Micronutrients in Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms, Epidemiological Evidence, and Clinical Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Micronutrients—including vitamins, minerals, and trace elements—play essential roles in cellular metabolism, redox balance, immune function, and genomic stability. Changes in micronutrient status can affect key pathways in carcinogenesis, such as DNA repair, oxidative stress, inflammation, and epigenetic regulation. These broad functions have increased interest in understanding how micronutrients contribute to cancer prevention, progression, and treatment response.

Epidemiological studies associate both the deficiency and excess of micronutrients with variations in cancer risk, although establishing causality remains challenging due to genetic, environmental, and lifestyle influences. Advances in molecular biology and biomarker research are gradually clarifying these complex relationships.

Clinically, some micronutrients show potential as adjuncts to conventional therapies by enhancing efficacy or reducing toxicity. However, their effects are often context-dependent, highlighting the need for well-designed mechanistic and translational studies.

This Special Issue welcomes original research articles and reviews on topics including, but not limited to, the following:

• Mechanistic roles of micronutrients in carcinogenesis and tumor biology;
• Interactions with oncogenic or tumor-suppressive pathways;
• Epidemiological studies on micronutrient status, intake, or supplementation;
• Clinical applications in prevention, treatment, or survivorship;
• Biomarkers of micronutrient status in cancer;
• Nutrient–drug interactions relevant to oncology;
• Analytical advances in micronutrient quantification;
• Effects of micronutrient imbalance on tumor behavior;
• Precision nutrition approaches in cancer care.

Prof. Dr. Rozangela Curi Pedrosa
Prof. Dr. Karina Bettega Felipe
Guest Editors

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