Natural Compounds in Cancer Therapy: Molecular Mechanisms and Translational Potential
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Oncology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025
Special Issue Editor
Interests: proto-oncogenes; oncogenes; gastrointestinal cancer; biomarkers; antitumor agents
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The integration of natural compounds into cancer research has opened new avenues for therapeutic innovation. Derived from a variety of natural sources—including plants, fungi, marine organisms, and microorganisms—these bioactive molecules have demonstrated a wide range of anticancer properties, often with reduced toxicity compared to conventional chemotherapeutics. Their ability to modulate diverse molecular pathways involved in carcinogenesis, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, angiogenesis, and metastasis, positions them as promising agents for both cancer prevention and treatment.
This Special Issue aims to synthesize cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews exploring the molecular basis and translational relevance of natural compounds in oncology. We invite submissions that investigate the mechanisms of action of these compounds in various cancer models, as well as studies focusing on novel delivery systems, bioavailability enhancement, synergistic effects with standard therapies, and resistance modulation. Additionally, we encourage research exploring the use of natural compounds as adjuvants, immune modulators, or targeted agents in precision medicine. By assembling diverse perspectives from molecular biology, pharmacology, oncology, and natural product chemistry, this Special Issue aims to advance our understanding of how nature-derived molecules can contribute to the next generation of cancer therapies.
Dr. Gregory Christodoulidis
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
- natural compounds
- cancer research
- oxidative stress
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 policies can be found here.
