New Targets and Therapeutic Approaches Based on Molecular Mechanisms in Tumorigenesis and Cancer Metastasis

Dear Colleagues,

Tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis encompass various molecular interactions and cellular processes that contribute to the initiation, progression, and spread of cancer. The deep knowledge covering all these aspects allows the scientific and medical community to provide new diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches to fight against this devastating disease.

This Special Issue will welcome relevant articles and reviews that address the most revealing and crucial events, including but not limited to the following:

• The tumor microenvironment is a supportive ecosystem, creating a favorable niche for cancer cells to thrive. It involves various cell types (cancer, immune, endothelial, fibroblasts) as well as extracellular matrix components, growth factors, and cytokines. Crosstalk between all these components is key to promote tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis;

• The dysregulation of cell signaling pathways is a hallmark of cancer. Understanding how cell signaling pathways contribute to tumorigenesis and metastasis provides cutting-edge insights into the regulation of cell proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion;

• Genetic mutations, as well as epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA deregulation, highly contribute to cancer development and progression;

• Cancer stem cells are closely involved in tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. The therapeutic targeting of cancer stem cells holds promise for improving cancer treatment outcomes;

• Cutting-edge knowledge about cancer progression and metastatic dissemination has led to the identification of new therapeutic targets. Similarly, new therapeutic approaches, such as targeted therapies, antibodies and antibody-like molecules, immuno-oncology, advanced therapies (gene, cell, and tissue engineering), etc., have been developed to specifically inhibit key molecules or pathways involved in cancer progression.

Dr. Francesc Mitjans
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• metastasis
• cancer
• therapy
• precision medicine
• cancer stem cells
• immuno-oncology
• tumor microenvironment
• antibody