Emerging Targets and Therapeutic Potential Drugs in Tumor Progression and Therapeutic Resistance

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell Microenvironment".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 3640

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Suwanee, GA 30024, USA
Interests: natural compounds; structure–activity relationship; cell death; oxidative stress; tumor microenvironment; nanotechnology; pharmaceutical analysis; pharmacokinetics; pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics modeling; drug discovery and development
Department of Surgery and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Interests: nanoparticles; theranostic; biomedical imaging; cancer therapy

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Guest Editor
1. Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
2. 5M Biomed, LLC, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
Interests: development of engineered magnetic nanomaterials for molecular imaging, drug delivery, theranostics, and in vitro diagnostics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the challenging battle against cancer, researchers are continually seeking new targets and therapeutic strategies to combat tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. One emerging avenue of exploration lies in identifying and characterizing novel molecular targets involved in tumor progression and the development of resistance to conventional therapies.

Recent advancements in cancer biology have unveiled a multitude of intricate signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms driving tumorigenesis and treatment resistance. These discoveries have paved the way for developing innovative therapeutic agents aimed at disrupting key nodes in these pathways, thereby halting tumor growth and overcoming resistance.

Among the promising targets are various signaling molecules, receptors, and enzymes implicated in cancer cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis. Additionally, the tumor microenvironment, including stromal cells and immune cells, has emerged as a crucial determinant of cancer progression and treatment response, offering novel therapeutic opportunities.

As researchers delve deeper into the intricate landscape of cancer biology, the potential for innovative therapeutic interventions continues to expand. By targeting emerging molecular targets and harnessing the complexities of the tumor microenvironment, the quest for more effective cancer treatments and strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance is propelled forward, offering hope to patients and clinicians alike.

We welcome original research papers and review articles that address the following (but are not limited to) topics:

  • Identification and characterization of novel molecular targets involved in tumor progression and therapeutic resistance;
  • Mechanisms underlying the development of resistance to conventional cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy;
  • Development of innovative therapeutic strategies to overcome resistance mechanisms, including combination therapies and targeted drug delivery systems;
  • Investigation of the tumor microenvironment and its influence on treatment response and resistance, including stromal cells, immune cells, and extracellular matrix components;
  • Targeting the signaling pathways and key molecules involved in cancer cell survival, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis;
  • Harnessing nanotechnology and innovative drug delivery systems for improved tumor targeting, drug release, and efficacy;
  • Application of potential drug candidates from natural sources as therapeutic agents in combating tumor progression and overcoming therapeutic resistance.

We hope that this Special Issue can bring together studies and contributions on the subject of emerging targets and therapeutic potential drugs in tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. We expect to highlight significant and representative progress in this field with the intention of fostering further interest in focused areas by the larger anti-cancer research community.

Prof. Dr. Xinyu Wang
Dr. Lei Zhu
Dr. Yuancheng Li
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • cancer
  • tumor progression
  • therapeutic resistance
  • molecular targets
  • tumor microenvironment
  • innovative therapies
  • targeted drug delivery
  • natural product

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 8508 KiB  
Article
Combining AdipoRon with Paclitaxel Unveils Synergistic Potential in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells via AMPK-ERK1/2 Signaling
by Sanober Kafeel, Giuseppina Palmiero, Alessia Salzillo, Angela Ragone, Silvio Naviglio and Luigi Sapio
Cells 2025, 14(8), 602; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14080602 - 16 Apr 2025
Viewed by 322
Abstract
As part of chemotherapy regimens, Paclitaxel improves the overall survival of many non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, the development of drug resistance and adverse events limits its clinical usage, reinforcing the need for further advancements in NSCLC therapeutics. We recently recognized [...] Read more.
As part of chemotherapy regimens, Paclitaxel improves the overall survival of many non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, the development of drug resistance and adverse events limits its clinical usage, reinforcing the need for further advancements in NSCLC therapeutics. We recently recognized the adiponectin receptor agonist AdipoRon as a promising anticancer compound in NSCLC. Consequently, this study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of combining AdipoRon with Paclitaxel (Combo) in NSCLC cells. With respect to individual treatments, Combo triggered a stronger inhibition of both cell growth and clonogenic potential, as well as a greater induction of cell death. The Combo-mediated cytotoxicity was also corroborated by cleavage of poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) and caspase-3 apoptotic markers. Notably, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) emerged as a critical sensor in Combo efficacy, as its inhibition by Compound-C unveiled a significant rescue in cell growth. Although Combo caused a gradual downregulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), the hindrance in the upstream cascade by PD98059 partially counteracted the Combo outcomes. In conclusion, our findings designate AdipoRon as an effective candidate in Paclitaxel-based therapy. Nevertheless, future studies aimed at exploring the Combo aptitude in overcoming the Paclitaxel-related restraints need to be investigated in NSCLC. Full article
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18 pages, 585 KiB  
Review
Soluble CD40 Ligand as a Promising Biomarker in Cancer Diagnosis
by Alireza Pazoki, Sepehr Dadfar, Alireza Shadab, Dariush Haghmorad and Valentyn Oksenych
Cells 2024, 13(15), 1267; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13151267 - 28 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2574
Abstract
Cancer remains a significant challenge in medicine due to its complexity and heterogeneity. Biomarkers have emerged as vital tools for cancer research and clinical practice, facilitating early detection, prognosis assessment, and treatment monitoring. Among these, CD40 ligand (CD40L) has gained attention for its [...] Read more.
Cancer remains a significant challenge in medicine due to its complexity and heterogeneity. Biomarkers have emerged as vital tools for cancer research and clinical practice, facilitating early detection, prognosis assessment, and treatment monitoring. Among these, CD40 ligand (CD40L) has gained attention for its role in immune response modulation. Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) has shown promise as a potential biomarker in cancer diagnosis and progression, reflecting interactions between immune cells and the tumor microenvironment. This review explores the intricate relationship between sCD40L and cancer, highlighting its diagnostic and prognostic potential. It discusses biomarker discovery, emphasizing the need for reliable markers in oncology, and elucidates the roles of CD40L in inflammatory responses and interactions with tumor cells. Additionally, it examines sCD40L as a biomarker, detailing its significance across various cancer types and clinical applications. Moreover, the review focuses on therapeutic interventions targeting CD40L in malignancies, providing insights into cellular and gene therapy approaches and recombinant protein-based strategies. The clinical effectiveness of CD40L-targeted therapy is evaluated, underscoring the need for further research to unlock the full potential of this signaling pathway in cancer management. Full article
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