Cancer: A Multifaceted Enemy and the Precision Oncology Response

Cancer heterogeneity presents a major obstacle in clinical practice, granting tumor cells remarkable levels of resilience, adaptability, and invasiveness. The complexity arises from each tumor having a unique set of genetic alterations, coupled to the exponential capacity of its molecular landscape to evolve under the selective pressure they undergo during disease progression and in response to treatments. This intrinsic complexity is further amplified by the dynamic nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME), an intricate interplay of immune, endothelial stromal and also neural cells [1], whose crosstalk shape both tumor behavior and treatment outcomes. Understanding the TME complexity paves the way for precision medicine, where treatments are finely tuned to the patient's unique cancer profile, offering a more targeted and effective response to the disease. In recent decades, oncology has witnessed a paradigm shift towards precision medicine. The papers selected for the Special Issue "Novel Therapeutic Targets in Cancers 2.0" showcase the latest progress in this field. They highlight the TME integral role in reinforcing therapeutic interventions and the critical function of immunotherapy in mobilizing the patient's own immune defenses against cancer. The collection of twelve papers describes the development of innovative therapeutic agents, prognostic markers, and diagnostic tools, all designed to enhance the accuracy and efficacy of patient care. While redefining tumors as manageable chronic conditions remains a distant goal, with lasting remission still infrequent, each discovery adds a unique piece to the intricate mosaic of knowledge, progressively assembling a detailed picture of cancer precision medicine. This vision drives the continuous quest of researchers dedicated to precision oncology.