Parasitic Infections, Host Responses, and Cancer: Mechanisms at the Crossroads of Infection Biology and Oncogenesis

Chronic parasitic infections can sustain inflammation, immune dysregulation, and tissue remodeling, creating a microenvironment that favors oncogenesis. Parasite-derived molecules shape both innate and adaptive immune responses, modulate signaling pathways, and influence apoptosis, DNA damage responses, and metabolism in host cells. These processes can promote, but in some cases also restrain, tumor development. Understanding how parasitic virulence factors and host defenses intersect with cancer biology is essential to identify new biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and guide the identification of new drugs against infections and oncogenic processes.This Research Topic, “Parasitic Infections, Host Responses, and Cancer: Mechanisms at the Crossroads of Infection Biology and Oncogenesis,” is hosted in the Adaptive and Innate Immunity section and aims to gather mechanistic, computational, and translational studies that clarify how parasitic infections contribute to cancer initiation, progression, or suppression through immune-mediated pathways.We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:-Characterize virulence factors and host–parasite interactions that drive chronic inflammation, fibrosis, or cellular transformation.-Dissect innate and adaptive immune responses, cytokine and chemokine networks, and microenvironmental changes linking parasitic infection to cancer.-Use structural biology, molecular modeling, and bioinformatics to map parasite–host protein interactions and immune-related oncogenic pathways.-Identify biomarkers, bioactive peptides, novel therapeutic compounds, or drug candidates that target infection-driven oncogenic mechanisms, reprogram anti-tumor immunity, or contribute to the development of new drugs against infections and oncogenic processes. Topic editors: Manuel Ritter, Sarita Montaño, Rosario Javier Reyna, Mayra Herrera Martinez Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76796/parasitic-infections-host-responses-and-cancer-mechanisms-at-the-crossroads-of-infection-biology-and-oncogenesis