Small Molecule Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy
A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Biology and Oncology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 35
Special Issue Editor
2. Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
Interests: cancer immunology; molecular therapeutics; translational medicine; functional genomics; small molecule inhibitors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue focuses on recent advances in the discovery, optimization, and clinical translation of small molecule inhibitors for cancer therapy. Despite significant progress in oncology, drug resistance, tumor heterogeneity, and the limited durability of response remain major challenges. Small-molecule inhibitors continue to play a central role in addressing these barriers due to their capacity for precise target modulation, oral bioavailability, and adaptability to rational design strategies.
We invite contributions that explore novel targets, structure–activity relationships, medicinal chemistry innovations, and emerging strategies to overcome resistance mechanisms. Areas of particular interest include kinase and epigenetic inhibitors, modulators of protein–protein interactions, targeted protein degradation approaches, covalent and allosteric inhibitors, and strategies addressing previously “undruggable” oncogenic drivers. Preclinical and translational studies that integrate chemical biology, structural biology, computational modelling, and biomarker development are especially encouraged.
In addition to original research, we welcome reviews and perspective articles that critically assess current therapeutic pipelines, combination strategies, and precision oncology approaches. By bringing together interdisciplinary insights from medicinal chemistry, molecular oncology, and clinical research, this Special Issue aims to highlight innovative therapeutic paradigms and accelerate the development of more effective, durable, and patient-tailored cancer treatments.
Dr. Cristabelle De Souza
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. Biomedicines 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
- small-molecule inhibitors
- cancer therapy
- drug resistance
- medicinal chemistry
- precision oncology
- targeted protein degradation
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