Immune memory in cancer: From Mechanism to Therapeutic Exploitation

Immunological memory is the ability of the immune system to "remember" previously encountered challenges, enabling faster and more effective responses upon re-exposure to the same antigens. Traditionally considered an exclusive feature of the adaptive immune system, recent evidence indicate that innate immune cells can also display memory-like behavior. Indeed, the coordinated actions of diverse immune cell populations across distinct anatomical and functional compartments are essential for establishing durable immune memory. This integrated response underpins long-lasting immunity, contributes to effective cancer control, and enhances the efficacy of immunotherapeutic strategies. However, critical aspects of how immunological memory is regulated in the context of cancer and how it can be therapeutically exploited remain to be fully explored.



Despite significant advances in cancer immunotherapy in recent years, major challenges remain. Several cancer types continue to be resistant to current treatments, while others eventually relapse. This Research Topic aims to explore the development, regulation, and functional roles of immune memory cells in cancer initiation, progression, and response to therapy. We seek to highlight emerging insights into the heterogeneity, mechanisms, and therapeutic vulnerabilities of immune memory cells, with the ultimate goal of identifying strategies to harness their potential and effectively translate these findings into clinical practice. We welcome Original Research Articles, Reviews and Perspectives that explore the multifaceted biology of immune cell memory with a focus on their involvement in the cancer immunity cycle.



This Research Topic welcomes submissions that explore all aspects of immunological memory in cancer immunology and immunotherapy, ranging from fundamental mechanisms to translational research. We invite manuscripts addressing, but not limited to, the following areas:

• Contribution of trained immunity in the tumor microenvironment

• Regulators of immune memory cells in the tumor microenvironment

• Migratory behavior of adaptive memory cells between tissues and tumor sites

• Contribution of immune memory cells to metastasis

• Epigenetic rewiring of immunological memory

• Metabolic changes associated with immunological memory

• Signaling pathways associated with immunological memory

• Contribution of immune memory cells to immunotherapeutic interventions

• Novel therapeutic strategies (i.e. bispecific abs, engagers, vaccines, immune modulators) targeting immune memory cells and their regulators



Topic Editor Emilio Sanseviero is an employee and shareholder of AstraZeneca. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.