Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.8
4.4
Journals
Cancers
Special Issues
Next-Generation Cancer Therapies
cancers-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Cancers Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Next-Generation Cancer Therapies

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 3084

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Achilleas Mitrakas

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Cell Cycle and Proteomics, Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
Interests: cancer; development of chemical compounds; lung cancer; autophagy; immunotherapy; genetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ioannis Lamprou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Radiobiology and Radiopathology Unit, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
Interests: cancer; autophagy; lipophagy; immunotherapy
Dr. Erasmia Xanthopoulou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Radiobiology and Radiopathology Unit, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
Interests: cancer; autophagy; immunotherapy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

The field of oncology is rapidly evolving with the advent of next-generation cancer therapies, driven by breakthroughs in genetics, immunotherapy, and targeted treatments. This Special Issue explores innovative approaches such as oncolytic viruses, cancer vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and gene-based therapies, highlighting their role in precision medicine. Advances in tumor genomics and molecular profiling have paved the way for highly specific interventions, improving treatment efficacy while minimizing toxicity. Additionally, the integration of immune-based strategies with conventional therapies is reshaping the therapeutic landscape. This collection of research and reviews will provide insights into the latest developments, challenges, and future directions in personalized cancer treatment, offering a comprehensive view of how science is transforming oncology into a more precise and effective discipline.

Dr. Achilleas Mitrakas
Dr. Ioannis Lamprou
Dr. Erasmia Xanthopoulou
Guest Editors

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 communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2900 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

  • cancer
  • current therapies
  • cancer cells metabolism
  • autophagy
  • immunotherapy
  • targeted treatments
  • oncolytic viruses
  • vaccines

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Review

26 pages, 1532 KB  
Review
Harnessing p97/VCP: A Transformative AAA+ ATPase Target for Next-Generation Cancer Therapeutics
by Maria Janina Carrera Espinoza, Sarah K. Tucker, Sruthi Sureshkumar, Madison E. Gamble, Natalie L. Hakim, Sofia Orrantia, Claudia M. Espitia, Alexis B. Cruickshank-Taylor, Wei Wang, Kevin R. Kelly, Jennifer S. Carew and Steffan T. Nawrocki
Cancers 2025, 17(18), 2945; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17182945 - 9 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1189
Abstract
Increased basal protein synthesis activity is a hallmark feature that distinguishes many types of malignant cells from their normal counterparts. The survival and proliferation of cancer cells are tightly linked to functional unfolded protein response (UPR) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD) pathways [...] Read more.
Increased basal protein synthesis activity is a hallmark feature that distinguishes many types of malignant cells from their normal counterparts. The survival and proliferation of cancer cells are tightly linked to functional unfolded protein response (UPR) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD) pathways due to their high rates of protein synthesis. The evolutionarily conserved AAA+ ATPase valosin-containing protein (VCP)/p97 facilitates the extraction of proteins from organelles, chromatin, and protein complexes to target them for ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS)-mediated degradation. p97 plays a key role in protein quality control and in the maintenance of protein homeostasis through its regulation of ERAD. The disruption of p97 activity leads to an accumulation of undegraded proteins, triggers the UPR, and can culminate in proteotoxic cell death. Given this, p97 inhibition offers an opportunity to selectively kill cancer cells that exhibit high basal protein synthesis rates. This review explores p97’s molecular structure, diverse cellular roles, and clinical potential with a particular focus on CB-5083 and CB-5339, the only p97 inhibitors to date that have advanced into clinical trials. We discuss their mechanisms of action, clinical trial outcomes, and the transformative potential of rational combination strategies to maximize their therapeutic potential. By integrating foundational biological insights with translational perspectives, we highlight p97 as a precision target for cancer treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Generation Cancer Therapies)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1400 KB  
Review
Novel Therapeutics and the Path Toward Effective Immunotherapy in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors
by Joshua J. Lingo, Elizabeth C. Elias and Dawn E. Quelle
Cancers 2025, 17(14), 2410; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17142410 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1562
Abstract
Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNSTs) are a deadly subtype of soft tissue sarcoma for which effective therapeutic options are lacking. Currently, the best treatment for MPNSTs is complete surgical resection with wide negative margins, but this is often complicated by the tumor [...] Read more.
Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors (MPNSTs) are a deadly subtype of soft tissue sarcoma for which effective therapeutic options are lacking. Currently, the best treatment for MPNSTs is complete surgical resection with wide negative margins, but this is often complicated by the tumor size and location and/or the presence of metastases. Radiation or chemotherapy may be combined with surgery, but patient responses are poor. Targeted treatments, including small-molecule inhibitors of oncogenic proteins such as mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6), and Src-homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2), are promising therapeutics for MPNSTs, especially when combined together, but they have yet to gain approval. Immunotherapeutic approaches have been revolutionary for the treatment of some other cancers, but their utility as single agents in sarcoma is limited and not approved for MPNSTs. The immunosuppressive niche of MPNSTs is thought to confer inherent treatment resistance, particularly to immunotherapies. Remodeling an inherently “cold” tumor microenvironment into a “hot” immune milieu to bolster the anti-tumor activity of immunotherapies is of great interest throughout the cancer community. This review focuses on novel therapeutics that target dysregulated factors and pathways in MPNSTs, as well as different types of immunotherapies currently under investigation for this disease. We also consider how certain therapeutics may be combined to remodel the MPNST immune microenvironment and thereby generate a durable anti-tumor immune response to immunotherapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Next-Generation Cancer Therapies)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-2
Back to TopTop