Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment

Introduction

Cancer accounted for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcomes can be improved through appropriate screening, early detection, efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery are the most important approaches for the treatment of several types of cancers. However, intrinsic or acquired resistance and metastasis are still major obstacles to a successful cure. Outstanding progress in genetics and molecular biology has provided novel molecular targets and new anticancer agents that can improve the outcomes of patients. Moreover, many studies have suggested that cotreatment with natural or synthetic compounds can increase the efficiency of chemotherapeutics or reduce/eliminate the side effects of these drugs. It is interesting to note that the beneficial effects of these compounds are mediated by the activation/inhibition of several pathways and enzymes that play a key role in cancer cell growth and proliferation. Moreover, several compounds have reached the stage of preclinical and clinical studies, suggesting important effects in the treatment of several types of cancer. Thus, the research and development of new anticancer agents and therapeutic strategies targeting signaling pathways and enzyme modulation in cancer cells constitute the main subject of this Special Issue.

Keywords

Chemoresistance, Radioresistance, Cancer, Compounds, Anti-cancer, Cancer progression, Signaling, Modulators

Sub-topics

Ø  Role of natural and synthetic compounds in restoring chemotherapy sensitivity

Ø  Role of natural and synthetic compounds in restoring radiotherapy sensitivity

Ø  Signaling pathway modulation in cancer cell proliferation and invasion

Ø  Enzymatic targets of chemical compounds in cancer cells

Ø  Molecular pathways modulation in cancer cells