About this Research Topic
Biological drugs, which include monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, recombinant and fusion proteins, cell and gene therapies, represent a rapidly evolving field in modern therapeutics. Many of these drugs are designed to modulate the immune system, a key aspect of treatment for a variety of diseases. Since the 1980s, biological drugs have transformed clinical practices in organ transplantation (muromonab), chronic immune conditions such as multiple sclerosis (interferon-beta) or Crohn’s disease (TNFα inhibitors) and cancer (interferon-alpha, immune checkpoint inhibitors). However, many challenges remain in treating resistant cancers and (auto)immune disorders, prompting the need for continued development of innovative immune-modulating therapies. Additionally, a significant share of patients does not response to the chosen therapy or lose response over time. This and the emerging plethora of novel therapies underpins the urgent need for reliable biomarkers to guide the selection of the best therapy for each patient. The progression from traditional 2D cell cultures to advanced 3D cell models has been transformative for drug testing, offering more complex and accurate representations of human tissues, while reducing the need for animal testing. 3D models, which better mimic the in vivo environment, provide enhanced predictive power for drug efficacy and are increasingly seen as essential tools in developing immune-modulating therapies.
The goal of this Research Topic is to highlight the latest advancements in immune-modulating biological drugs, with a focus on novel therapeutic approaches and the technologies driving their development. A key area of interest is the shift toward more complex and physiologically relevant in vitro models for drug testing, especially in the context of immune modulation. These models, including 3D cell cultures, co-culture and organ-on-chip systems, offer a significant improvement over traditional 2D models, providing a more accurate representation of the in vivo disease environment. Additionally, the aim is to explore how the integration of immune biomarkers can help personalize treatment approaches both in cancer and chronic immune diseases. By bringing together cutting-edge research on immune-modulating biologicals and the development of advanced cellular models, this special issue will contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential of these emerging treatments.
This Research Topic welcomes original research papers and reviews addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Novel immune-modulating agents and their therapeutic applications.
- Technological advancements in 3D cell culture systems and their impact on drug development.
- The role of immune biomarkers in customizing treatment plans.
- Comparative analysis of 2D and 3D drug testing methodologies.
- Clinical implications of novel biological therapies for treatment-resistant diseases. This special issue will provide a platform for disseminating research that bridges experimental innovations with clinical applications, ultimately contributing to more effective and personalized therapeutic strategies.
The goal of this Research Topic is to highlight the latest advancements in immune-modulating biological drugs, with a focus on novel therapeutic approaches and the technologies driving their development. A key area of interest is the shift toward more complex and physiologically relevant in vitro models for drug testing, especially in the context of immune modulation. These models, including 3D cell cultures, co-culture and organ-on-chip systems, offer a significant improvement over traditional 2D models, providing a more accurate representation of the in vivo disease environment. Additionally, the aim is to explore how the integration of immune biomarkers can help personalize treatment approaches both in cancer and chronic immune diseases. By bringing together cutting-edge research on immune-modulating biologicals and the development of advanced cellular models, this special issue will contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential of these emerging treatments.
This Research Topic welcomes original research papers and reviews addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Novel immune-modulating agents and their therapeutic applications.
- Technological advancements in 3D cell culture systems and their impact on drug development.
- The role of immune biomarkers in customizing treatment plans.
- Comparative analysis of 2D and 3D drug testing methodologies.
- Clinical implications of novel biological therapies for treatment-resistant diseases. This special issue will provide a platform for disseminating research that bridges experimental innovations with clinical applications, ultimately contributing to more effective and personalized therapeutic strategies.
Keywords: cancer, immune chronic disease, biological drugs, 2D cell models, 3D cell models, biomarkers
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.
