Targeted Cancer Therapeutics: Molecular Pathways and Precision Strategies
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: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 262
Special Issue Editor
Interests: cancer research; therapy development; cancer metabolism; RNA binding protein
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
As Guest Editor of Special Issue “Targeted Cancer Therapeutics: Molecular Pathways and Precision Strategies”, which will be published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences, it is my pleasure to invite you to submit an original research article on this topic.
The main focus of this Special Issue is targeted therapy in cancer and its molecular biology. In brief, targeted therapy, a form of precision medicine, differs from traditional chemotherapy by specifically targeting the molecular mechanisms that cancer cells rely on for survival and growth. Unlike chemotherapy, which indiscriminately affects rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapy aims to inhibit or destroy specific molecules produced by cancer genes or cells, which are crucial for cancer proliferation and metastasis.
In this Special Issue, we are searching for novel therapeutic approaches that enable more effective, personalized treatments by identifying genetic alterations in cancer patients. This could lead us to future developments in targeted cancer therapies emphasizing personalized strategies, advancements in immunotherapy, and proactive prevention methods to better manage tumor burdens and minimize side effects.
This Special Issue is managed by Dr. Bishayee (Guest Editor) and assisted by Dr. Naveen Sharma.
If you are interested in contributing, please let us know by providing a tentative title and a very short summary of 1-2 sentences.
Traditional chemotherapy targets rapidly growing cells, whether they are of normal or cancerous origins. The conditions are different with targeted therapy, a kind of precision medicine that works by stopping or slowing the growth or spread of cancer at the cellular level. Essentially, cancer cells rely on certain molecules to survive, proliferate and metastasize. These molecules are usually produced by cancer-causing genes or by the cancer cells themselves. Targeted therapies aim to interfere with or to attack these molecules or the carcinogenic genes that produce them. In many cases, the drug targeting the molecule can prevent further activity.
In a healthy or cancerous cell, certain molecules must be located at specific sites (for example, on the cell surface or in the cell nucleus) to be able to perform their activity, such as sending growth signals or supporting cell division. Some targeted therapies work by preventing these molecules from reaching their work locations. If the molecule does not get to where it is needed, it cannot promote cancer growth/proliferation.
Under the current scenario, there are three types of targeted therapy drugs available in clinics:
- Small molecule drugs, which can easily enter cells and destroy the molecules inside them. They can also be used to interfere with molecules on the surface of the cell.
- Monoclonal antibodies, which are larger and work outside of tumor cells. They target molecules on or near the surface of tumor cells. These are made using cloned cells that produce antibodies that interfere with the target molecule. Monoclonal antibodies can also be used to deliver a toxic molecule directly into a tumor cell.
- Other targeted approaches, including the following:
- Antiangiogenic therapies that block the formation of new blood vessels necessary for the growth of tumors.
- Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). These directly attach a toxin to a monoclonal antibody to precisely deliver it to tumor cells.
- Hormone therapy, which blocks the hormones that fuel some cancers (such as breast or prostate cancer).
These therapies represent the cornerstone of precision medicine, identifying specific genetic mutations or proteins in a patient's cancer for more effective and personalized treatment.
Although there has been progress in this area of cancer research, methods that reduce the tumor burden more effectively and reduce possible side-effects are still needed. Future directions in targeted cancer therapies focus on hyper-personalization using advanced diagnostics, expanding immunotherapy, developing next generation antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), creating new agents and pioneering proactive prevention by targeting mutations early while overcoming resistance and toxicity through smart combinations and delivery systems.
Dr. Kausik Bishayee
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- targeted cancer therapy
- small molecules
- combination therapy
- inhibitors
- cancer cell death and proliferation
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