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Life
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Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Effects of Drugs in Cancer—2nd Edition
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Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Effects of Drugs in Cancer—2nd Edition

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 4004

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Elżbieta Janina Płuciennik

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Functional Genomics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
Interests: carcinogenesis; gene expression regulation; molecular mechanisms; transcription factors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Żaneta Kałuzińska-Kołat

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
1. Department of Biomedicine and Experimental Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland
2. Department of Functional Genomics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
Interests: cancer; neurology; in vitro; genetics; transcription factors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Damian Kołat

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Functional Genomics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
2. Department of Biomedicine and Experimental Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, 90-136 Lodz, Poland
Interests: carcinogenesis; functional genomics; high-throughput sequencing; in silico; transcription factors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the first volume of this Special Issue being a great success (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/life/special_issues/Therapeutic_Effect), we are very pleased to announce the second volume of our Special Issue titled “Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Effects of Drugs in Cancer—2nd Edition”. Despite significant progress in diagnosis and treatment, cancer remains the biggest challenge of modern medicine. The rapid advancement in molecular technologies and new sophisticated bioinformatic analytic methods have introduced novel therapeutic perspectives. This fuels hope for overcoming the major issues associated with drug treatment, such as cancer heterogeneity or multidrug resistance. We cordially invite you to present your outstanding cancer-drug-related discoveries in this Special Issue to the wider scientific and academic community.

In this Special Issue, we would like to present a collection of articles, such as reviews and systematic reviews, original papers, clinical trials, molecular and bioinformatics studies.

We are looking forward to your submission.

Dr. Elżbieta Janina Płuciennik
Dr. Żaneta Kałuzińska-Kołat
Dr. Damian Kołat
Guest Editors

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. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). 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
  • therapy
  • cancer drug
  • molecular mechanism
  • signaling pathways
  • targeted therapy
  • in silico drug response studies
  • innovative cancer treatment

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 11491 KiB  
Article
Targeting MAPK Signaling: Loureirins A and B from Dracaena Loureiri Inhibit Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition and Invasion in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines
by Xiaomin Huang, Punnida Arjsri, Kamonwan Srisawad, Sonthaya Umsumarng, Supachai Yodkeeree and Pornngarm Dejkriengkraikul
Life 2025, 15(3), 396; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15030396 - 3 Mar 2025
Viewed by 635
Abstract
Metastasis remains the leading cause of death among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), emphasizing the urgent need for safer and more effective therapeutic options. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways play a crucial role in regulating EMT, migration, and invasion in NSCLC. [...] Read more.
Metastasis remains the leading cause of death among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), emphasizing the urgent need for safer and more effective therapeutic options. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways play a crucial role in regulating EMT, migration, and invasion in NSCLC. Targeting these molecular mechanisms has become a key strategy in inhibiting NSCLC metastasis. Loureirin A and Loureirin B, flavonoids derived from the Thai traditional herb Dracaena loureiri, have shown potential pharmacological effects; however, their roles in NSCLC metastasis remain unexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which Loureirin A and Loureirin B suppress EMT, migration, and invasion in NSCLC cells via the MAPK signaling pathway. The sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay showed that Loureirin A and Loureirin B, at concentrations ranging from 0 to 140 μM, were non-toxic to both A549 and H1299 cells. Additionally, Loureirins A and B exhibited no cytotoxic effects on primary human dermal fibroblast cells and did not induce hemolysis in red blood cells (RBCs). The wound-healing and trans-well assays were used to evaluate the anti-migratory and anti-invasion properties of Loureirin A and Loureirin B in NSCLC cell lines. Gelatin zymography was employed to investigate the activity of MMP-2 (gelatinase A) and MMP-9 (gelatinase B), while Western blot analysis was used to examine the expression of EMT markers and invasive proteins, and the phosphorylation of MAPK signaling molecules. Our results demonstrate that both Loureirin A and Loureirin B significantly suppressed the migration and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells. These compounds suppressed the activity of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 and downregulated the expression of key invasive proteins including uPA, uPAR, and MT1-MMP. Additionally, they effectively suppressed the expression of EMT markers such as N-cadherin, Vimentin, and Fibronectin. Mechanistically, Loureirin A and Loureirin B inhibited the MAPK signaling pathway by downregulating the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, and p38 proteins. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that Loureirin A and Loureirin B exhibit potent anti-invasive properties and no cytotoxic effect on NSCLC cell lines, suggesting their potential as promising candidates for anti-cancer drug development. Furthermore, they may pave the way for the exploration of combination therapies with other anti-cancer drugs for clinical translation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Effects of Drugs in Cancer—2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 2642 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Anticancer Effects of Aqueous Leaf Extract from Nepeta nuda L. ssp. nuda
by Zlatina Gospodinova, Georgi Antov, Svetozar Stoichev and Miroslava Zhiponova
Life 2024, 14(12), 1539; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14121539 - 24 Nov 2024
Viewed by 853
Abstract
Despite significant efforts, cancer remains the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. The medicinal plant Nepeta nuda L. represents a valuable source of biologically active compounds with pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral. This study aimed to assess the antiproliferative potential [...] Read more.
Despite significant efforts, cancer remains the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. The medicinal plant Nepeta nuda L. represents a valuable source of biologically active compounds with pharmacological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral. This study aimed to assess the antiproliferative potential and mechanisms of action of aqueous extract from the leaves of wild-grown N. nuda. Cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231, MCF7 (breast), HT29, Colon 26 (colon), and HepG2 (liver cancer), and a non-cancerous skin cell line, BJ, were assessed for antiproliferative activity by MTT assay and observation of cell morphological alterations. The cancer cell line that was most sensitive to the extract was further studied for apoptotic alterations by Annexin V/propidium iodide staining, colony-forming assay, and qRT-PCR analysis. The results revealed that the plant extract inhibited the proliferation of all investigated cancer cell lines with the strongest cytostatic effect on Colon 26 cells with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 380.2 μg/mL and a selectivity index (SI) of 3.5. The extract significantly inhibited the ability of cells to form colonies, exhibited considerable proapoptotic potential involving the participation of the CASP8 gene, and increased the expression levels of ATG3 and the BECN1 gene, which suggests a role of autophagic cell death in the antitumor action. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Effects of Drugs in Cancer—2nd Edition)
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Review

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33 pages, 1782 KiB  
Review
Cancer Patient-Derived Cell-Based Models: Applications and Challenges in Functional Precision Medicine
by Jelena Dinić, Sofija Jovanović Stojanov, Miodrag Dragoj, Marija Grozdanić, Ana Podolski-Renić and Milica Pešić
Life 2024, 14(9), 1142; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14091142 - 10 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1932
Abstract
The field of oncology has witnessed remarkable progress in personalized cancer therapy. Functional precision medicine has emerged as a promising avenue for achieving superior treatment outcomes by integrating omics profiling and sensitivity testing of patient-derived cancer cells. This review paper provides an in-depth [...] Read more.
The field of oncology has witnessed remarkable progress in personalized cancer therapy. Functional precision medicine has emerged as a promising avenue for achieving superior treatment outcomes by integrating omics profiling and sensitivity testing of patient-derived cancer cells. This review paper provides an in-depth analysis of the evolution of cancer-directed drugs, resistance mechanisms, and the role of functional precision medicine platforms in revolutionizing individualized treatment strategies. Using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures, patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, and advanced functional assays has significantly improved our understanding of tumor behavior and drug response. This progress will lead to identifying more effective treatments for more patients. Considering the limited eligibility of patients based on a genome-targeted approach for receiving targeted therapy, functional precision medicine provides unprecedented opportunities for customizing medical interventions according to individual patient traits and individual drug responses. This review delineates the current landscape, explores limitations, and presents future perspectives to inspire ongoing advancements in functional precision medicine for personalized cancer therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Effects of Drugs in Cancer—2nd Edition)
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