This book presents detailed information regarding the innate and adaptive cellular diversity in tumor microenvironment. Tumor microenvironment refers to a dynamic niche outlined by the interaction of diverse cell types such as tumor cells and stromal cells, their soluble variants and different physicochemical circumstances. Current studies have distinguished myelomonocytic cells as important factors in the regulation of tumor microenvironment and thus, tumor advancement in numerous kinds of cancers. Keeping these discoveries in mind, this book has been compiled in an effort to bring forth an extensive description on the varieties of tumor microenvironment in different cancers and shed light on the critical role of myelomonocytic cells in stemming this niche for monitoring cancer progression. This book will provide a better understanding of mechanisms of myelomonocytic cells in regulating cancer progression which may lead to new developments in cancer therapeutics.

Traditionally, the interplay between cancer cells and host immunity has been studied systemically. Recent studies, however, indicate that the tumor microenvironment is unique in providing both supportive and inhibitory factors that determine the fate of the tumor and its host. This volume compiles reviews on innate and adaptive immune responses at the tumor microenvironment with emphasis on positive and negative outcomes that affect the progression of the disease.

This book addresses the biological processes relevant to the immune phenotypes of cancer and their significance for immune responsiveness, based on the premise that malignant cells manipulate their surroundings through an evolutionary process that is controlled by interactions with innate immune sensors as well as the adaptive recognition of self/non-self. Checkpoint inhibitor therapy is now an accepted new form of cancer treatment. Other immuno-oncology approaches, such as adoptive cell therapy and metabolic inhibitors, have also shown promising results for specific indications. Immune resistance is common, however, limiting the efficacy of immunotherapy in many common cancer types. The reasons for such resistance are diverse and peculiar to the immune landscapes of individual cancers, and to the treatment modality used. Accordingly, approaches to circumvent resistance need to take into account context-specific genetic, biological and environmental factors that may affect the cancer immune cycle, and which can best be understood by studying the target tissue and correlated systemic immune markers. Understanding the major requirements for the evolutionary process governing human cancer growth in the immune-competent host will guide effective therapeutic choices that are tailored to the biology of individual cancers.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the care for cancer and extended survival for many patients. While ICIs have shown astonishing clinical benefits, less than 50% of patients experience a durable response. To find better biomarkers for ICI response and understand the diverse cellular players in the tumor, we performed a multi-omic study on a metastatic melanoma cohort with RNA sequencing (39 samples), single cell RNA sequencing (222,351 cells; 39 samples), and single nucleus transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (45,478 cells; 15 samples). We identified marker genes and functional modules associated with ICI response (e.g. cell-adhesion) and resistance (e.g. oxidative phosphorylation). Through single cell study of ICI resistant tumors, we revealed how cell-adhesion and ribosomal activity changes in the adaptive immunity could reflect tumor-level therapeutic failure. We further characterized the T cell diversity in the tumors and discovered an early activated state and a terminally exhausted T cell state with therapeutic potential. Among the innate immune mediators of tumor microenvironment, we detected a mature dendritic cell state as a powerful predictor of survival and extensively studied its differentiation trajectory, transcriptome signatures, and epigenome landscape. With functional roles in strengthening cancer immunity, many of the molecular and cellular mediators found in this study are relevant to the efficacy of all ICI regimens, and could potentially be extended to targeted inhibitors or other immunotherapies.

This volume explores the various methods used to study tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in pathological situations. Pre-clinical models are also discussed in detail to show how TLS structure, development, and maintenance can be targeted and studied in vivo. The chapters in this book cover topics such as humans and mice; strategies to quantify TLS in order to use it in stained tissue sections; classifying a gene signature form fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues; and development of murine inflammatory models to help look at TLS in the context of infection or malignancy. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and thorough, Tertiary Lymphoid Structures: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource that increases the reader’s knowledge on immune functions and how they will pave the way to future therapeutic applications.

This book addresses the biological processes relevant to the immune phenotypes of cancer and their significance for immune responsiveness, based on the premise that malignant cells manipulate their surroundings through an evolutionary process that is controlled by interactions with innate immune sensors as well as the adaptive recognition of self/non-self. Checkpoint inhibitor therapy is now an accepted new form of cancer treatment. Other immuno-oncology approaches, such as adoptive cell therapy and metabolic inhibitors, have also shown promising results for specific indications. Immune resistance is common, however, limiting the efficacy of immunotherapy in many common cancer types. The reasons for such resistance are diverse and peculiar to the immune landscapes of individual cancers, and to the treatment modality used. Accordingly, approaches to circumvent resistance need to take into account context-specific genetic, biological and environmental factors that may affect the cancer immune cycle, and which can best be understood by studying the target tissue and correlated systemic immune markers. Understanding the major requirements for the evolutionary process governing human cancer growth in the immune-competent host will guide effective therapeutic choices that are tailored to the biology of individual cancers.

Dr. Judah Folkman is considered the "father of angiogenesis." Because of Folkman's discovery and research, the possibilities of angiogenic therapy have broadened beyond cancer to many noncancerous diseases. Angiogenesis: An Integrative Approach from Science to Medicine is a comprehensive, concise summary of tumor angiogenesis. It is an up-to-date and authoritative reference for the angiogenesis field as it relates to oncology. This book represents the first collection in a volume of which Folkman is co-editor. Folkman has authored nearly 400 original papers and more than 100 book chapters.