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Advances in Gastrointestinal Disease: Exploring the Interplay Between Inflammation, Autoimmunity, and Cancer

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2025 | Viewed by 1630

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
2. 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Hippocration General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
Interests: gastrointestinal disease; Crohn’s disease; inflammatory bowel disease

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Guest Editor
First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Interests: gastrointestinal cancer; immunotherapy; autoimmune liver disease; inflammatory bowel disease
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce the forthcoming Special Issue, “Advances in Gastrointestinal Disease: Exploring the Interplay Between Inflammation, Autoimmunity, and Cancer”, in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. This comprehensive collection aims to unravel the complex dynamics of gastrointestinal diseases, with a focus on autoimmune liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune gastrointestinal manifestations from systemic autoimmune diseases, and conditions induced by immunotherapy.

The interplay between inflammation, autoimmunity, and cancer represents a fascinating and intricate nexus within the realm of gastrointestinal diseases, forming the cornerstone of the upcoming Special Issue. This dynamic interaction unveils a multilayered relationship, where each component influences the others, ultimately shaping the course of various conditions. Additionally, this Special Issue will delve into the intricate interactions between gut microbiota and various gastrointestinal disorders.

Researchers and clinicians from diverse disciplines, including gastroenterology, oncology, pathology, and molecular biology, are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, and case studies. The topics of interest range from molecular biomarkers for early detection and diagnosis to novel laboratory techniques, the molecular interplay with gut microbiota, and predictive biomarkers for treatment response and prognosis. Explorations of molecular therapeutic approaches, including immunotherapy and gene therapy, are also encouraged.

Led by Dr. Spyridon Siakavellas and assisted by our Topical Advisory Panel Member Dr. Stavros P. Papadakos (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), this Special Issue aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the cutting-edge molecular research in the field of gastrointestinal disease. We anticipate that this collaborative effort will foster interdisciplinary collaborations, inspire advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics, and ultimately contribute to improved outcomes for patients with gastrointestinal diseases.

Dr. Spyridon Siakavellas
Dr. Stavros P. Papadakos
Guest Editors

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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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

  • gastrointestinal disease
  • inflammation
  • autoimmunity
  • gut microbiota

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 572 KiB  
Communication
The Impact of Pentraxin 3 on Crohn’s Disease Phenotype
by Anna Kofla-Dlubacz, Lilla Pawlik-Sobecka, Tomasz Pytrus, Agnieszka Borys-Iwanicka and Joanna Gorka-Dynysiewicz
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11544; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111544 - 27 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Pentraxin 3 [PTX3] is an acute-phase protein playing an important role in the regulation of the humoral arm of immune response. As one of the molecules from the conservative family of pentraxins, PTX3 is a soluble mediator involved in the transduction of pro-inflammatory [...] Read more.
Pentraxin 3 [PTX3] is an acute-phase protein playing an important role in the regulation of the humoral arm of immune response. As one of the molecules from the conservative family of pentraxins, PTX3 is a soluble mediator involved in the transduction of pro-inflammatory signals between immunocompetent cells. Additionally, recognizing damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) during tissue injury mediates wound healing; therefore, its concentration potentially correlates with the severity of fibrosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the value of the PTX3 measurement as a phenotypic marker of the stenotic form of Crohn’s disease. The research covered 63 patients, 35 with the narrowing type (B2) and 28 with the inflammatory type (B2) of CD. The mean concentrations of PTX3 in the study were as follows: 3.06 ng/mL (95% CI: 1.27–6.99) for the B1 phenotype, 4.89 ng/mL (95% CI: 2.98–13.65) for the B2 phenotype, and 3.04 ng/mL (95% CI: 1.01–4.97) for the control group. PTX3 concentrations reached the highest values in the B2 group and the lowest in the control group. The differences between the B1 and B2 groups were statistically significant at p < 0.001. The presented studies indicate the potential role of PTX3 in the monitoring of tissue remodeling and the development of fibrosis in CD. Full article
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Review

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23 pages, 1300 KiB  
Review
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)-Associated Colorectal Cancer (CRC): Is cGAS-STING Pathway Targeting the Key to Chemoprevention?
by Stavros P. Papadakos, Chara Georgiadou, Alexandra Argyrou, Elisavet Michailidou, Charalampos Thanos, Stamatina Vogli, Spyros I. Siakavellas, Spillios Manolakopoulos and Stamatios Theocharis
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(11), 4979; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26114979 - 22 May 2025
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Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant clinical challenge due to its link with chronic inflammation and the inherent limitations of current prevention and surveillance strategies. The cGAS-STING pathway has emerged as a key player in the immune regulation of [...] Read more.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant clinical challenge due to its link with chronic inflammation and the inherent limitations of current prevention and surveillance strategies. The cGAS-STING pathway has emerged as a key player in the immune regulation of inflammation-driven carcinogenesis, demonstrating both protective and pathogenic roles. This review examines the contrasting roles of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in intestinal inflammation and colitis-associated cancer (CAC), emphasizing its promise as a target for cancer prevention strategies. Evidence suggests that modulating this pathway could preserve epithelial integrity, limit chronic inflammation, and bolster anti-tumor immunity. Despite advancements in therapies like mesalazine and surveillance colonoscopy programs, gaps in efficacy remain, particularly for Crohn’s disease and high-risk populations. Future research should focus on integrating cGAS-STING-targeted approaches with existing modalities to provide personalized and less invasive strategies for CAC prevention. By harnessing this pathway’s therapeutic potential, a paradigm shift in managing IBD-associated CRC may be achieved, addressing the challenges of long-term disease surveillance and prevention. Full article
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