About this Research Topic

Background

The field of cancer therapy has seen significant advancements with the exploration of splicing variants as potential therapeutic targets. Splicing variants arise from alternative splicing processes, which involve complex interactions between trans-acting splicing regulators such as ESRP1, ESRP2, SF3B1, SRSF1, SRSF2, and SRSF3, and cis-acting nucleotide sequences like intronic and exonic splicing enhancers and silencers. These variants also emerge from transcription involving alternative first exons and promoters. They play crucial roles in cancer biology, influencing processes such as angiogenesis, drug resistance, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immune evasion, proliferation, and survival. Despite the promising potential of targeting splicing variants, there remain significant gaps in understanding their full impact and therapeutic utility. Current studies have begun to explore treatments using small-molecule compounds, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and various antibody-based therapies, yet comprehensive insights into their mechanisms and efficacy are still needed.

This research topic aims to delve into the multifaceted approaches of targeting splicing variants in cancer therapy. The primary objective is to explore and elucidate the therapeutic potential of splicing variant-targeted treatments, addressing key questions about their mechanisms, effectiveness, and potential for integration into existing cancer treatment paradigms. By investigating these aspects, the research seeks to advance our understanding and develop more effective cancer therapies.

To gather further insights in the realm of cancer therapy targeting splicing variants, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Mechanisms of action of small-molecule compounds targeting splicing regulators.
• Development and application of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) in cancer therapy.
• Innovations in monoclonal antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates targeting splicing isoforms.
• The role of bispecific and trispecific antibodies in targeting cancer-specific splicing variants.
• Advances in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T and CAR natural killer (NK) cell therapies.
• Case studies and clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of splicing variant-targeted treatments.
• Challenges and future directions in the therapeutic targeting of splicing variants in cancer.

We welcome submissions of original research, reviews, mini-reviews, methods, perspectives, community case studies, conceptual analysis, data reports, policy briefs, brief research reports, general commentaries, and opinions.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Splicing Variants, FGFR2b, CLDN18.2, SF3B1, SRSF2

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