Targets

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The identification and validation of drug targets both play a pivotal role in drug discovery and development. Targeted therapies have revolutionized modern medicine by providing more effective and precise treatments for various diseases. Understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis and the interactions between drugs and their targets is crucial for the development of novel therapeutics.

In this Special Issue, we aim to explore the diverse landscape of drug targets across different therapeutic areas. We invite researchers, scientists, and clinicians to contribute original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that will advance our understanding of drugs’ targets. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

Molecular mechanisms of drug action
Identification and validation of novel drug targets
Targeted therapies for cancer and other diseases
Target-based drug design and development
Emerging targets for precision medicine
Target engagement and pharmacodynamics
Biomarkers of target engagement and drug response
Target-based screening and drug discovery strategies
Personalized medicine approaches targeting specific molecular pathways
Challenges and opportunities in targeting complex diseases

We encourage submissions that encompass interdisciplinary approaches, ranging from basic science to clinical applications. By bringing together cutting-edge research in this field, we aim to foster collaboration and accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into innovative therapies that improve patient outcomes.

We welcome submissions of original research articles, reviews, and perspectives for inclusion in this Special Issue on "Comprehending Molecular Targets: Mechanisms and Actions in Drug Development".

Dr. Cristina Manuela Drăgoi
Dr. Ion-Bogdan Bogdan Dumitrescu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Targets is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

drug development
therapeutic targets
drug research
drug design
drug–drug interactions
biochemistry of drug uptake, action, and metabolism
drug target discovery
individualized therapy
pharmacogenomics
novel therapeutics
chronobiology
medicinal chemistry
biologics
personalized medicine
biomolecular targets
drugs mechanisms of action
pharmacodynamics
molecular pathways
pharmacokinetics
signal transduction pathways
receptor biology
molecular interactions
drug metabolism
structural biology
pharmacotherapeutics
molecular pharmacology
target identification
precision medicine

Published Papers (1 paper)

Review

22 pages, 5138 KiB

Open AccessReview

Potential of MMP-2 and MMP-9 Gelatinase Blockade as a Therapeutic Strategy in Fibrosarcoma Treatment: A Decadal Review

by Alireza Shoari

Targets 2024, 2(2), 104-125; https://doi.org/10.3390/targets2020007 - 5 Jun 2024

Viewed by 282

Abstract

Fibrosarcoma represents a significant challenge in oncology, characterized by high invasiveness and a poor prognosis. Gelatinases, particularly matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9, play a pivotal role in the degradation of the extracellular matrix, facilitating tumor invasion and metastasis. Inhibiting these enzymes has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. This review evaluates the progress in the development and therapeutic potential of gelatinase inhibitors as treatments for fibrosarcoma over the last decade, highlighting molecular mechanisms and future directions. A comprehensive literature review was conducted, focusing on studies published from 2013 to 2023. Research articles and review papers relevant to gelatinase inhibition and fibrosarcoma were examined to assess the efficacy and mechanisms of gelatinase inhibitors. Gelatinase inhibitors have shown the potential to reduce tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis in fibrosarcoma. Clinical trials, although limited, have indicated that these inhibitors can be effectively integrated into existing therapeutic regimens, offering a reduction in metastatic spread and potentially improving patient survival rates. Mechanistic studies suggest that the inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 disrupts critical pathways involved in tumor growth and cell invasion. Gelatinase inhibition represents a viable and promising approach to fibrosarcoma treatment. Future research should focus on developing more specific inhibitors, understanding long-term outcomes, and integrating gelatinase inhibition into multimodal treatment strategies to enhance efficacy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Comprehending Molecular Targets: Mechanisms and Actions in Drug Development)

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