cimb-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Future Challenges of Targeted Therapy of Cancers: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Current Issues in Molecular Biology (ISSN 1467-3045). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 3343

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pathology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
Interests: oncopathology; gastric cancer; colorectal cancer; hepatocellular carcinoma; epithelial–mesenchymal transition; targeted therapy of cancer; histopathology; molecular pathology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The scope of this Special Issue is to collect papers referring to updates in the targeted therapy of cancers. As individualized therapy in the future is predicted to be mainly based on gene profiles, a deeper understanding of the genetic background is essential, spanning from cell lines to circulating tumor cells and tissue biomarkers. Data concerning the heterogeneity of tumors and a deep understanding of their environment could also have a therapeutic impact. Any research or review papers with potential implications for improving oncologic therapy are welcome, and we encourage the presentation of clinical trial results. If some papers are mainly based on in silico analyses or the examination of public gene databases, they should include an external validation of their own cohort.

Prof. Dr. Simona Gurzu
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. Current Issues in Molecular Biology 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 2200 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

  • biomarkers
  • tumor tissue
  • individualized therapy
  • gene profile
  • epithelial–mesenchymal transition
  • immunotherapy
  • angiogenesis
  • metastases
  • oncology
  • pathology

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.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 3010 KiB  
Article
Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Is Characterized by a Stronger Expression of Nectin-4 Compared to Nectin-2
by Matej Maršić, Nives Jonjić, Maja Gligora Marković, Svjetlana Janković, Marko Velepič, Ilinko Vrebac, Lara Batičić and Tamara Braut
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(5), 296; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47050296 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 190
Abstract
Nectin-2 and Nectin-4 are cell adhesion molecules associated with the progression of various cancers. The main goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the expression patterns of Nectin-2 and Nectin-4 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). A retrospective study was conducted on [...] Read more.
Nectin-2 and Nectin-4 are cell adhesion molecules associated with the progression of various cancers. The main goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the expression patterns of Nectin-2 and Nectin-4 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). A retrospective study was conducted on tissue microarray (TMA) samples derived from 31 patients who underwent total laryngectomy. The findings revealed heterogenous expression of both Nectin-2 and Nectin-4 in tumor cells and surrounding stroma, with Nectin-4 expression being significantly higher than Nectin-2 expression. Specifically, 74% of cases showed weak cytoplasmic staining for Nectin-2, while 41.93% exhibited strong cytoplasmic staining for Nectin-4. Both Nectin-2 and Nectin-4 expressions were more pronounced at the invasive tumor margins. Although no significant differences in Nectin-4 expression were observed across tumor grades (W = 83.500; z = −0.463; p = 0.658), differences in expression patterns were noted. Well-differentiated tumors (Grade 1), 80.65% of cases, showed predominantly membranous Nectin-4 staining, including in squamous epithelial cells of the mucosal surface. Conversely, in less-differentiated tumors (Grade 2 and 3), a shift toward cytoplasmic staining was evident. Specifically, 74.19% of Grade 2 tumors and 100% of Grade 3 tumors showed a predominant cytoplasmic localization of Nectin-4. This transition from membranous to cytoplasmic localization was also evident in the progression from normal superficial epithelium to malignant tissue. These observations suggest that alterations in the expression and subcellular localization of Nectin-4 may be associated with carcinogenesis and could serve as potential markers for the assessment of precancerous lesions and the aggressiveness of laryngeal tumors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Challenges of Targeted Therapy of Cancers: 2nd Edition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

17 pages, 770 KiB  
Review
Phagocytosis Checkpoints in Glioblastoma: CD47 and Beyond
by Amber Afzal, Zobia Afzal, Sophia Bizink, Amanda Davis, Sara Makahleh, Yara Mohamed and Salvatore J. Coniglio
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(8), 7795-7811; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46080462 - 23 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2712
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the deadliest human cancers with very limited treatment options available. The malignant behavior of GBM is manifested in a tumor which is highly invasive, resistant to standard cytotoxic chemotherapy, and strongly immunosuppressive. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have recently [...] Read more.
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the deadliest human cancers with very limited treatment options available. The malignant behavior of GBM is manifested in a tumor which is highly invasive, resistant to standard cytotoxic chemotherapy, and strongly immunosuppressive. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have recently been introduced in the clinic and have yielded promising results in certain cancers. GBM, however, is largely refractory to these treatments. The immune checkpoint CD47 has recently gained attention as a potential target for intervention as it conveys a “don’t eat me” signal to tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) via the inhibitory SIRP alpha protein. In preclinical models, the administration of anti-CD47 monoclonal antibodies has shown impressive results with GBM and other tumor models. Several well-characterized oncogenic pathways have recently been shown to regulate CD47 expression in GBM cells and glioma stem cells (GSCs) including Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) beta catenin. Other macrophage pathways involved in regulating phagocytosis including TREM2 and glycan binding proteins are discussed as well. Finally, chimeric antigen receptor macrophages (CAR-Ms) could be leveraged for greatly enhancing the phagocytosis of GBM and repolarization of the microenvironment in general. Here, we comprehensively review the mechanisms that regulate the macrophage phagocytosis of GBM cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future Challenges of Targeted Therapy of Cancers: 2nd Edition)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop