Special Issues

Pharmaceuticals publishes Special Issues to create collections of papers on specific topics, with the aim of building a community of authors and readers to discuss the latest research and develop new ideas and research directions. Special Issues are led by Guest Editors, who are experts on the topic and all Special Issue submissions follow MDPI's standard editorial process. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief and/or designated Editorial Board Member will oversee Guest Editor appointments and Special Issue proposals, checking their content for relevance and ensuring the suitability of the material for the journal. The papers published in a Special Issue will be collected and displayed on a dedicated page of the journal’s website. Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies and Guest Editor responsibilities can be found here. For any inquiries related to a Special Issue, please contact the Editorial Office.

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Molecular Systems for the Delivery of Drugs and Contrast Agents, 2nd Edition submission deadline 27 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 73 | Submission Open
Keywords: biomarker-targeted drugs; contrast media for diagnostic imaging; drug delivery systems; photoactivated drugs and photoswitches; theranostics; liposomes; biomaterials-based drugs and drug shuttles (e.g.; DNA origami); biomimetic materials; nanoparticle applications to diagnostics and therapy; in silico drug design
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Exploring the Anticancer and Immunomodulatory Mechanisms of Phytochemicals and Natural Bioactive Compounds
edited by Suyun Lyu
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 8 articles | Viewed by 16724 | Submission Open
Keywords: natural products; phytochemicals; anticancer; immunomodulation; bioactive compounds
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
A Commemorative Special Issue in Honor of Professor Eliezer J. Barreiro: Early Drug Discovery: From Target Identification and Validation to Lead Optimization submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 5420 | Submission Open
Keywords: target validation; LBDD; FBDD; SBDD; QSAR; artificial intelligence; organic synthesis; natural product; drug discovery; medicinal chemistry
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Advances in Antiparasitic Drug Research submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 3081 | Submission Open
Keywords: antiparasitic drug; novel drug targets; parasite resistance; drug efficacy; parasite genetics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
Recent Advances in Natural Product-Based Nanostructured Systems: 2nd Edition submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2458 | Submission Open
Keywords: natural product; nanostructured systems; nanotechnology; nanostructures; nanocarriers; bioactive compounds
(This special issue belongs to the Section Natural Products)
Natural Product-Derived Treatments of Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Disorders submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1023 | Submission Open
Keywords: natural products; bioactive compounds; neurological conditions; psychiatric disorders; phytomedicine
Peptide-Based Drug Discovery: Innovations and Breakthroughs
edited by
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 941 | Submission Open
Keywords: drug discovery; peptide-based compounds; peptidomimetics; target modulation; structure– activity relationship studies; hit molecules; AI-driven drug discovery; ligand-based drug design; structure-based drug design; computer-aided drug design
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Bioactive Compounds from Plants and Foods: From Traditional Medicine to Modern Applications in Nutrition and Health submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 410 | Submission Open
Keywords: herbal extracts; natural compounds; nutraceuticals; bioactive compounds; in vitro and in vivo studies; biological activities; phytochemistry; natural product drug discovery; computational screening of natural products; nanomaterials for natural product extraction
(This special issue belongs to the Section Natural Products)
Synthesis and Biological Activity of Metal Complexes
edited by
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 352 | Submission Open
Keywords: metal complexes; biological activity; synthesis; pharmacology; cancer; pathogens; medicine; chemistry; stability; target
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Advances in Small-Molecule Therapeutics Targeting Signaling Pathways
edited by
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 209 | Submission Open
Keywords: small molecules; natural compounds; synthetic compounds; signaling pathways; drug design; drug development; HTS; computational tools; biological evaluations; QSAR; bioavailability; pharmacokinetics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Stem Cells in Oncology: Emerging Targets for Therapy
edited by and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 167 | Submission Open
Keywords: cancer stem cells (CSCs); tumor microenvironment (TME); targeted therapy; treatment resistance; biomarkers
(This special issue belongs to the Section Biopharmaceuticals)
Antimicrobial and Anticancer Scaffolds in Medicinal Chemistry
edited by
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 97 | Submission Open
Keywords: antimicrobial; anticancer; synthesis; complex; organic compounds; heterocyclic compounds; SAR
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Design, Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Novel Opioid/Non-Opioid Hybrid Compounds
edited by Justyna Piekielna-Ciesielska and
submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 86 | Submission Open
Keywords: opioid; opioid hybrids; pain; opioid-related side-effects; tolerance; addiction; neurotransmitters
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Membrane Receptors in Disease: Mechanisms and Targeted Therapeutic Strategies submission deadline 31 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 41 | Submission Open
Keywords: membrane receptors; targeted drug; signal transduction; therapeutic antibodies; inhibitor; synthetic
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
Bioactive Natural Extracts: Advances in Pharmacological and Therapeutic Research submission deadline 1 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 110 | Submission Open
Keywords: bioactive compounds; natural extracts; pharmacological activity; drug discovery; plant-derived compounds
(This special issue belongs to the Section Natural Products)
Advances in Ophthalmic Drug Discovery and Delivery: From Targets to Treatments
edited by
submission deadline 10 Apr 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 5768 | Submission Open
Keywords: retinal degeneration; glaucoma; cataract; diabetic retinopathy; drug target; drug delivery; drug candidate; gene therapy; stem cells; natural products; Artificial Intelligence
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
Emerging Therapeutics for the Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity: Advances and Future Perspectives submission deadline 20 Apr 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4792 | Submission Open
Keywords: cardio-oncology; chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity; cardioprotective agents; biomarkers; heart failure prevention; precision medicine; pharmacological innovation; molecular targets; cancer survivorship; multidisciplinary care
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
Targeting Enzymes in Drug Design and Discovery
edited by
submission deadline 20 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 119 | Submission Open
Keywords: drug design; computer-aided drug design (CADD); molecular docking; molecular dynamics; QSAR; druggable proteins; synthesis; in vitro and in vivo activity evaluations; ADMET predictions and evaluations
(This special issue belongs to the Section Biopharmaceuticals)
Biosimilars in Oncology: Applications in Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceuticals
edited by Jacopo Giuliani
submission deadline 20 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 5 | Submission Open
Keywords: biosimilars; oncology; randomized controlled trials; pharmacokinetics; pharmacodynamics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Biopharmaceuticals)
Design and Synthesis of Compounds with Potential Anti-Inflammatory Activity
edited by , and Anna Wójcicka
submission deadline 22 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 89 | Submission Open
Keywords: drug design; synthesis; anti-inflammatory activity; cyclooxygenases; lipoxygenases; cytokines; anticancer activity; Alzheimer's disease; neuroinflammation; molecular mechanisms
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Advanced Nanosystems and Emerging Therapies: Innovations in Tuberculosis Treatment and Drug Resistance submission deadline 24 Apr 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2782 | Submission Open
Keywords: nanosystems; tuberculosis therapy; drug delivery; multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB); nanotechnology-based therapeutics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmaceutical Technology)
Use of Encapsulating Polymers of Active Compounds in the Pharmaceutical Industry
edited by Alba Adriana Vallejo-Cardona, Inocencio Higuera-Ciapara and
submission deadline 24 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2575 | Submission Open
Keywords: polymer; drug delivery; active compounds; encapsulation; pharmaceutical industry; natural polymers; synthetic polymers
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmaceutical Technology)
Medicinal Chemistry of Metal Complexes: Design, Synthesis and Evaluation submission deadline 24 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2379 | Submission Open
Keywords: metal complexes; medicinal chemistry; bioinorganic chemistry; coordination chemistry; organometallics; metal-based drugs; biological activity; toxicology; biomedical application; drug delivery
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Recent Advances in Psychopharmacology: 2nd Edition
edited by Roos Van Westrhenen and Allan H. Young
submission deadline 24 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 152 | Submission Open
Keywords: psychopharmaca; pharmacogenomics; pharmacogenetics; psychedelics; dementia drugs
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
Targeting Neuromodulators: Effective Therapeutic Strategies for Brain Disorders
edited by
submission deadline 24 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 45 | Submission Open
Keywords: neuromodulators; brain disorders; targets; dysfunctional networks; dopamine; serotonin
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
Applications of Beehive Products for Wound Repair and Skin Care
edited by Simona Martinotti
submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 17396 | Submission Open
Keywords: anti-aging; antibacterial properties; healing properties; honey; propolis; bee venom; wound repair; skin care
(This special issue belongs to the Section Natural Products)
Pharmacology of Antidepressants: Recent Advances submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 15533 | Submission Open
Keywords: new mechanisms of antidepressants action; new targets for antidepressant therapy; rapid-acting antidepressants; inflammation in depression; gut– microbiota– brain axis in depression; probiotic as an antidepressant; quo vadis pharmacology of antidepressants
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
Potential Therapeutic Targets for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity and Cancer
edited by Marisa Jádna Silva Frederico and
submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 5712 | Submission Open
Keywords: diabetes; obesity; cancer; pharmacological targets
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
Fighting Tropical Neglected Diseases with Natural Products: New Approaches Against Ancient Diseases
edited by , , Dirlei Nico and Ana Claudia Fernandes Amaral
submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 5248 | Submission Open
Keywords: plant extracts; natural compounds; neglected diseases; drug resistance; natural product-based formulations; antiparasitic drugs; enzyme inhibition
Computer-Aided Drug Design and Drug Discovery, 2nd Edition submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 4066 | Submission Open
Keywords: chemoinformatics; bioinformatics; molecular modeling; virtual screening; molecular docking; quantitative structure– activity relationship (QSAR); pharmacophore modeling; target identification; repurposing; ADME-T prediction
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Combating Drug Resistance in Cancer submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 3430 | Submission Open
Keywords: multidrug resistance; cancer cells; cancer drug resistance; overcoming chemoresistance; targeted cancer therapies; novel anti-cancer strategies; tumor resistance mechanisms; innovative cancer treatments; reversing drug resistance
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Advances in the Treatment of Leukemia, Lymphomas and Plasma Cell Disorders
edited by , Karina Braga Gomes and Maria Das Graças Carvalho
submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 2287 | Submission Open
Keywords: leukemias; lymphomas; chemotherapy; target therapy; immunotherapy; kinase inhibitors; hematologic oncology; therapy; treatment
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Therapies for Autoimmune Diseases submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 1299 | Submission Open
Keywords: autoimmune diseases; immunotherapy; immunomodulation; biologic therapies; small molecule drugs; therapeutic vaccines; tolerogenic strategies; monoclonal antibodies; personalized medicine; targeted drug delivery
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Biologically Active Heterocyclic Compounds
edited by and Rita Vaickelionienė
submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 269 | Submission Open
Keywords: heterocyclic compounds; five- or six-membered heterocycles; oxygen- and nitrogen-based heterocycles; sulfur- and nitrogen-based heterocycles; azoles; small molecules; anticancer activity; cell lines; cytotoxicity
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Cholinesterases—Structure, Mechanism, Function and Drug Discovery
edited by
submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 176 | Submission Open
Keywords: cholinesterases; cholinesterase inhibitors; structure-based design of inhibitors; multi-target ligands; non-cholinergic functions; structure; allosteric sites; mechanism; non-classical functions
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Natural Products and Phytomedicines: From Chemical Profiling and Pharmacological Properties to Therapeutic Applications submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 171 | Submission Open
Keywords: natural products and derivatives; (nano)phytomedicine; plant extracts and phytopreparates; biochemical profiling; active principles; phytopharmacological mechanisms; signaling pathways; network pharmacology; molecular docking; pharmacokinetics and toxicity assays; clinical studies; therapeutic novelty; sustainable development
(This special issue belongs to the Section Natural Products)
Advances in and Perspectives on Oral Drug Delivery submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 131 | Submission Open
Keywords: enhanced drug delivery; oral route; oral peptide delivery; 3D printing; continuous manufacturing; PBPK modeling; nanocarriers; translational pharmaceutics; low aqueous solubility and low permeability; enhanced oral bioavailability; transporter targeting; emerging materials and excipients in oral delivery; dosage form transition of already marketed drugs; examining herbal or traditional drugs oral delivery; sustained release; nanotechnology; application of cellular components such as exosomes or vesicles for oral delivery; in silico docking for PBPK; nanocarriers; lipid-based formulations; self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS); solid dispersions; mucoadhesive systems
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmaceutical Technology)
Design and Development of PLGA and Polysaccharide Microparticles submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 85 | Submission Open
Keywords: drug delivery systems; polymeric systems; nanotechnology; controlled release
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Emerging Therapeutic Strategies for Heart Diseases
edited by Elias Rawish
submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 85 | Submission Open
Keywords: medicinal chemistry; drug design; SAR; molecular modeling; pharmacophore; cardiovascular targets; inflammation; complement; neutrophils/NETosis; fibrosis; ion channels; SGLT2; GLP-1; biomarkers; binding affinity; PK/PD; ADME; radiopharmaceuticals; PET/SPECT; dosage form design; bioconjugates; prodrugs; nanoparticles; exosomes; siRNA/ASO/mRNA; peptides; antibodies; aptamers; targeted drug delivery; early clinical trials
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
Application and Translational Research of Lanthanide/Nanomaterial-Conjugated Photosensitizers in Photodynamic Therapy
edited by
submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 78 | Submission Open
Keywords: lanthanide-based nanomaterials; nanomaterial-conjugated photosensitizers; photodynamic therapy (PDT); targeted delivery; upconversion luminescence; preclinical evaluation; translational research; biocompatibility
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmaceutical Technology)
Next-Generation Approaches for Cartilage Regeneration
edited by and Liam Morris
submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 67 | Submission Open
Keywords: cartilage regeneration; cartilage engineering; bioactive molecules (peptides/proteins/nucleic acids); biomaterials (therapeutic delivery); gene engineering (biopharmaceutical applications); chondrogenic signaling pathways; preclinical/clinical evaluation (cartilage repair); osteoarthritis (therapeutic interventions); therapeutic targets (cartilage repair); translational regenerative medicine
(This special issue belongs to the Section Biopharmaceuticals)
Natural Products with Anticancer Activity
edited by
submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 64 | Submission Open
Keywords: natural products; extracts; anticancer activities; phytochemicals; molecular mechanisms
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medicinal Chemistry)
Pharmaceutical and Biomaterial Approaches for Preventive and Restorative Dentistry
edited by Jan Kiryk and
submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 59 | Submission Open
Keywords: dental prophylaxis; restorative dentistry; pharmaceuticals; biomaterials; dental innovations; dentistry of the future
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
Pleiotropic Agents and Their Therapeutic Potential in Gastroenterology, Angiology, and Musculoskeletal Disorders
edited by , Mario Starešinić, and Alenka Boban Blagaic
submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 51 | Submission Open
Keywords: pleiotropic agents; therapeutic potential; tissue repair; angiogenesis; gastroenterology; musculoskeletal disorders
(This special issue belongs to the Section Biopharmaceuticals)
Progress of Hydrogel Applications in Novel Drug Delivery Platforms, 2nd Edition submission deadline 25 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 50 | Submission Open
Keywords: hydrogels; targeted drug delivery; drug release; drug delivery; smart hydrogels; stimuli-responsive hydrogels; controlled release; hydrogel-based drug delivery; drug carriers
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmaceutical Technology)
Natural Products and Bioactive Compounds for the Prevention and Treatment of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases
edited by
submission deadline 26 Apr 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 1129 | Submission Open
Keywords: natural products; phytochemicals; chronic diseases; functional foods; herbal medicine; non-communicable diseases; ethnopharmacology; bioactivity
(This special issue belongs to the Section Natural Products)
Plant-Derived Natural Compounds as Bioactive Molecules with Beneficial Effects on Human Health, 2nd Edition
edited by
submission deadline 26 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 508 | Submission Open
Keywords: plant bioactives; bioactive compounds; gut microbiome; immune-modulatory; antioxidant; hypocholesterolemic; antihypertensive; clinical trials
(This special issue belongs to the Section Natural Products)
New Perspectives in Ocular Pharmacology: 2nd Edition submission deadline 26 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 19 | Submission Open
Keywords: ocular pharmacology; pharmacodynamics; ophthalmology; drug delivery systems
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
Natural Products and Their Modifications as Agents Used in the Fight Against Pathogens, 2nd Edition
edited by
submission deadline 27 Apr 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1289 | Submission Open
Keywords: plant extract; natural compounds; multidrug-resistant strains; intestinal microbiota; chemical modyfication; biotransformation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Natural Products)
Tumor Immunopharmacology, 2nd Edition submission deadline 27 Apr 2026 | Viewed by 91 | Submission Open
Keywords: immunotherapy; immunomodulation; drug development; cytokine receptor antagonist; T-cell based therapies; therapeutic antibodies; drug delivery; cancer vaccine; immunoresistance; tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs); immune escape; immune checkpoint inhibitors; cytokine-based therapies; small molecule immunomodulators; combination therapy; precision oncology; tumor mutational burden (TMB); antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC ); complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC); myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs)
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
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