About this Research Topic
The implication of tumour microenvironment (TME) on cancer progression and therapeutic response has profoundly shifted the paradigms of molecular cancer research and drug discovery. The intricate networks of immune-inflammatory cells and signalling, cancer-associated fibroblasts, endothelial cells and adipose cells are extensively researched for diagnostics, therapeutics and predictive values. This includes siRNA and miRNA nanotherapeutics targeting these molecular components, owing to their powerful gene-silencing properties. Despite the concerted effort in the development of drug targeting TME, such as BLZ945 (a colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor inhibitor), there is a void in clinically satisfactory drug to target this intricate factor, thus far.
There has also been discussion on metabolic microenvironment, hypoxia niche and drug repurposing in targeting the tumour microenvironment. Examples of the latter include aspirin and statin that have been demonstrated to target the metabolic and immunomodulatory landscape of TME in preclinical models. Despite substantial advances, the translational impact in the manipulation of the tumour environment components is yet to be ascertained.
This Research Topic aims to cover recent advances in various aspects of understanding the tumour microenvironment, including, but not limited to, the following topics:
• The molecular signalling of the TME networks in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis and drug resistance
• The role of metabolic regulation surrounding TME and its crosstalk with immunomodulatory molecules
• Tumour physical and chemical microenvironments, such as tumour interstitial fluid pressure, pH, enzymes, and hypoxia as targeting strategies
• Drug discovery, including nanotechnology and drug delivery in targeting the TME components
• Challenges in clinical translation and large-scale manufacturing of nanocarrier systems to target TME
• Drug repurposing in targeting TME
• Advanced research techniques in investigating TME
There has also been discussion on metabolic microenvironment, hypoxia niche and drug repurposing in targeting the tumour microenvironment. Examples of the latter include aspirin and statin that have been demonstrated to target the metabolic and immunomodulatory landscape of TME in preclinical models. Despite substantial advances, the translational impact in the manipulation of the tumour environment components is yet to be ascertained.
This Research Topic aims to cover recent advances in various aspects of understanding the tumour microenvironment, including, but not limited to, the following topics:
• The molecular signalling of the TME networks in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis and drug resistance
• The role of metabolic regulation surrounding TME and its crosstalk with immunomodulatory molecules
• Tumour physical and chemical microenvironments, such as tumour interstitial fluid pressure, pH, enzymes, and hypoxia as targeting strategies
• Drug discovery, including nanotechnology and drug delivery in targeting the TME components
• Challenges in clinical translation and large-scale manufacturing of nanocarrier systems to target TME
• Drug repurposing in targeting TME
• Advanced research techniques in investigating TME
Keywords: Tumour microenvironment, cancer, cancer-associated fibroblasts, nanotherapeutics, drug discovery, drug repurposing
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.
