Targeting Signaling Networks for Cancer Therapy

Dear Colleagues,

We know that cancer-associated signaling networks, HER signaling, EGF signaling, Wnt signaling, Notch signaling, TGF-β pathway, mTOR pathway, PD-1/PD-L1 axis, etc., are all involved in normal cell survival regulation. However, any abnormal modulation might result in uncontrollable cell growth, or a tumor. To survive, tumor cells must try to avoid attacks from the native immune system. Cancer cells interact with nearby healthy host cells through the same signaling networks to prevent them from being removed. The dysregulated signaling factors of cancer cells provide possible targets, which could allow for us to control them. Cancer vaccines, chemical drugs, small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, etc., could modify the interactions between cancer and host cells, as well as adjusting the tumor microenvironment and active immune response against cancer cells. However, current cancer treatments, either traditional chemotherapy or the latest checkpoint inhibition and cell immunotherapy, have limitations and some serious side effects, such as damaging conditions in the body, drug resistance, partial response, tumor metastasis, etc. This Special Issue will focus on the current state of cancer signaling network research, from bench work to bedside clinical daily practice, to better understand carcinogenesis, lower toxicity and develop more effective treatment strategies against cancer.

Prof. Dr. Renato Bassan

Prof. Dr. Jose-Maria Ribera

Dr. Linlin Guo
Topic Editors