About this Research Topic
The field of cancer research has seen a significant focus on the role of metals in cancer onset, progression, and therapy. Metals, such as copper and iron, are implicated in cancer development due to their ability to promote oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage. However, these same metals are also used in the design and synthesis of highly effective anti-cancer drugs. Recent studies have highlighted the dual role of these transition metals, with dysregulation in their homeostasis deeply involved in tumorigenesis. Despite this, copper- and iron-based complexes have been shown to exhibit strong anticancer effects by inducing specific types of cell death, such as cuproptosis and ferroptosis.
This research topic aims to delve deeper into the dual role of metals as both tumor-promoting and chemotherapeutic agents. This includes understanding the mechanisms underlying metal dysregulation and how this could lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets. The research also aims to develop innovative treatments in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic agents, with a focus on restoring correct intracellular metal homeostasis. The efficacy and mechanisms of novel metal-based anti-cancer compounds will also be explored, along with findings to enhance the effectiveness or overcome resistance to well-established chemotherapeutic agents.
The scope of this research is primarily focused on the role of metals in cancer onset and progression, as well as their potential as therapeutic agents. We welcome articles addressing the following themes:
- Mechanisms underlying metals’ dyshomeostasis during cancer onset and progression
- Identification of potential metal-dependent targets to counteract cancer progression
- Characterization of the efficacy and mechanisms of novel metal-based anti-cancer compounds
- Novel findings to enhance the effectiveness or overcome resistance to well-established chemotherapeutic agents
- Metal related cell death such as cuproptosis and ferroptosis in cancer research
- Metal-based nanomaterials as a novel therapy for cancer. Please note that manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation are out of scope for this section.
This research topic aims to delve deeper into the dual role of metals as both tumor-promoting and chemotherapeutic agents. This includes understanding the mechanisms underlying metal dysregulation and how this could lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets. The research also aims to develop innovative treatments in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic agents, with a focus on restoring correct intracellular metal homeostasis. The efficacy and mechanisms of novel metal-based anti-cancer compounds will also be explored, along with findings to enhance the effectiveness or overcome resistance to well-established chemotherapeutic agents.
The scope of this research is primarily focused on the role of metals in cancer onset and progression, as well as their potential as therapeutic agents. We welcome articles addressing the following themes:
- Mechanisms underlying metals’ dyshomeostasis during cancer onset and progression
- Identification of potential metal-dependent targets to counteract cancer progression
- Characterization of the efficacy and mechanisms of novel metal-based anti-cancer compounds
- Novel findings to enhance the effectiveness or overcome resistance to well-established chemotherapeutic agents
- Metal related cell death such as cuproptosis and ferroptosis in cancer research
- Metal-based nanomaterials as a novel therapy for cancer. Please note that manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases which are not accompanied by validation are out of scope for this section.
Keywords: metals homeostasis, metal-based anticancer-drugs, copper, iron, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, metastases
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
