Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a distinct subtype of breast cancer characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 expression. Representing 10%-20% of all breast cancer cases, TNBC is associated with a higher likelihood of early distant recurrence and a poorer 5-year prognosis compared to other subtypes. The heterogeneity of TNBC poses significant challenges in understanding its cellular composition and tissue architecture. Traditional methods such as histological studies and bulk sequencing have provided foundational insights, but they fall short in capturing the complexity of cell-cell interactions (CCIs) within the tumor microenvironment. Recent advancements in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) and spatially resolved transcriptomics (SRT) have opened new avenues for exploring the cellular landscape of tumors, offering deeper insights into cell biology, disease etiology, and drug response. Despite these advancements, there remains a critical need to further elucidate the intricate CCIs that drive tumor development and progression, particularly in the context of tumor-immune cell interactions.
This research topic aims to enhance our understanding of cell-cell interactions in triple-negative breast cancer. By focusing on the spatial architecture of the tumor microenvironment, the research seeks to unravel the complex interactions between different cell types within TNBC. The primary objective is to foster original studies and review articles that delve into the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions, with the ultimate goal of contributing to improved therapeutic strategies for TNBC. Key questions include how tumor cells communicate with immune cells and how these interactions can be targeted for precise immunotherapeutic interventions.
To gather further insights into the spatial and molecular dynamics of cell-cell interactions in TNBC, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Molecular mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between tumor cells and immune cells in TNBC.
- Advancements in precise immunotherapeutic strategies targeting CCIs in TNBC.
- Development of new algorithms for efficient data processing and precise cell classification in spatial transcriptomics to reconstruct cell interaction patterns.
- Innovative strategies for monitoring cell-cell interactions.
- Visualization of gene expression patterns in two-dimensional slices or interactive exploration of molecular features and spatial morphology in three-dimensional space specific to TNBC.
Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases, which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo), are out of the scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.
Keywords: Triple Negative Breast Cancer, complex cell-cell interaction, TNBC
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.
