Pathology and immunology are two interrelated fields that play a critical role in understanding disease mechanisms and advancing medical science. Pathology focuses on the structural and functional changes in cells, tissues, and organs caused by disease, while immunology examines the body’s defence mechanisms against infections, autoimmune conditions, and cancer.

The integration of these disciplines has led to groundbreaking advancements in diagnostics, therapeutics, and personalized medicine. Blending pathology and immunology enables a deeper understanding of how immune responses contribute to disease progression, tissue damage, and healing processes. Key areas of research include immune-oncology and immune-mediated diseases, such as autoimmune disorders and chronic inflammatory conditions, which benefit from top-of-the-line in vivo investigation tools such as dermoscopy, ultrasonography, reflectance confocal microscopy, (line field) optical coherence tomography.

Traditional pathology focuses on structural and morphological changes in diseased tissues but often lacks a deep integration of immunological insights. This limitation affects diagnostics, prognostics, and treatment strategies, particularly in diseases where immune responses play a critical role, such as cancer and chronic inflammatory conditions. A major challenge is the inability of standard histopathology to fully capture immune-tissue interactions, leading to gaps in disease characterization and treatment selection.

To address this, pathology must evolve to incorporate a more functional perspective, analyzing not just tissue structure but also the underlying biological mechanisms driving disease. Immunohistochemical techniques, alongside advanced staining methods, can help pathologists assess immune cell infiltration, inflammatory markers, and tumour-immune interactions more effectively. Additionally, standardized protocols for evaluating immune-related histopathological features can improve diagnostic accuracy and guide treatment decisions. By refining pathological assessment to include immune-tissue dynamics, clinicians can achieve more precise disease classification, better prognostic evaluation, and enhanced therapeutic targeting, ultimately improving patient care.

The Research Topic aims to explore how integrating immunological insights into pathology can enhance disease diagnostics and treatment strategies. Contributors are encouraged to address the following themes:

• Advancements in pathological techniques – innovations in histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and staining methods to assess immune-related diseases;
• Immune-tissue interactions in disease progression – the role of immune cells in tumour microenvironments, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune conditions;
• Pathology-based biomarkers for disease and therapy response – identifying immune-related pathological markers for improved prognostics and treatment selection;
• Immunopathology in cancer and inflammatory diseases – case studies and research on how immune responses impact disease pathology;
• Clinical applications and future directions – the integration of pathology and immunology in precision medicine and patient-centered care.

This Research Topic aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, advancing pathology into a more dynamic and functional field.

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Blending Pathology and Immunology - New Frontiers