Modulating the Niche: Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment for Enhanced Therapy
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Oncology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 August 2025 | Viewed by 24
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is increasingly recognized as a dynamic and influential ecosystem that plays a crucial role in cancer progression and treatment response. Far from being a passive backdrop, the TME actively interacts with tumor cells through a complex network of immune cells, stromal elements, signaling molecules, and the extracellular matrix (ECM). This Special Issue focuses on innovative strategies to modulate the TME, aiming to disrupt its support for tumor growth and overcome therapeutic resistance. By exploring how altering the immunosuppressive and supportive components of the TME can enhance treatment efficacy, this issue highlights a promising frontier in cancer therapy that extends beyond targeting the tumor alone.
This Special Issue emphasizes the interplay between tumor cells and surrounding stromal, immune, vascular, and ECM components.
Microenvironment Dynamics: Examine the interactions between tumor cells and their surrounding stromal, immune, vascular, and extracellular matrix (ECM) components, with a focus on targeting the ECM as a therapeutic strategy.
Immune Modulation: Discuss strategies that leverage immunotherapy—such as checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cells—by altering the tumor microenvironment to improve therapeutic response.
Overcoming Resistance: Investigate how targeting stromal, immune, and ECM components can help overcome inherent or acquired resistance to conventional therapies.
Biomarker Discovery: Encourage studies on novel biomarkers that can predict patient response based on the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment.
Dr. Dong Min Lee
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- microenvironment dynamics
- immune modulation
- biomarker discovery
- tumor microenvironment
- extracellular matrix
- cancer therapy
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