About this Research Topic
Nowadays, the treatment landscape of several cancer types includes clinically approved targeted therapies. At the basis of precision and personalized drug discovery is the identification and the mechanistic validation of biological targets. These prognostic or therapeutic biomarkers should accurately predict the response and/or risks of tumor relapse associated with cancer patient subgroups that are expressing similar alterations.
The nature of cancer biomarkers is in constant and rapid evolution and no longer uniquely based on products of genes that are mutated or presenting pathological expression patterns. The availability of innovative experimental approaches, the use of progressive models both in vivo and in silico and the access to repositories of cancer patient data from clinical trials and retrospective clinical studies are redefining cancer research. Resistance mechanisms observed after personalized treatments however remain a clinical challenge and require improved molecular profiling.
Current discoveries in cancer research unveil new therapeutic scenarios including i) the monitoring and prediction of the cellular fates of different co-existing subclones of the tumor after therapeutic intervention; ii) the identification and the tracking of cancer stem cells; iii) a better understanding of the communication between cancer and non-cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment and the entire organism, relevant for cancer establishment and progression; determinants of iv) metabolic plasticity and v) cancer immune evasion.
The aim of this Research Topic is to open a discussion about innovative approaches and criteria for novel cancer therapeutic biomarkers in agreement with the above-mentioned new areas of cancer research to provide a solid basis for the identification and validation of yet more efficient next-generation treatments. In this view, we welcome both Original Research and General Commentaries suggesting new therapeutic strategies stemming from innovative approaches. Both novel and repurposed agents for single and combinatorial cancer treatments with approved conventional chemotherapeutics and targeted agents, including small molecules, metabolic modulators and immunodrugs, are areas of interest. Approaches in cellulo, in vivo and in silico will be considered.
The nature of cancer biomarkers is in constant and rapid evolution and no longer uniquely based on products of genes that are mutated or presenting pathological expression patterns. The availability of innovative experimental approaches, the use of progressive models both in vivo and in silico and the access to repositories of cancer patient data from clinical trials and retrospective clinical studies are redefining cancer research. Resistance mechanisms observed after personalized treatments however remain a clinical challenge and require improved molecular profiling.
Current discoveries in cancer research unveil new therapeutic scenarios including i) the monitoring and prediction of the cellular fates of different co-existing subclones of the tumor after therapeutic intervention; ii) the identification and the tracking of cancer stem cells; iii) a better understanding of the communication between cancer and non-cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment and the entire organism, relevant for cancer establishment and progression; determinants of iv) metabolic plasticity and v) cancer immune evasion.
The aim of this Research Topic is to open a discussion about innovative approaches and criteria for novel cancer therapeutic biomarkers in agreement with the above-mentioned new areas of cancer research to provide a solid basis for the identification and validation of yet more efficient next-generation treatments. In this view, we welcome both Original Research and General Commentaries suggesting new therapeutic strategies stemming from innovative approaches. Both novel and repurposed agents for single and combinatorial cancer treatments with approved conventional chemotherapeutics and targeted agents, including small molecules, metabolic modulators and immunodrugs, are areas of interest. Approaches in cellulo, in vivo and in silico will be considered.
Keywords: Cancer biomarkers, precision oncology, drug response, drug synergy, patient stratification
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