Advancements in the targeted neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies for drug-resistant breast cancers

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Submission deadlines

  1. Manuscript Summary Submission Deadline 29 June 2025 | Manuscript Submission Deadline 17 October 2025

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Background

The pre-surgery neoadjuvant and post-surgery adjuvant therapies against breast cancers (BCs) meet stiff hindrances due to side effects, toxicity, de novo, acquired drug resistance, and relapse episodes. Over the years significant advancements have been made in the conventionally targeted neoadjuvant/adjuvant anti-BC therapies using a new generation of therapeutics, including advanced SERMs, 3rd generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs), orally administered SERDS, inhibitors against CDK4/CDK6, PARPs and inhibitors/antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) against HER2. Erstwhile molecules in various phases of clinical trials are proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs), complete estrogen receptor antagonists (CERANs), selective estrogen receptor covalent antagonists (SERCAs), PI3K, mTOR, AKT, HDAC inhibitors besides the HER1/EGFR and HER2-dual inhibitors. For the long-term survival of BC patients, the best therapeutic option involves incorporating these drugs in mono or combination mode in the early treatment phase, benefiting the patient's quality of life, apart from reducing or delaying the initiation of toxic side effects and associated resistant outcomes.



For specific and effective treatment of each BC subgroup at the early locally advanced or advanced metastatic stage, a deeper understanding of pre-therapeutic diseased conditions along with the development of de novo or acquired resistance (to therapy) is necessary, assisting the development of new therapeutic strategies and regimens. Knowledge about the molecular markers (e.g. HRs, ARs, HER2, etc.) and associated signaling molecules (e.g. CDK4/CDK6, PARPs, PI3K, mTOR, AKT, HDAC, etc.) with the feasibility of targeted therapy, mechanistic understanding of de novo or acquired resistance and the targeted therapies-side effects are the gateways to the successful development of newer generation drugs. This collection herewith harbors a platform for research, review articles, and clinical trial data representing the new therapeutic drugs in mono or combination mode, forbidding the progression against various BC types, improving the prognosis with fewer side effects, shorter survival periods without drug resistance, manageable side effects and toxicity.



• Progression of endocrine therapies (SERMs, AIs, and SERDs) from mono to combination mode and development of orally administered, targeted endocrine therapeutic molecules against locally advanced and advanced metastatic drug-resistant HR+ breast cancers

• The development of new generation protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors, antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) against locally advanced and advanced metastatic drug-resistant HER2+ breast cancer settings

• Development of various generations-anti-CDK4/6 molecules as 1st line therapeutics against the locally advanced and advanced metastatic drug-resistant breast cancers

• Development of various chemotherapeutic (PARP inhibitors) and anti-androgen molecules against different triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs)

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Article types

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

  • Brief Research Report
  • Case Report
  • Classification
  • Clinical Trial
  • Editorial
  • General Commentary
  • Hypothesis and Theory
  • Methods
  • Mini Review
  • Opinion
  • Original Research
  • Perspective
  • Review
  • Study Protocol
  • Systematic Review
  • Technology and Code

Keywords: Breast cancer, Triple Negative Breast Cancers, Endocrine therapy, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 inhibitors, HER2, Chemotherapy, Protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors, PTK, PARP inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates

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