Design and Synthesis of Small Molecule Kinase Inhibitors

Dear Colleagues,

Protein kinases constitute one of the largest gene classes in eukaryotes, encompassing over 500 proteins that regulate vital cellular processes such as proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, metabolism, and inflammation. The hyperactivation and overexpression of kinases have been strongly linked to various cancer processes, while the ability of cancer cells to evade standard chemotherapy often stems from altered kinase activity. Consequently, the concept that inhibiting kinases could enhance cancer treatment initiated a new era of targeted therapy. Presently, the FDA has approved 82 small molecule kinase inhibitors and 9 monoclonal antibodies. Despite this substantial number, challenges persist regarding their effectiveness against diverse tumor types and the lack of selectivity. Consequently, continuous efforts are dedicated to synthesizing new molecules and investigating their potential against different protein kinases. In addition, novel techniques, such as omics analyses, help to evaluate the hyperactivated kinases in cancer, helping the design and synthesis of small molecules, encouraging the selective inhibition of pathways sustaining cancer progression and resistance. With the present special issue entitled: "Design and Synthesis of Small Molecule Kinase Inhibitors", we would like to encourage the submission of original research articles and reviews in the field, highlighting the role of novel kinases inhibitors as promising treatments in cancer.

Dr. Camilla Pecoraro
Dr. Daniela Carbone
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 short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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.