Small-Molecule Targeting of Oncogenic Signalling Pathways in Cancer

Cancer progression is driven by dysregulated molecular signalling networks that control cell proliferation, survival, metabolism, and immune responses. Key pathways such as STAT3 and mTOR play central roles in tumour development and resistance to therapy, making them attractive targets for anticancer drug discovery.Recent advances in medicinal chemistry, natural product research, and computational modelling have accelerated the identification of novel bioactive compounds with anticancer potential. Synthetic heterocyclic molecules, transition metal complexes, and plant-derived compounds are increasingly investigated for their ability to modulate oncogenic pathways. Combined with in silico techniques such as molecular docking and structure–activity analysis, these approaches are enabling more efficient discovery and optimization of targeted anticancer agents.This Research Topic aims to highlight recent advances in the discovery and mechanistic study of small-molecule compounds that target oncogenic signaling pathways. By integrating medicinal chemistry, computational approaches, and molecular biology, the collection seeks to showcase innovative strategies for developing targeted anticancer therapies.We welcome original research, reviews, and mini-reviews focused on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of anticancer compounds. Topics of interest include:- Design, synthesis and evaluation of novel anticancer small molecules- Targeting STAT3, mTOR, EGFR and related oncogenic pathways- Natural products and plant-derived compounds with anticancer activity- Transition metal complexes and heterocyclic derivatives in cancer therapy- Molecular docking, in silico screening, and computational drug design- Mechanistic studies involving apoptosis, oxidative stress, and cell-cycle regulation- Integration of computational modeling and experimental validationPlease note: manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics, computational analysis, or predictions of public databases which are not accompanied by validation (independent clinical or patient cohort, or biological validation in vitro or in vivo, which are not based on public databases) are not suitable for publication in this Research Topic. Topic editors: AJIT PRAKASH, Dr Rajesh Kumar Singh, Yogendra Padwad Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81810/small-molecule-targeting-of-oncogenic-signalling-pathways-in-cancer