Targeting Breast Cancer: Mechanisms of Resistance and Innovative Therapeutic Strategies
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2026 | Viewed by 29
Special Issue Editors
Interests: HR+ breast cancer; molecular mechanisms of drug resistance; resistance to endocrine therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitors in HR+ breast cancer; tumor invasion; 3D culture; tumor microenvironment; cancer-associated fibroblasts
Interests: targeted therapy; molecular mechanisms of drug resistance; immunotherapy; biomarkers identification; liquid biopsies
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Breast cancer (BC) remains one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, with a complex molecular landscape that has driven the development of targeted therapies aimed at improving patient outcomes. Current treatment strategies focus on distinct molecular subtypes, including hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Endocrine therapies combined with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) have significantly improved survival in patients with metastatic HR+ BC. Similarly, HER2-targeted agents like trastuzumab and pertuzumab have revolutionized the management of HER2-positive disease. While TNBC, which lacks these common therapeutic targets, remains a greater challenge. In this subtype, PARP inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors are emerging as promising treatment options. Despite these advances, intrinsic and acquired resistance limit the long-term efficacy of current therapies. Resistance mechanisms include mutations in target genes, activation of compensatory signaling pathways, epigenetic alterations, and modifications within the tumor microenvironment. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms is essential for developing novel therapeutic strategies and combinations to overcome resistance.
In this Special Issue, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of emerging therapeutic strategies for breast cancer, including novel molecular approaches to identify new targets and innovative combination therapies designed to overcome drug resistance. Particular attention will be given to the tumor microenvironment, its role in promoting resistance, and novel therapeutic strategies targeting this component. We welcome original research articles and reviews that contribute to these fields, particularly those advancing our understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression and therapeutic resistance.
Best regards,
Dr. Stefania Belli
Dr. Daniela Esposito
Prof. Dr. Roberto Bianco
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- breast cancer
- targeted therapies
- novel therapeutic targets
- mechanisms of drug resistance
- innovative therapeutic strategies
- targeting tumor microenvironment
- immunotherapy in breast cancer
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