The Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Cancer Metastasis and Drug Resistance
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: 20 March 2026 | Viewed by 18
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We invite high-quality submissions for a Special Issue on “The Role of Long Non-Coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Cancer Metastasis and Drug Resistance.” lncRNAs are increasingly recognized as critical regulators of tumor progression, influencing key processes such as epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, invasion, and chemoresistance.
Studies employing functional genomics, CRISPR, RNA-based therapeutics, or identifying lncRNAs as biomarkers or therapeutic targets are of particular interest. All manuscripts will undergo rigorous peer review to ensure scientific quality and relevance.
This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research that highlights the following:
- Mechanistic insights into how lncRNAs regulate epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, cell migration, and invasion during metastasis.
- The contribution of lncRNAs to drug resistance mechanisms, including alterations in apoptosis, drug transport, DNA repair, and interactions with the tumor microenvironment.
- The potential of lncRNAs as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets in overcoming metastasis and chemoresistance.
- Innovative methodologies, including CRISPR-based functional studies, RNA therapeutics, and multi-omics approaches to study the role of lncRNAs in cancer.
We welcome submissions that include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Original research articles
- Comprehensive reviews
- Short communications or perspectives
- Case studies with mechanistic depth
Submissions that explore interactions with signaling pathways, transcription factors, chromatin modifiers, or non-coding RNAs are especially encouraged.
This Special Issue seeks to foster interdisciplinary dialog and accelerate translational insights in cancer research. We encourage contributions from molecular biologists, oncologists, geneticists, and bioinformaticians engaged in unraveling the complex roles of lncRNAs in cancer biology.
Dr. Tulasigeri M. Totiger
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.
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Keywords
- long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)
- cancer metastasis
- drug resistance
- epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)
- tumor microenvironment
- chemoresistance mechanisms
- RNA-based therapeutics
- gene regulation
- functional genomics
- biomarkers in cancer
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