Myeloid Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment: Orchestrators of Cancer Progression and Therapy Response

The tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a complex ecosystem where diverse cellular interactions influence cancer development, progression, and therapeutic response. Within this milieu, myeloid cells—comprising tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), monocytes, and dendritic cells—emerge as pivotal regulators with highly plastic functions. Recent studies underscore the dynamic roles of myeloid cells in mediating immune surveillance, promoting tumor growth, facilitating metastasis, and modulating the efficacy of cancer therapies. Despite advances in profiling myeloid cell populations using cutting-edge single-cell and spatial omics technologies, significant gaps remain in understanding their context-dependent phenotypes, recruitment mechanisms, and contributions to malignant and stromal cell interplay. Ongoing debates focus on the extent to which myeloid cells can be reprogrammed towards anti-tumoral states, and the implications of their dualistic roles in both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.



This Research Topic aims to advance our understanding of the molecular, cellular, and functional diversity of myeloid cells within the TME and their impact on cancer biology and patient outcomes. Specific objectives include uncovering new mechanisms of myeloid cell plasticity, delineating how these cells interact with cancer cells and other components of the stroma, and exploring their responses to diverse therapeutic interventions. We seek to address key research questions such as: What drives the recruitment and differentiation of distinct myeloid cell subsets in different tumor contexts? How can novel technologies uncover previously unrecognized functional states within the myeloid compartment? And to what degree can targeted therapies manipulate myeloid populations to enhance anti-tumor immunity or overcome resistance?



To gather further insights in the roles, mechanisms, and therapeutic targeting of myeloid cells in cancer, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:



- Mechanisms of myeloid cell recruitment and differentiation in solid and hematologic malignancies

- Functional polarization and plasticity of TAMs, monocytes, and dendritic cells within the TME

- Interactions between myeloid cells, malignant cells, and the stromal compartment

- Impact of immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies on myeloid cell biology

- Application of single-cell and spatial omics technologies to dissect myeloid heterogeneity

- Development and evaluation of myeloid-targeted therapeutic strategies

- Novel mechanistic insights into myeloid-mediated immune modulation and tumor progression



We invite original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that contribute to a deeper understanding of these topics.



Please note that manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public omics databases that are not supplemented by relevant functional validation (clinical cohort or biological validation in vitro or in vivo) are out of scope for this Research Topic.