Modern cancer immunotherapies revolutionize cancer treatment outcomes, showcasing significant successes in the management of various cancers. Despite these advances, resistance to immunotherapies, either primary or acquired, remains a significant hurdle, particularly for solid tumors. Central to this phenomenon is the failure of cancer cell elimination due to disruptions in the intricate series of interactions between cancer cells and immune cells. This challenge has spurred an intense focus over the past decade, unearthing a multitude of resistance mechanisms such as weak T cell penetration, immunosuppressive environments within tumors, and changes in antigen presentation. Even with substantial progress, a consistent biomarker that predicts therapy success has yet to be established, underlining a critical ongoing research need.
This research topic strives to offer a thorough exploration of cancer immunotherapy resistance mechanisms, embracing both external and internal influences. It aims to spotlight emerging progress in understanding and tackling these barriers in both laboratory and clinical settings. Focusing on enhancing our knowledge base about these mechanisms can lead to more tailored and effective therapeutic strategies that could preempt or overcome resistance.
We encourage the submission of diverse, interdisciplinary studies that expand our understanding of the biological responses to cancer immunotherapy across different cancers. Notable areas of interest include:
o Studies on novel therapeutic approaches like immune synapse interventions
o Utilization of cutting-edge methods including multi-omics and CRISPR screenings
o Integrative research combining oncology with fundamental and clinical immunology
For this topic, we particularly seek:
o Extrinsic resistance mechanisms: Influence of factors like microbiome, tumor microenvironment, and immune cell types (e.g., myeloid cells, regulatory T cells)
o Intrinsic resistance pathways: Explorations into immune checkpoint dynamics, signaling disruptions (e.g., Interferons, MAPKs), and antigenic variation
o Innovative treatments and strategies that address or bypass immunotherapy resistance
Submissions can range from Original Research and Reviews to Case Reports, across all cancer types, with a preference for studies validated through rigorous in-vivo and in-vitro methods or those supported by clinical evidence. Studies relying solely on bioinformatic analysis without empirical validation are not within the scope of this call.
Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by robust and relevant validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this topic.
Keywords: Cancer Immunotherapy, Resistance mechanisms, Extrinsic Mechanisms, Intrinsic Mechanisms, Novel therapies, Combinatorial Strategies, Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, Redirection of T cells, Bispecific Antibodies, CAR T cells, Solid Tumours, Haematological Tum
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.
