About this Research Topic
The complement system is an essential part of the innate immune system that is responsible for regulating inflammation, facilitating immune defense mechanisms, and maintaining tissue homeostasis. Despite its critical role in the regulation of immunity, the complement system has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of a range of inflammatory diseases, including cancer. The complement system can eliminate tumor cells via complement-dependent cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. In turn, cancer cells are thought to evade complement-mediated destruction by up-regulating the expression of endogenous complement inhibitors. However research over the past 10 years has demonstrated that complement proteins, in particular the complement anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a, contribute to tumor growth and metastasis. Complement proteins have been shown to also promote tumor growth indirectly, either via host immune cells to promote an immunosuppressive microenvironment or via vascular cells to promote angiogenesis. However these proteins may also affect tumor cells directly by contributing to genetic instability and by promoting tumor growth and metastatic spread.
This Research Topic will give a comprehensive overview of the role of complement proteins in regulating tumor development, progression and metastasis. In addition, it will provide perspective on the potential targeting of complement in cancer therapy. We welcome the submission of Original Research articles as well as Review, Mini-Review and Systematic Review articles that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
1. Complement proteins as regulators of anti-tumor immune responses.
2. The potential for complement proteins to act directly on tumor cells.
3. The role of complement in regulating tumor metastasis.
4. The role of complement inhibitory proteins in regulating anti-tumor immunity.
5. The therapeutic potential of complement modulation.
6. The application of complement proteins in vaccine development.
This Research Topic will give a comprehensive overview of the role of complement proteins in regulating tumor development, progression and metastasis. In addition, it will provide perspective on the potential targeting of complement in cancer therapy. We welcome the submission of Original Research articles as well as Review, Mini-Review and Systematic Review articles that cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
1. Complement proteins as regulators of anti-tumor immune responses.
2. The potential for complement proteins to act directly on tumor cells.
3. The role of complement in regulating tumor metastasis.
4. The role of complement inhibitory proteins in regulating anti-tumor immunity.
5. The therapeutic potential of complement modulation.
6. The application of complement proteins in vaccine development.
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.
