Cancer is not solely a disease of uncontrolled cell proliferation, but also one of immune system failure. The concept of cancer immunoediting—comprising the phases of immunosurveillance, equilibrium, and immune escape has provided a framework to understand how the immune system initially suppresses tumorigenesis and later shapes tumor evolution. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a central role in this process, consisting of diverse immune cell populations such as cytotoxic T cells, Tregs, tumor-associated macrophages, dendritic cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, each with distinct roles in promoting or suppressing tumor immunity. Furthermore, deciphering the impact of tumor-induced chronic inflammation on immune modulation and promoting malignancy is essential to advancing effective immunotherapeutic approaches.

This Research Topic aims to integrate the fundamental principles of cancer immunology with emerging therapeutic strategies to provide a comprehensive view of tumor–immune dynamics. We seek contributions that explore how immune surveillance fails, how tumors exploit immune checkpoints, and how immune cells within the TME can be reprogrammed to either support or inhibit tumor growth. Special emphasis will be given to understanding the mechanisms of immune escape, the roles of chronic inflammation in cancer development, and the transition from innate to adaptive immune suppression.

On the translational side, we aim to highlight how this foundational knowledge is being leveraged to develop checkpoint inhibitors, personalized cancer vaccines, CAR-T and TCR therapies, bispecific antibodies, and microbiome-based interventions. We also encourage insights into how tumor immunogenicity, immune cell plasticity, and immune-metabolic pathways are exploited to enhance therapeutic efficacy. These topics will offer a unified platform for advancing precision immuno-oncology by connecting basic cancer biology with therapeutic innovation.

We invite original research, reviews, clinical studies, and perspectives on many topics in cancer immunity and immunotherapy, including but not limited to:

• Immunosurveillance and immunoediting in various cancer types.
• Modulation of immune system in the tumor microenvironment
• Inflammation and immunometabolism in cancer progression
• Checkpoint blockade, resistance, and immune exhaustion
• Biomarkers for response and immune profiling tools
• Neoantigen-based and mRNA cancer vaccines
• Personalized immunotherapy screening including Adoptive cell therapy: TILs, CAR-T, and engineered TCRs
• Tumor–microbiome–immune system interactions
• Single-cell, spatial, and systems immunology approaches
• Biomimicking immune models of cancer to understand tumor-immune system interaction

We encourage interdisciplinary research integrating basic immunology, clinical oncology, and computational biology to provide novel insights into tumor–immune crosstalk and therapeutic strategies. These topics will serve as a resource for foundational understanding and translational innovation in the rapidly advancing field of cancer immunology.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Cancer Immunity: From Immunosurveillance to Immune Escape and Therapeutic Targeting