Integrative Omics and Tumor Microenvironment Interactions in Head and Neck Cancer: Advancing Precision Oncology or Decoding Head and Neck Cancer Through Integrative Omics and Tumor Microenvironment Dynamics

Head and neck cancer (HNC), predominantly head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), represents a biologically complex and clinically challenging group of malignancies with high global incidence and mortality. Disease progression and therapeutic outcomes are influenced by substantial molecular heterogeneity and diverse etiological factors, including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that tumor behavior is not solely dictated by intrinsic genetic alterations but is profoundly shaped by the tumor microenvironment (TME), comprising immune cells, stromal components, extracellular matrix, and microbiota. Advances in high-throughput omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and single-cell and spatial profiling, have enabled comprehensive characterization of these complex interactions, providing new opportunities to uncover clinically relevant biomarkers and therapeutic targets in HNC.Despite significant advances in molecular oncology, the clinical management of head and neck cancer (HNC) remains hindered by limited early diagnostic markers, heterogeneous treatment responses, and the frequent development of therapeutic resistance. A major challenge lies in the fragmented understanding of tumor biology, where genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic alterations are often studied independently of the tumor microenvironment (TME), despite their functional interdependence. This gap restricts the translation of molecular discoveries into effective clinical applications.This Research Topic aims to address this challenge by promoting integrative approaches that combine multi-omics data with comprehensive TME profiling. Recent advances in single-cell sequencing, spatial omics, and artificial intelligence–driven analytics now enable high-resolution mapping of tumor heterogeneity and cellular interactions within the TME. Leveraging these technologies, this collection seeks to identify robust biomarkers for early detection, prognostic stratification, and therapeutic response prediction. Additionally, it aims to uncover novel therapeutic targets and inform precision oncology strategies, including immunotherapy optimization and microbiome-based interventions, ultimately improving clinical outcomes in HNC.This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles that integrate molecular and microenvironmental insights in HNC. Submissions should demonstrate innovation, methodological rigor, and translational relevance.Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:Integrative multi-omics analyses in HNC • Tumor microenvironment composition and functional dynamics • Immune landscape profiling and immunotherapy response prediction • Microbiome–tumor–immune interactions in HNC • HPV-driven molecular and immunological heterogeneity • Biomarker discovery and validation for clinical application • Single-cell, spatial, and longitudinal omics approaches • Mechanisms of therapeutic resistance and disease recurrence • Computational modeling, AI, and systems biology in oncology • Translational studies and precision oncology strategies Topic editors: Susanta Roychoudhury, Piergiorgio Gaudioso, Arunachalam Jothi, DR.ROSY MONDAL Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80416/integrative-omics-and-tumor-microenvironment-interactions-in-head-and-neck-cancer-advancing-precision-oncology-or-decoding-head-and-neck-cancer-through-integrative-omics-and-tumor-microenvironment-dynamics