About this Research Topic

Background

Gliomas are a wide range of primary brain tumors that affect patients of all ages. Though the incidence is low compared to other cancer types, they are associated with significant morbidity and low median survival reaching around 16 months post diagnosis for the most malignant glioma. These tumors form within the central nervous system, characterized by a unique microenvironment and are protected by the blood-brain barrier, which limits treatment opportunities. Recent advances in research techniques have established the heterogeneity of this tumor and how the interactions with its microenvironment contribute to tumor aggressiveness. Genetic and transcriptional diversity of glioma cells (including cancer stem cells) and complex composition of tumor surrounding stroma with residing CNS cells and infiltrating immune cells impact the efficacy of therapeutic approaches. Understanding the biology of this system will provide potential new therapeutic targets for improved clinical responses and prolonged survival of patients.

High intra- and inter- tumor heterogeneity impedes discovery of successful therapeutic approaches in glioma. Many biological processes in the tumor milieu are affected by genetic mutations and phenotype plasticity of cancer cells. The tumor microenvironment (TME) functions as a complex network of interactions, with significant contribution of infiltrating immune cells and surrounding tumor stroma. Moreover, the glioma TME undergoes dynamic spatiotemporal changes upon progression or recurrence, in response to treatments, hypoxic stress or metabolic challenges.


This Topic will focus on various aspects of glioma, from the driver genetic/epigenetic alterations to the cellular heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment. With recent advances in molecular diagnostics and single-cell omics techniques we are gaining insights into the complexity of gliomas to better understand the disease biology and progression. Detailed characterization of cell entities and their crosstalk in the tumor ecosystem is of immense importance to bring new targeted and personalized therapeutic approaches for this type of malignancy.

We welcome manuscripts addressing the issue of heterogeneity in various types of adult or pediatric glioma. Studies focusing on glioma heterogeneity and/or crosstalk between tumor cells and stroma that would contribute to better understating of glioma genetics and cellular biology are highly encouraged. Following themes and research oriented around the topics are of interest:

- Identification of heterogenous genetic and cellular populations in glioma

- Crosstalk between the glioma cells and tumor microenvironment

- Computational interrogation of available datasets to define complex interactions in the tumor

- Animal models of glioma focusing on heterogeneity

- Therapeutic interventions in predefined glioma models (targeted or immuno-therapeutic approaches)

Keywords: glioma, tumor microenvironment, tumor-associated macrophages, immuno-oncology, targeted therapy

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