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Call for papers - Sphingolipids and ceramides in cancer signaling and therapy

Guest Editors

Navneet Goyal, PhD, Xavier University of Louisiana, USA
Johnson Ung, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, USA

Submission Status: Open   |   Submission Deadline: 10 July 2026


BMC Cancer is calling for submissions to our Collection on Sphingolipids and ceramides in cancer signaling and therapy. We invite contributions that explore sphingolipids and ceramides involvement in tumorigenesis, signaling pathways, therapeutic targeting, and advancements in lipidomics methodologies. This Collection aims to foster a deeper understanding of how these bioactive lipids can influence cancer progression and inform novel therapeutic strategies.

Meet the Guest Editors

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Navneet Goyal, PhD, Xavier University of Louisiana, USA

Dr Navneet Goyal is an accomplished medicinal chemist with extensive experience in the design and synthesis of small molecules for diverse therapeutic targets, including coagulation enzymes (Factor Xa, IIa, XIIa), cytochrome P450 2A6, and ceramide pathways. After completing his Master’s degree in India, he worked at Aurigene Discovery Technology on the discovery of novel small molecules for the treatment of cancer, COPD, and diabetes. During graduate studies at the University of New Orleans, he focused on designing natural product analogs for selective inhibition of blood coagulation enzymes. As a postdoctoral researcher at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, he developed innovative ligands and catalysts for the economical synthesis of biologically active molecules such as Dabigatran. Dr Goyal has published several peer-reviewed manuscripts in prestigious journals and has mentored over 35 undergraduate students in medicinal chemistry research at Xavier University of Louisiana. His demonstrated expertise, productivity, and commitment to mentorship continue to drive impactful research in small molecule therapeutics.

Johnson Ung, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, USA

Dr Johnson Ung is a K00 Research Fellow at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School in Boston with research interests in therapeutic development, drug resistance, and translational research. He obtained his PhD from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where he developed inhibitors of acid ceramidase and evaluated ceramide metabolism as a target to overcome resistance to the BCL-2 inhibitor/BH3 mimetic venetoclax in acute myeloid leukemia. At Dana-Farber, Dr Ung is leveraging dynamic BH3 profiling, a functional assay that measures apoptotic priming, to identify novel therapeutic vulnerabilities in hematologic malignancies. In addition to research, Dr Ung is dedicated to promoting cancer training and outreach and serves as a member of the Associate Member Council, a constituency group of the American Association for Cancer Research.

About the Collection

Sphingolipids and ceramides are critical players in cancer biology, influencing key cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. These bioactive lipids not only function as structural components of cell membranes but also serve as signaling molecules that modulate various pathways implicated in cancer progression. Recent studies have demonstrated that alterations in sphingolipid metabolism can contribute to tumorigenesis and drug resistance, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of their roles in cancer signaling.

The significance of research in this area is underscored by advances in lipidomics and molecular techniques that allow for the detailed analysis of sphingolipid species in cancer tissues. Discoveries surrounding the dysregulation of sphingolipid metabolism in specific cancer types have led to novel therapeutic approaches, including the use of sphingolipid analogs, inhibitors of sphingolipid metabolism, and nanoliposome-encapsulated ceramide. This research not only holds promise for enhancing current treatment modalities but also for developing more effective combination therapies that can overcome resistance mechanisms. Understanding the intricate role of sphingolipids and ceramides in cancer signaling can pave the way for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that could significantly impact patient outcomes.

With this in mind, BMC Cancer is opening this Collection on “Sphingolipids and ceramides in cancer signaling and therapy.” Topics of interest include:

  • Sphingolipid metabolism in tumorigenesis
  • Ceramide signaling pathways in cancer
  • Targeting sphingolipids for therapeutic interventions
  • Sphingolipids as prognostic biomarkers
  • Lipidomics approaches in cancer research
  • Sphingolipids and drug resistance mechanisms


All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

Image credit: © nopparit/ E+/ Gettyimages

There are currently no articles in this collection.

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection, please select "Sphingolipids and ceramides in cancer signaling and therapy" from the dropdown menu.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.