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Brain Sciences
Special Issues
Brain Tumors: From Molecular Basis to Therapy
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Brain Tumors: From Molecular Basis to Therapy

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neuro-oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 2665

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Paolo Tini

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Guest Editor
1. Radiation Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci, 16, 53100 Siena, Italy
2. Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Interests: brain tumors; stereotactic radiosurgery; radiobiology; combined treatments; gliomas; brain metastases; molecular markers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Giuseppe Minniti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Anatomical Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
2. IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
Interests: neuro-oncology; radiotherapy in CNS cancers; radiosurgery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The landscape of brain tumor research is rapidly evolving, driven by the urgent need to improve diagnosis, treatment and patient outcomes. Brain tumors, ranging from benign to highly malignant, present significant clinical challenges due to their complex biology and the critical nature of their location. Despite advances in medical research, many aspects of brain tumor pathology, genetics and therapeutic response remain poorly understood. This Special Issue aims to address these gaps by fostering a deeper understanding of the molecular underpinnings of brain tumors and translating these insights into innovative therapeutic strategies. By tackling core problems such as tumor heterogeneity, resistance to conventional therapies and the blood–brain barrier's limiting effects on drug delivery, we strive to pave the way for breakthroughs that can transform patient care. To advance our knowledge and develop effective treatments, this Special Issue will encompass a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Molecular and Genetic Basis of Brain Tumors: Investigations into the genetic mutations, signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms driving tumor initiation and progression.
  • Innovative Diagnostic Techniques: Development and validation of novel biomarkers, imaging technologies and diagnostic tools that enhance the early detection and accurate classification of brain tumors.
  • Therapeutic Advances: Exploration of cutting-edge treatments, including targeted therapies, immunotherapies and personalized medicine approaches tailored to individual tumor profiles.
  • Overcoming Therapeutic Resistance: Studies addressing the mechanisms behind resistance to current treatments and strategies to overcome these barriers.
  • Drug Delivery Systems: Innovations in delivering therapeutic agents across the blood–brain barrier, enhancing the efficacy and safety of brain tumor treatments.
  • Clinical Trials and Translational Research: Reports on clinical trials, case studies and translational research that bridge the gap between laboratory findings and clinical application.

We invite researchers, clinicians and scholars from across the globe to contribute their original research, review articles and case studies to this Special Issue. Your expertise and insights are crucial in advancing our understanding of brain tumors and developing effective therapies. By participating in this Special Issue, you will join a collaborative effort to address some of the most pressing challenges in brain tumor research and treatment.

Dr. Paolo Tini
Dr. Giuseppe Minniti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • brain tumors
  • molecular pathways
  • targeted therapy
  • diagnostic biomarkers
  • predictive biomarkers
  • therapeutic resistance

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1523 KiB  
Article
Prognostic Role of Invasion-Related Extracellular Matrix Molecules in Diffusely Infiltrating Grade 2 and 3 Astrocytomas
by László Szivos, József Virga, Zoltán Mészár, Melinda Rostás, Andrea Bakó, Gábor Zahuczki, Tibor Hortobágyi and Álmos Klekner
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1157; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14111157 - 20 Nov 2024
Viewed by 847
Abstract
Background: Astrocytoma, an IDH-mutant is a common primary brain tumor. Total surgical resection is not feasible due to peritumoral infiltration mediated by extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. Methods: This study aimed at determining the expression pattern of ECM molecules in different prognostic groups of [...] Read more.
Background: Astrocytoma, an IDH-mutant is a common primary brain tumor. Total surgical resection is not feasible due to peritumoral infiltration mediated by extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. Methods: This study aimed at determining the expression pattern of ECM molecules in different prognostic groups of WHO grade 2 and grade 3 patients and identifying the effect of onco-radiotherapy on tumor cell invasion of grade 3 patients. Gene and protein expression of ECM molecules was determined by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: In the different prognostic groups of grade 2 tumors HMMR, IDH-1, MKI-67, PDGF-A and versican, in grade 3 tumors integrin α-3, and in both groups integrin α-3 and IDH-1 mRNA expression was significantly different. Regarding protein expression, only integrin αV expression changed significantly in the prognostic groups of grade 2 tumors. Conclusions: Based on the invasion spectrum determined by this joint gene and protein expression analysis, there was a sensitivity of 87.5% and a negative predictive value of 88.9% regarding the different prognostic groups of grade 2 astrocytoma. For grade 3 tumors, the applied standard oncotherapeutic modalities apparently lacked significant anti-invasive effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Tumors: From Molecular Basis to Therapy)
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12 pages, 1009 KiB  
Article
The Systemic Inflammation Response Index Efficiently Discriminates between the Failure Patterns of Patients with Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Wild-Type Glioblastoma Following Radiochemotherapy with FLAIR-Based Gross Tumor Volume Delineation
by Sukran Senyurek, Murat Serhat Aygun, Nulifer Kilic Durankus, Eyub Yasar Akdemir, Duygu Sezen, Erkan Topkan, Yasemin Bolukbasi and Ugur Selek
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(9), 922; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14090922 - 15 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1152
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the connection between the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) values and failure patterns of patients with IDH wild-type glioblastoma (GB) who underwent radiotherapy (RT) with FLAIR-based gross tumor volume (GTV) delineation. Methods: Seventy-one patients [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the connection between the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) values and failure patterns of patients with IDH wild-type glioblastoma (GB) who underwent radiotherapy (RT) with FLAIR-based gross tumor volume (GTV) delineation. Methods: Seventy-one patients who received RT at a dose of 60 Gy to the GTV and 50 Gy to the clinical target volume (CTV) and had documented recurrence were retrospectively analyzed. Each patient’s maximum distance of recurrence (MDR) from the GTV was documented in whichever plane it extended the farthest. The failure patterns were described as intra-GTV, in-CTV/out-GTV, distant, and intra-GTV and distant. For analytical purposes, the failure pattern was categorized into two groups, namely Group 1, intra-GTV or in-CTV/out-GTV, and Group 2, distant or intra-GTV and distant. The SIRI was calculated before surgery and corticosteroid administration. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the optimal SIRI cut-off that distinguishes between the different failure patterns. Results: Failure occurred as follows: intra-GTV in 40 (56.3%), in-CTV/out-GTV in 4 (5.6%), distant in 18 (25.4%), and intra-GTV + distant in 9 (12.7%) patients. The mean MDR was 13.5 mm, and recurrent lesions extended beyond 15 mm in only seven patients. Patients with an SIRI score ≥ 3 demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of Group 1 failure patterns than their counterparts with an SIRI score < 3 (74.3% vs. 50.0%; p = 0.035). Conclusions: The present results show that using the SIRI with a cut-off value of ≥3 significantly predicts failure patterns. Additionally, the margin for the GTV can be safely reduced to 15 mm when using FLAIR-based target delineation in patients with GB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Tumors: From Molecular Basis to Therapy)
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Review

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14 pages, 380 KiB  
Review
Natural Source of Drugs Targeting Central Nervous System Tumors—Focus on NAD(P)H Oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) Activity
by Nikola M. Stojanovic, Milica Mitić, Jovan Ilić, Milica Radić, Miša Radisavljević, Marko Baralić and Miljan Krstić
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(2), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15020132 - 29 Jan 2025
Viewed by 338
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) tumors involve a large and diverse group of malignancies that arise from various cell types within the brain tissue. Although there are advances in treatments, CNS tumors still remain challenging, due to their complex biology and the delicate nature [...] Read more.
Central nervous system (CNS) tumors involve a large and diverse group of malignancies that arise from various cell types within the brain tissue. Although there are advances in treatments, CNS tumors still remain challenging, due to their complex biology and the delicate nature of the surrounding tissue. NAD(P)H O=oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is an enzyme that plays a critical role in the detoxification of quinones, protecting cells from oxidative stress. In CNS tumors this enzyme is often overexpressed, which contributes to the resistance of tumor cells to chemotherapy by enhancing their antioxidant defenses. NQO1 influences the progression of CNS tumors by affecting downstream signaling pathways, such as those involving the transcription factor SNAIL, as well as others that are associated with tumor behavior. Plants represent a valuable source of numerous constituents with different chemical structures known to affect different molecular signaling pathways associated with different pathologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Brain Tumors: From Molecular Basis to Therapy)
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