Connexins and Pannexins in Cancer Diseases and Therapy

We invite you to contribute an original research paper or a review to a Special Issue of Cancers on “Connexins and Pannexins in Cancers Diseases and Therapy”. In the last few years, we have deciphered many aspects of connexins, such as gap junction channels between adjacent cells in tissues that allow for the exchange of ions, second messengers, small peptides, oligonucleotides, and even microRNAs. We have learnt that, by allowing for the formation of synchronized functional units from individual cells, gap-junction-dependent cell-to-cell communication is essential to tissue development and homeostasis. We now understand that connexin hemichannels (also known as connexons) and hemichannels (pannexons) formed by pannexins mediate the communication between cells and the extracellular microenvironment. Like connexons, pannexons are necessary for tissue physiology under stressful conditions, but can be problematic under extreme pathophysiological conditions, such as inflammation or hypoxia. Furthermore, we have gained new insight into the non-channel functions of connexins and pannexins. Connexins and pannexins may function as signal platforms that regulate the physiology of mitochondria and the signaling of extracellular vesicles. From these functions, we have learnt that connexins and pannexins are involved in cancer development and metastasis. However, their role is intriguing since some isoforms promote specific cancers while other isoforms are detrimental to other tumor types. Additionally, the same connexin/pannexin may play multiple roles in primary and metastasized tumors. Therefore, connexins and pannexin could offer new treatment targets in cancers.

This Special Issue aims to highlight state-of-the-art research and present new perspectives on this research topic.

We welcome original research articles and reviews that provide insight into the role of connexins and pannexins in the development and treatment of cancer.

Prof. Dr. Anaclet Ngezahayo
Prof. Dr. Jean Jiang
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. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2900 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.

• connexin
• gap junction
• hemichannel
• pannexin
• primary cancer progression
• cancer metastasis
• cancer microenvironment
• drug target
• therapeutics