Integrating Metabolism and Molecular Biology in Cancer Research and Therapeutics
A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Integrative Metabolomics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 185
Special Issue Editor
Interests: cancer biology; therapeutics; molecular biology and metabolites
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The rapidly advancing field of cancer systems biology has revealed a profound molecular and metabolic complexity driving tumorigenesis and therapy response. Alterations in oncogenic signaling and metabolic reprogramming (glucose, lipid, and amino acid pathways) are considered a hallmark of cancer that enables uncontrolled growth, immune evasion, and treatment resistance. These changes are actively driven by the cancer cells themselves to support their high demand for building blocks and energy, rather than being a passive response to stress. This makes targeting these metabolic pathways a promising approach for new cancer therapies.
Alongside these core intrinsic mechanisms, emerging research underscores the importance of molecular crosstalk between tumor metabolism, signaling pathways, and the tumor microenvironment. The interaction between essential molecular pathways and metabolic processes regulates tumor growth, survival in nutrient-deficient or hypoxic environments, and response to therapeutic stress. Dysregulated DNA damage responses, redox equilibrium, and mitochondrial functionality further enhance the metabolic flexibility that underpins cancer heterogeneity and treatment resistance.
We are delighted to offer an invitation to submit articles to the Special Issue on "Integrating Metabolism and Molecular Biology in Cancer Research and Therapeutics." This Special Issue intends to emphasize the most recent research that unites the disciplines of molecular signaling, cancer metabolism, and therapeutic science. Our goal is to encourage discussion and future research at this integrative frontier, advancing the prospect of precision medicine approaches that co-target molecular and metabolic factors for improved cancer prevention and therapy. We invite submissions on original research, reviews, and perspectives that focus across preclinical, translational, and clinical domains to enrich and shape this thematic collection.
Contributions are encouraged on topics including, but not limited to, epigenetic regulation, cancer stem cells, cancer resistance, the impact of gut microbiota on drug metabolism and immunotherapy response, and innovative strategies for targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in cancer. We look forward to receiving high-quality manuscripts that advance our understanding of how the integration of metabolic and molecular biology can inform innovative cancer therapies and drive the next generation of precision medicine.
Key sub-topics may include the following:
- Epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of metabolic pathways in cancer progression.
- Interconnection of oncogenic signaling networks with metabolic remodeling.
- Mechanisms of metabolic adaptation to hypoxia and nutrient deprivation.
- Crosstalk between DNA damage response, oxidative stress, and metabolism.
- Metabolic determinants of cancer stemness, metastasis, and drug resistance.
- Novel therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic and molecular vulnerabilities in cancer.
These subtopics will collectively advance our understanding of the intricate interplay among molecular, metabolic, and microbial factors in cancer biology and therapy.
Dr. Susmita Barman
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. Metabolites 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 2700 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 metabolism
- metabolic reprogramming
- tumor microenvironment
- oncometabolites
- immunometabolism
- therapeutic resistance
- microbiome-derived metabolites
- metabolomics
- molecular signaling pathways
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.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
