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Novel Biomarkers and Emerging Therapeutic Targets for Breast and Gynecologic Cancers

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 January 2026 | Viewed by 2549

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Hisham Bahmad

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
Interests: breast cancer; gynecologic cancer; cancer stem cells; molecular pathology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Breast and gynecologic cancers continue to pose significant global health burdens, accounting for substantial morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. Despite the progress in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, challenges remain in predicting disease progression and patient outcomes. The rapid expansion of molecular pathology has provided valuable insights into the pathogenesis of these malignancies, highlighting the important role of genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic alterations in shaping the tumor behavior. This Special Issue, entitled “Novel Biomarkers and Emerging Therapeutic Targets for Breast and Gynecologic Cancers,” aims to explore the interface between molecular pathology and clinical practice. We welcome contributions that identify novel biomarkers with diagnostic or prognostic value, as well as those that uncover emerging molecular targets with potential therapeutic applications. Particular emphasis will be placed on translational research that bridges the gap between molecular discoveries and real-world implementation in pathology and oncology. We invite researchers in molecular biology, cancer genomics, pathology, oncology, and related fields to submit original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and insightful perspectives that advance our understanding of breast and gynecologic cancers—including, but not limited to, breast, endometrial, ovarian, cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and fallopian tube carcinomas. We look forward to your valuable contributions to this timely and impactful Special Issue.

Dr. Hisham Bahmad
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • cancer
  • uterus
  • cervix
  • breast
  • ovary
  • endometrial cancer
  • ovarian cancer
  • cervical cancer
  • breast cancer
  • biomarkers
  • therapeutic target
  • personalized medicine
  • targeted therapy
  • molecular signatures
  • diagnosis
  • prognosis

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

33 pages, 1320 KB  
Review
Fueling the Seed: Growth Factors and Cytokines Driving Cancer Stem Cells in Gynecological Malignancies
by Alessandro Sarcinella, Juan Sebastian Guerra Villacis and Maria Felice Brizzi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(23), 11462; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311462 - 26 Nov 2025
Viewed by 378
Abstract
Gynecological cancers remain a major global health burden due to their high incidence, molecular heterogeneity, and frequent resistance to conventional therapies. Beyond well-established genetic alterations and targeted treatments, growing attention has been directed toward the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs), a rare [...] Read more.
Gynecological cancers remain a major global health burden due to their high incidence, molecular heterogeneity, and frequent resistance to conventional therapies. Beyond well-established genetic alterations and targeted treatments, growing attention has been directed toward the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs), a rare tumor subpopulation with self-renewal, differentiation, and tumor-initiating capacities. CSCs are sustained by a specialized microenvironment, the cancer stem cell niche, where growth factors, cytokines, hypoxia, and stromal interactions converge to promote stemness, chemoresistance, and metastatic potential. In breast cancer, signaling axes such as EGFR, IGF, TGFβ, and HGF/c-Met critically regulate CSC expansion, particularly in aggressive subtypes like triple-negative tumors. In ovarian cancer, factors including HGF, VEGFA, IGF, and stromal-derived BMPs drive CSC plasticity and contribute to relapse after platinum therapy. Endometrial CSCs are supported by pathways involving TGFβ, BMP2, and Netrin-4/c-Myc signaling, while in cervical cancer, VEGF, IGF-1, Gremlin-1, and TGFβ-mediated circuits enhance stem-like phenotypes and drug resistance. Cytokine-driven inflammation, especially via IL-3, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and CCL5, further fosters CSC survival and immune evasion across gynecologic malignancies. Preclinical studies demonstrate that targeting growth factors and cytokine signaling, through monoclonal antibodies, receptor inhibitors, small molecules, or cytokine modulation, can reduce CSC frequency, restore chemosensitivity, and enhance immunotherapy efficacy. This review highlights the interplay between CSCs, growth factors, and cytokines as central to tumor progression and relapses, emphasizing their translational potential as therapeutic targets in precision oncology for gynecological cancers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Biomarkers and Emerging Therapeutic Targets for Breast and Gynecologic Cancers)
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Graphical abstract

24 pages, 2208 KB  
Review
Beyond the Microscope: Integrating Liquid Biopsies into the Molecular Pathology Era of Endometrial Cancer
by Miguel Perez, Luis Lorenzo Carvajal, Andres Wong, Robert Poppiti, Roberto Ruiz-Cordero, Amilcar A. Castellano-Sánchez and Hisham F. Bahmad
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(16), 7987; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26167987 - 19 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1932
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy in developed countries, with a growing incidence and significant molecular heterogeneity that challenges traditional diagnostic and management paradigms. While histopathological assessment remains the gold standard for diagnosis, emerging liquid biopsy technologies provide promising non-invasive [...] Read more.
Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy in developed countries, with a growing incidence and significant molecular heterogeneity that challenges traditional diagnostic and management paradigms. While histopathological assessment remains the gold standard for diagnosis, emerging liquid biopsy technologies provide promising non-invasive alternatives for tumor detection, molecular profiling, and disease monitoring. This review comprehensively explores the current landscape and clinical utility of liquid biopsy analytes—including circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), cell-free DNA (cfDNA), extracellular RNAs, and exosomes—in the context of EC. We discuss the evolving role of pathologists in integrating molecular data with histomorphological features to enhance diagnostic precision, prognostic stratification, and therapeutic decision-making. Novel technologies such as methylation-based assays, tumor-informed ctDNA sequencing, and tumor-educated platelets (TEPs) are highlighted for their diagnostic accuracy and potential for early detection. Furthermore, we summarize key clinical trials and future directions aimed at validating liquid biopsy platforms for routine clinical implementation. As EC care transitions toward a precision oncology model, the integration of liquid biopsy with traditional surgical pathology offers a transformative approach to individualized and personalized patient management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Biomarkers and Emerging Therapeutic Targets for Breast and Gynecologic Cancers)
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