Topic: Cancer Epigenomics and Molecular Biomarkers: From Biological Mechanisms to Precision Medicine Applications

Cancer-associated molecular alterations can provide valuable information for understanding disease heterogeneity and identifying clinically useful biomarkers. Among these alterations, changes in DNA methylation, microRNA expression, and other epigenetically associated molecular features have attracted increasing attention because they can be detected in tumor tissues as well as minimally invasive biological samples. Their potential stability and disease specificity make them promising candidates for improving cancer detection, molecular characterization, and patient assessment.

An important challenge is to translate candidate molecular signatures into reliable biomarkers with demonstrated diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive value. Advances in molecular detection technologies and biomarker validation strategies are facilitating the evaluation of epigenetic signatures across different cancer types and patient populations. Particular interest lies in tissue- and blood-based biomarkers, including DNA methylation and circulating microRNAs, as well as their potential applications in early cancer detection, disease classification, prognosis, and monitoring.

This Special Issue, entitled “Cancer Epigenomics and Molecular Biomarkers: From Biological Mechanisms to Precision Medicine Applications,” focuses on cancer-associated molecular signatures and their development toward practical biomarker applications. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives addressing epigenetic and molecular biomarkers in cancer, with particular emphasis on biomarker discovery, analytical validation, clinical relevance, and translational potential.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

● DNA Methylation Biomarkers in Cancer
Studies investigating tumor- and tissue-specific DNA methylation patterns and their potential diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive value.

● MicroRNA and Non-coding RNA Biomarkers
Research evaluating microRNAs and other non-coding RNA signatures as molecular markers of cancer development, progression, or clinical outcome.

● Circulating Molecular Biomarkers
Studies of circulating DNA, RNA, and other tumor-associated molecular signals for minimally invasive cancer detection and monitoring.

● Biomarker Discovery and Analytical Validation
Research addressing the identification, reproducibility, sensitivity, specificity, and validation of candidate cancer biomarkers.

● Molecular Biomarkers for Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis
Studies evaluating molecular signatures for cancer detection, molecular classification, risk assessment, prognosis, and disease monitoring.

● Translational Application of Cancer Biomarkers
Research exploring the integration of validated molecular biomarkers into cancer assessment and individualized patient management.

Through this Special Issue, we aim to bring together researchers in cancer biology, molecular oncology, biomarker research, and translational medicine to advance the development of reliable molecular biomarkers and their application in cancer precision medicine.