Repurposed Anti-Cancer Drugs
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: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 68
Special Issue Editors
2. Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine-National Research Institute, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: embryo development; cell cycle; gene regulation; cancer; stem cells; gonads; genetic diseases
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Drug repurposing is the process of identifying new therapeutic applications for existing, already-approved medications. It has emerged as a compelling strategy in medicine, and especially in oncology. Unlike de novo drug development, which typically requires over a decade and billions of euros before reaching clinical use, repurposing leverages existing safety and pharmacokinetic data, dramatically reducing both the time and cost of bringing a treatment to patients. Repurposed drugs offer a practical route to expanding the therapeutic arsenal, particularly for rare cancers and low-income settings where novel drug development is economically unviable. Several well-known examples illustrate the potential of this approach. Metformin, a widely used antidiabetic agent, has demonstrated antiproliferative properties in multiple cancer types. Thalidomide, once withdrawn due to teratogenicity, was successfully repurposed for multiple myeloma. Aspirin has shown promising chemopreventive effects in colorectal cancer. These cases highlight that the biological mechanisms underlying established drugs are often broader than their original indication suggests. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of drug action on different pathways triggering cellular responses will clarify unexpected drug effects. Beyond individual compounds, systematic computational and bioinformatic approaches are now accelerating the identification of repurposing candidates at scale. This is not only an opportunistic strategy but also a scientifically rigorous and an increasingly central pillar of modern cancer research.
We are pleased to invite you to submit both original and review articles to our Special Issue on repurposed drugs applicable in anticancer therapies or related to molecular pathways important for cancer biology. This Special Issue aims to summarise the knowledge on drugs that have already been repurposed for anticancer therapies and those that are potential candidates. For this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity of repurposed drugs, including effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle regulation;
- Repurposed metabolic drugs in oncology, with a focus on metformin, statins, and antidiabetic agents targeting cancer cell metabolism;
- Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drugs repurposed for cancer prevention and treatment, including aspirin, corticosteroids, and COX-2 inhibitors;
- Antihypertensive, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiviral agents with demonstrated or emerging anticancer properties;
- Drug repurposing strategies in haematological malignancies, including leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma;
- Repurposed drugs targeting the tumour microenvironment, cancer stem cells, or mechanisms of drug resistance;
- Computational, bioinformatic, and artificial intelligence-driven approaches to the identification of repurposing candidates;
- Network pharmacology and systems biology approaches to uncover shared molecular targets between existing drugs and cancer pathways;
- Preclinical and clinical evidence for repurposed drugs in solid tumours, including breast, colorectal, lung, prostate, and pancreatic cancers;
- Combination strategies involving repurposed drugs alongside conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy;
- Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations in the repositioning of existing drugs for oncological use;
- Repurposing in the context of rare cancers and underserved populations, where novel drug development is economically limited;
- Epigenetic mechanisms as targets for repurposed drugs in cancer biology;
- Plant-derived and natural compounds (e.g., from marine organisms) with established clinical use and being investigated for anticancer repurposing.
We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions.
Dr. Jacek Kubiak
Dr. Malgorzata Kloc
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- repurposed drugs
- cancer
- cell cycle
- computational approaches
- apoptosis
- molecular pathways
- metformin
- sertraline
- thalidomide
- tumor microenvironment
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