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Biomolecules
Special Issues
Spotlight on Hot Cancer Biological Biomarkers
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Spotlight on Hot Cancer Biological Biomarkers

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biomarkers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 2471

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Dania Cioni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Interests: radiology; imaging; CT; MRI; tumor
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Salvatore Claudio Fanni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Academic Radiology, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Interests: artificial intelligence; deep learning; radiomics; computed tomography; ultrasound; oncologic imaging; natural language processing; texture analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The identification and characterization of cancer biomarkers represent a cornerstone of modern precision medicine. Initially rooted in molecular biology and pathology—exemplified by advances in liquid biopsy techniques—biomarkers are now extending their impact far beyond traditional laboratory settings. In recent years, the concept of biomarkers has rapidly expanded to encompass imaging biomarkers, functional parameters, and integrative diagnostic tools, fostering a multidisciplinary approach that bridges molecular profiling, radiology, and clinical decision making. This evolution reflects a growing understanding that robust, reliable biomarkers are essential not only for early detection and prognostication but also for therapy selection, monitoring, and outcome prediction.

As the field moves toward increasingly personalized therapeutic strategies, the development and validation of novel cancer biomarkers—across biological, radiological, and computational domains—are of the utmost importance. This Special Issue, “Spotlight on Hot Cancer Biological Biomarkers”, aims to provide a platform for high-impact contributions that can help advance this rapidly evolving area. Original research articles and systematic reviews focusing on innovative biomarkers, translational approaches, and interdisciplinary methodologies are particularly welcome.

Dr. Dania Cioni
Dr. Salvatore Claudio Fanni
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. Biomolecules 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 2700 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 biomarkers
  • precision medicine
  • liquid biopsy
  • imaging biomarkers
  • translational oncology

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2989 KiB  
Article
Gene Expression Analysis and Validation of a Novel Biomarker Signature for Early-Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma
by Sanjan S. Sarang, Catherine M. Cahill and Jack T. Rogers
Biomolecules 2025, 15(6), 803; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15060803 - 31 May 2025
Viewed by 1006
Abstract
Lung cancer is responsible for 2.21 million annual cancer cases and is the leading worldwide cause of cancer-related deaths. Specifically, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most prevalent lung cancer subtype resulting from genetic causes; LUAD has a 15% patient survival rate due to [...] Read more.
Lung cancer is responsible for 2.21 million annual cancer cases and is the leading worldwide cause of cancer-related deaths. Specifically, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most prevalent lung cancer subtype resulting from genetic causes; LUAD has a 15% patient survival rate due to it commonly being detected in its advanced stages. This study aimed to identify a novel biomarker signature of early-stage LUAD utilizing gene expression analysis of human lung tissue samples. Using 22 pairs of LUAD and matched normal lung microarrays, 229 differentially expressed genes were identified. These genes were networked for their protein–protein interactions, and 44 hub genes were determined from protein essentiality. Survival analysis of 478 LUAD patient samples identified four statistically significant candidates. These candidate genes’ expression profiles were validated from GTEx and TCGA (347 normal, 483 LUAD samples); immunohistochemistry validated the subsequent protein presence. Through intensive bioinformatic identification and multiple validations of the four-biomarker gene signature, AGER, MGP, and PECAM1 were identified as downregulated in LUAD; SLC2A1 was identified as upregulated in LUAD. These four biologically significant genes are involved in tumorigenesis and poor LUAD prognosis, meriting their use as a clinical biomarker signature and therapeutic targets for early-stage LUAD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Hot Cancer Biological Biomarkers)
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Review

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16 pages, 810 KiB  
Review
Synergizing Liquid Biopsy and Hybrid PET Imaging for Prognostic Assessment in Prostate Cancer: A Focus Review
by Federica Stracuzzi, Sara Dall’ Armellina, Gayane Aghakhanyan, Salvatore C. Fanni, Giacomo Aringhieri, Lorenzo Faggioni, Emanuele Neri, Duccio Volterrani and Dania Cioni
Biomolecules 2025, 15(7), 1041; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15071041 - 18 Jul 2025
Viewed by 495
Abstract
Positron emission tomography (PET) and liquid biopsy have independently transformed prostate cancer management. This review explores the complementary roles of PET imaging and liquid biopsy in prostate cancer, focusing on their combined diagnostic, monitoring, and prognostic potential. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, [...] Read more.
Positron emission tomography (PET) and liquid biopsy have independently transformed prostate cancer management. This review explores the complementary roles of PET imaging and liquid biopsy in prostate cancer, focusing on their combined diagnostic, monitoring, and prognostic potential. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted to identify human studies published in English up to January 2025. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed according to PRISMA guidelines. Across the included studies, PET-derived imaging metrics, such as metabolic activity and radiotracer uptake, correlated consistently with liquid biopsy biomarkers, including circulating tumor cells and cell-free DNA. Their joint application demonstrated added value in early detection, treatment monitoring, and outcome prediction, particularly in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Independent and synergistic prognostic value was noted for both modalities, including survival outcomes such as overall survival and progression-free survival. Combining PET imaging and liquid biopsy emerges as a promising, non-invasive strategy for improving prostate cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and therapeutic stratification. While preliminary findings are encouraging, large-scale prospective studies are essential to validate their integrated clinical utility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Hot Cancer Biological Biomarkers)
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26 pages, 1698 KiB  
Review
Research Progress on the Functional Regulation Mechanisms of ZKSCAN3
by Jianxiong Xu, Xinzhe Li, Jingjing Xia, Wenfang Li and Zhengding Su
Biomolecules 2025, 15(7), 1016; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15071016 - 14 Jul 2025
Viewed by 668
Abstract
The zinc finger protein with KRAB and SCAN domains 3 (ZKSCAN3) has emerged as a critical regulator of diverse cellular processes, including autophagy, cell cycle progression, and tumorigenesis. Structurally, ZKSCAN3 is characterized by its conserved DNA-binding zinc finger motifs, a SCAN domain mediating [...] Read more.
The zinc finger protein with KRAB and SCAN domains 3 (ZKSCAN3) has emerged as a critical regulator of diverse cellular processes, including autophagy, cell cycle progression, and tumorigenesis. Structurally, ZKSCAN3 is characterized by its conserved DNA-binding zinc finger motifs, a SCAN domain mediating protein–protein interaction, and a KRAB repression domain implicated in transcriptional regulation. Post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination, dynamically modulate its subcellular localization and activity, enabling context-dependent functional plasticity. Functionally, ZKSCAN3 acts as a master switch in autophagy by repressing the transcription of autophagy-related genes under nutrient-replete conditions, while its nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling under stress conditions links metabolic reprogramming to cellular survival. Emerging evidence also underscores its paradoxical roles in cancer: it suppresses tumor initiation by maintaining genomic stability yet promotes metastasis through epithelial–mesenchymal transition induction. Furthermore, epigenetic mechanisms, including promoter methylation and non-coding RNA regulation, fine-tune ZKSCAN3 expression, contributing to tissue-specific outcomes. Despite these insights, gaps remain in understanding the structural determinants governing its interaction with chromatin-remodeling complexes and the therapeutic potential of targeting ZKSCAN3 in diseases. Future investigations should prioritize integrating multi-omics approaches to unravel context-specific regulatory networks and explore small-molecule modulators for translational applications. This comprehensive analysis provides a framework for advancing our mechanistic understanding of ZKSCAN3 and its implications in human health and disease. This review synthesizes recent advances in elucidating the regulatory networks and functional complexity of ZKSCAN3, highlighting its dual roles in physiological and pathological contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spotlight on Hot Cancer Biological Biomarkers)
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