Cellular and Molecular Interactions in Brain Tumors: Neuroimmune Dynamics, Pathophysiology, and Therapeutic Strategies

Brain tumors present a complex challenge at the intersection of oncology and neuroscience, with profound effects on neural circuits, cellular dynamics, and overall brain function. This special issue aims to bridge current gaps in understanding how brain tumors - from glioblastoma to metastatic lesions - interact with the surrounding neural environment at the cellular and molecular levels. The focus will extend beyond tumor cell biology to include the roles of neurons, glial cells, immune responses, and the tumor microenvironment in both tumor progression and neurological symptoms experienced by patients.



The primary objective of this Research Topic is to advance our understanding of how brain tumors interact with the complex cellular environment of the brain and blood, and how these interactions contribute to disease progression and/or neurological dysfunction. While the molecular characteristics of tumor cells have been extensively studied, there is still a major gap in our knowledge regarding how brain tumors disrupt the broader neural and immune microenvironments - including interactions with neurons, glial cells, and circulating blood cells such as immune cells and platelets.



We invite original research, reviews, and perspectives that explore:



• Cellular and synaptic alterations induced by primary and secondary brain tumors

• Tumor-neuron interactions and neuroplasticity in the tumor microenvironment

• The role of glial cells (astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes) in tumor biology

• Blood-brain barrier disruption and its implications in treatment and disease progression

• Neuroinflammation and immune responses in brain tumors

• Neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms in brain tumor patients and their cellular correlates

• Experimental models (in vitro, in vivo, and organoids) for studying brain tumors in a neuroscientific context

• Therapeutic strategies targeting tumor-brain interactions, including neural protection and modulation

• Novel imaging or bioengineering tools for visualizing tumor-related cellular changes in the brain

Article types and fees

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

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

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

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

Keywords: brain tumors, cellular interactions, olecular mechanisms, neuroinflammation, therapeutic targets

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.