About this Research Topic
We are delighted to present this Editor’s Challenge, led by Dr. Pilotto and in collaboration with Dr. Morten Quist and Dr. Alice Avancini, asking the key research question "How can we modulate the tumor-host interplay through lifestyle to optimize outcomes in patients with lung cancer?".
Lung cancer represents the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The genomic background of the tumor has been shown to play a crucial role in determining lung cancer characteristics, behavior, prognosis, and treatment sensitivity. To such an extent that molecular genotyping and matched targeted therapies are essential therapeutical principles in lung cancer. The treatment paradigm has further changed thanks to the introduction of immunotherapy. It has now become the main first-line option for patients affected by advanced lung cancer. Nevertheless, responses to lung cancer treatments are heterogeneous and influenced by a series of tumor- and host-related factors that need to be explored and clarified to optimize the decision-making algorithm and improve the expected treatment benefit.
Exposure to genotoxic and tumor-promoting lifestyle-related factors (i.e., smoking, unbalanced diet, lack of physical activity) may interact with the host’s genetic and immuno-inflammatory profiles leading to an increased risk of cancer development, progression, and an impairment treatment response/tolerability in different tumor types, including lung cancer. Among lifestyle-related habits, physical activity and nutrition have been shown to have a crucial role in lung cancer. Cardiorespiratory fitness, malnutrition, and muscle mass are strong predictors of overall survival in lung cancer. Additionally, lifestyle intervention may mitigate treatment-related toxicities and overall improve patients’ quality of life. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms by which modifiable lifestyle interacts with host factors have not yet been clarified.
We welcome Original Research and Review papers that address the question "How can we modulate the tumor-host interplay through lifestyle to optimize outcomes in patients with lung cancer?".
Please note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases that are not accompanied by validation (independent cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this section and will not be accepted as part of this Research Topic.
Keywords: lung cancer, lifestyle, tumor-host, nutrition, physical activity, toxicity
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.