Microenvironment, Microbiota and Immune System in Digestive Cancers

Submission Deadline: 31 May 2025 View: 97 Submit to Special Issue

Guest Editors

Prof. Dr. Fernando Mendes

Email: fjmendes@estesc.ipc.pt 

Affiliation: 1 - Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal.

2 - H&TRC - Health & Technology Research Center, Coimbra Health School, Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Rua 5 de Outubro, 3045-043, Coimbra, Portugal.

3 - Biophysics Institute of Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal, 

4 - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,

5 - European Association of Biomedical Scientists, Brussels, Belgium

Homepage:

Research Interests: Oncocbiology, cancer treatment and immune system.

Prof. Dr. Diana Martins

Email: diana.martins@estesc.ipc.pt

Affiliation: 1 - Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Rua da Misericórdia, Lagar dos Cortiços, S. Martinho do Bispo, 3045-093 Coimbra, Portugal.

2 - H&TRC - Health & Technology Research Center, Coimbra Health School, Polytechnic University of Coimbra, Rua 5 de Outubro, 3045-043, Coimbra, Portugal.

3 - Biophysics Institute of Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal, 

4 - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,

Homepage:

Research Interests: Research interests include cancer, microenvironment, microbiome and cancer biomarkers.

Prof. Dr. Margarida Abrantes

Email: mabrantes@fmed.uc.pt

Affiliation: Univ Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR) area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Biophysics Institute of Faculty of Medicine, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, Pólo III - Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Coimbra, Portugal; Univ Coimbra, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Coimbra, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, Coimbra, Portugal

Homepage:

Research Interests: Solid cancers, Biophysics, molecular imaging, ionizing radiation effects

Prof. Dr. Rui Miguel Martins

Email: rui.martins@uc.pt

Affiliation: Department of Surgery, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.

Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Center for Investigation on Environment, Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.

Homepage: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7973-0986

Research Interests: Digestive surgery, Cell Biology, Microenvironment

Summary

The digestive system tract is 25-foot-long pathway that extends from the mouth to the anus. Digestive system cancers account for 1 in 4 cancer cases and 1 in 3 cancer deaths globally. Malignancies of the digestive system include cancers of the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas and colorectum. These cancers represent a multifactorial disease due to the combined effect of genetic and environmental factors but remain peculiar and distinct in their epidemiology and etiologic profiles. Different profiles of cell activation of the tumor microenvironment can promote pro or anti-tumor pathways, being studied as key targets for the control of cancer progression. The use of targeted therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has allowed the activation of immune cells present in the tumor microenvironment (TME), suggesting new treatment options for the immune system. Moreover, there is evidence that inflammatory processes have a role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression in malignancies of the digestive system, indicating a key feature to improve prognosis and treatment. Additionally, aberrant composition of the digestive system microbiota modulates carcinogenesis through different mechanisms including the induction of genetic mutations in cells and immune system modulation, thus altering the microenvironment favouring tumorigenesis. Exploring deeper into the interactions between microenvironment, the microbiota and the immune system will elucidate novel therapeutic targets in digestive system cancers. This Special topic purposes to focus on the more recent developments in Digestive system cancer regarding Microenvironment, Microbiota and Immune System focusing on diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. We are pleased to invite you to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in this special issue.

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