Oncology Letters Special Issues
Dysregulation of inflammatory pathways in human colorectal diseases
Lead Editor:
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Dr Paola Sena
university of modena and reggio emilia
Italy
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. CRC is a multifactorial disease due to the combined effect of genetic and environmental factors. The majority of cases of CRC are sporadic and result from risk factors, such as a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, processed diets, alcohol consumption and smoking, but a small percentage is hereditary, estimated at 5-10%. In both, the tumor interacts with heterogeneous cell populations, such as endothelial, stromal and immune cells, secreting different signals (cytokines, chemokines or growth factors) to generate a tumor microenvironment favorable for invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. There is extensive evidence that inflammatory processes play a key role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression in CCR. In fact, CRC arises from 3 major pathways: i) The adenoma‑carcinoma sequence; ii) serrated pathway; and iii) the inflammatory pathway.Different cellular activation profiles of the tumor microenvironment can promote pro or anti-tumor pathways; Genetic alterations cause the dysregulation of signaling pathways leading to drug resistance, the inhibition of apoptosis and the induction of proliferation, invasion and migration, resulting in CRC development and metastasis.A heterogeneous disease, such as CRC resulting from the activation of numerous signaling pathways, is therapeutically challenging, and cannot be targeted with a single agent. A combination of conventional therapeutics with novel inhibitors targeting dysregulated pathways is required for a better outcome.
Submission deadline: 14 September 2024
Targeting metabolism in cancer
Lead Editor:
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Dr Tsung-I Hsu
Taipei Medical University
Taiwan
Our journey begins over a century ago with Otto Warburg's seminal discoveries and continues today with exciting new connections between metabolism and oncogenes. This special issue is your platform to shine and contribute to the dynamic and ever-evolving field of cancer metabolism. 1. Unveiling the Mysteries The latest research, discoveries, and insights that dissect the complex landscape of cancer metabolism. 2. A Holistic Approach We're not just exploring cancer cell metabolism; we're also unraveling the secrets of non-cancer cells within the tumor immune microenvironment. Your research can bridge the gap and reveal critical insights that traditional approaches overlook. 3. Metabolic Adaptability To investigate the fascinating world of cancer cell metabolic plasticity and discover how it impacts treatment resistance and influences therapeutic outcomes. 4. Precision Targeting To explore the potential of finely-tuned, metabolism-based therapies to overcome challenges in cancer treatment and offer hope to patients. 5. Innovative Solutions To evaluate a spectrum of inhibitors targeting diverse metabolic pathways. Your work can highlight effective strategies and pave the way for novel cancer therapies.
Submission deadline: 14 September 2024
Navigating the Complexity: Embryonal Tumors of the Central Nervous System
Lead Editor:
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Dr Angela Mastronuzzi
Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital
Italy
Embryonal tumors of the central nervous system represent a heterogeneous group of neoplasms characterized by varying prognoses. Through molecular characterization, the WHO CNS5 subdivides these neoplasms into different entities. Given the rarity of these conditions and their recent characterization, pre-clinical and clinical studies are necessary to identify the best possible treatment for these forms of neoplasms, which still remain a significant cause of mortality in pediatric age.
Submission deadline: 14 September 2024
Plant Bioactive Compounds in Cancer Treatment
Lead Editor:
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Dr Bui Thi Kim Ly
Department of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thu Dau Mot University
Viet Nam
Because of the presence of various biomolecules with potentially beneficial effects, plants have played an essential role in human health. Many bioactive chemicals originating from plants are commonly used as therapeutic agents in medical treatment and health maintenance. As a result, scientific research on their role in modulating a wide range of metabolic and physiological processes, as well as their bioavailability, pharmacological action, and safety, is critical. Several studies have been carried out in recent years to assess the efficiency of plant-derived macromolecules against human ailments. In vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies are increasingly uncovering the molecular mechanisms behind their beneficial effects. The purpose of this Special Issue is to include original research articles, brief communications, and reviews on natural compound-based cancer treatment options. We encourage basic, translational, and clinical research publications on the pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of natural compounds in the treatment of malignant diseases. Furthermore, studies on their putative molecular mechanisms of action, as well as bioavailability and metabolism, are encouraged. Research into novel cancer treatment delivery technologies is also encouraged.
Submission deadline: 14 September 2024
Osteosarcoma treatment in the precision medicine era
Lead Editor:
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Professor Feifei Pu
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
China
With the rapid development of omics and big data technology, there have been multiple achievements with the use of precision medicine for cancer treatment. Osteosarcoma, the most common primary malignant tumor of the skeletal system, primarily occurs in children and adolescents. Since the 1970s, surgical resection and chemotherapy have been the main treatments for osteosarcoma; however, the survival rate for this type of cancer has been stagnant due to high genetic heterogeneity. Precision medicine can provide a precise diagnosis and tailored treatments based on the patients’biological characteristics using techniques such as omics. 3D printing technology can “tailor” the “bone defect” after removing the irregular osteosarcoma to achieve a good therapeutic effect of limb reconstruction. Therefore, application of precision medicine is promising for studying osteosarcoma and improving patient survival rates.
Submission deadline: 14 September 2024
Novel theranostic strategies in oncology precision management
Lead Editor:
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Dr Shigao Huang
Air Force Medical University
China
In recent years, traditional cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment, etc., may damage the pathological tissue and normal cells. However, the current oncology precision management should be noninvasive, precise target tumor, making the body produce systemic tumor-specific immunity, eliminating metastases, and having less /no side effects. With the development of immunotherapy and various 3D technology, scientists have promoted precise tumor therapy from the application of targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, which have good efficacy and less adverse effect. Recent therapeutic strategies such as nano-immunotherapy, immunotherapy, and so on. Novel theranostic strategies in oncology precision management not only have the advantages of traditional therapy but also have the precision targeting ability of cancer. So, this special issue will collect novel theranostic strategies in advance to provide the latest treatment for scientists. It will focus on research concerning novel strategies in oncology precision management: from bench to translational research.
Submission deadline: 14 September 2024
Immunohistological Investigation of Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells in the Cancer Microenvironment.
Lead Editor:
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Dr Takehiko Yokobori
Gunma University
Japan
Cancer researchers worldwide are working on methods to efficiently assess immune cell infiltration in tumor tissue immunohistochemically. Although the clinical significance of the expression of immune-related molecules has been studied in detail by database analysis (NGS and microarray), immunohistological staining or spatial transcriptomic analysis is necessary to evaluate the extent of immune cell infiltration in tumors. In this session, we will focus on reports of immunohistological studies of immune cell infiltration in various resected cancer specimens. These reports will reveal new insights into crucial immune cell regulators and assessment methods universally observed across organs and carcinoma-specific immune cell characteristics.
Submission deadline: 14 September 2024
New strategies for treating cancer
Lead Editor:
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Dr Ilgiz Gareev
BSMU
Russian Federation
New technology is enabling the development of more targeted and adjuvant therapies that reduce toxicity to normal cells and decrease the likelihood of cancer cell resistance. Multiple efforts are underway to develop a range of combination therapies that include vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and mutation-specific drugs. These discoveries are paving the way for personalized cancer treatments that significantly improve patient quality of life and outcomes.
Submission deadline: 13 September 2024
Machine Learning: New opportunities for tumor diagnosis and prognostic evaluation
Lead Editor:
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Dr Wenjie Shi
University Magdeburg
Germany
Background: Early detection and treatment are critical factors in improving the prognosis of tumor patients. However, the interpretation and translation of massive clinical data often require a large number of labor costs and rely on the experience of clinicians, which inevitably leads to bias in the interpretation of results. Thanks to the interdisciplinary cooperation mode of AI technology, machine learning-based medical-industrial cross-study has made breakthroughs in the direction of tumor target identification and prognosis assessment. In particular, the relevant models developed based on machine learning algorithms have positive guiding significance for early tumor signal recognition. Goal: Our aim is to explore the benefits of machine learning or deep learning algorithms in processing clinical data from oncology patients and to reveal potential markers for early tumor detection and prognostic evaluation. These markers will be screened and validated in internal and external datasets for further clinical applications. In addition, artificial intelligence diagnostic and prognostic models based on machine learning algorithms are equally interesting, with the help of which clinical decision-making can be better assisted. In addition, we also hope to be able to extract tumor image features through deep learning algorithms, which will have a positive impact on the promotion of intelligent diagnosis of tumor images. Scope： Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Opinion, and Perspective articles that describe and cover the recent advances made in tumor diagnosis( therapy) and machine learning, are considered. This research topic will include but is not limited to • Identification and validation of candidate clinical risk factors • Construction and validation of prediction model for tumor patients • New strategies for tumor diagnosis based on RNAseq data or clinical data
Submission deadline: 13 September 2024
Colorectal cancer and arachidonic acid metabolism: state of the art in 2023.
Lead Editor:
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Mr Bertrand Liagre
Faculté de Pharmacie, Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire
France
By its very nature, the metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA) is a source of carcinogens: the peroxide intermediates prostaglandin (PG) G2 and PGH2 represent a potential source of free radicals, which are dangerous for the body because they can form adducts with DNA. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is itself directly involved in the activation of certain environmental or dietary procarcinogens and in the metabolism of xenobiotics in non-hepatic tissues, which are responsible for the formation of carcinogens such as benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide, thereby inducing DNA damage. COX-2 can also activate cellular proteins involved in tumour progression. PGE2 also influences the establishment of the tumour process via two pathways: activation of the PI3K/Akt cell survival pathway, and activation of growth factors stimulating the intervention of signalling pathways (Ras/MAPK, JAK/STAT). COX-2 appears to play an important role in the apoptosis process, since it is known that inhibition of COX-2 is correlated with an increase in the apoptotic process in many types of cancer. Several hypotheses have emerged as to the mechanisms implicating COX-2 in resistance to apoptosis. Firstly, inhibition of COX-2 has been linked to a concomitant increase in intracellular levels of arachidonic acid. Indeed, a high concentration of exogenous AA can induce apoptosis, independently of the formation of PGs. In HT-29 human colorectal cancer cells, AA accumulation leads to induction of the apoptotic process, notably via inhibition of Bcl-2. It is possible that COX-2 expression is increased in order to reduce the quantity of AA in the cell and prevent apoptosis. In addition, the action of COX-2 in carcinogenesis processes is also mediated by the biological effects of its metabolites. COX-2 induces the production of PGI2, which can bind and activate PPARδ. This suggests that inhibition of COX-2 leads to inhibition of PGI2 and inactivation of PPARδ, which is responsible for inhibiting the 14-3-3 protein. Bad would then be released from the latter to exert its pro-apoptotic effects. The binding of PGE2 to its specific receptors, such as EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4, induces activation of survival pathways (Akt, ERK, etc.), an increase in Bcl-2 protein expression, and activation of the survival factor NF-κB, all of which can lead to resistance to apoptosis. COX-2 is known to be involved in the regulation of angiogenesis, the process of developing capillaries from pre-existing capillaries, in both healthy and tumour tissues. This phenomenon is involved in wound healing in particular, but also plays a role in tumour formation. The effects of COX-2 can appear via several pathways: increased expression of proangiogenic mediators such as VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) and bFGF (basic Fibroblast Growth Factor), stimulation of neovascularisation directly via the products of COX-2 activity (proangiogenic eicosanoids - thromboxane A2, PGE2 and PGI2) and inhibition of apoptosis in endothelial cells via stimulation of Bcl-2 and the Akt pathway. The physiological role of EP receptors in healthy tissues and cancerous tissues is determined by multiple factors such as cell type, the affinity of these receptors for their ligands and the parallel existence of other transduction pathways. EP receptors are involved in promoting carcinogenesis in colorectal cancer. In fact, they are capable of targeting a multitude of signalling pathways and of induce a PKA-dependent increase in VEGF, HIF-1α-dependent pathways, cfos, the PI3K/Akt pathway, the ERK pathway and β-catenin. The COX-2/PGE2 pathway also plays a role in cancer cell invasion and metastasis in many cancer types. Firstly, it has been shown that overexpression of COX-2 induces the synthesis of MMPs and therefore facilitates the mobility of tumour cells in the matrix. In addition, COX-2 induces a reduction in the expression of E-cadherin, explaining the inducing effect of COX-2 on the detachment of cancer cells, their passage and progression in the bloodstream or lymphatic network. Finally, PGE2 also plays an important role in tumour invasion. The role of the 4 types of PGE2 receptor in the formation of metastases has been studied. It has been shown that PGE2 can increase the number of metastases.
Submission deadline: 13 September 2024
