The field of cancer research has made significant strides in classifying different types of cancer, but the complexity and heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) continue to pose challenges in finding a cure. The TME of solid cancer comprises stromal cells, immune cells, and an abundant and complex acellular component, the extracellular matrix (ECM). Recent studies have underscored the profound influence of the ECM on key aspects of tumor immunity, including the impact of ECM components on the infiltration and activation of diverse subsets of immune cells. While therapeutic targeting of immune cells has revolutionized cancer treatment, many patients do not benefit from these treatments, and some experience severe adverse effects. Therefore, the need for a better understanding of the complex processes driving tumor immunity and those that counteract it, along with the search for biomarkers predicting response to immunotherapy, are active fields of research.The primary aim of this research topic is to compile the latest advances and breakthroughs in the interconnection of immunity and ECM, its role in immunotherapies, and strategies for developing ECM-based biomarkers. This will help to personalize cancer immunotherapies and predict their efficacy. The goal is to dissect the tissue-specific crosstalk between the ECM and immune cells and its implications for immunotherapy, which may reveal new biomarkers and therapeutic targets.The scope of this research topic is limited to the interplay between immunity and ECM in the context of cancer. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- The influence of ECM on immune cell infiltration within the tumors- ECM as a modulator of immunosuppression- Impact of ECM on the efficacy of immunotherapies- ECM remodeling as a source of predictive biomarkers- Exploiting ECM to deliver immunotherapeutic agents- Targeting ECM to improve anti-cancer immunityPlease 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.
The field of cancer research has made significant strides in classifying different types of cancer, but the complexity and heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment (TME) continue to pose challenges in finding a cure. The TME of solid cancer comprises stromal cells, immune cells, and an abundant and complex acellular component, the extracellular matrix (ECM). Recent studies have underscored the profound influence of the ECM on key aspects of tumor immunity, including the impact of ECM components on the infiltration and activation of diverse subsets of immune cells. While therapeutic targeting of immune cells has revolutionized cancer treatment, many patients do not benefit from these treatments, and some experience severe adverse effects. Therefore, the need for a better understanding of the complex processes driving tumor immunity and those that counteract it, along with the search for biomarkers predicting response to immunotherapy, are active fields of research.The primary aim of this research topic is to compile the latest advances and breakthroughs in the interconnection of immunity and ECM, its role in immunotherapies, and strategies for developing ECM-based biomarkers. This will help to personalize cancer immunotherapies and predict their efficacy. The goal is to dissect the tissue-specific crosstalk between the ECM and immune cells and its implications for immunotherapy, which may reveal new biomarkers and therapeutic targets.The scope of this research topic is limited to the interplay between immunity and ECM in the context of cancer. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- The influence of ECM on immune cell infiltration within the tumors- ECM as a modulator of immunosuppression- Impact of ECM on the efficacy of immunotherapies- ECM remodeling as a source of predictive biomarkers- Exploiting ECM to deliver immunotherapeutic agents- Targeting ECM to improve anti-cancer immunityPlease 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.