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Molecular Targets in Gastrointestinal Diseases

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Guest Editor
Department of Science Education, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
Interests: oncology; gestational disease; reproduction; drug resistance; metabolic disease

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, entitled “Molecular Targets in Gastrointestinal Diseases”, invites researchers to explore and submit their latest findings on the molecular underpinnings of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. This Special Issue aims to highlight the critical molecular mechanisms and targets that drive the pathology of a wide range of GI conditions, including inflammatory diseases, carcinomas, metabolic disorders, and functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Understanding the molecular targets in GI diseases is crucial for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. This includes the identification of key signaling pathways, genetic mutations, epigenetic modifications, and protein interactions that contribute to disease onset and progression. By elucidating these molecular mechanisms, researchers will be able to pave the way for targeted therapies that offer improved efficacy and reduced side effects compared to traditional treatments.

The scope of this Special Issue encompasses, but is not limited to, the following topics:

  1. Novel molecular targets in GI cancers such as colorectal, gastric, and pancreatic cancer;
  2. Insights into the molecular basis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis;
  3. Molecular pathways involved in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS);
  4. The role of microbiota and its metabolites in modulating GI disease states. 

This Special Issue seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the molecular landscape of GI diseases and inspire novel approaches for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Join us in contributing to this pivotal collection, aiming to transform the landscape of gastrointestinal disease management through molecular insights.

Prof. Dr. Changwon Yang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • molecular pathways
  • gastrointestinal cancers
  • inflammatory bowel disease
  • targeted therapies
  • microbiota
  • gene editing

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

17 pages, 2006 KiB  
Review
Targeting NEK Kinases in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Insights into Gene Expression, Function, and Inhibitors
by Lei Chen, Heng Lu, Farah Ballout, Wael El-Rifai, Zheng Chen, Ravindran Caspa Gokulan, Oliver Gene McDonald and Dunfa Peng
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 1992; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26051992 - 25 Feb 2025
Viewed by 684
Abstract
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, which mainly include malignancies of the esophagus, stomach, intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and bile duct, pose a significant global health burden. Unfortunately, the prognosis for most GI cancers remains poor, particularly in advanced stages. Current treatment options, including targeted and [...] Read more.
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, which mainly include malignancies of the esophagus, stomach, intestine, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and bile duct, pose a significant global health burden. Unfortunately, the prognosis for most GI cancers remains poor, particularly in advanced stages. Current treatment options, including targeted and immunotherapies, are less effective compared to those for other cancer types, highlighting an urgent need for novel molecular targets. NEK (NIMA related kinase) kinases are a group of serine/threonine kinases (NEK1-NEK11) that play a role in regulating cell cycle, mitosis, and various physiological processes. Recent studies suggest that several NEK members are overexpressed in human cancers, including gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, which can contribute to tumor progression and drug resistance. Among these, NEK2 stands out for its consistent overexpression in all types of GI cancer. Targeting NEK2 with specific inhibitors has shown promising results in preclinical studies, particularly for gastric and pancreatic cancers. The development and clinical evaluation of NEK2 inhibitors in human cancers have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. Specifically, an NEK2 inhibitor, T-1101 tosylate, is currently undergoing clinical trials. This review will focus on the gene expression and functional roles of NEKs in GI cancers, as well as the progress in developing NEK inhibitors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Targets in Gastrointestinal Diseases)
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