Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.8
4.4
Journals
Cancers
Special Issues
Targeting Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer: An Impact on Therapeutic Efficacy
cancers-logo
Submit to Cancers Review for Cancers Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Targeting Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer: An Impact on Therapeutic Efficacy

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (16 February 2026) | Viewed by 18950

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Inamul Haque

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Drug Development Program, Kansas City VA Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA
2. Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
Interests: breast cancer; pancreatic cancer; non-small-cell lung cancer; neuroinflammation; NLRP3; microRNA; inflammasome
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is defined as a complex ecosystem of cellular and non-cellular components where cancer grows. Cellular components include not only cancer cells but also many other types of cells, including cancer-associated stromal and infiltrating immune cells that play critical roles in cancer biology. The non-cellular components comprise signaling molecules and proteins of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Cancer cells influence the microenvironment by releasing extracellular signals, promoting tumor angiogenesis and inducing immune tolerance where the stromal and immune cells help cancer cells to escape immune recognition, providing a pro-tumorigenic environment to develop drug resistance in order to metastasize and exhibit even more malignant behaviors. By targeting the TME, it is possible to disrupt the interactions between tumor cells and other cells in the microenvironment, preventing tumor growth and metastasis. We invite authors to contribute cutting-edge studies to this Special Issue, entitled “Targeting Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer: An Impact on Therapeutic Efficacy”, to further highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with TME-targeted therapy.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome to be submitted. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • VEGF/VEGFR-targeted therapy;
  • Immune checkpoint blockade;
  • Recent advances and challenges in tumor microenvironment targeting;
  • Targeting cancer stem cells;
  • Tumor microenvironment and its therapeutic implications.
  • Microbiome

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Inamul Haque
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • VEGF/VEGFR-targeted therapy
  • immune checkpoint blockade
  • recent advances and challenges in tumor microenvironment targeting
  • targeting cancer stem cells
  • tumor microenvironment and its therapeutic implications
  • microbiome

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

10 pages, 226 KB  
Editorial
Converging Pathways in Cancer Biology: How Do the Microbiome, Angiogenesis, Senescence, Fibroblast Plasticity, and Immunotherapy Intertwine?
by Inamul Haque, Suman Kambhampati and Sushanta K. Banerjee
Cancers 2026, 18(5), 826; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18050826 - 4 Mar 2026
Viewed by 685
Abstract
Cancer continues to be a major cause of death, with an anticipated 2,114,850 new cases and almost 626,140 deaths from the disease in 2026 [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Targeting Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer: An Impact on Therapeutic Efficacy)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

21 pages, 13737 KB  
Article
Adipose Stromal Cell-Derived Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promote Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Progression Through SFRP4 Signaling
by Joseph Rupert, Lingyi Cai, Alexes C. Daquinag, Dimitris Anastassiou and Mikhail G. Kolonin
Cancers 2026, 18(2), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18020233 - 12 Jan 2026
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1086
Abstract
Background/objectives: Progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and other carcinomas relies on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). A subset of CAFs is derived from adipose stromal cells (ASCs) recruited by tumors and the ASC-CAF conversion has been associated with invasiveness and poor prognosis. Methods: To [...] Read more.
Background/objectives: Progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and other carcinomas relies on cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). A subset of CAFs is derived from adipose stromal cells (ASCs) recruited by tumors and the ASC-CAF conversion has been associated with invasiveness and poor prognosis. Methods: To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms, we used a model based on primary ASCs derived from human visceral adipose tissue co-cultured with human PDAC cell line Capan-1. To investigate cancer progression in vivo, we also used mice orthotopically grafted with mouse KPC cells. Results: Genomic analysis revealed that Capan-1 co-culture induces Wnt and TGFβ signaling and extracellular matrix (ECM) gene expression in ASC. We investigated the function of two markers of the fibroblastic transition highly induced by cancer cells: a long non-coding RNA LINC01614 and a Wnt signaling modulator SFRP4. By using ASCs with either SFRP4 or LINC01614 knocked out (ko), we showed that both genes are required for Wnt/TGFβ signaling and ECM induction in ASCs by Capan-1. Analysis of changes in Capan-1 genes that rely on LINC01614 and SFRP4 expression in ASCs also identified the Wnt and TGF pathways. SFRP4 ko in ASCs suppressed both migration and invasion of Capan-1 cells. We show that tumors in SFRP4 ko mice have less desmoplasia, less epithelial dedifferentiation, reduced growth rate, and reduced progression to metastasis. Conclusions: We conclude that SFRP4 promotes cancer progression in pancreatic cancer and is a promising therapeutic target. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Targeting Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer: An Impact on Therapeutic Efficacy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

23 pages, 825 KB  
Review
Intratumoral Microbiome: Impact on Cancer Progression and Cellular Immunotherapy
by Georgy Leonov, Antonina Starodubova, Oleg Makhnach, Dmitry Goldshtein and Diana Salikhova
Cancers 2026, 18(1), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18010100 - 29 Dec 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2145
Abstract
The intratumoral microbiota, comprising bacteria, fungi, and viruses within the tumor microenvironment, actively influences carcinogenesis. Key mechanisms include the induction of host DNA damage, modulation of critical oncogenic signaling pathways such as WNT-β-catenin, NF-κB, and PI3K, and the orchestration of inflammatory processes. The [...] Read more.
The intratumoral microbiota, comprising bacteria, fungi, and viruses within the tumor microenvironment, actively influences carcinogenesis. Key mechanisms include the induction of host DNA damage, modulation of critical oncogenic signaling pathways such as WNT-β-catenin, NF-κB, and PI3K, and the orchestration of inflammatory processes. The microbiome’s interaction with the host immune system is complex and bidirectional. On one hand, specific microbes can foster a pro-tumorigenic niche by suppressing the activity of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells or by promoting the accumulation of immunosuppressive cell types like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). On the other hand, microbial components can serve as neoantigens for T cell recognition or produce metabolites that reprogram the immune landscape to enhance anti-tumor responses. The composition of this microbiome is emerging as a crucial factor influencing the outcomes of immunotherapies. Prospective investigations in cancer immunotherapy ought to prioritize mechanistic inquiry employing integrative multi-omics methodologies. The execution of meticulously designed clinical trials for the validation of microbial biomarkers, and the systematic, evidence-based development of microbiome-targeted therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing antitumor immune responses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Targeting Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer: An Impact on Therapeutic Efficacy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 3140 KB  
Review
The Impact of Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP) on Head and Neck Cancers: From Biology to Therapy
by Md Tanjim Alam, Mishfak A. M. Mansoor, Sarah A. Ashiqueali, Pawel Golusinski, Ewelina Golusinska-Kardach, Joanna K. Strzelczyk, Blazej Rubis, Wojciech Golusinski and Michal M. Masternak
Cancers 2025, 17(24), 4024; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17244024 - 17 Dec 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3264
Abstract
Cellular senescence is defined as a state of permanent cell cycle arrest, providing a natural barrier against cancer. However, senescent cells are very metabolically active and secrete a complex mixture of bioactive molecules collectively known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which play [...] Read more.
Cellular senescence is defined as a state of permanent cell cycle arrest, providing a natural barrier against cancer. However, senescent cells are very metabolically active and secrete a complex mixture of bioactive molecules collectively known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which play a dual role in cancer biology. While the SASP can suppress tumors by facilitating immunosurveillance, it can also promote tumor progression by fostering a pro-inflammatory milieu, stimulating angiogenesis, enhancing invasiveness, and enabling immune evasion. In Head and Neck Cancers (HNCs), a highly heterogeneous group of malignancies, SASP has emerged as a critical player in disease progression and treatment resistance. Persistent DNA damage response (DDR) signaling drives SASP and thereby contributes to the progression of head and neck cancer by modulating the tumour microenvironment. It influences the tumor microenvironment (TME) by facilitating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), promoting cancer stem cell-like properties, and impairing the efficacy of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. These effects underscore the need for targeted interventions to regulate SASP activity. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanisms underlying SASP generation and its effects on HNCs. We discuss the dual roles of SASP in tumor suppression and progression, its contribution to therapy resistance, and emerging therapeutic strategies, including novel senolytic and senomorphic drugs. Finally, we highlight key challenges and future directions for translating SASP-targeted therapies into clinical practice, emphasizing the need for biomarker discovery, and a deeper understanding of SASP heterogeneity. By targeting the SASP, there is potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes and improve the management of HNCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Targeting Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer: An Impact on Therapeutic Efficacy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 1508 KB  
Review
Blocking Tumoral Angiogenesis VEGF/VEGFR Pathway: Bevacizumab—20 Years of Therapeutic Success and Controversy
by Elena Chitoran, Vlad Rotaru, Daniela-Cristina Stefan, Giuseppe Gullo and Laurentiu Simion
Cancers 2025, 17(7), 1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17071126 - 27 Mar 2025
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 7115
Abstract
The “angiogenesis switch”—defined as the active process by which solid tumors develop their own circulation—plays an important role in both tumoral growth and propagation. As the malignant tumor grows and reaches a critical size, the metabolic needs as a function of an ever-increasing [...] Read more.
The “angiogenesis switch”—defined as the active process by which solid tumors develop their own circulation—plays an important role in both tumoral growth and propagation. As the malignant tumor grows and reaches a critical size, the metabolic needs as a function of an ever-increasing distance to the nearest emergent blood vessel, can no longer be covered by the microenvironment of the peritumoral tissue. Although a relatively discrete process, the “angiogenic switch” acts as a limiting stage of tumoral development present from the avascular hyperplasia phase to the vascularized neoplastic phase, providing support for tumor expansion and metastasis. Over time, research has focused on blocking the angiogenetic pathways (such as VEGF/VEGFR signaling axis) leading to the development of targeted therapeutic agents such as Bevacizumab. Objectives: We conducted a review of the molecular principles of tumoral angiogenesis and we tried to follow the history of Bevacizumab from its first approval for human usage 20 years ago to current days, focusing on the impact this agent had in solid tumor therapy. A comprehensive review of clinical trials pertaining to Bevacizumab (from the era of the preclinic trials leading to approval for human usage, to the more recent randomized trial focusing on combination targeted therapy) further details the role of this drug. We aimed to establish if this ancient drug continues to have a place in modern oncology. Conclusions: Bevacizumab, one of the first drugs targeting tumoral microenvironment, remains one of the most important oncologic agents blocking the VEGF/VEGFR angiogenic pathway. otherwise, history of 20 years marked by numerous controversies (ranging from methodological errors of clinical trials to withdrawal of approval for human usage in breast cancer patients, from discussions about severe side effects to resistance to therapy and limited efficacity), Bevacizumab continues to provide an optimal therapeutic option for many solid tumors that previously had little to no means of treatment, improving otherwise bleak outcomes. Even in the era of personalized precision oncology, Bevacizumab continues to be a key element in many therapeutic regimens both as monotherapy and in combination with newer targeted agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Targeting Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer: An Impact on Therapeutic Efficacy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 1362 KB  
Review
Unveiling the Interplay Between the Human Microbiome and Gastric Cancer: A Review of the Complex Relationships and Therapeutic Avenues
by Jenan Al-Matouq, Hawra Al-Ghafli, Noura N. Alibrahim, Nida Alsaffar, Zaheda Radwan and Mohammad Daud Ali
Cancers 2025, 17(2), 226; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17020226 - 12 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2945
Abstract
The human microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. The gut microbiota has been implicated in developing and progressing various diseases, including cancer. This review highlights the related mechanisms and the compositions that influence cancer pathogenesis with a highlight [...] Read more.
The human microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. The gut microbiota has been implicated in developing and progressing various diseases, including cancer. This review highlights the related mechanisms and the compositions that influence cancer pathogenesis with a highlight on gastric cancer. We provide a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms by which the microbiome influences cancer development, progression, and response to treatment, with a focus on identifying potential biomarkers for early detection, prevention strategies, and novel therapeutic interventions that leverage microbiome modulation. This comprehensive review can guide future research and clinical practices in understanding and harnessing the microbiome to optimize gastric cancer therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Targeting Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer: An Impact on Therapeutic Efficacy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop