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We had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Tomomi Sanomachi, the first author of the Editor’s Choice Article in Cancers (ISSN: 2072-6694). Here, she shares insights into her paper, research and the field of oncology.

“Next-Generation CAR-T and TCR-T Cell Therapies for Solid Tumors: Innovations, Challenges, and Global Development Trends”
by Tomomi Sanomachi, Yuki Katsuya, Tetsuya Nakatsura and Takafumi Koyama
Cancers 2025, 17(12), 1945; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17121945
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/17/12/1945

The following is an interview with Dr. Tomomi Sanomachi:

1. Could you tell us about yourself and your current research?
I am currently conducting research in Dr. Carl H. June’s laboratory, a world-leading center for cellular immunotherapy, developing next-generation CAR-T therapies based on synthetic immunology. My focus is on refractory solid tumors, especially gastrointestinal cancers. CAR-T therapies for solid tumors face challenges from the TME, antigen heterogeneity, and toxicity to normal tissues. For example, MSLN-targeted CAR-T therapies have shown efficacy but are associated with severe pulmonary toxicity, underscoring the need for improved safety.
To address this, we developed CAR422 targeting the membrane-proximal “stump” region of MSLN, combined with an AND-gate SNIPR system using CLDN18.2 as a sensor. In this system, CAR expression is induced only upon CLDN18.2 detection, enhancing tumor specificity while minimizing off-tumor toxicity. Initial in vitro analyses confirmed antigen-dependent cytotoxicity with minimal background activation (leakiness). We are now advancing functional evaluation and in vivo validation. The ultimate goal is to establish proof-of-concept at the preclinical stage and bridge these findings to clinical application, with the long-term aim of initiating Phase I trials for refractory solid tumors. This research has been presented at the 2026 TRCCC Annual Meeting and SITC Spring Scientific 2026 and supported by the Muriel Joan Drew Hege Gift Fund and the 2025 JSMO/KFCR Young Investigator Research Grant.

2. What motivated your interest in this field?
As a medical oncologist caring for patients with gastrointestinal and other refractory solid tumors, I frequently encountered patients who could not be saved by existing pharmacotherapies. These clinical experiences highlighted the critical importance of translational research that addresses unmet medical needs, connecting bedside observations to mechanistic studies in the laboratory. During my initial training, I developed the ability to extract essential clinical questions through organ-transcending cancer care, while verifying the antitumor effects of multiple approved drugs using experimental cell-based models. This work laid the foundation for connecting clinical challenges to basic research.
At the National Cancer Center Japan, I further engaged in clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapies for refractory solid tumors, refining my clinical research skills. However, I also recognized a gap: the systematic experience required to translate basic research findings into clinical application, “bench-to-bedside”, was limited. While cancer pharmacotherapy has advanced significantly, many solid tumors still fail to reach curative outcomes despite tumor shrinkage, highlighting the limitations of existing modalities. Addressing this gap requires the creation of new therapeutic modalities and translational research frameworks that can reliably bring them to the clinic. Motivated by this, I joined Dr. Carl H. June’s laboratory to develop next-generation CAR-T therapies for refractory solid tumors. This environment allows me to gain hands-on experience in the end-to-end process from basic discovery to clinical application and back to bench, addressing a key challenge in my career. My ultimate goal is to establish a “bidirectional translational research” paradigm, where clinical insights guide the creation of new therapeutic concepts, which are then validated preclinically and translated back to clinical application for patients with refractory solid tumors.

3. What are the most notable current trends in your field?
The development of CAR-T therapies for solid tumors has progressed rapidly in recent years. Notably, in refractory gastrointestinal cancers, promising clinical results have emerged, such as the CT041 trial targeting CLDN18.2. These achievements represent important milestones demonstrating the potential of cellular therapies in solid tumors, previously considered an unmet challenge.
However, most current clinical trials leave safety concerns, including on-target off-tumor toxicity, unresolved. To address these limitations, cutting-edge research is focused on next-generation CAR-T cells incorporating logic-gated designs, such as AND-gates. I am currently developing platforms like the SNIPR which allow precise antigen-dependent activation, enhancing tumor specificity while minimizing toxicity to normal tissues.
In addition, overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical to maximizing efficacy. Components such as tumor-associated macrophages, fibroblasts, and immunosuppressive cytokines limit CAR-T cell infiltration, persistence, and function. Recent strategies aim to reprogram the TME by engineering cytokine-secreting CAR-T cells or incorporate TME-responsive switches to boost the anti-tumor immune responses. Collectively, these developments represent a shift from conventional antigen-targeted therapy toward highly engineered, programmable cellular immunotherapies. The future of solid tumor CAR-T therapy will depend on integrated engineering strategies that achieve high efficacy while maintaining safety

4. Could you briefly describe the main focus of your published paper?
In this review, we comprehensively summarized the current clinical development and challenges of CAR-T and TCR-T therapies for solid tumors and proposed strategies for future advancement. Solid tumor cellular therapies face complex barriers—immunosuppressive TME, heterogeneous antigen expression, and manufacturing constraints—which limit their clinical application compared to hematologic malignancies. We systematically outlined multifaceted strategies to overcome these challenges, including armored CAR-T cells, dual-antigen targeting, combination with checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and oncolytic viruses.
We also highlighted emerging technologies such as in vivo engineering, iPSC-derived allogeneic CAR-T cells, and mRNA-based platforms, discussing the potential for safe, scalable “off-the-shelf” cellular therapies. Furthermore, we analyzed patent trends and clinical trial expansion, particularly in the U.S. and China, revealing the rapid growth of innovation and investment in this field. Overall, our study emphasizes that realizing practical cellular therapies for solid tumors requires the integration of deep biological understanding, precise genetic engineering, and strategic clinical development. We anticipate that next-generation cellular therapies with high specificity, persistence, safety, and accessibility will drive breakthroughs in this field.

5. Have you faced major challenges in your research, and if so, how did you overcome them?
Research on CAR-T therapies for solid tumors presents several critical challenges. While CAR-T therapy has achieved remarkable success in hematologic malignancies, solid tumors are restricted by the immunosuppressive TME, antigen heterogeneity, and manufacturing issues. Next-generation therapies like SNIPR CAR-T require integrating multiple modules, including logic circuits, making optimization of each component and overall functional balance highly complex. Controlling multiple variables simultaneously represents a considerable increase in difficulty compared to conventional CAR-T development.
To address these challenges, we adopted a stepwise and strategic approach, verifying each module individually before integration and systematically optimizing their performance. Collaborative team science at June Laboratory, particularly guidance from the SWAT team members, played a critical role. As a result, we successfully constructed functional SNIPR CAR-T cells in vitro and are advancing toward in vivo evaluation. Additionally, integrating intellectual property strategy with basic research has helped pave the path toward clinical implementation. These experiences reinforced that complex cellular therapy development requires not only technical optimization but also cross-disciplinary collaboration and strategic thinking. We continue to build on this foundation to advance next-generation cellular therapies for solid tumors.

6. What advice would you give to young researchers aiming to make an impact in oncology?
While cellular therapies for solid tumors show promising results, the field remains in development with many unresolved challenges. I believe there are several key perspectives to succeed. First, a translational approach starting from unmet clinical needs is essential. Defining research questions based on actual patient challenges and exploring solutions in the laboratory ensures clinical relevance. Second, adopting a global perspective and engaging in top-tier research environments enhances research quality and fosters innovative ideas through collaboration with diverse experts. Third, understanding intellectual property (IP) and regulatory science is critical. Outstanding science alone is insufficient; translating discoveries into clinical application requires strategic development and regulatory awareness. Integrating these perspectives from the outset significantly impacts the speed and success of translational research. I encourage young researchers to combine scientific rigor with a broad perspective, envisioning how their work can be implemented clinically and deliver tangible value to patients

Dr. Hernando Lopez-Bertoni is an Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where his research focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive brain tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. His lab studies how epigenetic regulation, microRNAs, and tumor–microenvironment interactions shape glioblastoma cell states, with the goal of identifying new, translational therapeutic strategies.

The following is an interview with Dr. Hernando Lopez-Bertoni:

1. What initially inspired your research interest in this field?
My interest in this field was driven by the clinical challenges associated with brain tumors and the limited therapeutic options available to patients. The complexity of these diseases and the need to better understand the mechanisms underlying resistance continue to motivate my work.

2. What current developments in your area of expertise are most exciting to you?
One of the most exciting developments is the growing recognition of tumor plasticity and heterogeneity as central drivers of therapeutic resistance. Advances in single-cell and spatial profiling technologies are allowing us to dissect these dynamics with unprecedented resolution. This is shifting the field from targeting static pathways to understanding adaptive cell states and their interaction with the microenvironment, which opens the door to more effective, combinatorial treatment strategies.

3. Could you tell us a little bit more about yourself and your current research?
Our work focuses on how glioblastoma cells acquire and maintain stem-like and therapy-resistant phenotypes. We are particularly interested in the role of microRNAs, epigenetic regulation, and cellular state transitions in shaping these behaviors. A major goal of the lab is to translate these insights into therapeutic approaches, including RNA-based strategies and nanoparticle delivery systems, that can disrupt tumor propagation and resistance mechanisms.

4. What qualities do you believe are most essential for a young researcher today?
Curiosity and resilience are fundamental, but I would also emphasize adaptability and intellectual honesty. Science rarely follows a linear path, and the ability to learn from failure and refine your thinking is critical. I often tell trainees that failure is not a detour; it is part of the process of discovery.

5. What advice would you give to early career researchers aiming to make an impact in oncology?
Focus on asking meaningful questions rather than just applying the latest techniques. The most impactful work is driven by strong conceptual frameworks. At the same time, be patient with the process—progress in complex diseases like cancer requires persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to navigate uncertainty.

6. What are your views on the scientific publishing landscape and the open access model?
The publishing landscape is evolving toward greater accessibility, and open access plays an important role in democratizing scientific knowledge. At the same time, maintaining rigorous peer-review standards is essential. As the volume of published work increases, the responsibility to ensure quality, clarity, and reproducibility becomes even more important. I believe peer review should not function as a gatekeeping exercise, but as a form of stewardship guiding work toward clarity, rigor, and impact.

Dr. Ilias Georgakopoulos-Soares is an Assistant Professor working at the intersection of cancer genomics, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence. His research focuses on understanding how mutations shape cancer development, with a particular emphasis on uncovering previously overlooked mechanisms in the cancer genome and on developing technologies for early cancer detection. His academic background is interdisciplinary: he earned a degree in biology from Imperial College London and a degree in mechanical engineering from the National Technical University of Athens. He completed his PhD in bioinformatics at the University of Cambridge, where he studied the structural determinants of mutability in cancer genomes, and subsequently conducted postdoctoral research at UCSF, focusing on cancer biomarkers. He now leads a research group developing computational approaches to improve cancer diagnosis, patient stratification, and therapeutic decision-making.

The following is an interview with Dr. Ilias Georgakopoulos-Soares:

1. What initially inspired your research interest in this field?
My interest in cancer genomics emerged from a fascination with how complex biological systems can be understood through quantitative and computational approaches. During my PhD, I became particularly interested in the patterns governing mutations across the genome and how these patterns could reveal fundamental principles of cancer biology. 

2. What current developments in your area of expertise are most exciting to you?
One of the most exciting developments is the shift toward a more nuanced understanding of cancer mutations beyond the traditional driver-passenger dichotomy. In our recent work, we argue that passenger mutations, long considered neutral, can have cumulative and context-dependent effects that influence cancer progression and treatment response. We are also excited by the potential of neomers, novel sequences generated by cancer-specific mutations, which could expand the repertoire of highly specific biomarkers for cancer detection and patient stratification. Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence with large-scale genomic and functional datasets is opening unprecedented opportunities. The ability to build explainable AI models that can predict patient outcomes based on mutational profiles represents a major step toward truly personalized oncology.

3. How do you feel about receiving this award?
I am deeply honored to receive the Cancers Young Investigator Award. It is especially meaningful because it recognizes not only past contributions but also the potential of emerging research directions. I see this award as encouragement to continue pursuing unconventional ideas, such as rethinking the combined effects of passenger mutations and developing novel biomarkers for early cancer detection, and to push toward translating these insights into clinical applications.

4. What qualities do you believe are most essential for a young researcher today?
I believe three qualities are particularly important: creativity, resilience, and interdisciplinarity. Scientific challenges require integrating ideas from biology, computer science, and engineering. Equally important is the willingness to question established assumptions and to persist through uncertainty, as impactful discoveries often lie beyond well-explored paths.

5. Have you encountered significant challenges in your research, and if so, how did you overcome them?
One recurring challenge has been working on ideas that challenge prevailing paradigms. These ideas can initially face skepticism, both conceptually and in terms of funding or publication. We have addressed this by collecting evidence and ensuring that hypotheses are supported by multiple lines of evidence. Building interdisciplinary collaborations has also been critical in overcoming technical and conceptual barriers.

6. What advice would you give to early-career researchers aiming to make an impact in oncology?
I would encourage early-career researchers to focus on questions that are both fundamental and translational. Oncology is a field where deep biological insights can directly influence patient care. It is important to develop strong technical skills but also to think critically about how your work fits into the broader clinical landscape. Finally, don’t be afraid to pursue bold ideas, especially those that challenge established frameworks, as these often lead to the most impactful advances.

Dr. Ashutosh Vashisht is a Postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Pathology at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University. He holds a PhD in Molecular Biology and biochemistry and is a board-certified Scientist in Molecular Biology techniques by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (MB(ASCP)CM).

Dr. Vashisht’s work focuses on the application of next-generation sequencing and complementary genomic technologies in both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. He has experience with a range of technologies, including NGS-based assays, microarrays, and optical genome mapping. Research interests include the identification and clinical interpretation of cancer biomarkers and advancing the integration of comprehensive genomic data into precision oncology.

The following is an interview with Dr. Ashutosh Vashisht:

1. What initially inspired your research interest in this field?

I was drawn to cancer genomics because of its direct impact on patient care. The ability of NGS to uncover clinically relevant alterations from single-nucleotide variants to structural changes and guide diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy makes it a uniquely powerful tool. This intersection of molecular biology, technology, and clinical application is what initially sparked my interest.

2. What current developments in your area of expertise are most exciting to you?

I am particularly excited by the expanding scope of technologies in oncology. Advances in detecting a wide range of biomarkers, such as mutations, gene fusions, copy number alterations, and emerging signatures, are transforming how we classify and treat cancers. In addition, improvements in bioinformatics and data integration are enabling more comprehensive and rapid interpretation of genomic data in clinical settings.

3. Could you tell us a little bit more about yourself and your current research?

My current research focuses on the analytical and clinical validation of NGS-based assays for cancer profiling. This includes evaluating different classes of genomic alterations and their clinical relevance across tumor types. I am also interested in improving workflows and interpretation frameworks to ensure that genomic findings are accurate, reproducible, and meaningful for clinical decision making.

4. Have you encountered significant challenges in your research, and if so, how did you overcome them?

One of the key challenges is the interpretation of complex genomic data, particularly variants with uncertain clinical significance and discordant findings across platforms. Addressing this requires a combination of robust bioinformatics pipelines, adherence to standardized guidelines, and close collaboration with clinicians and molecular tumor boards. These approaches help ensure that genomic data is interpreted in a clinically meaningful and responsible way.

5. What advice would you give to early-career researchers aiming to make an impact in oncology?

I would advise them to build a strong foundation in both the technical and clinical aspects of oncology. Cancer research today is highly interdisciplinary, so the ability to integrate genomics, bioinformatics, and clinical knowledge is critical. Staying adaptable, collaborating across fields, and focusing on translational impact can help drive meaningful contributions to patient care.

We are absolutely delighted to present the updated Exceptional Reviewers List for 2026—a special recognition program designed to honor those scholars who have consistently delivered outstanding, insightful, and meticulous review reports for Cancers (ISSN: 2072-6694).

At Cancers, we are deeply committed to advancing rigorous scientific research and fostering meaningful knowledge exchange. Our reviewers are the unsung heroes of scholarly publishing, and their contributions are indispensable to maintaining the high quality, integrity, and credibility of every article we publish.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all reviewers who have generously volunteered their time, expertise, and thoughtful attention to evaluate manuscripts, provide constructive feedback, and help shape the final published work. Their dedication to academic rigor and collegial support is truly inspiring and commendable.

The Exceptional Reviewers List was launched in April 2026 as a quarterly initiative. Each quarter, we select a new group of reviewers and feature them here. We invite our readers and the broader research community to join us in celebrating these exceptional individuals.

Q1:
Name: Dr. Lilia Matei
Affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Stefan S. Nicolau Institute of Virology, 030304 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: medicinal chemistry; bioactive compound synthesis; natural products; structure–activity relationships; immune responses to viral infections; antiviral drugs; cancer progression and metastasis; anticancer drugs

Name: Dr. Ashutosh Vashisht
Affiliation: Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
Interests: molecular pathology; translational cancer research
“Peer review is an opportunity to uphold scientific rigor and improve research quality. I greatly value MDPI’s efficient editorial process and transparent policies, which support fair, timely, and constructive reviews.”

Name: Dr. Zoard T. Krasznai
Affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, 4032 Debrecen, Hungary
Interests: clinical oncology; gynecological oncology; gyneco-oncology surgery; HPV

Name: Dr. Petra Valković Zujić
Affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Krešimirova 42, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Interests: breast cancer; contrast-enhanced mammography; magnetic resonance imaging

Name: Dr. Hernando Lopez-Bertoni
Affiliation: ¹ Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Baltimore, MD, USA
² Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
Interests: brain tumors; tumor microenvironment; miRNAs; molecular therapies; cancer stem cells; epigenetics; nanomedicine; cellular transitions; IND-enabling studies; therapy resistance

Q2:
Name: Dr. Sabela Paradela
Affiliation: Dermatology Department, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
Interests: melanoma; prevention; life

Name: Dr. Tomohiro Matsuo
Affiliation: Department of Urology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
Interests: urology; bladder; oncology; overactive bladder; benign prostatic hyperplasia
“Peer review is an important academic responsibility, and I always try to provide constructive comments that help improve the quality and clinical value of manuscripts.”

Name: Dr. Jing Yuan
Affiliation: Research Department, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Happy Valley, Hong Kong SAR, China
Interests: MRI; MR-guided radiotherapy; medical imaging

Name: Dr. Karolina Lisy
Affiliation: Department of Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
Interests: colorectal cancer; systematic review; quality of life; models of care; survivorship

Name: Dr. Mark Hartmann
Affiliation: Section of Translational Cancer Epigenomics, Division of Translational Medical Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
Interests: molecular biology; epigenetics; stem cell biology; hematopoiesis; circulating tumor cells

As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing cancer research and knowledge exchange, MDPI highlights colorectal cancer in the March edition—one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers worldwide. It ranks as the third most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with an estimated 1.9 million new cases and over 900,000 deaths each year.

Of growing concern is the steady rise in incidence among individuals under 50, a trend observed over the past two to three decades. This underscores the urgent need to better understand underlying risk factors, strengthen early detection strategies, and develop innovative diagnostic tools.

Through curated research, Special Issues, and expert-led webinars, MDPI journals continue to support collaboration across researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. Such collective efforts are essential to accelerate discoveries and translate them into meaningful action—advancing toward more effective prevention, earlier detection, and improved patient outcomes.

Keynote Speakers
Prof. Dr. Paola Patrignani, “G. d’Annunzio” University School of Medicine, Italy	Prof. Dr. William Gmeiner, Wake Forest University, USA	Dr. Eva Martínez-Balibrea, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Spain	Dr. Zoltán Wiener, Semmelweis University, Hungary

Register for this webinar for free here!

“Integrative Mechanistic Investigation of the Anticancer Effects of Panax notoginseng in Colorectal Cancer”
by Jaemoo Chun, Sarah Shin and Jeeyoun Jung
Molecules 2026, 31(5), 807; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31050807  

“Integrated Multi-Omics Analysis Identifies Novel Prognostic and Diagnostic Hub Genes in Colorectal Cancer”
by Devi Lal and Himani Pandey
Onco 2025, 5(4), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/onco5040050

“A Multimodal MRI-Based Model for Colorectal Liver Metastasis Prediction: Integrating Radiomics, Deep Learning, and Clinical Features with SHAP Interpretation”
by Xin Yan, Furui Duan, Lu Chen, Runhong Wang, Kexin Li, Qiao Sun and Kuang Fuby Xin Yan, Furui Duan, Lu Chen, Runhong Wang, Kexin Li, Qiao Sun and Kuang Fu
Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32(8), 431; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32080431  

“Exploring Experimental Models of Colorectal Cancer: A Critical Appraisal from 2D Cell Systems to Organoids, Humanized Mouse Avatars, Organ-on-Chip, CRISPR Engineering, and AI-Driven Platforms—Challenges and Opportunities for Translational Precision Oncology”
by Ahad Al-Kabani, Bintul Huda, Jewel Haddad, Maryam Yousuf, Farida Bhurka, Faika Ajaz, Rajashree Patnaik, Shirin Jannati and Yajnavalka Banerjee
Cancers 2025, 17(13), 2163; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17132163

“The Gut Microbiota and Colorectal Cancer: Understanding the Link and Exploring Therapeutic Interventions”
by Imen Zalila-Kolsi, Dhoha Dhieb, Hussam A. Osman and Hadjer Mekideche
Biology 2025, 14(3), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14030251

“A Novel Bacteriophage with the Potential to Inhibit Fusobacterium nucleatum-Induced Proliferation of Colorectal Cancer Cells”
by Ho Yin Pekkle Lam, Meng-Jiun Lai, Pin-Chun Wang, Wen-Jui Wu, Li-Kuang Chen, Hsiang-Wei Fan, Chun-Chieh Tseng, Shih-Yi Peng and Kai-Chih Chang
Antibiotics 2025, 14(1), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14010045

“A New Blood-Based Epigenetic Diagnostic Biomarker Test (EpiSwitch^®® NST) with High Sensitivity and Positive Predictive Value for Colorectal Cancer and Precancerous Polyps”
by Ewan Hunter, Heba Alshaker, Cicely Weston, Mutaz Issa, Shekinah Bautista, Abel Gebregzabhar, Anya Virdi, Ann Dring, Ryan Powell, Jayne Green et al.
Cancers 2025, 17(3), 521; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17030521

“The Role of KRAS Mutations in Colorectal Cancer: Biological Insights, Clinical Implications, and Future Therapeutic Perspectives”
by Mitsunobu Takeda, Shoma Yoshida, Takuya Inoue, Yuki Sekido, Tsuyoshi Hata, Atsushi Hamabe, Takayuki Ogino, Norikatsu Miyoshi, Mamoru Uemura, Hirofumi Yamamoto, Yuichiro Doki and Hidetoshi Eguchi
Cancers 2025, 17(3), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17030428

“Network Pharmacology and Bioinformatics Study of Six Medicinal Food Homologous Plants Against Colorectal Cancer”
by Xinyue Zhao, Jian Xiu, Hengzheng Yang, Weiwei Han and Yue Jin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 930; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26030930

“A Review of Potential Agents for Colon Cancer Interception in FAP Patients: Evidence from Preclinical Studies in APC^Min/+ Mice”
by Karthikkumar Venkatachalam, Krishnendu Goswami, Venkateshwar Madka and Chinthalapally V. Rao
Targets 2025, 3(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/targets3010004

“Colorectal Cancer: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention”
by Gholamreza Roshandel, Fatemeh Ghasemi-Kebria and Reza Malekzadeh
Cancers 2024, 16(8), 1530; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16081530

“Symptom Burden and Time from Symptom Onset to Cancer Diagnosis in Patients with Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis”
by Victoria A. Baronas, Arif A. Arif, Eric Bhang, Gale K. Ladua, Carl J. Brown, Fergal Donnellan, Sharlene Gill, Heather C. Stuart and Jonathan M. Loree
Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(4), 2133-2144; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31040158

“Recent Advances in Surgical Strategies for Managing Metastatic Colorectal Cancer” Guest Editors: Dr. Fabrizio D'Acapito and Dr. Marco Vaira Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2026	“Novel Strategies in the Prevention/Treatment of Colorectal Cancer: 2nd Edition” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. William H. Gmeiner Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026
“Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies of Colorectal Cancer” Guest Editor: Dr. Daniel Gabriel Pons Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2026	“Gut Microbiota and Inflammation in Colorectal Tumor Development and Progression” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Giovanni Monteleone and Dr. Irene Marafini Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026

Cancers (ISSN: 2072-6694) is delighted to announce the establishment of an affiliation with the North-East German Society for Gynecological Oncology (NOGGO e.V.). We are confident that our combined efforts through this partnership will foster new opportunities for knowledge exchange, enhance the visibility of impactful research, and support the advancement of scientific breakthroughs in gynecological oncology. Together, we aim to make meaningful contributions to the field and ultimately improve patient care. We look forward to upcoming joint initiatives, Special Issue projects, and other collaborations as this partnership develops.

About the society:
The North-East German Society for Gynecological Oncology (NOGGO e.V.) is an internationally active association with approximately 900 members working as physicians and medical professionals in the field of gynecological oncology. Founded in Berlin in 1998, the society’s primary goal is to increase recurrence-free and overall survival rates for patients with gynecological cancers, with a strong emphasis on improving patients’ quality of life.

NOGGO’s activities include conducting scientific studies and surveys, as well as providing continuing medical education in gynecological oncology. Operating at both national and international levels, the society promotes interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration through the active involvement of specialists from related fields, such as internal medicine, radiology, and pathology.

We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 Tu Youyou Award. Named after Nobel Laureate Tu Youyou, whose discovery of artemisinin has saved millions of lives, this award recognizes researchers whose work advances the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, while also contributing to human health.

Prize

– CHF 100,000;
– A medal;
– A certificate.

The monetary prize will be shared equally should there be multiple recipients.

Who May Be Nominated?

– Scientists with outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Nominees must be individuals; team or group nominations are not permitted. Nominations are valid only for the current award cycle.

Who May Submit a Nomination?

– The director of the nominee’s host research institution or recognized scientists within the field.

Self-nominations will not be considered.

Nomination Materials

– A biographical sketch;
– A detailed description of the nominee’s contributions;
– 5–10 representative academic publications;
– A list of academic honors, awards, and funded projects;
– A nomination letter signed by two nominators.

How to Submit?

Submit nominations online via the following link: https://tuyouyouprize.org/nomination

Important Dates

– Nomination Deadline: 31 October 2026
– Winner Announcement: March 2027

For further information, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website (https://tuyouyouprize.org/). For any inquiries, please contact the Tu Youyou Award Team at tuyouyouaward@mdpi.com.

We are pleased to announce that four new scholars were appointed as Editorial Board Members (EBMs) of Cancers (ISSN: 2072-6694) in March 2026. We wish our new members success in both their research and their efforts to develop the journal.

Further details about the Editorial Board of Cancers can be found at the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/cancers/editors.

Cancers is recruiting scholars from around the world to join our Editorial Board. To apply for membership, recommend potential candidates, or request further information, please contact the Cancers Editorial Office and provide the following files:

• A full academic CV;
• A short cover letter detailing your interest in the position.

We had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Francesco Pio Bizzarri, the first and corresponding author of the Editor’s Choice Article in Cancers (ISSN: 2072-6694). He shared insights into his motivation, expertise and research focus.

“Prognostic Value of PLR, SIRI, PIV, SII, and NLR in Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: Can Inflammatory Factors Influence Pathogenesis and Outcomes?”

by Francesco Pio Bizzarri, Marco Campetella, Pierluigi Russo, Giuseppe Palermo, Seyed Koosha Moosavi, Francesco Rossi, Lorenzo D’Amico, Antonio Cretì, Filippo Gavi, Enrico Panio et al.
Cancers 2025, 17(13), 2189; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17132189
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/17/13/2189

The following is an interview with Dr. Francesco Pio Bizzarri:

I am a urologist with a clinical and academic interest in uro-oncology, particularly in bladder cancer and risk stratification. My current research focuses on identifying clinically useful prognostic factors that can help bridge the gap between routine practice and precision medicine. I am especially interested in the role of inflammatory biomarkers, perioperative predictors, and integrated models that combine clinical data, pathology, and emerging computational approaches to improve patient selection and follow-up strategies.

In this study, we retrospectively analyzed 285 patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer treated with transurethral resection of the bladder between 2016 and 2022. We evaluated several preoperative systemic inflammatory markers—NLR, PLR, SII, SIRI, and PIV—to determine whether they were associated with recurrence, progression, and adverse pathological features. Our main finding was that higher PLR and SIRI levels were associated with recurrence, while higher SIRI, PIV, and PLR were also linked to lymphovascular invasion and nodal metastasis. These results suggest that inflammation-related blood markers may have value as adjunctive tools for risk stratification in NMIBC, although prospective multicenter validation is still needed before routine clinical implementation.

My interest in this field grew out of daily clinical practice. In non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, one of the greatest challenges is that even after appropriate treatment, recurrence remains frequent and difficult to predict. That clinical uncertainty motivated me to explore whether simple and widely available biomarkers could help us better stratify risk and personalize follow-up and treatment. Inflammation is increasingly recognized as a key component of cancer biology, so studying inflammatory indices in bladder cancer felt like a clinically relevant and translational research question.

Several developments are particularly exciting. One is the growing integration of blood-based biomarkers into clinical decision-making, especially when they are inexpensive, reproducible, and easy to obtain in routine practice. Another is the evolution of predictive models that combine clinical, pathological, and biological variables to improve individualized care. I am also very interested in the role of artificial intelligence in uro-oncology, particularly in refining prognostic tools and helping identify patients who may benefit from closer surveillance or earlier treatment escalation. In our paper, we specifically highlighted the potential future integration of inflammatory markers into nomograms and AI-based predictive models.

I believe the most important qualities are curiosity, methodological rigor, and intellectual honesty. Curiosity is what drives meaningful questions; rigor is what makes the answers reliable; and intellectual honesty is what allows us to recognize both the value and the limitations of our findings. I would also add resilience, because research often involves setbacks, and collaboration, because the best studies increasingly come from multidisciplinary teams rather than isolated individuals.

Scientific publishing is evolving rapidly, and that creates both opportunities and responsibilities. Open access is extremely valuable because it makes research immediately available to clinicians, researchers, and institutions worldwide, including those with limited subscription access. This helps accelerate scientific exchange and can improve the real-world impact of research. At the same time, the quality of science must remain the central priority. Transparency, careful peer review, methodological soundness, and clear reporting are essential, regardless of the publishing model. In my view, open access works best when it expands accessibility without lowering scientific standards.