RNA Signals in the Tumor Ecosystem: Non-Coding RNAs, Extracellular Communication, and Therapy Resistance in Cancer

Abstract:Cancer progression is shaped by dynamic communication between tumor cells, immune cells, stromal compartments, and the broader tumor microenvironment. This communication is mediated through a complex network of extracellular signals, including non-coding RNAs, cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, metabolites, and extracellular vesicles. Among these, microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs have emerged as key regulators of cancer cell behavior, influencing proliferation, invasion, immune escape, metabolic adaptation, and therapeutic response.Non-coding RNAs can act both within cancer cells and as extracellular messengers. Through extracellular vesicles and other carrier systems, RNA-based signals can reshape recipient cell states, modulate immune surveillance, alter stromal function, and support therapy-resistant phenotypes. These interactions are especially relevant in tumor ecosystems where extracellular signaling, metabolic stress, inflammatory cues, and oncogenic pathways converge to drive cancer progression. In parallel, computational and multi-omics approaches now allow researchers to dissect miRNA-mediated regulatory networks, transcription factor crosstalk, and virus-associated oncogenic signaling with increasing precision.This Research Topic aims to bring together mechanistic, computational, and translational studies exploring how non-coding RNAs and extracellular signaling networks regulate cancer progression, immune remodeling, and therapy resistance. We welcome contributions that connect molecular mechanisms with tumor ecosystem behavior, including studies using experimental models, patient-derived samples, multi-omics integration, and validated computational approaches. The goal is to highlight how RNA-mediated and extracellular communication networks can reveal new biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and intervention strategies in cancer.Scope:This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Perspectives, and Methods articles focused on non-coding RNAs and extracellular signaling networks in cancer progression, immune remodeling, and therapy resistance.Contributions of interest include, but are not limited to:- MicroRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, circular RNAs, and other non-coding RNAs (e.g., tRNAs and tRNA fragments, Y RNAs, snRNAs, snoRNAs, and piRNAs) involved in cancer progression, invasion, metastasis, and treatment response- Extracellular vesicle-mediated transfer of non-coding RNAs and its role in tumor ecosystem communication-Extracellular vesicle-mediated regulation of axonogenesis, nerve survival, and nerve recruitment into the tumor microenvironment-RNA-based regulation of cancer cell proliferation, survival, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity, and stem-like phenotypes-Cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, metabolites, and extracellular signals that interact with non-coding RNA networks-Non-coding RNA regulation of immune escape, immune cell remodeling, inflammatory signaling, and tumor immune crosstalk-Mechanisms linking non-coding RNAs and extracellular signals to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy resistance-Computational dissection of miRNA-mediated regulatory networks, transcription factor crosstalk, and signaling pathway interactions-Multi-omics approaches integrating transcriptomics, miRNA profiling, metabolomics, proteomics, single-cell data, or extracellular vesicle cargo analysis-Virus-associated oncogenic signaling and non-coding RNA networks in cancer progression- Translational studies identifying non-coding RNA signatures, extracellular communication biomarkers, or therapeutic targets- Experimental validation of computational predictions using cell culture, organoids, co- culture models, in vivo systems, or patient-derived samplesSubmissions should provide clear mechanistic, computational, or translational relevance to cancer cell biology and tumor ecosystem communication. Studies that are purely descriptive, rely only on public dataset analysis without validation, or lack a clear connection to cancer progression, immune remodeling, or therapy resistance fall outside the preferred scope of this collection. Topic editors: Niyas Rehman, Simone Anfossi Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86215/rna-signals-in-the-tumor-ecosystem-non-coding-rnas-extracellular-communication-and-therapy-resistance-in-cancer