This Research Topic is the second volume of the “Community Series in Cell Network in Antitumor Immunity of Pediatric and Adult Solid Tumors”. Please see the first volume
here".
The field of cancer immunology has made significant strides in understanding the role of the immune system in tumor dynamics, particularly in pediatric and adult solid tumors. The immune system's dual role in either suppressing or stimulating tumor growth has ushered in a new era of cancer treatment, emphasizing the importance of a coordinated anti-tumor immune response. This response involves a complex interplay between innate and adaptive immune cells, such as dendritic cells, T cells, natural killer cells, and others, which work together to recognize and destroy tumor cells. However, the tumor microenvironment (TME) presents a significant challenge, as it comprises various cellular and non-cellular components that can either support or hinder anti-tumor immunity. Despite advances in immunotherapy, including the use of checkpoint inhibitors and NK cell-based therapies, many patients still experience resistance or relapse, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of the cellular interactions within the TME and their impact on immune function.
This research topic aims to explore the intricate cellular communication within the TME during cancer initiation, progression, and response to therapy. The focus will be on how cancer cells influence immune system function and the interplay between innate and adaptive immunity within the TME. By examining these interactions, the research seeks to uncover therapeutic strategies that can prevent immune evasion and stimulate robust, long-lasting anticancer immune responses. Key questions include understanding the regulatory mechanisms of the TME on immune cells, identifying new therapeutic targets, and optimizing existing immunomodulatory drugs to enhance the anti-tumor immune response.
To gather further insights into the cellular interactions within the TME, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Regulation of innate and adaptive immunity by the TME.
- Molecular mechanisms underlying interactions between immune cells and tumor cells/blood cells/adipocytes/pericytes/stromal cells.
- Myeloid/lymphoid communication with the TME during cancer progression.
- Optimization of existing immunomodulatory drugs that, targeting the TME, restore or boost the adaptive immune response against cancer cells.
- Identification of new therapies that, by interfering with cellular crosstalk, reprogram a dysfunctional microenvironment in favor of effective anti-tumor immunity.
- Understanding how interactions between cancer cells, immune cells, and other TME components affect therapy-based anti-checkpoint inhibitors.
- Exploration of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets related to cell-cell interaction within the TME.
Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by robust and relevant validation are considered out of scope of this section.