Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.1
4.9
Journals
IJMS
Special Issues
Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis
ijms-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for IJMS Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 4599

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Zbigniew Baster

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Interests: light microscopy; mechanobiology; extracellular matrix; cell migration; cell adhesion; talin; actin cortex; mechanotransduction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer invasion and metastasis pose significant challenges in the field of oncology, being a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Understanding the molecular basis of these processes is vital for developing effective treatments and holds the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and mitigate the global impact of cancer.

This Special Issue aims to explore the molecular mechanisms that underlie cancer invasion and metastasis. Our objective is to cover a wide array of research that investigates the mechanisms underlying processes involved in the following:

  • Cancer cell interactions with the tumor microenvironment;
  • Cancer cell motility;
  • Invasion into surrounding tissues;
  • Vascular and lymphatic intra- and extravasation;
  • Survival in the bloodstream;
  • Dissemination at distant sites;
  • Establishment of secondary tumor growth.

We seek to feature original research papers and reviews that provide insight into the molecular mechanisms behind signaling pathways, genetic and epigenetic changes, biochemical and mechanical environmental cues, immune interactions, and susceptibility to treatment implicated in cancer invasion and metastasis. Furthermore, we aim to highlight emerging technologies and experimental models that help us improve our understanding of these crucial aspects of cancer development.

Ultimately, this Special Issue seeks to serve as a knowledge-sharing platform for interdisciplinary discussions among researchers and clinicians who uncover the molecular bases of cancer invasion and metastasis. By bringing together diverse insights and discoveries, we aim to improve efforts in developing effective strategies for dealing with metastatic disease and improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Zbigniew Baster
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cancer
  • cancer invasion
  • metastasis
  • tumor microenvironment
  • molecular basis of cancer
  • immunotherapy
  • cell motility
  • cancer genetics
  • cancer development

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

24 pages, 9555 KiB  
Article
A Novel Prognostic Signature of Mitophagy-Related E3 Ubiquitin Ligases in Breast Cancer
by Kangjing Bian, Chihyu Yang, Feng Zhang and Lei Huang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(4), 1551; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26041551 - 12 Feb 2025
Viewed by 906
Abstract
Mitophagy plays a critical role in maintaining mitochondrial quality and cellular homeostasis. But the specific contribution of mitophagy-related E3 ubiquitin ligases to prognoses remains largely unexplored. In this study, we identified a novel mitophagy-related E3 ubiquitin ligase prognostic signature using least absolute shrinkage [...] Read more.
Mitophagy plays a critical role in maintaining mitochondrial quality and cellular homeostasis. But the specific contribution of mitophagy-related E3 ubiquitin ligases to prognoses remains largely unexplored. In this study, we identified a novel mitophagy-related E3 ubiquitin ligase prognostic signature using least absolute shrinkage and selector operator (LASSO) and multivariate Cox regression analyses in breast cancer. Based on median risk scores, patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups. Functional enrichment analyses were conducted to explore the biological differences between the two groups. Immune infiltration, drug sensitivity, and mitochondrial-related phenotypes were also analyzed to evaluate the clinical implications of the model. A four-gene signature (ARIH1, SIAH2, UBR5, and WWP2) was identified, and Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that the high-risk group had significantly worse overall survival (OS). The high-risk patients exhibited disrupted mitochondrial metabolism and immune dysregulation with upregulated immune checkpoint molecules. Additionally, the high-risk group exhibited higher sensitivity to several drugs targeting the Akt/PI3K/mTORC1 signaling axis. Accompanying mitochondrial metabolic dysregulation, mtDNA stress was elevated, contributing to activation of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in the high-risk group. In conclusion, the identified signature provides a robust tool for risk stratification and offers insights into the interplay between mitophagy, immune modulation, and therapeutic responses for breast cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

34 pages, 2258 KiB  
Review
Molecular Underpinnings of Brain Metastases
by Maria A. Jacome, Qiong Wu, Jianan Chen, Zaynab Sidi Mohamed, Sepideh Mokhtari, Yolanda Piña and Arnold B. Etame
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 2307; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26052307 - 5 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1246
Abstract
Brain metastases are the most commonly diagnosed type of central nervous system tumor, yet the mechanisms of their occurrence are still widely unknown. Lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma are the most common etiologies, but renal and colorectal cancers have also been described [...] Read more.
Brain metastases are the most commonly diagnosed type of central nervous system tumor, yet the mechanisms of their occurrence are still widely unknown. Lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma are the most common etiologies, but renal and colorectal cancers have also been described as metastasizing to the brain. Regardless of their origin, there are common mechanisms for progression to all types of brain metastases, such as the creation of a suitable tumor microenvironment in the brain, priming of tumor cells, adaptations to survive spreading in lymphatic and blood vessels, and development of mechanisms to penetrate the blood–brain barrier. However, there are complex genetic and molecular interactions that are specific to every type of primary tumor, making the understanding of the metastatic progression of tumors to the brain a challenging field of study. In this review, we aim to summarize current knowledge on the pathophysiology of brain metastases, from specific genetic characteristics of commonly metastatic tumors to the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in progression to the central nervous system. We also briefly discuss current challenges in targeted therapies for brain metastases and how there is still a gap in knowledge that needs to be overcome to improve patient outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 4323 KiB  
Review
A Review of Talin- and Integrin-Dependent Molecular Mechanisms in Cancer Invasion and Metastasis
by Zbigniew Baster, Lindsay Russell and Zenon Rajfur
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 1798; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26051798 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 758
Abstract
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the world, representing one of the main economic burdens in health care and research. The effort of research has mainly focused on limiting the growth of a localized tumor, but most recently, there [...] Read more.
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the world, representing one of the main economic burdens in health care and research. The effort of research has mainly focused on limiting the growth of a localized tumor, but most recently, there has been more attention focused on restricting the spreading of the cancer via invasion and metastasis. The signaling pathways behind these two processes share many molecules with physiological pathways regulating cell adhesion and migration, and, moreover, adhesion and migration processes themselves underlie tumor potential for invasion. In this work, we reviewed the latest literature about cancer development and invasion and their regulation by cell migration- and adhesion-related proteins, with a specific focus on talins and integrins. We also summarized the most recent developments and approaches to anti-cancer therapies, concentrating on cell migration-related therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 3639 KiB  
Review
Small Fish, Big Answers: Zebrafish and the Molecular Drivers of Metastasis
by Mayra Fernanda Martínez-López and José Francisco López-Gil
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 871; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26030871 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1220
Abstract
Cancer metastasis is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths and represents one of the most challenging processes to study due to its complexity and dynamic nature. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become an invaluable model in metastasis research, offering unique advantages such [...] Read more.
Cancer metastasis is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths and represents one of the most challenging processes to study due to its complexity and dynamic nature. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become an invaluable model in metastasis research, offering unique advantages such as optical transparency, rapid development, and the ability to visualize tumor interactions with the microenvironment in real time. This review explores how zebrafish models have elucidated the critical steps of metastasis, including tumor invasion, vascular remodeling, and immune evasion, while also serving as platforms for drug testing and personalized medicine. Advances such as patient-derived xenografts and innovative genetic tools have further established zebrafish as a cornerstone in cancer research, particularly in understanding the molecular drivers of metastasis and identifying therapeutic targets. By bridging the experimental findings with clinical relevance, zebrafish continue transforming our understanding of cancer biology and therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop