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Molecular Research and Cellular Biology of Breast Cancer: 2nd Edition
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Molecular Research and Cellular Biology of Breast Cancer: 2nd Edition

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 2026 | Viewed by 1652

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Andrea Nicolini

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Guest Editor
Department of Internal Medicine, Santa Chiara Hospital, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Interests: breast and gastrointestinal cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Cristian Scatena

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Division of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
2. Department of Oncology, Pisa University Hospital, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Interests: pathology; tumour microenvironment; molecular genetics; breast cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Enhanced environmental pollution and life prolongation account for the tremendous cancer increase over the last century. Cancer is a significant hurdle and is one of the largest causes of death worldwide. Moreover, it is a substantial social problem due to its diffusion in the overall population and the high cost of biological drugs of the “targeted therapies” era, which prolong survival without providing a definitive cure. Cancer is a genetic and epigenetic disease involving a complex landscape of molecular mechanisms that take part in the biology of cancer and other cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Therefore, despite extensive efforts and progress, further research is required. The principal aim of this Special Issue is to collect potential contributions, research or review articles, to improve our knowledge of subjects related to cancer disease. We expect this Special Issue will be helpful in stimulating new ideas for translational research.

This Special Issue is supervised by Prof. Dr. Andrea Nicolini and Dr. Cristian Scatena, assisted by our Topical Advisory Panel Member, Dr. Margherita Puppo (Physiopathologie, Diagnostic et Traitements des Maladies Osseuses, Lyon, France).

Prof. Dr. Andrea Nicolini
Dr. Cristian Scatena
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • molecular mechanisms of tumor growth and diffusion
  • cancer cell biology
  • biology of tumor micro-environmental cells
  • MDR
  • hormone dependency
  • HER2 positive breast cancer
  • TNBC
  • genetic and epigenetic alterations
  • pro-tumor and anti-tumor
  • immune responses
  • conventional and biological therapies
  • blood and tissue biomarkers

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 3287 KB  
Article
Physicochemical Determinants of Bioactivity in Acacia Gum-Derived Silver Nanoparticles: Enhanced Selective Toxicity Toward MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells
by Haifa A. Alqahtani and Mohammed Al-Hariri
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(7), 3106; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073106 - 29 Mar 2026
Viewed by 584
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles synthesized using natural polysaccharides have received attention for their biocompatibility and potential selective anticancer activity. In this study, the physicochemical properties and biological activity of silver nanoparticles prepared using gums from Acacia senegal (ASS) and Acacia seyal (ASY) were compared. The [...] Read more.
Silver nanoparticles synthesized using natural polysaccharides have received attention for their biocompatibility and potential selective anticancer activity. In this study, the physicochemical properties and biological activity of silver nanoparticles prepared using gums from Acacia senegal (ASS) and Acacia seyal (ASY) were compared. The gums were analyzed to determine their physicochemical characteristics and used as natural reducing and stabilizing agents in nanoparticle synthesis. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy, FTIR, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential analysis. Their cytotoxicity was evaluated in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and HEK-293 normal cells using MTT assay, flow cytometry, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement. Both gums showed properties consistent with Gum Arabic, with a higher protein content in ASS. ASS-derived nanoparticles were smaller and had greater colloidal stability. Both formulations reduced MCF-7 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with lower IC50 values observed for the ASS-based nanoparticles. Apoptosis induction was associated with increased ROS generation. Limited cytotoxicity toward HEK-293 cells resulted in favorable selectivity indices. Acacia gum–mediated silver nanoparticles demonstrate selective anticancer activity, and gum composition significantly influences nanoparticle stability and bioactivity, supporting their potential application in breast cancer nanotherapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research and Cellular Biology of Breast Cancer: 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 1317 KB  
Article
Mechanistic Fingerprints from Chloride to Iodide: Halide vs. Ammonia Release in Platinum Anticancer Complexes
by Lorenzo Chiaverini, Luca Famlonga, Davide Piroddu, Matteo Pacini, Riccardo Di Leo, Emma Baglini, Damiano Cirri, Tiziano Marzo, Diego La Mendola, Alessandro Pratesi, Paola Ferrari, Andrea Nicolini, Alessandro Zucchi, Alessandro Marrone and Iogann Tolbatov
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(24), 12138; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262412138 - 17 Dec 2025
Viewed by 759
Abstract
Platinum-based drugs play a pivotal role in contemporary cancer treatment, but their therapeutic utility is often limited by acquired resistance. The diiodido analog, cis-[PtI2(NH3)2] is a promising derivative that has demonstrated the ability to overcome cisplatin resistance [...] Read more.
Platinum-based drugs play a pivotal role in contemporary cancer treatment, but their therapeutic utility is often limited by acquired resistance. The diiodido analog, cis-[PtI2(NH3)2] is a promising derivative that has demonstrated the ability to overcome cisplatin resistance in vitro. To establish the molecular basis for this superior activity, we integrated experimental (NMR) spectroscopy with computational density functional theory (DFT) methods to precisely and comparatively understand the drug activation mechanisms. Comparative 14N NMR experiments elucidated the initial ligand substitution step, confirming halide displacement and a markedly higher tendency for ammonia release from cis-[PtI2(NH3)2], particularly when reacting with sulfur-containing amino acids. Complementary DFT calculations determined the substitution energy values, revealing that the superior leaving-group ability of iodide results in a thermodynamically more favorable activation. Conceptual DFT parameters (softness, hardness, and Fukui indices) further demonstrated that initial substitution induces a strong trans effect, leading to the electronic sensitization of the remaining iodide ligand. This strong agreement between computational predictions and experimental data establishes a coherent molecular activation mechanism for cis-[PtI2(NH3)2], demonstrating that iodide substitution promotes both thermodynamic and electronic activation of the platinum center, which is the key to its distinct pharmacological profile and ability to circumvent resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research and Cellular Biology of Breast Cancer: 2nd Edition)
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