Immunomodulatory Molecules in Cancer

Dear Colleagues,

In the modern era of cancer treatment, targeted therapeutic approaches not only extend the lifespan of cancer patients but also improve their quality of life. In some types of cancer, targeted therapies have shifted the standard of care treatment plans, whereas in others they are employed as a second-, third-, or later-stage setting when the primary treatment plan fails. The success of targeted therapies is associated with the comprehensive and thorough analysis of the tumor microenvironment and the identification of novel immunomodulatory proteins. The upregulation or structural modification of such proteins has been shown to manipulate the immune system, promoting cancer cell survival and metastasis. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of such molecules would lead to the discovery of a new generation of therapeutics that could further support existing personalized treatment plans and provide additional treatment options for advanced metastatic cancers.

This Special Issue entitled, “Immunomodulatory Molecules in Cancer”, is open to original research and review articles from biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, molecular biophysics, molecular medicine, and all aspects of molecular research in chemistry. We welcome studies that provide insights into oncogenic proteins and protein complexes, including fusion proteins. Examples of molecules that fall within the scope of this Special Issue include CD receptors (e.g., CD40, CD47, CD74, and CD137), cytokines (e.g., MIF, D-DT, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and ILs), chemokines  (e.g., CXCLs and CCLs), chemokine receptors (e.g., CXCRs and CCRs), oncogenic enzymes (e.g., IDO, TDO, NQO1, and IDH1), checkpoint proteins (e.g.,  PD1/PDL1), transcription factors (e.g., STAT3), kinases (e.g., ROS1 and NTRK1), the epidermal growth factor (EGFR) family of proteins (e.g., HER1-4), bromodomain-containing proteins, and many more.  Studies that utilize checkpoint inhibitors or other small-molecule probes are also very welcome.

Dr. Georgios Pantouris
Guest Editor

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• cancer
• immunomodulatory molecules
• mechanism of action
• immune system
• small-molecule probes
• activation/inhibition
• biological activity