Prof. Thomas Efferth, Chief Editor of Phytomedicine and a pioneering figure in molecular pharmacology and natural product research, has profoundly shaped the field of anti-cancer drug discovery. He also is one of the longest serving Associated Editors of Frontiers in Pharmacology, Sect Ethnopharmacology, having joined in April 2010, right when the section was launched. His seminal work spans phytomedicine, pharmacogenomics, multi-drug resistance (MDR) reversal, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into drug development. To celebrate his extraordinary contributions and enduring legacy, this Research Topic will serve as a Festschrift—a tribute collection of cutting-edge research and reviews inspired by his scientific vision.

This topic invites submissions that reflect Prof. Efferths research ethos, emphasizing innovation in natural product-derived anti-cancer therapies, mechanistic insights into drug resistance, and translational applications of computational biology. Authors are encouraged to include a dedicatory note highlighting how their work aligns with or builds upon Prof. Efferth’s ground-breaking discoveries.

Specifically, this topic aims to:

1. Investigate the Role of Natural Products: Investigate the isolation, characterization, and mechanisms of action of anti-cancer compounds derived from medicinal plants, fungi, and marine organisms, emphasizing their potential to become novel therapeutic agents in oncology.

2. Uncover Molecular Mechanisms of Action: Conduct comprehensive transcriptomic, proteomic, and epigenomic analyses of natural compounds, such as artemisinin derivatives and curcumin, to understand their modulation of oncogenic signaling pathways and mechanisms of apoptosis.

3. Overcome Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR): Develop and evaluate strategies to counteract MDR in cancer cells utilising natural products, identifying the roles of ABC transporters and biomarkers to predict and reverse resistance.

4. Integrate Pharmacogenomics for Personalised Medicine: Investigate genetic polymorphisms that affect individual drug responses, employing AI-driven models for patient stratification to personalize cancer treatment strategies.

5. Bridge Preclinical and Clinical Research: Focus on translational studies that move promising natural products from the lab to clinical settings, addressing safety, pharmacokinetics, and biomarker validation to optimise therapeutic outcomes.
Our topic will contribute to the development of innovative, natural-product-based therapeutic options in oncology, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific advancements.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Advances in Natural Product-Based Cancer Therapeutics: A Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Thomas Efferth