Germ Cells and Genitourinary Cancers 2.0
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2022) | Viewed by 5978
Special Issue Editors
Interests: testicular germ cell tumors (tgcts); hormones
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: spermatogenesis; reproduction; hormones; testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs); seminoma; estrogens; HHGA1/2; PATZ1
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: andrology; reproductive endocrinology; male infertility; assisted reproduction; sexual medicine; sperm function; sexual infectious diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The development of gonads (testis and ovary) is tightly regulated by the sequential expression of many genes and hormonal activity. Disturbance of this regulation by intrinsic (i.e., spontaneous genetic or epigenetic changes) or extrinsic factors (i.e., exposure to toxicants in utero) might not only prevent proper development of the gonads but also contribute to the development of germ cell tumors (GCTs). GCTs are a histologically diverse group of neoplasms with a common origin in the stem cells of the early embryo and germ line. They include ovarian and testicular germ cell tumors that occur in the gonads and tumors that occur at extragonadal sites, along the route where primordial germ cells migrate during embryogenesis. Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer in women and the most lethal disease among gynecological malignances, with a five-year survival rate below 45%. Testicular tumors are the most frequent solid tumors in adolescent and young adult males with a lifetime risk of about 0.5–1% that has increased in some western countries up to threefold. Contrary to most ovarian cancers, they are highly curable (over 80% of the cases) even at metastatic stage. However, for approximately 20% of patients in whom current salvage high-dose chemotherapy ultimately fails, new targeted approaches are not currently available. A better understanding of germ cell development, tumor pathogenesis and progression-related events warrant further investigation, as they will likely provide the foundations for the development of new tailored therapies for patients resistant to standard treatments.
Given the developmentally related origin of germ cell tumors, the aim of this Special Issue is to gather studies describing the development of germ cells in all their aspects, with particular interest in those describing the molecular mechanisms beyond germ cell alteration in utero and at postnatal age, which might impact cancerous development and progression. Moreover, studies about new molecular approaches for characterizing properties and alternative strategies for the treatment of GCTs and more broadly genitourinary cancers are of particular interest. Furthermore, considering the impact of chemotherapy on the fertility of GCT cancer patients, investigators describing new strategies for fertility preservation in chemotherapy-treated patients are also encouraged to submit their work.
The articles that will be considered for publication are:
- Original studies;
- Reviews;
- Technical advancements for tumor characterization and/or diagnosis.
Dr. Marco Barchi
Prof. Dr. Paolo Chieffi
Prof. Dr. Andrea Garolla
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- meiosis
- germ cell development
- germ cell cancer
- fertility preservation
- testis
- ovary
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