The Interaction Between Tumor Microenvironment and Cancer Stem Cell
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: closed (20 March 2026) | Viewed by 1129
Special Issue Editor
Interests: tumor microenvironment; tumor immunology; tumor stem cells
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a multifaceted and dynamically changing system, characterized by its heterogeneous composition that differs across various tumor types. The TME encompasses a diverse array of components, including immune cells, stromal cells, blood vessels, and the extracellular matrix. Tumor stem cells (TSCs), also known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), are a subpopulation of cells within tumors that possess self-renewal and differentiation capabilities, driving tumor initiation, progression, and recurrence. The interaction between the TME and TSCs plays a critical role in tumor biology, influencing tumor growth, metastasis, drug resistance, and immune evasion. This special issue will provide a comprehensive platform for researchers to share insights, foster collaboration, and accelerate progress in understanding and targeting the intricate interplay between the tumor microenvironment and tumor stem cells.
This special issue aims to explore the dynamic and reciprocal relationship between the TME and TSCs, highlighting the latest research advancements, challenges, and therapeutic opportunities. By bringing together multidisciplinary perspectives, the issue seeks to deepen our understanding of how the TME supports TSC maintenance and function, and how TSCs, in turn, reshape the TME to favor tumor progression. The ultimate goal is to identify novel targets and strategies for cancer therapy by disrupting these interactions.
Potential topics include but are not limited to:
- Mechanisms of TME-CSC cross-talk: focus on the phenotypic and molecular features of CSC and the signaling pathways, such as Wnt, Notch, and TGF-β.
- Role of Immune Cells in CSC regulation: exploring how innate (macrophages, MDSC, innate lymphoid cells), adaptive (T, B, and antigen-presenting cells) immune responses and mesenchymal stromal cells influence CSC behavior and vice versa.
- Extracellular Matrix (ECM) and TSC Niche: Examining how ECM remodeling and stiffness affect TSC properties and tumor progression.
- Metabolic Interactions: Studying metabolic reprogramming in TSCs and how the TME provides metabolic support for their survival and growth.
- Hypoxia and Angiogenesis: Understanding the role of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) and vascular networks in maintaining TSCs and promoting tumor aggressiveness.
- Therapeutic Resistance: Investigating how TME-TSC interactions contribute to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy resistance.
- Epigenetic Regulation: Exploring epigenetic modifications in TSCs driven by TME-derived signals and their impact on tumor heterogeneity.
- Translational Applications: Identifying biomarkers and therapeutic targets derived from TME-TSC interactions for personalized cancer treatment.
Dr. Na Luo
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 short 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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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
- tumor microenvironment
- cancer stem cells
- innate and adaptive immunity
- mesenchymal stromal cells
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.
