Liquid biopsy for advancing immuno-oncology and biomarker discovery

Tumor immune surveillance plays a pivotal role in preventing tumor formation, progression, and metastatic spread. However, cancer cells exploit several mechanisms to evade immune detection, including hijacking immune checkpoints, metabolic reprogramming, and genetic immune escape alterations. Immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment landscape for many cancers by restoring or enhancing anti-tumor immune responses, yet resistance remains a major clinical challenge. A deeper understanding of the dynamic crosstalk between tumor cells and the immune system, as well as other mechanisms facilitating treatment resistance, is essential for guiding personalized therapeutic decisions and moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. Liquid biopsy, using peripheral blood or other bodily fluids, can offer a window into the tumor microenvironment (TME), providing a dynamic view of how a patient's anti-tumor immune response evolves over time. In this context, liquid-based analytes are increasingly used to assess and monitor anti-tumor immune responses and treatment resistance. Importantly, liquid biopsy has rapidly emerged as a powerful source for the discovery of minimally-invasive biomarkers with clinical relevance for patients with solid tumors. This Research Topic aims to explore the potential of liquid biopsy for uncovering mechanisms of immune evasion, and identifying clinically meaningful biomarkers for cancer patients. We welcome contributions that utilize liquid-based analytes, such as but not limited to circulating tumor cells (CTCs), cell-free nucleic acids, extracellular vesicles (EVs), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), circulating cancer associated fibroblasts (cCAFs), and circulating immune cells, in patients receiving different treatment modalities, with special focus on immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Contributions employing novel methodologies, multi-parametric analyses, or integrative approaches are highly encouraged. We are especially interested in translational research focusing on how tumor immunogenicity and immune cell plasticity shape therapeutic efficacy and disease progression. Additionally, we seek studies into cancer-related or immune-related patterns in the peripheral blood associated with immunotherapy outcomes. Special emphasis will be placed to the discovery of biomarkers with significant prognostic and predictive value for patients undergoing immunotherapy.In this Research Topic, we aim to bring together a collection of high-quality Original Research, Review, and Mini-Review articles, addressing, but not limited to, the following areas:a) Assessment of the potential of liquid biopsy as a tool for understanding immune evasion and resistance to current therapies, including immunotherapies.b) Discovery of biomarkers derived from bodily fluids with clinical validity and/or utility for cancer patientsCollectively, these topics will help bridge the gap between basic research and clinical applications, advancing the field of precision immuno-oncology. The ultimate goal is to improve prognosis and enable more personalized treatment strategies for cancer patients. Topic editors: Maria A Papadaki, Simon Joosse Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81363/liquid-biopsy-for-advancing-immuno-oncology-and-biomarker-discovery