Integrative Cancer Genomics and Bioinformatics-Driven Discovery of Natural Compound-Based Immunotherapeutic Strategies

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About this Research Topic

Submission deadlines

  1. Manuscript Summary Submission Deadline 10 March 2026 | Manuscript Submission Deadline 14 July 2026

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Background

Cancer is a multifaceted disease characterized by genomic alterations, epigenetic dysregulation, and intricate tumor–immune system interactions. Advances in high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics have enabled unprecedented insights into the molecular landscape of tumors, paving the way for personalized cancer therapy. At the same time, natural compounds from plants, microbes, and marine organisms are gaining recognition as promising sources of anticancer agents, with many demonstrating immunomodulatory effects. While immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, resistance and limited response rates remain major challenges. An integrated approach that combines genomics, computational prediction, and natural product pharmacology can help identify new therapeutic targets, overcome immune evasion, and enhance clinical outcomes.

The primary goal of this Research Topic is to accelerate the translation of emerging genomic targets into innovative immunotherapies for cancer, while addressing remaining challenges in therapeutic development. Despite the promise of immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors, many patients do not benefit due to the complexity of immune escape mechanisms and tumor heterogeneity. Natural compounds represent an underexplored but potentially powerful class of agents capable of modulating both oncogenic signaling and immune pathways. By utilizing bioinformatics tools, omics integration, and predictive modeling, we aim to accelerate the identification of novel cancer-associated targets and develop rational strategies for immunomodulatory interventions. Through contributions that unite cancer genetics, computational biology, and the study of bioactive compounds derived from natural sources such as plants, microbes, and marine organisms, this Topic seeks to foster innovative, multi-disciplinary approaches that can advance precision oncology and improve immunotherapy response rates. We accept papers on, but not limited to:

 Multi-omics integration for the identification of novel cancer driver mutations and immunotherapy-associated genetic markers
 Analysis of bulk and/or single-cell transcriptomic, genomic, or epigenomic data to investigate tumor heterogeneity, immune infiltration, and therapeutic response
 Translational research linking genomic signatures to functional immunotherapeutic responses or compound-based treatment strategies
 Computational prediction and validation of immune evasion genes or resistance-related pathways
 Exploration of tumor–immune interactions from a genomics and systems biology perspective
 Network pharmacology and computational screening of natural compounds for genetic and immunological targets in cancer
 Preclinical or computational studies on natural products that enhance checkpoint inhibitor efficacy or reverse immunosuppression
 Biomarker discovery for patient stratification and prediction of response to natural compound–based or combination immunotherapies
 Case studies translating bioinformatics discoveries into target validation and clinical innovation

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  • FAIR² Data
  • General Commentary
  • Hypothesis and Theory
  • Methods
  • Mini Review
  • Opinion

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

  • Brief Research Report
  • Data Report
  • Editorial
  • FAIR² Data
  • General Commentary
  • Hypothesis and Theory
  • Methods
  • Mini Review
  • Opinion
  • Original Research
  • Perspective
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

Keywords: cancer immunogenomics, natural compound immunotherapy, multi-omics integration, immune checkpoint resistance, tumor microenvironment modulation, bioinformatics-driven drug discovery, single-cell transcriptomics in cancer

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