Mechanisms and Application of Natural Products in Lung Cancer and Its Metastasis

Lung cancer remains one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide, with distant metastasis representing the major obstacle to effective treatment and long-term survival. Despite progress in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, metastatic lung cancer continues to pose immense therapeutic challenges due to high recurrence rates, inevitable drug resistance, and systemic toxicities. Over recent years, accumulating studies have highlighted the potential of natural products—bioactive compounds derived from plants, fungi, and marine organisms—in mitigating tumor progression through multi-target regulation. These compounds exhibit favorable safety profiles and diverse pharmacological effects, functioning through modulation of pivotal oncogenic pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MAPK/ERK, NF-κB, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the clinical application of natural products remains constrained by poor bioavailability, instability, and limited evidence from translational research. Addressing these gaps is critical for harnessing the full therapeutic potential of natural compounds in lung cancer metastasis.This Research Topic aims to systematically elucidate the molecular mechanisms through which natural products suppress lung cancer metastasis and to explore their clinical relevance and translational feasibility. Specifically, it seeks to identify novel molecular targets modulated by bioactive natural compounds, characterize the signaling cascades involved in metastatic inhibition, and develop effective therapeutic formulations with improved pharmacokinetics and bioavailability. Furthermore, the Topic strives to integrate fundamental discoveries in molecular and cellular biology with preclinical and clinical advancements in drug delivery, emphasizing multidisciplinary collaboration between natural product chemistry, pharmacology, and oncology.To gather further insights into mechanisms and applications of natural products in lung cancer and its metastasis, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Inhibition of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and related migratory processes.o Regulation of exosome-mediated pre-metastatic niche formation.o Tumor microenvironment remodeling and immune modulation.o Targeting cancer stem cells and pathways underlying therapeutic resistance.o Development of natural product-based nanocarriers and bioengineered delivery systems.o Structural modification and derivatization strategies to enhance bioactivity and bioavailability.o Clinical and preclinical studies investigating natural compounds as co-therapeutics or adjuvants. Topic editors: Yicun Wang, Meng Wang, Xiaoding Hu Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83408/mechanisms-and-application-of-natural-products-in-lung-cancer-and-its-metastasis