Advances in Drug Discovery: Emerging Radiotracers and Small Molecule Inhibitors for Cancer and Neurological Disorders
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pharmacology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 77
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The convergence of radiochemistry and medicinal chemistry is a paradigm-shifting frontier in drug discovery wherein the molecular design capabilities of medicinal chemists and the advanced isotopic labeling capabilities of radiochemists are merged. This inter-disciplinary interface expedites the creation of novel compounds that not only elucidate the mechanisms of disease through specific molecular imaging but also deliver targeted therapy. Medicinal chemistry provides the foundation for designing biologically active molecules with specificity, and radiochemistry enables the incorporation of radioactive isotopes required for diagnostic radiotracers and therapeutics. Overcoming challenges related to radiochemical stability, pharmacokinetics, and regulatory demands is dependent on state-of-the-art synthetic procedures and radiolabeling protocols. Integration of computational modeling, artificial intelligence, and automated radiosynthesis platforms also accelerates the logical design and clinical translation of these agents. This interface between radiochemistry and medicinal chemistry ultimately gives rise to highly advanced theranostic agents that have the potential to transform early disease diagnosis and personalize treatment in cancer and neurological diseases.
This Special Issue aims to present recent developments in drug discovery and novel strategies at the intersection of medicinal chemistry, and radiochemistry, focusing on radiotracers and cytotoxic agents for oncological and neurological diseases. We welcome original research articles and review papers consolidating basic and translational studies on these therapeutic and diagnostic modalities, including but not limited to the following:
- Discovery and development of anticancer and neurological disease-targeted agents;
- Design, synthesis and evaluation of novel radiotracers for diagnostics and therapy;
- Mechanistic research delineating molecular mechanisms for target therapy and imaging;
- Advancements in radiolabeling techniques and chemical strategies.
Dr. Ramya Tokala
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- radiotracers
- cytotoxic agents
- drug discovery
- molecular imaging
- cancer therapy
- neurological disorders
- radiochemistry
- medicinal chemistry
- theranostics
- drug development
- molecular diagnostics
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