Cell fusion and immune regulation in cancer and tissue regeneration: Emerging paradigms and therapeutic implications

Cell fusion has emerged as a critical process in cancer progression, metastasis, and the development of resistance to therapeutic agents. Recent studies have demonstrated that cancer cells can fuse with a range of cell types, including immune cells, leading to the formation of hybrid cells with enhanced malignant characteristics. These fusion events can significantly impact immune regulation within the tumor microenvironment, thereby contributing to immune evasion and treatment failure. Simultaneously, cell fusion plays a crucial role in tissue regeneration and repair processes. A deeper understanding of the immune system's involvement in regulating these fusion processes could lead to novel therapeutic approaches for enhancing tissue healing and regeneration.

This Research Topic aims to explore the cutting-edge research at the intersection of cell fusion, immune regulation, cancer biology, and regenerative medicine, and will bring together original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that address the following key areas and subtopics:

• The role of macrophage-cancer cell fusion in metastasis and immune evasion.
• Fusion between mesenchymal stem cells and immune cells in tissue repair.
• Immune regulation of cell fusion events in the tumor microenvironment.
• Cell fusion-mediated reprogramming of immune cells in cancer.
• Novel therapeutic approaches targeting cell fusion in cancer.
• The impact of cell fusion on antigen presentation and T cell responses.
• Cell fusion in the formation and maintenance of cancer stem cells.
• Epigenetic regulation of cell fusion and its implications for immune responses.
• Technologies for detecting and tracking cell fusion events in vivo.
• Cell fusion in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine: immune considerations.
• Metabolic reprogramming of cancer cell hybrids.