The field of immune heterogeneity in inflammatory diseases and cancer is rapidly evolving, with significant implications for understanding and treating these complex conditions. Immune homeostasis is crucial for maintaining metabolic balance and health, distinguishing self from non-self, and neutralizing pathogenic threats. However, dysregulation of this balance is implicated in a range of inflammatory pathologies, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and various cancers. Current treatments often involve systemic administration of non-specific small molecules, which, while effective, can lead to broad immunosuppression and undesirable side effects. Biological drugs offer a more targeted approach, altering immune cell trafficking and modulating activation states. Recent studies have advanced the development of small-molecule therapies, particularly selective Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, which have been approved for treating immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). In oncology, the heterogeneity of immune cell infiltration, influenced by molecular events such as cellular senescence and metabolic reprogramming, is crucial for prognosis prediction and therapeutic development. The variability in response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the immune microenvironment to improve treatment outcomes.
This research topic aims to explore the heterogeneity and dynamic nature of immune cell populations in the context of inflammatory diseases and cancer. The main objectives include identifying individuals likely to respond to immunotherapy, developing new targets for immunotherapy, and advancing treatment strategies. Specific questions to be addressed include the molecular events during inflammation, the communication between immune cells, and the identification of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. By focusing on these areas, the research seeks to enhance our understanding of immune regulation and improve clinical treatment decisions.
To gather further insights into the complexities of immune heterogeneity in inflammatory diseases and cancer, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Immune Microenvironment Dynamics: Studies on changes within the immune microenvironment and molecular mechanisms differentiating normal from inflammatory states.
- Signaling and Molecular Events: Examination of signal pathways and molecular events in immune regulation, such as cellular senescence and metabolic reprogramming.
- Multi-Omic Analysis: Deciphering immune microenvironment complexity through genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data.
- Novel Diagnostic/Drug Discovery Strategies: Innovative approaches to non-invasive diagnosis or drug discovery targeting immune system heterogeneity.
- Pharmacological and Translational Research: Research on immune checkpoint therapies and advanced drug delivery systems.
- Clinical Applications and AI Insights: Insights from clinical studies and AI applications in identifying novel biomarkers and immune cell communication pathways.
- Inflammation and Drug Resistance: The interplay between inflammatory and immune factors in drug resistance and therapeutic responses.
- Environmental and Genetic Influences: Impact of environmental exposures and genetic diversity on immune microenvironment composition and function.
- Bioinformatics and Computational Analysis: Development of bioinformatics tools for assessing complex immune infiltration patterns.
Keywords: immune heterogeneity, inflammatory diseases, cancer, molecular targets, mechanism, bioinformatics
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.
