Biomarkers and Immunotherapeutic Potential in Malignancies: Insights at the Gene Level

Malignancies, including cancers, pose a significant health burden worldwide. Despite advancements in treatment modalities, the prognosis for many malignancies remains poor. However, recent advances in molecular and genomic research have revolutionized our understanding of malignancies at the gene level. Biomarkers, which are measurable indicators of biological processes, have emerged as promising tools for early detection, prognosis, and prediction of treatment response in various malignancies. Furthermore, immunotherapy has emerged as a groundbreaking approach in the management of malignancies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, and other immunotherapeutic strategies have shown unprecedented success in treating cancers by harnessing the body's immune system to target cancer cells. The identification and characterization of biomarkers at the gene level have played a crucial role in predicting the response to immunotherapy and tailoring treatment strategies for individual patients. In this special topic, we invite original research articles, reviews, and opinion papers that focus on the following areas, but not limited to: 1. Identification, validation, and characterization of gene-based biomarkers in malignancies 2. Role of gene expression profiling in predicting response to immunotherapy 3. Mechanisms underlying the immunotherapeutic potential of gene-based biomarkers 4. Applications of gene editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, in enhancing immunotherapeutic efficacy 5. Gene-based biomarkers for monitoring treatment response and disease progression in malignancies 6. Gene-based immunotherapeutic strategies, including gene vaccines, oncolytic viruses, and gene-modified immune cells 7. Role of gene-based biomarkers in overcoming resistance to immunotherapy in malignancies 8. Ethical considerations and challenges in the use of gene-based biomarkers and immunotherapies in malignancies. We welcome submissions from researchers in diverse fields, including but not limited to oncology, immunology, genetics, genomics, and molecular biology. Submissions may include original research articles, reviews, and opinion papers that provide novel insights, present significant findings, and offer perspectives on the use of gene-based biomarkers and immunotherapeutic strategies in malignancies.Submissions that are solely based on computational/bioinformatic approach and do not include rigorous wet lab experimentation will not be considered in this special issue.

18/03/2025