Molecular Biology of Brain Tumors 2.0

Dear Colleagues,

In the last decade, great improvements in the understanding of the molecular basis of both primary and metastatic brain tumors have brought critical improvements and a subsequent dramatic impact on their clinical management. Compelling evidence has demonstrated the critical role played by the molecular pattern of brain tumors on the final oncologic prognosis. With regard to intrinsic brain tumors (IBT), further developments have outlined the role of factors such as focal hypoxia, the VEGF signaling system, mitochondrial metabolism, and intracellular and transmembrane G-protein coupled receptors in the mitotic drive of neoplastic cells. Furthermore, the mechanism determining the migration along the fibers of the white-matter tracts have provided in-depth explanations of the invasiveness of IBTs. With regard to brain metastases (BM), outstanding proof has shed light on the potential role of adhesion molecules, reactive species of oxygen, and even lymphatic extracranial cells over the intracranial diffusion of the disease.

Therefore, it is our pleasure to invite investigators to contribute to this Special Issue with original research articles as well as review papers aimed at promoting the diffusion of the current knowledge of the molecular basis of neuro-oncological practice. We are particularly interested in articles describing new insights into pathophysiological mechanisms, conveying potentially useful insights to achieve original diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Molecular insights of glioblastoma and intrinsic brain tumor pathogenesis;
• Molecular insights concerning brain metastases pathogenesis and their diffusion inside the intracranial compartment;
• Molecular prognostic factors in glioblastoma and intrinsic brain tumors;
• Molecular prognostic factors in brain metastases;
• Novel research approaches in primary or metastatic brain tumor investigations;
• Autophagy related to the biology of gliomas.

Prof. Dr. Alessandro Frati
Guest Editor

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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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.

• glioblastoma
• intrinsic brain tumor pathogenesis
• low-grade gliomas
• spinal intramedullary tumors
• brain metastases
• molecular pathogenesis of primary brain tumors
• molecular pathogenesis of brain metastases