Search Results (940)

Nanotechnology offers innovative methodologies for enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer by utilizing specialized nanoparticles. The utilization of nanoparticles offers distinct advantages, specifically that these entities enhance the bioavailability of therapeutic agents and facilitate the targeted delivery of pharmacological agents to neoplastic cells. A diverse array of nanoparticles, including but not limited to liposomes, dendrimers, and gold nanoparticles, function as proficient carriers for drug delivery. Nevertheless, notwithstanding the auspicious potential of these applications, challenges pertaining to toxicity, biocompatibility, and the necessity for comprehensive clinical evaluations pose considerable barriers to the widespread implementation of these technologies. The incorporation of nanotechnology into clinical practice holds the promise of significantly transforming the management of ovarian cancer, offering novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies that enhance patient outcomes and prognoses. In summary, the deployment of nanotechnology in the context of ovarian cancer epitomizes a revolutionary paradigm in medical science, amalgamating sophisticated materials and methodologies to enhance both diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes. Continued research and development endeavors are essential to fully realize the extensive potential of these innovative solutions and address the existing challenges associated with their application in clinical settings. Full article

The treatment landscape of metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) has transformed significantly with the advent of triplet therapy involving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), docetaxel, and androgen receptor signalling inhibitors (ARSIs). While clinical guidelines increasingly support early intensification, real-world practice remains challenged by patient heterogeneity, evolving evidence, and limited consensus on treatment sequencing. This narrative review integrates evidence from landmark trials, clinical guidelines, and expert insights from oncologists managing mHSPC in India. Findings affirm that triplet therapy, particularly with darolutamide, improves survival in high-volume disease and underscores the need for personalized treatment based on disease burden, comorbidities, and genomic profiles. The review also highlights gaps in real-world data, sequencing strategies, and biomarker-driven therapy, reinforcing the need for precision medicine and locally relevant evidence to guide treatment. Ultimately, optimizing mHSPC management requires harmonizing guideline-based approaches with individualized, real-world decision making to improve patient outcomes. Full article

The chaotic dynamics observed in mathematical models of cancer can correspond to the unpredictable tumor growth and treatment responses seen in clinical settings. Suppressing this chaos is a significant challenge in theoretical oncology. This paper investigates and compares four distinct control strategies designed to stabilize a chaotic three-dimensional tumor-immune interaction model. The objective is to steer the system from its chaotic attractor to a target unstable periodic orbit, representing a transition to a more regular and predictable dynamic. The strategies, all based on the external force control paradigm, include continuous control, a simple state-dependent intermittent control, an improved intermittent control with a minimum activation duration to suppress chattering, and an adaptive intermittent control with a time-varying feedback gain. The performance of each strategy is quantitatively evaluated based on tracking accuracy and the required control effort. Full article

Endometrial cancer is one of the most prevalent gynecologic malignancies in developed countries, with its incidence steadily increasing each year. Early diagnosis is crucial for a favorable prognosis; however, certain patients experience recurrence and distant metastasis after surgery, similar to advanced cancer patients, with limited treatment options. Therefore, effective strategies for early screening, diagnosis, predicting local recurrence, and guiding rapid treatment interventions are essential for improving survival rates and prognosis. Liquid biopsy, a method known for being non-invasive, safe, and effective, has attracted widespread attention for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Although its clinical application in endometrial cancer is less established than in other cancers, research on biomarkers using liquid biopsy in endometrial cancer patients is currently in progress. This review examines the latest advancements in non-invasive biomarkers identified through liquid biopsy and provides a comprehensive overview of their clinical applications in endometrial cancer. Additionally, it discusses the challenges and future prospects of liquid biopsy, offering valuable insights into the diagnosis and personalized treatment of endometrial cancer. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hepatic cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), are major global health concerns due to rising incidence and limited therapeutic success. While traditional risk factors include chronic liver disease and environmental exposures, recent evidence underscores the significance of genetic alterations and gut microbiota in liver cancer development and progression. This review aims to integrate emerging knowledge on the interplay between host genomic changes and gut microbial dynamics in the pathogenesis and treatment of hepatic cancers. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of current literature on genetic and epigenetic drivers of HCC and CCA, focusing on commonly mutated genes such as TP53, CTNNB1, TERT, IDH1/2, and FGFR2. In parallel, we evaluated studies addressing the gut–liver axis, including the roles of dysbiosis, microbial metabolites, and immune modulation. Key clinical and preclinical findings were synthesized to explore how host–microbe interactions influence tumorigenesis and therapeutic response. Results: HCC and CCA exhibit distinct but overlapping genomic landscapes marked by recurrent mutations and epigenetic reprogramming. Alterations in the gut microbiota contribute to hepatic inflammation, genomic instability, and immune evasion, potentially enhancing oncogenic signaling pathways. Furthermore, microbiota composition appears to affect responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Emerging therapeutic strategies such as probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and precision oncology based on mutational profiling demonstrate potential for personalized interventions. Conclusions: The integration of host genomics with microbial ecology provides a promising paradigm for advancing diagnostics and therapies in liver cancer. Targeting the gut–liver axis may complement genome-informed strategies to improve outcomes for patients with HCC and CCA. Full article

Rationale: The ProMisE molecular classification improves risk assessment in endometrial cancer (EC), but 3–11% of cases exhibit overlapping molecular features, complicating clinical decisions. We analyzed the prevalence and clinicopathological profiles of multiple-classifier ECs in a large Polish cohort. Methods: In this retrospective study (2022–2025), 1075 ECs from four institutions were classified by MMR and p53 immunohistochemistry and POLE exon sequencing. Tumors showing ≥2 molecular features (e.g., MMRd–p53abn, POLEmut–p53abn) were categorized as multiple-classifier ECs. Results: Multiple-classifier ECs comprised 6.9% (74/1075), with MMRd–p53abn (3.9%) being most common. These tumors exhibited more aggressive features vs. MMRd-only: G3 (28.57% vs. 11.79%, p = 0.002), non-endometrioid histology (11.9% vs. 2.85%, p = 0.018), and high–intermediate/high-risk (HIR/HR) groups (59.52% vs. 37.80%, p = 0.001). POLEmut–p53abn (N = 4) and POLEmut–MMRd–p53abn (N = 10) tumors showed advanced stages (75% and 40% FIGO III–IV, respectively), in contrast to classical POLEmut tumors (6.7% FIGO III–IV), and higher rates of nodal metastases. Conclusions: Co-occurrence of molecular classifiers, including triple-classifier tumors, correlates with more adverse profiles and may undermine current stratification paradigms. This study emphasizes the need to further investigate and refine molecular risk models to account for overlapping profiles. Full article

The modern era of systemic treatment of urological cancers is definitely marked by checkpoint inhibitors. Over the past 30 years, checkpoint inhibitors have changed the oncological world, especially in chemoresistant malignancies. Multiple investigations focused on immunotherapy in urological cancers have carved new paradigms and changed clinical guidelines. However, some clinical trials have been blind alleys for systemic therapy. After a scrutinized review of electronic databases, we want to present the natural history and courses of clinical trials in urological malignancies. All of them contribute to expanding the knowledge and experience of clinicians, and some of them improve the prognosis and prolong the overall survival of oncological patients. In conclusion, checkpoint inhibitors open a new modern era in some urological cancers, but not overall. Future perspectives are focused on combination with targeted therapy and could be a new way forward in the systemic treatment of urological cancers. Full article

Cholesterol stress profoundly modulates cellular processes, but its underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. To investigate cholesterol-responsive networks, we performed integrated transcriptome (RNA-seq) and metabolome (LC-MS) analyses on HeLa cells treated with cholesterol for 6 and 24 h. Through transcriptomic analysis of cholesterol-stressed HeLa cells, we identified stage-specific responses characterized by early-phase stress responses and late-phase immune-metabolic coordination. This revealed 1340 upregulated and 976 downregulated genes after a 6 h cholesterol treatment, including induction and suppression of genes involved in cholesterol efflux and sterol biosynthesis, respectively, transitioning to Nuclear Factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activation and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR) pathway modulation by 24 h. Co-expression network analysis prioritized functional modules intersecting with differentially expressed genes. We also performed untargeted metabolomics using cells treated with cholesterol for 6 h, which demonstrated extensive remodeling of lipid species. Interestingly, integrated transcriptomic and metabolic analysis uncovered GFPT1-driven Uridine Diphosphate-N-Acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) accumulation and increased taurine levels. Validation experiments confirmed GFPT1 upregulation and ANGPTL4 downregulation through RT-qPCR and increased O-GlcNAcylation via Western blot. Importantly, clinical datasets further supported the correlations between GFPT1/ANGPTL4 expression and cholesterol levels in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) liver cancer patients. This work establishes a chronological paradigm of cholesterol sensing and identifies GFPT1 and ANGPTL4 as key regulators bridging glycosylation and lipid pathways, providing mechanistic insights into cholesterol-associated metabolic disorders. Full article

Cancer treatment has undergone a paradigm shift following the introduction of novel cancer treatment approaches that involve the host’s immune system in fighting established tumors. This new concept aids the immune system in identifying, attacking, and killing the tumor cells. However, although some encouraging results were observed clinically, this approach has its own limitations. For example, the benefits of certain anticancer drugs were only observed in some patients, off-target effects, immune evasion, and poor pharmacokinetics. Recently, several advancements have been made with the understanding and development of tumor-targeted drug delivery systems, which combine both effectiveness and patients’ safety during cancer treatment. In this review, we will focus on the latest progress in targeted drug delivery, particularly applying nanoparticles, liposomes, exosomes, and Wharton’s jelly-derived macrovesicles as immune cell enhancers, as well as overcoming therapeutic resistance. We also characterize major current problems, such as the biocompatibility and scalability of the delivered engineering systems, as well as the required regulations. Lastly, we will show some examples of effective approaches to resolve these issues for more efficient cancer therapy. The importance of this article lies in bridging two sides in a single framework perspective: the novel implementation of unique delivery systems and the latest advances in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Thus, this provides better insights for the future of cancer treatment. Full article

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a formidable malignancy with rising incidence and dismal long-term survival, largely due to late-stage presentation and intrinsic resistance to therapy. Recent advances in the multidisciplinary management of PDAC have reshaped treatment paradigms across disease stages. For localized disease, innovations in surgical techniques and the adoption of neoadjuvant strategies have improved resection rates and survival outcomes. In metastatic settings, multiagent chemotherapy regimens and precision therapies targeting BRCA mutations and rare gene fusions are expanding treatment options. Immunotherapeutic modalities, including checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell therapies, and mRNA vaccines, show emerging promise despite PDAC’s traditionally immunosuppressive microenvironment. This review synthesizes the current evidence on established therapies and critically evaluates novel and investigational approaches poised to redefine the therapeutic landscape of pancreatic cancer. Full article

Despite being a rare malignancy, there have been several changes in the management paradigm for vulvar cancer. This review of the literature was undertaken to highlight key areas of treatment innovation and progress, including efforts to de-escalate morbid surgical resection as well as perform dose escalation of radiotherapy and incorporation of modern systemic agents to achieve better oncologic outcomes. There is still much debate regarding key high-risk pathology features and their corresponding prognostic significance and indications for adjuvant treatments. However, we are also developing a more nuanced understanding of the importance of precursor lesions and resultant subtypes of vulvar cancer, which suggests that there are more subtypes beyond the umbrella distinction of HPV status. Moving forward, we anticipate there will be an increasing number of trials investigating the triaging of management recommendations based on risk. Full article

Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal malignant tumor characterized by challenges in early diagnosis and limited therapeutic options, leading to an exceptionally low clinical cure rate. With the advent of novel cancer treatment paradigms, ferroptosis—a form of iron-dependent regulated cell death driven by lipid peroxidation—has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy, particularly for tumors harboring RAS mutations. However, the poor bioavailability and insufficient tumor-targeting capabilities of conventional drugs constrain the efficacy of ferroptosis-based therapies. Recent advancements in nanotechnology and imaging-guided treatments offer transformative solutions through targeted drug delivery, real-time monitoring of treatment efficacy, and multimodal synergistic strategies. This article aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in pancreatic cancer and to summarize the latest identified therapeutic targets for ferroptosis in this context. Furthermore, it reviews the recent progress in nanotechnology-based ferroptosis therapy for pancreatic cancer, encompassing ferroptosis monotherapy, synergistic ferroptosis therapy, and endogenous ferroptosis therapy. Subsequently, the integration of imaging-guided nanotechnology in ferroptosis therapy is summarized. Finally, this paper discusses innovative strategies, such as stroma-targeted ferroptosis therapy, immune-ferroptosis synergy, and AI-driven nanomedicine development, offering new insights and directions for future research in pancreatic cancer treatment. Full article

Worldwide, lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) including up to 80–85% of all lung cancer diagnoses. The landscape of NSCLC is characterized by a heterogeneous spectrum of gene alterations, with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and targeted treatments that significantly improve survival outcomes for patients with oncogene-addicted NSCLC, offering superior efficacy, and often favorable safety and tolerability profiles compared to chemotherapy-based treatments. However, the complexity of NSCLC extends to co-occurring genomic alterations or amplifications in tumor suppressors and other oncogenes, such as TP53, STK11, KEAP1, PIK3CA, RB1, and others, that significantly influence disease progression, therapeutic resistance, and clinical outcomes. These co-mutations often contribute to the development of primary and acquired resistance to targeted therapies, complicating decision-making strategies. This review provides a timely and comprehensive synthesis of current insights into co-mutations in NSCLC, with a particular focus on their clinical implications, and offers a novel perspective by integrating recent molecular insights with therapeutic challenges, addressing existing knowledge gaps through a more integrative and clinically oriented analysis of co-mutations. Advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and molecular profiling have enabled the identification of these co-alterations, paving the way for more personalized therapeutic approaches. However, challenges remain in interpreting the functional interplay of co-mutations and translating these insights into effective clinical interventions. This review also highlights the significance of co-mutations in shaping NSCLC biology, and discusses their impact on current therapeutic paradigms, emphasizing the need for integrative biomarker-driven approaches to improve outcomes in NSCLC. Full article

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are chronic blood cancers characterized by overproduction of blood cells, leading to increased thrombotic and ischemic risk. Patients frequently experience symptoms including fatigue, abdominal discomfort, and complications from thrombotic events, which significantly impact the quality of life (QoL). Many patients inquire about complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) approaches, including nutritional interventions and supplements, creating opportunities for healthcare providers to engage in meaningful discussions guided by the principle of safety. This review examines the current evidence for integrative approaches in MPN management, focusing on nutrition, microbiota, supplements, mind–body techniques, and acupuncture. We analyze the available data on anti-inflammatory interventions, QoL improvement strategies, and treatment tolerance enhancement. The review provides clinicians with evidence-based guidance for safely integrating complementary therapeutic approaches with conventional MPN treatment. This integrative approach represents an opportunity to develop more comprehensive and personalized therapeutic paradigms in hematology while ensuring that complementary interventions serve as adjuncts to evidence-based medical treatment. Full article

Cancer remains a leading global health burden, profoundly affecting patient survival and quality of life. Current treatments—including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery—are often limited by toxicity or insufficient specificity. Conventional chemotherapy, for instance, indiscriminately attacks rapidly dividing cells, causing severe side effects. In contrast, peptide-based therapeutics offer a paradigm shift, combining high tumour-targeting precision with minimal off-target effects. Their low immunogenicity, multi-pathway modulation capabilities, and adaptability for diagnostics and therapy make them ideal candidates for advancing oncology care. Innovative peptide platforms now enable three transformative applications: (1) precision molecular diagnostics (e.g., ¹⁸F-PSMA-1007 for prostate cancer detection), (2) targeted therapies (e.g., BT5528 and SAR408701 targeting tumour-specific antigens), and (3) theranostic systems (e.g., RAYZ-8009 and ¹⁷⁷Lu-FAP-2286 integrating imaging and radiotherapy). Despite their promise, peptides face challenges like metabolic instability and short half-lives. Recent advances in structural engineering (e.g., cyclization and D-amino acid incorporation) and delivery systems (e.g., nanoparticles and PEGylation) have significantly enhanced their clinical potential. This review highlights peptide-based agents in development, showcasing their ability to improve early cancer detection, reduce metastasis, and enhance therapeutic efficacy with fewer adverse effects. Examples like CLP002 underscore their role in personalised medicine. By overcoming current limitations, peptide drugs are poised to redefine cancer management, offering safer, more effective alternatives to conventional therapies. Their integration into clinical practice could mark a critical milestone in achieving precision oncology. Full article