Potential Therapeutic Targets for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity and Cancer
A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2025 | Viewed by 43
Special Issue Editors
2. Laboratory of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Departament of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drug Research and Development Center (DRDC), Medical School, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo, Fortaleza 60430-275, CE, Brazil
Interests: natural compounds; diabetes; chronic diseases
2. Laboratory of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Departament of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drug Research and Development Center (DRDC), Medical School, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Coronel Nunes de Melo, Fortaleza 60430-275, CE, Brazil
Interests: natural compounds; diabetes; infertility; cancer; central nervous system diseases; chronic diseases; medicinal plants; pain and analgesia
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The increasing global prevalence of diabetes, obesity and cancer has highlighted the need for effective therapies and pharmacological targets to manage these interrelated conditions. These diseases not only impact individual health but also place a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide.
Therapies for diabetes aim to improve insulin sensitivity and secretion, with pharmacological targets including the inhibition of enzymes like DPP-4 to enhance insulin action and GLP-1 receptor agonists to stimulate insulin production. Metformin remains a first-line treatment due to its effect on lowering glucose levels and reducing the risk of microvascular complications. Pharmacological interventions for obesity target appetite suppression and energy expenditure. Drugs like phentermine and lorcaserin work by modulating the hypothalamic pathways involved in appetite control. Newer treatments, such as semaglutide, leverage the GLP-1 receptor to reduce hunger and promote weight loss. Pharmacological targets in cancer therapy include the inhibition of oncogenic drivers, angiogenesis and immune checkpoints. Advances in precision medicine have led to the development of personalized treatments based on genetic mutations within tumors, such as HER2 inhibitors for breast cancer and EGFR inhibitors for lung cancer.
The link between obesity, diabetes and cancer is evident in the shared inflammatory and metabolic pathways that contribute to disease progression. Therapeutic strategies are evolving to address these commonalities, with metformin showing potential in cancer prevention and treatment due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects.
The Special Issue focuses on therapies and pharmacological targets for the treatment of diabetes, obesity and cancer where there is little resolution or possibility of cure. Current therapies for these diseases require multiple drugs that have several adverse effects. All of this limits patient adherence and greatly reduces quality of life. In this context, this Special Issue focus on new therapies and/or pharmacological targets that aim to improve current treatments for diabetes, obesity and cancer.
Dr. Marisa Jádna Silva Frederico
Prof. Dr. Fátima Regina Mena Barreto Silva
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- diabetes
- obesity
- cancer
- pharmacological targets
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