Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Cell Invasion and Metastasis

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer cell invasion and metastasis remain the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide and are driven by complex interactions among genetic, metabolic, and microenvironmental factors. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for identifying new therapeutic vulnerabilities and improving clinical outcomes.

This Special Issue, “Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Cell Invasion and Metastasis,” aims to highlight advances that uncover how cancer cells invade, disseminate, survive in circulation, and colonize distant organs. We particularly welcome studies dissecting tumor cell plasticity, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), cytoskeletal remodeling, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, immune evasion, metabolic rewiring, and tumor–stromal interactions. Research that links molecular pathways to functional phenotypes or identifies actionable targets, predictive biomarkers, and therapeutic opportunities is strongly encouraged.

Innovative model systems, including patient-derived xenografts, 3D cultures, and genome-wide functional screens, are also of interest, as they provide deeper mechanistic insights into invasion–metastasis biology. This topic aligns closely with the journal’s mission to advance fundamental and translational cancer research.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, molecular drivers of invasion and metastasis, redox and metabolic signaling in metastatic progression, EMT, plasticity, and stem-like phenotypes, tumor microenvironment and immune–stromal interactions, and ECM remodeling and mechanobiology.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Dr. Silpa Gampala
Guest Editor

Dr. Veena Kumari Vuttaradhi
Guest Editor Assistant

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