The tumor microenvironment (TME), a complex milieu where cancer cells interact with stromal cells and extracellular matrix components, is a critical regulator of cancer progression. Cancer clonal evolution, cancer heterogeneity, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, invasion, development of metastasis, neovascularization, apoptosis, and treatment resistance are all affected by the dynamic interactions between cancer cells and their nearby microenvironment. Cancer cells can evade immune surveillance and even hijack immune cells to support tumor growth through various mechanisms by restricting antigen recognition, inhibiting the immune system, and inducing T-cell exhaustion. In addition, numerous studies examining the extracellular vesicles and metabolites secreted by cancer cells involved in reprogramming the tumor immune microenvironment have resulted from recent interest in comprehending the impact of epigenetic regulation and metabolic changes on immune cell differentiation and function. Deciphering the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms governing the coactions between cancer cells and immune cells is essential for the development of novel and efficient therapeutic strategies to fight against cancer.
This Research Topic aims to call for original research as well as review articles deciphering the potential molecular mechanisms involved in the crosstalk between cancer cells and immune cells in reshaping the TME. We hope the work will advance our understanding of factors of the TME that affect immunotherapy efficacy and pave the way toward novel therapeutic strategies for clinical application.
This research topic focuses on, but is not limited to:
● Roles and mechanisms of epigenetic reprogramming of cancer cells on immune cells in TME.
● Methods for identifying the cytokines, metabolites and extracellular vesicles secreted by cancer cells in reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment.
● Impact of immune cells on clonal evolution, cancer heterogeneity, epithelial-mesenchymal-transition, migration, invasion, development of metastasis, neovascularization, apoptosis and drug resistance.
● Approaches to identify TME factors affecting the efficacy of immunotherapy
The tumor microenvironment (TME), a complex milieu where cancer cells interact with stromal cells and extracellular matrix components, is a critical regulator of cancer progression. Cancer clonal evolution, cancer heterogeneity, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, invasion, development of metastasis, neovascularization, apoptosis, and treatment resistance are all affected by the dynamic interactions between cancer cells and their nearby microenvironment. Cancer cells can evade immune surveillance and even hijack immune cells to support tumor growth through various mechanisms by restricting antigen recognition, inhibiting the immune system, and inducing T-cell exhaustion. In addition, numerous studies examining the extracellular vesicles and metabolites secreted by cancer cells involved in reprogramming the tumor immune microenvironment have resulted from recent interest in comprehending the impact of epigenetic regulation and metabolic changes on immune cell differentiation and function. Deciphering the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms governing the coactions between cancer cells and immune cells is essential for the development of novel and efficient therapeutic strategies to fight against cancer.
This Research Topic aims to call for original research as well as review articles deciphering the potential molecular mechanisms involved in the crosstalk between cancer cells and immune cells in reshaping the TME. We hope the work will advance our understanding of factors of the TME that affect immunotherapy efficacy and pave the way toward novel therapeutic strategies for clinical application.
This research topic focuses on, but is not limited to:
● Roles and mechanisms of epigenetic reprogramming of cancer cells on immune cells in TME.
● Methods for identifying the cytokines, metabolites and extracellular vesicles secreted by cancer cells in reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment.
● Impact of immune cells on clonal evolution, cancer heterogeneity, epithelial-mesenchymal-transition, migration, invasion, development of metastasis, neovascularization, apoptosis and drug resistance.
● Approaches to identify TME factors affecting the efficacy of immunotherapy