Targeting Epigenetic Regulation for Cancer Therapy
A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 February 2026 | Viewed by 60
Special Issue Editors
Interests: cancer; gene expression; phytochemicals; molecular genetics; epidemiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: gastrointestinal cancers; phytotherapeutics; microbial and molecular genetics; pyhtochemistry; epidemiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Epigenetics has emerged as a critical area of study in recent decades, revealing how heritable changes in gene expression occur without altering the DNA sequence. DNA methylation, initially the most studied epigenetic mechanism, has now been complemented by a broader understanding of histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNAs.
This Special Issue aims to explore the complex network of epigenetic factors beyond DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) that regulate gene activity, genome stability, and cellular identity. We welcome contributions from a broad range of biological systems and disciplines that address how different epigenetic mechanisms function, interact, and contribute to physiological or pathological processes, with a particular emphasis on their implications for cancer biology and therapy. Understanding how epigenetic alterations drive tumor progression, resistance, and immune evasion may offer promising avenues for developing more precise and effective cancer treatments.
Recent advances in epigenomic technologies, such as ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, and single-cell epigenomics, are rapidly expanding our understanding of chromatin states and gene regulatory networks. This issue will feature research that uncovers novel epigenetic regulators, their mechanisms of action, and their potential as therapeutic targets—especially in cancer, where epigenetic interventions are increasingly being investigated as part of combination therapies or as standalone approaches. Studies elucidating the epigenetic basis of therapy resistance, tumor heterogeneity, or immune modulation are particularly welcome.
We invite original research articles, reviews, and perspective papers that investigate epigenetic mechanisms beyond DNMTs, including histone-modifying enzymes, chromatin remodelers, and non-coding RNAs. Both experimental and computational studies are encouraged, as well as work spanning molecular, cellular, organismal, or environmental levels. Submissions that explore translational aspects—such as epigenetic biomarkers or the development of epigenetic drugs for cancer therapy—are of particular interest. All topics related to the central theme of epigenetic regulation—including novel insights, emerging technologies, comparative analyses, and interdisciplinary approaches—are welcome.
Dr. Bence Raposa
Dr. John M. Macharia
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 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
- epigenetics
- chromatin remodeling
- histone modifications
- non-coding RNAs
- gene regulation
- cancer therapy
- epigenetic biomarkers
- therapeutic targets
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