hope this research topic will provide a compass for new researchers orienting themselves in this promising field and an opportunity for established ones to share their results and insights.
The potential manuscripts we are interested in include but are not limited to Original Research. Methods. Perspective. and review articles covering the following topics.
•Composition and Role of the Microenvironment in Disease:
The roles of immune cells, epithelial cells, stromal components, and microbiota within the digestive tract microenvironment.
The impact of microbiota on digestive tract diseases, including changes in their composition and function.
•Chronic Inflammation and Disease Progression:
Mechanisms of chronic inflammation in digestive tract diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, gastritis, and cancer.
How inflammatory signaling pathways influence tumor formation and progression.
•Immune Evasion Mechanisms in the Tumor Microenvironment:
How tumors alter the microenvironment to evade host immune surveillance.
The role of immune checkpoint molecules within the tumor microenvironment.
•Interactions Between Stromal Components and the Tumor Microenvironment:
The influence of stromal components, such as fibroblasts, blood vessels, and the extracellular matrix, on tumor growth and metastasis.
Mechanisms of interaction between stroma and cancer cells.
•Impact of the Microenvironment on Treatment Response:
How microenvironmental factors affect the efficacy of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy.
Contributions of the microenvironment to treatment resistance and its underlying mechanisms.
•Development of New Diagnostic Markers and Therapeutic Targets:
Identification and validation of new molecular and cellular markers based on microenvironmental changes.
Design and evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies targeting microenvironmental features.
•Translational Research:
Pathways and challenges in applying basic research findings to clinical practice.
Development and clinical validation of novel diagnostic tools and personalized treatment strategies.
•Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Microenvironmental Changes:
Basic research on the molecular and cellular basis of microenvironmental changes, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics analyses.
Keywords: cancer, molecular diagnostics, molecular therapeutics, tumor microenvironment, chronic diseases
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.
