The evolving path of the cancer genomics field is moving toward a comprehensive understanding of the tumor ecosystem, instructing future therapeutic strategies.

This Primer overviews the preclinical models used for cancer research, including mouse models, fish and fly models, and 3D culture models. Both advantages and limitations of these models for the study of tumor evolution, metastasis, and drug resistance are discussed.

Therapeutic modalities that engage the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer, known as cancer immunotherapy, has emerged as a distinct pillar of cancer therapy. Among the most promising treatment approaches are therapeutic vaccines, immune checkpoint blockade, bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs) and adoptive cell therapies. These approaches share a common mechanism of action, which is…

Tumor cells do not exist in isolation in vivo, and carcinogenesis depends on the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME), composed of a myriad of cell types and biophysical and biochemical components. Fibroblasts are integral in maintaining tissue homeostasis. However, even before a tumor develops, pro-tumorigenic fibroblasts in close proximity can provide the fertile ‘soil’ to the cancer ‘seed’…

Many cancers, if detected early, are now treatable. Patients live longer than they did just a few decades ago, and 5-year survival rates now exceed 90% for many cancers (https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts). Nevertheless, the global cancer burden continues to grow, exerting tremendous physical, emotional, and financial strains on individuals, families, and communities as well as health systems. So…