Exploring Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Head and Neck Cancer
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 June 2026
Special Issue Editor
Interests: head and neck cancer; thyroid cancer; oncogenic signaling pathways; epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT); tumor microenvironment (TME); cancer microbiome; robotic & endoscopic head and neck surgery; tissue engineering/3D printing/tracheal reconstruction; human–machine interface
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Head and neck cancer (HNC) remains a significant global health challenge, characterized by high biological heterogeneity and complex clinical behaviors. Despite advances in multimodal treatments—including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy—the survival rates for advanced HNC have plateaued, largely due to late diagnosis, locoregional recurrence, and therapeutic resistance. Recent breakthroughs in molecular biology have shifted the paradigm towards precision medicine, highlighting the urgent need to decipher the intricate molecular landscapes driving HNC progression.
We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, titled "Exploring Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Head and Neck Cancer."
This Special Issue aims to provide a premier platform for elucidating the complex molecular networks and cellular mechanisms underlying HNC tumorigenesis, metastasis, and recurrence. Our goal is to bridge the translational gap between basic molecular discovery and clinical application. We are particularly interested in research that leverages cutting-edge technologies, such as single-cell omics and spatial biology, to unravel the dynamic interplay between tumor cells and their microenvironment.
In this Special Issue, original research articles and comprehensive reviews are welcome. We encourage submissions covering a broad spectrum of topics relating to molecular oncology, including but not limited to the following:
- Oncogenic Signaling and Targeted Therapies: Novel insights into aberrant signaling cascades (e.g., PI3K/Akt/mTOR, EGFR, Notch) and the development of next-generation inhibitors.
- Tumor Microenvironment (TME) and Immuno-Oncology: Mechanisms of immune evasion, the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and strategies to overcome immunotherapy resistance.
- Metabolic Reprogramming and Cell Death: Investigating metabolic vulnerabilities and non-apoptotic cell death pathways, such as ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and pyroptosis.
- Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) and Resistance: Molecular characterization of CSCs and their contribution to radio- and chemo-resistance.
- Epigenetics and Noncoding RNAs: The regulatory roles of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs in gene expression and tumor progression.
- Microbiome and Exosomes: Functional impacts of the oral/gut microbiome and tumor-derived exosomes on systemic immunity and therapeutic response.
- Omics and Biomarkers: Application of genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics to identify robust prognostic biomarkers and predictive signatures for patient stratification.
We look forward to receiving your contributions that seek to advance our collective understanding of head and neck cancer biology and facilitate the development of more effective, personalized therapeutic strategies.
Prof. Dr. Jae Won Chang
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
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.
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Keywords
- head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
- molecular targeted therapy
- tumor microenvironment (TME)
- therapeutic resistance
- cancer stem cells (CSCs)
- immunotherapy
- ferroptosis and cuproptosis
- non-coding RNAs
- microbiome and exosomes
- precision oncology
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