About this Research Topic
Human cancer is a complex and heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins play a critical role in cancer development and progression. PTMs are chemical modifications that occur after a protein is synthesized and can significantly impact the function, localization, stability, and activity of proteins within a cell. Pharmacology is a field of medicine that focuses on the study of drugs and their effects on the human body. Pharmacological interventions that target PTMs are a promising area of cancer research and treatment. For example:
- PARP Inhibitors: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are a class of drugs that exploit defects in DNA repair mechanisms, particularly in cells with BRCA mutations. These inhibitors target the PARP protein, which plays a role in DNA repair through PTM processes. PARP inhibitors like olaparib and rucaparib have been approved for the treatment of ovarian and breast cancers.
- Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (UPS) Inhibitors: The UPS is responsible for the degradation of specific proteins tagged with ubiquitin. Some drugs, such as bortezomib, inhibit the UPS, leading to the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins and apoptosis in cancer cells.
- SUMOylation Inhibitors: Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) modification is a PTM that regulates the activity of various proteins. Recent research has explored the development of SUMOylation inhibitors to target specific cancer-related proteins. These are still in the experimental stage.
The effectiveness of these treatments varies depending on the specific cancer type, genetic mutations, and individual patient characteristics. It's important to note that the development and application of these therapies often require a deep understanding of the specific PTMs and their roles in the molecular pathways of different cancer types.
Additionally, personalized medicine approaches are becoming increasingly common, tailoring treatments based on the unique PTM profiles and genetic mutations of individual patients' tumors. Personalized medicine, also known as precision medicine, is being pursued in cancer treatment for several compelling reasons, and it offers several benefits compared to more traditional one-size-fits-all approaches. Personalized medicine offers targeted treatment, increased treatment efficacy, reduced side effects and optimized drug selection, among many other benefits.
This Research Topic will focus on post-translational modifications (PTMs) and their role in human cancer within the field of pharmacology. This is a highly relevant and significant area of study, as understanding how PTMs contribute to cancer development and progression is critical for the development of targeted pharmacological interventions.
We welcome contributions in the form of Original Research Articles, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews that cover but are not limited to the following topics: (a) Post-Translational Modifications (PTMs) in Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms; (b) Pharmacological Approaches Targeting PTMs in Cancer; (c) Personalized Medicine and PTM Profiles; (d) Emerging Trends and Future Directions.
Please note that:
- If patient data are analyzed, a comprehensive description of the patients including sex, age, diagnostic criteria, inclusion and exclusion criteria, disease stage, therapy received, comorbidities as well as additional clinical information and assessment of clinical response/effects should be included.
- If genetic, proteomics, metabolomics, or other omics data are analyzed, a comprehensive description of the methods and the rationale for the selection of the specific data studied should be provided.
- Studies related to natural compounds, herbal extracts, or traditional medicine products, will not be included in this Research Topic.
- Studies solely based on the analysis of public databases or published evidence, with no further experimental insights or experimental validation, will not be included in this Research Topic.
- PARP Inhibitors: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are a class of drugs that exploit defects in DNA repair mechanisms, particularly in cells with BRCA mutations. These inhibitors target the PARP protein, which plays a role in DNA repair through PTM processes. PARP inhibitors like olaparib and rucaparib have been approved for the treatment of ovarian and breast cancers.
- Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (UPS) Inhibitors: The UPS is responsible for the degradation of specific proteins tagged with ubiquitin. Some drugs, such as bortezomib, inhibit the UPS, leading to the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins and apoptosis in cancer cells.
- SUMOylation Inhibitors: Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) modification is a PTM that regulates the activity of various proteins. Recent research has explored the development of SUMOylation inhibitors to target specific cancer-related proteins. These are still in the experimental stage.
The effectiveness of these treatments varies depending on the specific cancer type, genetic mutations, and individual patient characteristics. It's important to note that the development and application of these therapies often require a deep understanding of the specific PTMs and their roles in the molecular pathways of different cancer types.
Additionally, personalized medicine approaches are becoming increasingly common, tailoring treatments based on the unique PTM profiles and genetic mutations of individual patients' tumors. Personalized medicine, also known as precision medicine, is being pursued in cancer treatment for several compelling reasons, and it offers several benefits compared to more traditional one-size-fits-all approaches. Personalized medicine offers targeted treatment, increased treatment efficacy, reduced side effects and optimized drug selection, among many other benefits.
This Research Topic will focus on post-translational modifications (PTMs) and their role in human cancer within the field of pharmacology. This is a highly relevant and significant area of study, as understanding how PTMs contribute to cancer development and progression is critical for the development of targeted pharmacological interventions.
We welcome contributions in the form of Original Research Articles, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews that cover but are not limited to the following topics: (a) Post-Translational Modifications (PTMs) in Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms; (b) Pharmacological Approaches Targeting PTMs in Cancer; (c) Personalized Medicine and PTM Profiles; (d) Emerging Trends and Future Directions.
Please note that:
- If patient data are analyzed, a comprehensive description of the patients including sex, age, diagnostic criteria, inclusion and exclusion criteria, disease stage, therapy received, comorbidities as well as additional clinical information and assessment of clinical response/effects should be included.
- If genetic, proteomics, metabolomics, or other omics data are analyzed, a comprehensive description of the methods and the rationale for the selection of the specific data studied should be provided.
- Studies related to natural compounds, herbal extracts, or traditional medicine products, will not be included in this Research Topic.
- Studies solely based on the analysis of public databases or published evidence, with no further experimental insights or experimental validation, will not be included in this Research Topic.
Keywords: Post-Translational Modification, PTMs, Personalized Medicine, PARP inhibitor, UPS inhibitor, SUMOylation Inhibitor
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.
