ijms-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Molecular Research on Cancer and Molecular Imaging

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2025 | Viewed by 2691

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Radiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
Interests: PET; SPECT; theragnostic; quantitative imaging

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Molecular imaging is a specialized field within medical imaging that offers the capability to observe and quantitatively assess the functioning of biological and cellular processes inside the body. In the context of diseases like cancer, as the condition progresses, it induces changes in the biological activities of cells, initiating abnormal cellular processes that affect their functions. Molecular imaging stands out for its effectiveness in detecting these cellular alterations during the early stages of a disease, often well before any structural changes can be observed using traditional anatomical imaging techniques such as CT scans. This not only enables medical professionals to pinpoint the precise location of tumors within the body but also to visualize and evaluate the expression and activity of specific molecules like proteases and protein kinases. Additionally, these techniques provide the ability to observe critical biological processes like apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis, all of which play pivotal roles in tumor behavior and their responses to various treatments.

The vast array of insights obtained through molecular imaging holds the promise of transforming multiple aspects of cancer patient care. It offers the potential to improve cancer detection, personalize treatment approaches for individuals, and accelerate progress in drug development. Furthermore, it contributes to a deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying cancer formation.

In this Special Issue, we will delve into a wide array of topics concerning molecular imaging and its impact on patient care. This exploration will encompass different imaging techniques and their practical applications, the tools that have been utilized and are presently under development, as well as the existing challenges and the potential opportunities in patient care by leveraging the capabilities of molecular imaging.

Dr. Mi-Ae Park
Guest Editor

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 short 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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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

  • molecular imaging
  • radiology
  • cancer detection
  • precision medicine
  • cancer mechanisms

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.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

19 pages, 6786 KiB  
Article
In Vivo PET Detection of Lung Micrometastasis in Mice by Targeting Endothelial VCAM-1 Using a Dual-Contrast PET/MRI Probe
by Stavros Melemenidis, James C. Knight, Veerle Kersemans, Francisco Perez-Balderas, Niloufar Zarghami, Manuel Sarmiento Soto, Bart Cornelissen, Ruth J. Muschel and Nicola R. Sibson
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(13), 7160; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137160 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1340
Abstract
Current clinical diagnostic imaging methods for lung metastases are sensitive only to large tumours (1–2 mm cross-sectional diameter), and early detection can dramatically improve treatment. We have previously demonstrated that an antibody-targeted MRI contrast agent based on microparticles of iron oxide (MPIO; 1 [...] Read more.
Current clinical diagnostic imaging methods for lung metastases are sensitive only to large tumours (1–2 mm cross-sectional diameter), and early detection can dramatically improve treatment. We have previously demonstrated that an antibody-targeted MRI contrast agent based on microparticles of iron oxide (MPIO; 1 μm diameter) enables the imaging of endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Using a mouse model of lung metastasis, upregulation of endothelial VCAM-1 expression was demonstrated in micrometastasis-associated vessels but not in normal lung tissue, and binding of VCAM-MPIO to these vessels was evident histologically. Owing to the lack of proton MRI signals in the lungs, we modified the VCAM-MPIO to include zirconium-89 (89Zr, t1/2 = 78.4 h) in order to allow the in vivo detection of lung metastases by positron emission tomography (PET). Using this new agent (89Zr-DFO-VCAM-MPIO), it was possible to detect the presence of micrometastases within the lung in vivo from ca. 140 μm in diameter. Histological analysis combined with autoradiography confirmed the specific binding of the agent to the VCAM-1 expressing vasculature at the sites of pulmonary micrometastases. By retaining the original VCAM-MPIO as the basis for this new molecular contrast agent, we have created a dual-modality (PET/MRI) agent for the concurrent detection of lung and brain micrometastases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research on Cancer and Molecular Imaging)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 3939 KiB  
Review
The Biological Roles of ZKSCAN3 (ZNF306) in the Hallmarks of Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutics
by Wenfang Li, Han Zhang, Jianxiong Xu, Ayitila Maimaitijiang, Zhengding Su, Zhongxiong Fan and Jinyao Li
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11532; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111532 - 27 Oct 2024
Viewed by 884
Abstract
ZKSCAN3 (also known as ZNF306) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of various cellular processes that are fundamental to the development of cancer. It has been widely acknowledged as a key contributor to cancer progression, with its overexpression consistently reported in a [...] Read more.
ZKSCAN3 (also known as ZNF306) plays a pivotal role in the regulation of various cellular processes that are fundamental to the development of cancer. It has been widely acknowledged as a key contributor to cancer progression, with its overexpression consistently reported in a broad spectrum of malignancies. Importantly, clinical studies have demonstrated a significant association between elevated ZKSCAN3 levels and adverse prognosis, as well as resistance to therapeutic drugs. Specifically, ZKSCAN3 promotes tumor progression by enhancing multiple hallmark features of cancer and promoting the acquisition of cancer-specific phenotypes. These effects manifest as increased tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, accompanied by inhibiting tumor cell apoptosis and modulating autophagy. Consequently, ZKSCAN3 emerges as a promising prognostic marker, and targeting its inhibition represents a potential strategy for anti-tumor therapy. In this review, we provide an updated perspective on the role of ZKSCAN3 in governing tumor characteristics and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, we underscore the clinical relevance of ZKSCAN3 and its potential implications for tumor prognosis and therapeutic strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research on Cancer and Molecular Imaging)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop