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Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressors: From Basic Science to Therapeutic Applications

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 867

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
Interests: molecular mechanisms that regulate metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells in response to different types of stress and potential therapeutic implications of inhibiting their function; AMPK-related kinases, mTOR complexes; Ras GTPases signaling in cancer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Unraveling the molecular mechanisms of cancer remains a significant challenge in biomedical research. The discovery of oncogenes and tumor suppressors closed gaps in our understanding of the biology of the cancer cell. These genes serve as critical nodes in complex networks that impact many cell features, such as cell growth and survival, immune responses, metabolic adaptation, and resistance to therapy. However, ongoing research continues to explore the multifaceted biology of oncogenes and tumor suppressors, from their discovery and mechanistic insights to their implications in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. As research advances, the connections between basic discoveries and clinical applications grow stronger, paving the way for breakthroughs that could change the cancer treatment landscape. This Special Issue invites contributions that explore oncogenes and tumor suppressors from multiple angles, such as their fundamental biology, interactions with the microenvironment, and relevance as therapeutic targets or biomarkers.

Prof. Dr. Ariel Fernando Castro
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • oncogenes
  • tumor suppressors
  • cancer biology
  • molecular mechanisms
  • tumor microenvironment
  • biomarkers
  • targeted cancer therapy
  • cancer initiation and progression

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1424 KB  
Article
The Prognostic Value of CIP2A and Its Association with CD31, E-Cadherin, and pAMPK in Lung Cancer
by Peng Yu Lee, Ching-Yu Shih, Chiao-Yin Cheng, Hua Ho, Yen-Lin Chen and Chih-Jung Chang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8362; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178362 - 28 Aug 2025
Viewed by 253
Abstract
Cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) is an oncoprotein promoting tumor progression via multiple pathways. Its prognostic significance in lung cancer remains unclear. We analyzed tumor samples from 53 patients with lung cancer undergoing curative surgical resection without prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy. [...] Read more.
Cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) is an oncoprotein promoting tumor progression via multiple pathways. Its prognostic significance in lung cancer remains unclear. We analyzed tumor samples from 53 patients with lung cancer undergoing curative surgical resection without prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Immunohistochemical staining and H-score quantification were performed to assess CIP2A and related protein expression. Patients were stratified based on CIP2A expression (cutoff value = 218.33). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis produced curves and log-rank tests. Correlations with clinicopathological and molecular markers were assessed. High CIP2A expression was significantly associated with poorer survival (log-rank, p = 0.0051). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that CIP2A expression was positively correlated with clusters of differentiation 31 (r = 0.420, p = 0.002), epithelial cadherin (r = 0.372, p = 0.006), and phosphorylated protein kinase B (r = 0.332, p = 0.015), and negatively correlated with phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (r = −0.474, p < 0.001), suggesting potential roles for CIP2A in promoting angiogenesis, sustaining epithelial traits, and suppressing metabolic regulation via AMPK signaling. CIP2A is a significant prognostic biomarker in lung cancer, contributing to tumor progression through modulation of angiogenesis and metabolic pathways. Exploration of its therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms is warranted. Full article
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25 pages, 10155 KB  
Article
SALL2-Mediated Suppression of WNT Signaling Through Transcriptional Control of AXIN2 in Colorectal Cancer Cells
by Aracelly Quiroz, Emilia Escalona, Carlos Farkas, Diego Benítez-Riquelme, Paulina Sepúlveda, Mario Palma, Paula Medina, Carolina Delgado, Matías I. Hepp, Franz Villarroel-Espindola, Ariel F. Castro and Roxana Pincheira
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(16), 7896; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26167896 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 490
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway constituting a key driver of tumorigenesis. SALL2, a zinc finger transcription factor deregulated in various cancers, has been implicated in Wnt signaling [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway constituting a key driver of tumorigenesis. SALL2, a zinc finger transcription factor deregulated in various cancers, has been implicated in Wnt signaling regulation through its Xenopus ortholog; however, its role in human CRC remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of SALL2 in CRC. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that SALL2 is present in the epithelium and stroma of normal colon tissue but is significantly downregulated in adenomas, carcinomas, and CRC cell lines. Reduced SALL2 expression was associated with elevated levels of active β-catenin and poorer overall patient survival. Functional assays demonstrated that SALL2 transcriptionally activates AXIN2, a key negative regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and promoter-reporter assays confirmed SALL2 binding to the AXIN2 proximal promoter and enhanced promoter activity. Furthermore, SALL2 expression potentiated the pro-apoptotic effects of the Wnt pathway inhibitor XAV939 in CRC cells, suggesting a role in sensitizing cells to Wnt-targeted therapies. Collectively, these findings identify SALL2 as a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and support its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in colorectal cancer. Full article
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