Molecular Targets for Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery and Development

Anticancer drug discovery and development of small molecules is a relatively new approach and is used to replace or combine with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, de novo small molecule discovery takes many years, and many drugs are abandoned as they fail at critical stages in the developmental process. Meanwhile, new molecular targets for anticancer drugs continue to emerge alongside the sophisticated in silico techniques and use of model organisms such as Drosophila for screening and pharmacokinetics assessment. An essential outcome of this development is that these techniques facilitate the repurposing of already approved drugs. Repurposing of drugs shortens the time for drug development and is a preferable approach.

The use of robotics and sophisticated assay techniques for the discovery and development of new anticancer drugs is becoming commonplace but the technologies used are not well understood. Model organisms are desirable tools for these activities compared to cell culture.

This topic addresses the progress made in implementing genomics and genetics approaches in anticancer drug development and the role model organisms play. A critical objective of this topic is the use of model organisms in target discovery and validation of small molecule drugs. Another important aspect of this topic is the description and elucidation of novel molecular targets and pathways and insights into precision medicine.

This research topic will publish articles that deal with identifying and validating new molecular targets, screening methods including in silico screening, and other molecular genetic approaches to anticancer drug discovery and development research. This issue will cover articles in genomics, molecular genetics (including pharmacogenetics). Papers may address de novo small molecules discovery and repositioning of approved drugs.

Primary research and review articles covering the latest molecular targets and pathways for anticancer drug discovery are encouraged. The articles must focus of the molecular genetic techniques and technologies employed in drug discovery and development research. Articles that also address matters of precision medicine will be highly appreciated.