About this Research Topic
Stem cells and the immune system play critical roles in tumorigenesis. Decades of research have demonstrated that cancers can be initiated, maintained, and regenerated by a rare stem or stem-like subpopulation of cells. However, a highly potent immunosurveillance system eliminates these tumorigenic cells as they emerge. Recent studies indicate that cancer stem cells can overcome immune barriers and are particularly resistant to anti-cancer immunity. In particular, cancer recurrence or relapse continues to represent a major barrier for treating cancer, including with immunotherapy, and unfortunately the underlying mechanisms for this resistance continue to be only poorly understood.
Cancer develops only when the immune system fails to recognize and eliminate incipient cancer cells. Similarly, cancer treatment failure remains a critical but poorly understood phenomenon. Recent advances show that therapy resistance and immune escape can be driven by stem cells or by the co-option of stem-like mechanisms by cancer cells. Understanding how stem cells normally interact with the immune system and how cancer cells escape immune recognition will be critical for future advances in cancer prevention and developing enduring cures. Here, the current state of knowledge for this emerging field of stem cells in the context of the immune system will be explored, which will potentially reveal novel targets for improving the current armamentarium of cancer immunotherapy.
We welcome original research articles and reviews on the emerging field of stem cells in their immune contexture. In particular, the following topics may be focused on:
• Stem cells do not exist in isolation but are governed by their microenvironment. What role does the immune system play in normal and tumorigenic microenvironments?
• Healthy stem cells have been described as being immune privileged. How is this phenomenon regulated and how does cancer hijack it?
• Genetic signaling pathways regulating stem cell function have also been implicated in immune regulation. How might these pathways be coordinated?
• Immune checkpoints have been targeted for anti-cancer therapy with some success. Stem cells have been shown to express immune checkpoints. How might this impact the long-term success of anti-cancer immunotherapy?
Cancer develops only when the immune system fails to recognize and eliminate incipient cancer cells. Similarly, cancer treatment failure remains a critical but poorly understood phenomenon. Recent advances show that therapy resistance and immune escape can be driven by stem cells or by the co-option of stem-like mechanisms by cancer cells. Understanding how stem cells normally interact with the immune system and how cancer cells escape immune recognition will be critical for future advances in cancer prevention and developing enduring cures. Here, the current state of knowledge for this emerging field of stem cells in the context of the immune system will be explored, which will potentially reveal novel targets for improving the current armamentarium of cancer immunotherapy.
We welcome original research articles and reviews on the emerging field of stem cells in their immune contexture. In particular, the following topics may be focused on:
• Stem cells do not exist in isolation but are governed by their microenvironment. What role does the immune system play in normal and tumorigenic microenvironments?
• Healthy stem cells have been described as being immune privileged. How is this phenomenon regulated and how does cancer hijack it?
• Genetic signaling pathways regulating stem cell function have also been implicated in immune regulation. How might these pathways be coordinated?
• Immune checkpoints have been targeted for anti-cancer therapy with some success. Stem cells have been shown to express immune checkpoints. How might this impact the long-term success of anti-cancer immunotherapy?
Keywords: Stem cells, cancer stem cells, immunity, immune system, immune privilege, immunotherapy, microenvironment, niche
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.
