Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.3
2.5
Journals
Applied Sciences
Special Issues
Emerging Topics in Precision Medicine: Non-invasive Innovations Shaping Cancer and...
applsci-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Applied Sciences Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Emerging Topics in Precision Medicine: Non-invasive Innovations Shaping Cancer and Immunotherapy Progress

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 7629

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Rada Amin

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
Interests: lymphoma; tumor microenvironment; immunotherapy; artificial intelligence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Bhanwar Lal Puniya

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
Interests: computational systems biology; systems immunology; translational systems biology; drug discovery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of immune cells, holds promise in enhancing clinical outcomes, yet is challenged by cancer heterogeneity, variable therapy response, and the development of resistance. Despite several advanced clinical approaches, cancer remains the second-most deadly disease in the world. Therefore, comprehending cancer heterogeneity and immunotherapy response is crucial to optimize personalized therapeutic interventions based on individual tumors. With the integration of big data in medical applications, the incorporation of diverse biomedical data, ranging from molecular to imaging, provides a high-dimensional visualization of cancer behavior. This enables cancer stratification, diagnosis, and therapy management. Thus, the utilization of multimodal data fusion will open avenues for the development of advanced non-invasive investigations, addressing the challenges of cancer intricacies and enhancing the precision of personalized treatment strategies.

The topic welcomes reviews and research articles in computational non-invasive approaches including, but not limited to, radiomics, radiogenomics, computational models, and artificial intelligence methods. 

Dr. Rada Amin
Dr. Bhanwar Lal Puniya
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. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

  • cancer
  • immunotherapy
  • computational biology
  • radiogenomics
  • radiomics
  • in silico systems
  • drug delivery
  • non-invasive approaches

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

21 pages, 3494 KiB  
Article
Glioma Stem Cells: GPRC5A as a Novel Predictive Biomarker and Therapeutic Target Associated with Mesenchymal and Stemness Features
by Sara Sadat Aghamiri and Rada Amin
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(18), 8482; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14188482 - 20 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1242
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents the deadliest form of brain cancer, characterized by complex interactions within its microenvironment. Despite the understanding of GBM biology, GBM remains highly resistant to any therapy. Therefore, defining innovative biomarkers in GBM can provide insights into tumor biology and [...] Read more.
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represents the deadliest form of brain cancer, characterized by complex interactions within its microenvironment. Despite the understanding of GBM biology, GBM remains highly resistant to any therapy. Therefore, defining innovative biomarkers in GBM can provide insights into tumor biology and potential therapeutic targets. In this study, we explored the potential of GPRC5A to serve as a pertinent biomarker for GBM. We utilized the GBM-TCGA dataset and presented the reproducible bioinformatics analysis for our results. We identified that GPRC5A expression was significantly upregulated in GBM compared to normal tissues, with higher levels correlating with poor overall survival (OS) and progression-free interval (PFI). Moreover, it was associated with key genetic mutations, particularly NF1 and PTEN mutations, and strongly correlated with the mesenchymal stem-like phenotype. GPRC5A was also predominantly associated with aggressive GBM features, including hypoxia, high extracellular matrix (ECM) environments, and extensive stromal and immune infiltrations. Its strong correlation with mesenchymal markers and hypoxic regions underscores its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target in GBM. These findings provide valuable insights into the role of GPRC5A in GBM pathology and its potential impact as a target for GBM stratifications and treatment strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in Precision Medicine: Non-invasive Innovations Shaping Cancer and Immunotherapy Progress)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1476 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Dynamics of B Cell Subpopulations in Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Prospective Study
by Foteini Pouliasi, Christina Salamaliki, Stavros Kanaloupitis, Evgenia Verigou, Elias Liolis, Angelos Koutras, Thomas Makatsoris, Charalambos Kalofonos, Stamatis-Nick Liossis and Elena E. Solomou
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(12), 4990; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14124990 - 7 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1206
Abstract
Globally, the efforts to find the best cancer treatment are demanding and very intensive. Immunotherapy has gained an important role as a second or sometimes first line of treatment for various types of cancer. PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors are an impending category of immunotherapy, [...] Read more.
Globally, the efforts to find the best cancer treatment are demanding and very intensive. Immunotherapy has gained an important role as a second or sometimes first line of treatment for various types of cancer. PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors are an impending category of immunotherapy, and their mechanism, as well as their interaction with T cells, are well studied. However, our knowledge about any possible effect(s) of immunotherapy on B cells is limited. In this prospective study, we asked the question of any possible alterations of circulating B cells (numbers and subsets) occurring during immunotherapy in patients with cancer and of the potential correlation of such changes with the outcomes and with development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). We enrolled 20 cancer patients who received PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors and 8 healthy donors (HD). Patients underwent regular clinical assessment and imaging using the iRECIST criteria for 6 months following immunotherapy. Peripheral blood samples were collected before and during PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor therapy, and flow cytometry analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was performed, evaluating various circulating B cell subset phenotypes, including mature naïve B cells, memory B cells, regulatory B cells (Bregs), antibody-secreting cells (ASCs), and age-related B cells (ABCs). Statistical analysis was employed to compare the differences of B cells between different groups and among sequential data within the same group. Total circulating CD19+ B cell counts remained stable across both groups (responders (R), nonresponders (NR)) and timepoints. However, there was a significant rise in mature naïve B cells and decline in memory B cells at the initiation of the treatment in the R group compared to healthy donors and to the NR group. Such changes were correlated with a good response to immunotherapy. On the contrary, higher numbers of ABCs at baseline were seen in the NR group and were correlated with resistance to treatment. As far as immune-related adverse events are concerned, no significant changes were recorded among the different B cell subpopulations evaluated in both groups. Our study provides preliminary data suggesting that B cell subset changes during immunotherapy may correlate with immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced clinical responses in patients with neoplasia. Further investigations to delineate the potential role(s) of B cells in patients undergoing immunotherapy are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in Precision Medicine: Non-invasive Innovations Shaping Cancer and Immunotherapy Progress)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

21 pages, 1872 KiB  
Review
Immunotherapy and MASLD-Related HCC: Should We Reconsider the Role of Etiology in the Therapeutic Approach to HCC?
by Giuseppina Vizioli, Alberto Nicoletti, Daniela Feliciani, Barbara Funaro, Lorenzo Zileri Dal Verme, Francesca Romana Ponziani, Maria Assunta Zocco, Antonio Gasbarrini and Maurizio Gabrielli
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(5), 2279; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15052279 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 559
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 90% of primary liver cancers and typically arises in the context of chronic liver disease. With the increasing prevalence of metabolic disorders, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the leading cause of chronic liver disease and [...] Read more.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 90% of primary liver cancers and typically arises in the context of chronic liver disease. With the increasing prevalence of metabolic disorders, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the leading cause of chronic liver disease and the most rapidly increasing cause of HCC. The role of dysfunctional innate and adaptive immune responses in the development and progression of HCC is well-established, prompting numerous trials to evaluate the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in targeting tumor cells. These trials have yielded promising results, and ICIs, in combination with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibodies, are now approved as first-line therapy for patients with metastatic or unresectable HCC, irrespective of the underlying liver disease. Notably, MASLD itself is characterized by immune system dysfunction, as metabolic inflammation plays a central role in its onset and progression. However, clinical studies and post-hoc analyses suggest that immunotherapy may be less effective in MASLD-associated HCC compared to viral-related HCC. This emerging evidence raises the question of whether the underlying liver disease influences the therapeutic response to ICIs in HCC. It may be time to consider tailoring therapeutic strategies for HCC based on the specific etiological, histological, and genotypical subgroups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in Precision Medicine: Non-invasive Innovations Shaping Cancer and Immunotherapy Progress)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 2381 KiB  
Review
Therapeutic Potential and Challenges of Pioglitazone in Cancer Treatment
by Maria Vasileiou, Sotirios Charalampos Diamantoudis, Christina Tsianava and Nam P. Nguyen
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 1925; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15041925 - 13 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1079
Abstract
Pioglitazone (ACTOS) is a thiazolidinedione for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) that has been well established for the second or third line treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Beyond the effects on glucose metabolism, pioglitazone displays positive effects on lipid metabolism, blood pressure, [...] Read more.
Pioglitazone (ACTOS) is a thiazolidinedione for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) that has been well established for the second or third line treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Beyond the effects on glucose metabolism, pioglitazone displays positive effects on lipid metabolism, blood pressure, endothelial function, bone density, and apoptosis of cancer cells. In fact, according to in vitro experiments and preclinical studies, PPAR-γ ligand is currently considered a potential target for both chemoprevention and cancer therapy. PPAR-γ ligands are known to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and metastasis through terminal differentiation and underexpression of inflammatory mediators. Despite its anticancer properties, pioglitazone was withdrawn by the national medicine agencies of France and Germany, due to reports of increased incidence of bladder cancer. These reports were associated with European populations undergoing higher doses and longer durations of treatment. In this review, we discuss the pharmacokinetics, therapeutic potential, and limitations regarding the clinical use of pioglitazone, with a focus on cancer treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in Precision Medicine: Non-invasive Innovations Shaping Cancer and Immunotherapy Progress)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 1177 KiB  
Review
Characteristics of the Colorectal Cancer Microenvironment—Role in Cancer Progression and Therapeutic Possibilities
by Paulina Pieniądz, Mateusz Pięt and Roman Paduch
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 2930; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14072930 - 30 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2433
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and deadliest cancers worldwide. According to the GLOBOCAN (WHO) report in 2020, nearly 2 million patients were diagnosed globally. Despite the advances in cancer diagnosis and therapy, CRC remains a global challenge. Recently, attention [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common and deadliest cancers worldwide. According to the GLOBOCAN (WHO) report in 2020, nearly 2 million patients were diagnosed globally. Despite the advances in cancer diagnosis and therapy, CRC remains a global challenge. Recently, attention has been paid to the tumor microenvironment (TME), which constitutes a significant part of the tumor and mainly includes various immune cells, fibroblasts, vascular cells, and extracellular elements, such as the extracellular matrix (ECM). Many components of the stroma initially exert an anti-tumor effect, but over time, they undergo functional transformation into elements that promote tumor growth. As a result, conditions conducive to further cancer development, invasion into local tissues, and distant metastasis arise. The microenvironment of colorectal cancer (CRC) may be an important direction in the search for therapeutic targets, but it requires further understanding. The main purpose of our review is to explain the role of the complex CRC microenvironment in the progression of this cancer and highlight the potential of targeted therapy directed at the TME. Therefore, continued research into its components and typical biomarkers is necessary to improve therapy and enhance the quality of life for patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Topics in Precision Medicine: Non-invasive Innovations Shaping Cancer and Immunotherapy Progress)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop