The Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of the Tumor Microenvironment
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell Microenvironment".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 December 2025 | Viewed by 11
Special Issue Editors
Interests: oncology; genetics; epigenetics; colorectal cancer
Interests: materials science; nanotechnology; atomic force microscopy; biomolecular condensation; cytoplasmic diffusion
Interests: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; lung lymphatics; asthma
Interests: tumor microenvironment; cancer cell metabolism; autophagy; nutraceuticals; epigenetics; metastasis; 3D models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a dynamic and complex ecosystem composed of cancer cells, stromal cells, immune infiltrates, vasculature, and the extracellular matrix, all interacting in a spatially and temporally regulated manner. These interactions profoundly influence tumor initiation, progression, immune evasion, and therapeutic response. Recent advances in spatial transcriptomics, multiplex imaging, and single-cell technologies have revealed that the architecture and composition of the TME are highly heterogeneous, not only between tumors but also within distinct regions of the same tumor. Moreover, the TME evolves over time in response to intrinsic tumor changes and external pressures such as therapy or immune surveillance. Understanding these spatial and temporal dynamics is critical for identifying key regulatory niches, tracking tumor evolution, and uncovering mechanisms of resistance and relapse. This Special Issue thus invites submissions that investigate the organization, remodeling, and functional implications of the TME across space and time. We welcome studies employing innovative spatial or longitudinal approaches, as well as integrative analyses linking TME dynamics to clinical outcomes. By unraveling the contextual cues that govern tumor behavior, we can pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies that target not just cancer cells, but also their ever-changing microenvironment.
Dr. Shilpa Bisht
Dr. Abhishek Gupta
Dr. Anjali Trivedi
Dr. Alessandra Ferraresi
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- tumor microenvironment
- spatial heterogeneity
- spatial transcriptomics
- tumor evolution
- immune landscape
- extracellular matrix
- tumor–immune crosstalk
- cancer heterogeneity
- intra-tumoral heterogeneity
- tumor niches
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