The Brain–Body Interplay in Pain, Anesthesia, and Oncology

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 5

Special Issue Editor

Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Interests: anesthesia

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on how signals between the nervous system and peripheral organs shape pain, responses to anesthetic drugs, and cancer biology and outcomes. We welcome studies across basic, translational, and clinical domains that clarify mechanisms and identify measurable targets. Microbiome-related pathways are examples of interest—such as the gut–brain, gut–lung, and gut–liver axes—together with neuroimmune, neuroendocrine, autonomic, and metabolic links that connect the periphery with central circuits. Relevant topics include how microbial metabolites, systemic inflammation, and host metabolism influence nociception and central processing; how anesthetic exposure and depth affect neurocognition and neuroinflammation; and how brain–body communication shapes tumor behavior, immune competence, treatment tolerance, and symptom burden. We encourage work that integrates preclinical and clinical models, employs methods such as multi-omics, imaging, and electrophysiology, and uses sound designs capable of supporting causal interpretation. Submissions may address mechanisms, biomarkers, and interventions (e.g., microbiome-directed, neuromodulatory, or metabolic). The goal is to define concrete pathways and measures that can guide research and practice across pain, anesthesia, and oncology.

Dr. Hui Xu
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. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2600 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

  • brain–body axis
  • neuroimmune communication
  • microbiome–gut–brain axis
  • nociception
  • anesthetic outcomes
  • cancer biology

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.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
Back to TopTop