Cancer-Driving Molecules: From Molecular Mechanisms to Novel Therapeutics
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 2025 | Viewed by 21
Special Issue Editor
Interests: structural biology; drug discovery; cancer biology; protein dynamics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Insights into the tumor microenvironment have led to the development of targeted therapies that not only extend the lifespan of cancer patients but also improve their quality of life. In some cancers, targeted therapies have displaced standard-of-care treatment plans, whereas in others, cytotoxic and targeted therapies are used in combination to enhance efficacy and address tumor heterogeneity. The success of targeted therapies is supported by a comprehensive analysis of cancer-driving molecules, which are found in the tumor microenvironment. The structural and/or functional modification of such molecules has been shown to manipulate the immune system, promoting cancer cell survival and metastasis. Therefore, an in-depth characterization of these molecules could facilitate the discovery of next-generation therapeutics, further enhancing personalized treatment plans and expanding options for patients with advanced metastatic cancers.
This Special Issue entitled “Cancer-Driving Molecules: From Molecular Mechanisms to Novel Therapeutics” is open to original articles, short communications, case reports, and reviews from all the areas of cancer research. We welcome studies that provide insights into any type of oncogenic protein or protein complex, including but not limited to protein–protein, protein–ligand, protein–DNA, and protein–RNA interactions. Submissions focused on drug discovery at the preclinical stage, as well as studies utilizing checkpoint inhibitors or other mechanistic probes, are also encouraged. Examples of molecules within the scope of this Special Issue include CD receptors (e.g., CD19, CD40, CD47, CD74, and CD137), cytokines (e.g., MIF, D-DT, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and various interleukins), chemokines (e.g., CXCLs and CCLs), and chemokine receptors (e.g., CXCRs and CCRs). We also welcome studies on RNA- or DNA-binding proteins (e.g., YTHDF2 and BRCA1), cell death-related proteins (e.g., BCL2 and caspases), oncogenic enzymes (e.g., IDO, KRAS, NQO1, and IDH1), and ubiquitin-related proteins (e.g., E3 ligases). Checkpoint proteins (e.g., PD-1/PD-L1), transcription factors (e.g., STAT3 and MYC), kinases (e.g., ROS1 and NTRK1), members of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family (e.g., HER1–4), bromodomain-containing proteins (e.g., BRD4), and many others are also of interest.
Dr. Georgios Pantouris
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 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
- cancer
- mechanism of action
- tumor microenvironment
- immune system
- DNA/RNA/protein
- small-molecule probes
- activation/inhibition
- biological activity
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
