Natural Products: Recent Therapeutic Advances in Oncology Research

Despite significant progress made towards discovery of potent chemotherapeutic agents, cancer remains an aggressive and devastating disease, being the second-leading cause of mortalities worldwide. Currently, therapeutic protocols employed to treat cancers primarily rely on three traditional strategies including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The intrinsic non-target toxicity to normal cells of the repertoire of chemotherapeutic anticancer drugs utilized in clinical settings is considered a limitation. Alternatively, natural products (NPs) have been shown to be effective as anticancer drugs with a wider safety margin and minimal side effects. The primary focus of this special issue is therefore to invite submissions of original articles and reviews tackling the discovery of NPs isolated from various terrestrial and marine sources with potential anticancer activities and the elucidation of their mechanism-of-action. Studies employing in vitro cancer cell lines and in vivo non-human primate models are welcome provided that they are appropriately-designed to include non-cancerous and positive controls. Research on natural extracts/fractions must incorporate full chemical characterization of their constituents. Articles dealing with the cytotoxicity of green-synthesized nanoparticles such as metal, metal oxide and polymeric nanocomposites are also welcome contingent on including mechanistic insights. Work on naturally-derived synthetic analogues or congeners with enhanced efficacy is also considered.

01/02/2025