Endocrine and Metabolic Biomarkers Guiding Clinical Decisions in Cancer Therapy

The field of cancer endocrinology has increasingly recognized the critical influence of systemic host factors—including endocrine regulation and metabolic status—on cancer progression and treatment response. Despite significant progress in therapies such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiotherapy, the heterogeneity of patient outcomes remains a challenge, partly due to variability in host metabolic and hormonal environments. Recent studies have underscored the prognostic and predictive roles of circulating biomarkers such as lactate dehydrogenase, glucose and lipid indices, and inflammatory–nutritional scores, as reflections of the host’s physiological state under cancer stress and therapy. However, while these biomarkers offer a window into metabolic adaptation, immune function, and energy homeostasis, routine clinical application remains inconsistent, hampered by incomplete understanding and lack of standardization. There exists a growing need for comprehensive, mechanistic, and clinically oriented research to bridge the gap between biological insights and practical utility, highlighting their integration into cancer management algorithms.This Research Topic aims to advance the clinical adoption and interpretation of endocrine and metabolic biomarkers to guide therapy for cancer patients more effectively. Specifically, it seeks to address how these biomarkers can improve prognostic assessment, guide therapeutic strategies, and support personalized treatment plans under contemporary oncological modalities. The objective is to both clarify the association of metabolic and endocrine markers with treatment response, toxicity, and survival, and promote mechanistic studies that elucidate the underlying biology. By fostering multidisciplinary contributions that combine robust clinical data with insights into tumor–host interactions, metabolic adaptation, and immune modulation, this Research Topic aims to support precision oncology and individualized patient care based on reliable biomarker information.This Research Topic encompasses studies of endocrine and metabolic biomarkers relevant to prognostic assessment and therapeutic strategies across a range of cancers and treatment modalities. The range is intentionally broad to include both clinical and mechanistic studies, but is limited to biomarkers with direct relevance to systemic metabolism (e.g., lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides , total cholesterol , and body mass index), hormonal status, or host-tumor interactions. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Prognostic and predictive value of endocrine and metabolic biomarkers in diverse cancerso Association of circulating biomarkers with treatment response, resistance, toxicity, and survivalo Roles of biomarkers in precision medicine and treatment stratification under immunotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and multimodal treatmentso Longitudinal changes and dynamics of biomarker levels during cancer therapyo Mechanistic insights into tumor–host interactions, metabolic adaptation, and immune regulation underlying observed clinical associationsSubmissions of Original Research, Reviews, and Perspectives that combine clinical relevance with biological insight and methodological rigor are encouraged. Topic editors: Tao Zhang, Pei Pei, Yanxiang Zhang, Linxian Zhao Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77846/endocrine-and-metabolic-biomarkers-guiding-clinical-decisions-in-cancer-therapy