Hematologic malignancies such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), acute myeloid or lymphoid leukemia (AML, ALL), or myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) arise from hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells (HSPCs) in the bone marrow (BM). Other malignancies such as lymphomas, Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia, or myeloma derive from mature lymphoid cells and often reside in BM. Despite often achieving complete remission with induction chemotherapy, several patients will experience relapse, which remains a significant barrier to cure. Relapse-initiating cells are reported to be maintained by in vivo niches within the BM, thus evading and surviving chemotherapy. Besides chemotherapy, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, targeted therapy, and/or new immunotherapies have been used in high-risk patients. All these therapies have shown significant influence on the BM microenvironment (niche) of normal and malignant hematologic cells. However, the complexity of underlying mechanisms is still not completely understood.
The niche as safe haven for leukemic cells is composed out of various cell types including mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), osteoblasts, adipocytes, neurons, as well as immune cells (e.g. macrophages, regulatory T cells). The niche not only protects leukemic blasts from chemotherapy or other new therapeutics but also contributes to the resistance of cells by modifying their epigenetics and immune contexture through niche-leukemia interaction (e.g. inducing interference with cell-cycle to acquire resistance to chemo-drugs that only target proliferating cells). The cellular interaction within the niche is mediated by direct contacts, e.g. by adhesion molecules, but also via extracellular components such as cytokines, vesicles (EVs), or matrix (ECM). To improve current therapies and develop new strategies, a more detailed analysis of the interaction of hematological malignancies with cellular and extracellular components of the BM niche is required. Therefore, this Research Topic aims to highlight the recent advances, to cover the progress of basic and preclinical research, to address the relevant and novel therapeutic strategies as well as to identify and discuss the pitfalls and limiting factors.
This Research Topic is seeking to collect the latest findings and achievements in the field of basic and translational research of malignant bone marrow microenvironment. It includes studies of the cellular composition of the normal, dysplastic, and leukemic niches and the complex interactions between these cells as well as targeting the deregulated niche and restoring niche function.
We welcome submissions of original research, systematic review, mini-review, hypothesis and theory, opinion, method, brief research report, letters to the editor, commentary, and opinions.
We intend to cover research related to:
- Hematological malignancies incl. MDS, AML, CML, ALL, MPN, plasma cell dyscrasias, and lymphomas
- MSCs, osteoblasts, endothelial cells, adipocytes, neurons, immune cells
- Modulation of epigenetic mechanisms
Please note: Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics, computational analysis, or predictions of public databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) will not be accepted in any of the sections of Frontiers in Oncology.
Hematologic malignancies such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), acute myeloid or lymphoid leukemia (AML, ALL), or myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) arise from hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells (HSPCs) in the bone marrow (BM). Other malignancies such as lymphomas, Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia, or myeloma derive from mature lymphoid cells and often reside in BM. Despite often achieving complete remission with induction chemotherapy, several patients will experience relapse, which remains a significant barrier to cure. Relapse-initiating cells are reported to be maintained by in vivo niches within the BM, thus evading and surviving chemotherapy. Besides chemotherapy, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, targeted therapy, and/or new immunotherapies have been used in high-risk patients. All these therapies have shown significant influence on the BM microenvironment (niche) of normal and malignant hematologic cells. However, the complexity of underlying mechanisms is still not completely understood.
The niche as safe haven for leukemic cells is composed out of various cell types including mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), osteoblasts, adipocytes, neurons, as well as immune cells (e.g. macrophages, regulatory T cells). The niche not only protects leukemic blasts from chemotherapy or other new therapeutics but also contributes to the resistance of cells by modifying their epigenetics and immune contexture through niche-leukemia interaction (e.g. inducing interference with cell-cycle to acquire resistance to chemo-drugs that only target proliferating cells). The cellular interaction within the niche is mediated by direct contacts, e.g. by adhesion molecules, but also via extracellular components such as cytokines, vesicles (EVs), or matrix (ECM). To improve current therapies and develop new strategies, a more detailed analysis of the interaction of hematological malignancies with cellular and extracellular components of the BM niche is required. Therefore, this Research Topic aims to highlight the recent advances, to cover the progress of basic and preclinical research, to address the relevant and novel therapeutic strategies as well as to identify and discuss the pitfalls and limiting factors.
This Research Topic is seeking to collect the latest findings and achievements in the field of basic and translational research of malignant bone marrow microenvironment. It includes studies of the cellular composition of the normal, dysplastic, and leukemic niches and the complex interactions between these cells as well as targeting the deregulated niche and restoring niche function.
We welcome submissions of original research, systematic review, mini-review, hypothesis and theory, opinion, method, brief research report, letters to the editor, commentary, and opinions.
We intend to cover research related to:
- Hematological malignancies incl. MDS, AML, CML, ALL, MPN, plasma cell dyscrasias, and lymphomas
- MSCs, osteoblasts, endothelial cells, adipocytes, neurons, immune cells
- Modulation of epigenetic mechanisms
Please note: Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics, computational analysis, or predictions of public databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) will not be accepted in any of the sections of Frontiers in Oncology.