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 744
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
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Keywords
- cancer
- mechanism of action
- tumor microenvironment
- immune system
- DNA/RNA/protein
- small-molecule probes
- activation/inhibition
- biological activity
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