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Molecular Advances in Radiation Oncology: Mechanisms, Immunotherapy and Innovation
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Molecular Advances in Radiation Oncology: Mechanisms, Immunotherapy and Innovation

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 August 2026 | Viewed by 2480

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Jasna But-Hadžić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Radiotherapy, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: radiotherapy; lung cancer; stereotactic radiotherapy; oncology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Radiation oncology is entering a new era shaped by molecular precision and therapeutic synergy. This Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, titled "Molecular Advances in Radiation Oncology: Mechanisms, Immunotherapy and Innovation," explores the dynamic interface of radiobiology, molecular oncology, and immunotherapy. We invite cutting-edge contributions that investigate innovative radiotherapy paradigms, including their integration with immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted therapies, and novel radiosensitizers. Studies on DNA damage response mechanisms, biomarkers for treatment personalization, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment are especially welcomed. Emphasis will be placed on original research and translational studies that bridge molecular discoveries with clinical application, advancing the field toward more effective and individualized radiation treatments. By convening interdisciplinary insights, this Special Issue aims to accelerate scientific progress and clinical innovation in precision radiation oncology.

Dr. Jasna But-Hadžić
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • molecular radiation oncology
  • DNA damage response
  • immunoradiotherapy
  • radiosensitization
  • tumor–immune interactions
  • radiogenomics
  • predictive biomarkers
  • combination therapies
  • translational radiobiology

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 7987 KB  
Article
Characterization of Oncogenic and Immunogenic Profiling in Patients with Breast Cancer Tumors After Radiation Therapy
by Suryakant Niture, Carlos E. Vargas, Saranya Chumsri, Jennifer M. Kachergus, Sandeepkumar Sriramanujam, Dinesh Thotala, Jerry Jaboin and Danushka Seneviratne
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(7), 3227; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073227 - 2 Apr 2026
Viewed by 287
Abstract
Biological heterogeneity among different breast cancer (BC) subtypes results in markedly varying clinical outcomes. Identification and analysis of key gene biomarkers that are differentially regulated during radiation therapy (RT) may pose multiple clinical challenges for BC treatment. The purpose of the study is [...] Read more.
Biological heterogeneity among different breast cancer (BC) subtypes results in markedly varying clinical outcomes. Identification and analysis of key gene biomarkers that are differentially regulated during radiation therapy (RT) may pose multiple clinical challenges for BC treatment. The purpose of the study is to identify and analyze the expression of key gene biomarkers and their networks that are differentially regulated after hypofractionated RT. Patients with BC (cT0-T2, N0, M0) were treated with hypofractionated whole breast RT 25 Gy in five fractions, 4 to 8 weeks before breast conservation surgery (BCS). Biopsy (pre-RT; n = 5) and surgical (post-RT; n = 14 or 15) BC tumor samples were used for NanoString targeted sequencing. We identified 165 and 244 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; p < 0.05) in BC tumor samples from BC patients post-RT using the nCounter BC360 and IO360 panels, respectively. Gene networks and pathway analysis revealed that RT increases the gene signature of tumor inflammation (TIS), cytotoxicity, and apoptosis, while downregulating the gene signatures of tumor cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell adhesion, and increases the claudin-low gene score. RT-induced mammary stemness and enhanced infiltration of stroma, mast, and macrophage cells in the BC tumor microenvironment (TME). Further, the nCounter IO360 (immuno-oncology) panel analysis validated the findings of BC360 and demonstrated that RT increased the myeloid inflammation signature and chemokine expression, modulated B, T, NK, and DC cell activities, and enhanced residual cancer burden (RCB) in BC tumors, thus creating an immunosuppressive TME. Collectively, RT sensitized BC tumors by increasing the gene signature of TIS, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and mammary stemness. RT facilitated an immunosuppressive environment and increased RCB, suggesting that the therapeutic potential of RT is highly individualized for each patient based on their unique tumor biology, genetic makeup, and TME. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Radiation Oncology: Mechanisms, Immunotherapy and Innovation)
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Review

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29 pages, 975 KB  
Review
Emerging Applications of Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy in Oligometastatic Colorectal Cancer
by Hasan Al-Sattar, Esele Okondo, Amir Mashia Jaafari, Inesh Sood, Jakob Hassan Dinif, Su Yin Lim, Charlotte Hafkamp, Irene Chong, Joao R. Galante and Sola Adeleke
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(21), 10302; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110302 - 23 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1875
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer mortality worldwide, with metastatic disease remaining the main driver of poor prognosis. In recent years, the concept of oligometastatic disease, where patients present with a limited number of metastases, has created an opportunity to [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer mortality worldwide, with metastatic disease remaining the main driver of poor prognosis. In recent years, the concept of oligometastatic disease, where patients present with a limited number of metastases, has created an opportunity to use local therapies with curative intent. Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) has become increasingly important in this setting, as it allows the delivery of high, ablative doses with excellent local control and generally low toxicity. Notably, randomised data such as SABR-COMET, alongside large prospective series including SABR-5, have demonstrated improvements in survival outcomes in the context of oligometastatic disease across mixed primary tumour types, with CRC patients making up a relatively small proportion in these trials. This has presented SABR as a practical treatment option for patients with oligometastatic CRC, although more CRC-specific phase III trials are needed. Other challenges include the radioresistance of CRC metastases, and treatment outcomes that vary depending on the anatomical site, tumour biology, and prior therapies. Technical issues such as motion management and organ-at-risk constraints also continue to limit dose escalation. Emerging strategies—including MR-guided radiotherapy, proton-based SABR, integration with systemic agents such as immunotherapy, and the use of biomarkers and artificial intelligence to refine patient selection—are beginning to address these limitations. This review summarises the current evidence and emerging advancements to highlight how SABR may evolve as part of an integrated approach to oligometastatic CRC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Advances in Radiation Oncology: Mechanisms, Immunotherapy and Innovation)
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