Onco, Volume 6, Issue 2 (June 2026) – 5 articles

Background/Objectives: Brain tumors, particularly gliomas, have high mortality and are limited in treatment options, often complicated by severe conditions, which can be fatal. Given the increasing incidence and adverse effects of current drugs, an in silico drug repurposing approach using hub gene clusters to streamline and accelerate the search for new therapies. Methods: The GSE66354, GSE68848, GSE74195, and GSE43290 datasets were used to identify DEGs using GEO2R. A gene co-expression network was constructed using the STRING PPI database. Preserved clusters revealed hub genes, which were used for GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Drug repurposing screening was performed through drug–gene interactions in DGIdb. Suggestive drugs were then validated through GSEA-CMAP and BOILED-Egg. Results: The study identified three key gene clusters that serve a role in synaptic transmission and transmembrane transport, synaptic vesicle neurotransmission, and extracellular matrix formation. Five drugs passed the drug screening, which are Gabapentin, Pyrantel, Resveratrol, Trifluoperazine, and Valproic acid. Conclusions: Valproic acid and Gabapentin are highly suggestive as candidate repurposed drugs. This study enhances our understanding of brain tumor genetics and supports the development of new immunotherapeutic strategies. Full article

In cancer biology, the microbiome has emerged as a revolutionary field, revealing host–microbe interactions that drive cancer initiation, development, metastasis, and therapeutic response. The microbiome plays a mechanistic role in carcinogenesis by directly regulating host cell proliferation, apoptosis, and genomic stability, and indirectly through immune regulation and chronic inflammation. Depending on the microbial genetic makeup and host environment, microbial genotoxins, metabolites, and signaling molecules can either induce tumor growth or exert beneficial anticancer effects. Infectious agents are estimated to trigger a significant proportion of cancers globally, although the mechanistic pathways of the broader microbiome remain less well quantified. Likewise, it has been shown that microbiomes modulate the toxicity and efficacy of cancer treatments—specifically immunotherapy and chemotherapy—by mediating anti-tumor reactions and altering drug metabolism. Microbiome-based diagnostics, predictive markers, and therapeutic strategies like dietary modifications, probiotics, synthetic microbes, and fecal microbiota transplantation have collectively benefited from these breakthroughs. Despite rapid progress, integrating microbiome research into oncology is hindered by patient variability, methodological hurdles, and the difficulty of identifying definitive causal links. Large-scale clinical trials are essential for verifying the functional impact of microbiome-targeted treatments. The current review evaluates the mechanistic influence of microbiomes on cancer diagnosis and therapeutics. Full article

Oral cancer remains a major global health problem with high morbidity and mortality rates, and despite advances in therapeutic approaches, challenges persist in early diagnosis and effective disease management. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and play fundamental roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis, as well as in the initiation and progression of multiple malignancies, including oral cancer. Dysregulation of miRNAs contributes to oral carcinogenesis by modulating key cellular processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Altered miRNA expression profiles have been consistently identified in oral cancer tissues and body fluids, including saliva and blood, supporting their potential utility as reliable biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, and disease monitoring. Circulating miRNAs, in particular, represent a promising non-invasive diagnostic tool for assessing disease progression and therapeutic response. Moreover, miRNAs are actively involved in regulating sensitivity and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with specific miRNAs either enhancing treatment efficacy or promoting therapeutic resistance. This review aims to highlight the critical role of miRNAs in oral cancer pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, exploring their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve early detection, patient outcomes, and personalized treatment strategies. Full article

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is a prevalent malignancy marked by molecular heterogeneity, which contributes to resistance to standard therapies and poor clinical prognosis. Advances in genomic and transcriptomic profiling have identified key drivers such as alterations in AR, TP53, PTEN, and RB1, which also enable cancer cells to circumvent therapies. Despite such advances, the underlying mechanisms involved in mCRPC drug resistance are complex, creating an urgent need for novel therapies to improve clinical outcomes. To address this clinical problem, strategies focused on targeting underlying molecular and metabolic supportive pathways using nano-delivery systems of diverse drugs could be promising in both CRPC and mCRPC therapy. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the genomic and microenvironmental landscape of mCRPC and explores emerging classification frameworks aimed at improving patient outcomes. We highlight the potential of integrative multi-omics approaches to inform precision oncology and guide the development of more effective, personalized treatments for prostate cancer therapy. Full article

Background/Objectives: In Puerto Rico (PR), lung cancer mortality remains high because diagnoses frequently occur at advanced stages. Although low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lowers lung cancer–specific mortality, this screening is difficult to operationalize locally due to high false-positive rates, radiology capacity constraints, payer limitations, and geographic barriers affecting rural populations. Methods: We performed a narrative review on the literature from 2001–2026 of established and emerging detection strategies—LDCT; serum biomarkers (CEA, CYFRA-21-1, NSE, ProGRP, SCC-Ag, HE4, Hp, TAAb); breath analysis (FeNO and VOCs); and liquid biopsy (ctDNAs/CTCs/miRNAs). We assessed technical performance, feasibility, and health-system fit in PR and then synthesized these findings into an implementable biomarker-first triage workflow for are. Results: Multiplex serum panels analyzed with machine learning outperform single markers and TAAb provide high specificity with biological lead time, supporting their use as a triage gateway before LDCT. Breathomics is also feasible at the point of care. Liquid biopsy has modest sensitivity in very-early disease yet provides molecular adjudication for indeterminate nodules. A stepwise pathway—expanded risk assessment, integrated multi-panel testing in primary care, LDCT reserved for biomarker-positive individuals, and liquid biopsy when imaging is inconclusive—can enrich pre-test probability, reduce unnecessary scans, align with capitation, and protect limited radiology capacity. Conclusions: An integrated, non-invasive, biomarker-first triage model offers a pragmatic, equitable route to earlier lung cancer detection in PR and resource stewardship, while reducing disparities. Full article