Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Search Results (484)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
11 pages, 4884 KB  
Case Report
Secondary Malignant Transformation of Giant Cell Tumor of Bone Nine Years After Initial Curettage: A Case Report and Literature Review
by Ibrahim S. Alshaygy, Mishari N. Alanezi, Omar A. Aldosari, Safana M. Alomar and Hatim A. Khoja
Reports 2026, 9(3), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/reports9030202 - 25 Jun 2026
Viewed by 136
Abstract
Background and Clinical Significance: Malignant transformation of giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a rare but clinically significant event, most commonly associated with radiotherapy, denosumab therapy, or recurrent disease. Secondary malignant transformation occurring in the absence of recognized risk factors is exceptionally [...] Read more.
Background and Clinical Significance: Malignant transformation of giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a rare but clinically significant event, most commonly associated with radiotherapy, denosumab therapy, or recurrent disease. Secondary malignant transformation occurring in the absence of recognized risk factors is exceptionally uncommon. We report a rare case of high-grade sarcomatous transformation of proximal humeral GCTB after a prolonged latency period without prior radiotherapy, denosumab exposure, or documented recurrence; Case Presentation: A 27-year-old female initially presented with right shoulder pain and was diagnosed with proximal humeral GCTB. She underwent intralesional curettage and bone grafting, with histopathological confirmation of benign GCTB. Nine years later, she developed progressive shoulder pain, functional limitation, and systemic symptoms. Imaging demonstrated an aggressive lytic lesion with cortical destruction and soft-tissue extension involving the proximal humerus. Repeat curettage and histopathological evaluation revealed high-grade spindle cell sarcoma consistent with malignant transformation of GCTB. The patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by wide resection and endoprosthetic reconstruction of the proximal humerus, with additional adjuvant chemotherapy postoperatively. At two-year follow-up, she remained disease-free with excellent functional recovery and satisfactory quality of life; Conclusions: This case highlights the potential for delayed malignant transformation of GCTB even in the absence of established predisposing factors. Clinicians should maintain long-term vigilance in patients treated for GCTB, particularly when new pain, functional decline, or aggressive radiologic features develop years after initial treatment. Early recognition and multidisciplinary management are essential to optimize oncologic and functional outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Orthopaedics/Rehabilitation/Physical Therapy)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 5120 KB  
Review
Neoadjuvant Therapy and the Evolving Management of Resectable Advanced Melanoma
by Nikolaos Papadopoulos, Michele Del Vecchio, Andrea Spagnoletti, Jacopo Pigozzo, Luisa Piccin, Alessandro Minisini, Federico Pravisano, Gabriele Roccuzzo, Paolo Fava and Carolina Cimminiello
Cancers 2026, 18(12), 1978; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18121978 - 18 Jun 2026
Viewed by 229
Abstract
Melanoma has long represented a unique challenge in oncology. In its early stages, it can often be cured with surgery alone, resulting in excellent survival outcomes. Its biology is complex and heterogeneous, often including mutations such as BRAF and NRAS, which partly explain [...] Read more.
Melanoma has long represented a unique challenge in oncology. In its early stages, it can often be cured with surgery alone, resulting in excellent survival outcomes. Its biology is complex and heterogeneous, often including mutations such as BRAF and NRAS, which partly explain its high immunogenicity but also its capacity to relapse. For many decades, the standard approach in resectable stage III melanoma was surgery first, followed by adjuvant therapy. In the last decade, the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors created the opportunity to treat patients before surgery. The neoadjuvant approach is based on the hypothesis that treatment of the intact tumor may enhance antitumor immune priming and activation. The first prospective neoadjuvant studies, including OpACIN and OpACIN-neo, showed high pathological response rates with ipilimumab plus nivolumab and introduced pathological response as an early marker of long-term benefit. The PRADO study showed that treatment response could guide the extent of surgery required. The SWOG S1801 trial demonstrated better event-free survival with perioperative pembrolizumab compared to adjuvant therapy alone. Lastly, the phase III NADINA trial showed that neoadjuvant ipilimumab plus nivolumab followed by response-adapted adjuvant therapy significantly improves outcomes. Biomarkers such as PD-L1, IFN-γ signature, tumor mutational burden and imaging (PET scan) appear promising to predict response, but none have been sufficiently validated for routine clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Therapy)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2065 KB  
Article
Prognostic Factors and Survival Outcomes in Resectable Thoracic Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcomas
by Gökce Yavuz, Julia Walter, Kaan Sarı, Nicole Samm, Fuad Damirov, Julia Zimmermann, Lars Lindner, Dorit Di Gioia, Rudolf Hatz, Jan M. Fertmann, Wulf Sienel and Christian P. Schneider
Cancers 2026, 18(12), 1904; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18121904 - 11 Jun 2026
Viewed by 267
Abstract
Objectives: Thoracic sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of rare mesenchymal tumors. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients undergoing resection of primary thoracic soft tissue and bone sarcomas. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients [...] Read more.
Objectives: Thoracic sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of rare mesenchymal tumors. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients undergoing resection of primary thoracic soft tissue and bone sarcomas. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with primary intrathoracic or chest wall sarcomas who underwent surgical resection between 2005 and 2020. Eighty-four patients were included: 60 with soft tissue sarcoma and 24 with bone sarcoma. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for PFS and OS. Results: The most common histological subtypes were chondrosarcoma (19%) and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (17.8%). Overall, 54.8% of patients were female, and the mean age was 55.7 years (SD 17.9). Neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies were primarily administered in intermediate- (G2) and high-grade (G3) tumors. Median OS was 28.4 months. On multivariate analysis, high tumor grade (G3 vs. G1–2) independently predicted worse PFS (HR 3.21, 95% CI 1.34–7.68; p = 0.01) and OS (HR 4.40, 95% CI 1.56–12.41; p = 0.01). Larger tumor size (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03–1.15; p = 0.001) and incomplete resection (HR 12.21, 95% CI 2.56–58.34; p = 0.002) were independently associated with worse OS, while lung metastases at diagnosis independently predicted worse PFS (HR 4.89, 95% CI 1.21–19.69; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Histological grade is the strongest independent predictor of survival in resected thoracic sarcoma. Surgery alone appears adequate for low-grade sarcomas, whereas multimodal treatment strategies seem particularly relevant for patients with higher-grade sarcomas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma (2nd Edition))
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1015 KB  
Review
Basic and Clinical Evidence for Perioperative Immunotherapy in Resectable HNSCC
by Shota Sakaue, Michihisa Kono, Takumi Kumai, Takahiro Inoue, Hisataka Ominato and Miki Takahara
Cancers 2026, 18(11), 1845; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18111845 - 4 Jun 2026
Viewed by 439
Abstract
Background: Perioperative immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy for improving outcomes in patients with resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, its biological rationale, clinical evidence, and optimal implementation remain incompletely defined. Methods: We conducted a narrative review [...] Read more.
Background: Perioperative immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy for improving outcomes in patients with resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, its biological rationale, clinical evidence, and optimal implementation remain incompletely defined. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of the current literature, integrating preclinical and clinical evidence on perioperative immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in resectable HNSCC, with particular attention to the immunological impact of surgery, tumor-draining lymph nodes, and treatment sequencing. Results: Neoadjuvant immunotherapy exploits the presence of intact tumor antigen and preserved lymphatic architecture, enabling broad T-cell priming, clonal expansion, and systemic immune memory formation. In contrast, adjuvant immunotherapy primarily targets residual microscopic disease and relies on preexisting tumor-reactive T cells, suggesting that these strategies are biologically distinct. Early-phase clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of perioperative ICIs, with evidence of pathological responses. Recent phase III trials, including KEYNOTE-689 and NIVOPOSTOP, have provided practice-relevant evidence supporting the integration of ICIs into perioperative treatment, demonstrating improved event-free survival and clinical outcomes in selected populations. Several challenges remain, including optimal patient selection, lack of validated biomarkers, and treatment sequencing after perioperative ICI exposure. Conclusions: Perioperative immunotherapy represents a promising practice-relevant strategy in resectable HNSCC. Further studies are required to refine patient selection, develop predictive biomarkers, and optimize treatment sequencing to maximize clinical benefit. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

34 pages, 1065 KB  
Review
From Standard of Care to mRNA Cancer Vaccines and Spatial Architecture-Based Precision Therapy in PDAC: Challenges and Expectations
by Elena X. Stea, Nikolaos Kydonakis and Dimitrios H. Roukos
Cancers 2026, 18(11), 1824; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18111824 - 2 Jun 2026
Viewed by 442
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most complex and aggressive disease with the worst rates of unresectable or metastatic disease at diagnosis, resistance to systemic therapy, and case fatality rate (CFR) among leading cancers. In non-metastatic disease, neoadjuvant treatment with modern chemotherapeutic regimens [...] Read more.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most complex and aggressive disease with the worst rates of unresectable or metastatic disease at diagnosis, resistance to systemic therapy, and case fatality rate (CFR) among leading cancers. In non-metastatic disease, neoadjuvant treatment with modern chemotherapeutic regimens followed by surgical resection and/or adjuvant mFOLFIRINOX has significantly improved oncological outcomes. However, recurrence rates remain alarmingly high, while immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) or molecularly targeted therapy have not yet demonstrated clinical benefits. Comprehensive genomic profiling through NGS-based approved assays such as TruSight Oncology 500 (TSO500) could guide targeted therapy. Rapidly evolving mRNA cancer vaccines and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-based prediction of minimal residual disease (MRD) and recurrence risk hold great promise towards the realization of rational combination therapy to improve recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). More recently, single-cell multiomics (SC MO), spatial proteomics and transcriptomics (SPT), artificial intelligence (AI), and systems biology have revolutionized cancer research, enabling holistic tumor microenvironment (TME) analysis. In this comprehensive review, we describe the latest advances and unmet needs in the standard of care of PDAC. Moreover, we discuss the expectations of ongoing randomized clinical trials of adjuvant mRNA vaccine-based therapy and ctDNA MRD testing as prognostic biomarkers, towards personalized treatment to improve RFS and OS in a medium-term perspective. With a longer perspective, we explore how harnessing SC MO, SPT, AI, and systems biology can reveal the 3D spatial organization of interacting cancer, immune, and stromal cells. Multi-dimensional TME-, TSO500- and ctDNA-based framework of dynamic biomarkers are of paramount importance to achieve an optimal patient-specific perioperative multimodal treatment combining precision immunotherapy, targeted drugs, and modern chemotherapy, translated into future practice-changing clinical trials, that could eliminate MRD towards recurrence prevention. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

33 pages, 1528 KB  
Review
The Central Role of Immune Checkpoint Receptors in Genitourinary Tumor Immunotherapy: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Landscape
by Alcides Chaux
Receptors 2026, 5(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/receptors5020018 - 29 May 2026
Viewed by 311
Abstract
Immune checkpoint receptors (ICRs) play a pivotal role in modulating antitumor immunity and have become central targets in the immunotherapy of genitourinary (GU) malignancies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental mechanisms of ICR signaling, the expression and pathophysiological roles of [...] Read more.
Immune checkpoint receptors (ICRs) play a pivotal role in modulating antitumor immunity and have become central targets in the immunotherapy of genitourinary (GU) malignancies. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental mechanisms of ICR signaling, the expression and pathophysiological roles of these receptors in GU cancers (kidney, bladder, prostate, testicular, and penile), and the evolving therapeutic landscape. Key ICRs, including PD-1, CTLA-4, LAG-3, TIM-3, and TIGIT, orchestrate complex signaling cascades that can lead to T-cell exhaustion and tumor immune evasion. Their expression varies significantly across GU cancer types, histological subtypes, and tumor stages, influencing prognosis and therapeutic response. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) reinvigorate antitumor immunity by disrupting these inhibitory pathways and remodeling the tumor microenvironment (TME); however, resistance mechanisms (primary, adaptive, and acquired) and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) pose significant clinical challenges. Established biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI)/deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) status guide ICI use, but their predictive power has limitations. Consequently, emerging tissue-based (e.g., immune cell signatures, multiplex IHC/IF, spatial transcriptomics), liquid biopsy-based (e.g., ctDNA, CTCs, exosomes), and imaging-based (radiomics, AI-driven analysis) biomarkers are under active investigation to refine patient selection and monitor treatment efficacy. The therapeutic armamentarium is rapidly expanding with novel ICIs targeting new receptors, bispecific antibodies, and innovative combination strategies involving ICIs with chemotherapy, targeted therapies, radiotherapy, and other immunotherapies. Furthermore, ICIs are increasingly explored in neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and maintenance settings. This review highlights the dynamic progress in understanding ICR biology and its clinical translation, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to develop more personalized and effective immunotherapeutic strategies for patients with genitourinary tumors. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

33 pages, 634 KB  
Systematic Review
Surgery After Induction Therapy for Cervical Esophageal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Proposed Multidisciplinary Selection Framework
by Ismaell Massalha, Adham Hijab, Reem Zabit, Bilal Krayim, Wael Hozaeel, Moatz Safadi, Samer Hussany, Israel Sandler, Jamal Zidan, Ofir Cohen and Ory Wiesel
Cancers 2026, 18(11), 1736; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18111736 - 26 May 2026
Viewed by 614
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Management of cervical esophageal cancer after induction therapy remains unsettled. Definitive chemoradiotherapy is the guideline default, but a subset of patients with residual but resectable disease may still benefit from surgery. No validated multidisciplinary selection framework exists for this subsite. Methods: We [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Management of cervical esophageal cancer after induction therapy remains unsettled. Definitive chemoradiotherapy is the guideline default, but a subset of patients with residual but resectable disease may still benefit from surgery. No validated multidisciplinary selection framework exists for this subsite. Methods: We conducted a systematic review registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD420261369102) and guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement, using searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library from inception through 14 April 2026. We identified 1779 records, removed 873 duplicates, and screened 906 records; 87 full-text reports were assessed, of which 67 were excluded at the full-text stage (66 on population grounds—disease not cervical esophageal; and 1 because cervical-direct outcomes were not separable within a mixed cervical/thoracic cohort), leaving 20 cervical-direct studies included in the primary synthesis. Thoracic and meta-analytic sources are cited for indirect comparison and biological rationale but are not counted in the included set. Included studies were evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) and Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I); certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Formal meta-analysis was not performed because study design, treatment approach, and outcome reporting were too heterogeneous. Results: Cervical-specific evidence is predominantly retrospective but consistent in direction. Available cervical-specific observational data suggest benefit mainly in patients with biopsy-confirmed incomplete response, resectable residual disease, preserved performance status, and access to experienced centers. Larynx-preserving resection is feasible in 90% of T1–2 tumors and 54% of T3–4 responders. In thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy yields pathologic complete response rates of approximately 29–48%; in cervical disease, the SCENIC trial has reported interim clinical response of approximately 50% in 28 patients, but pathology-confirmed response is not yet available. We present a proposed multidisciplinary selection framework integrating response depth, post-induction stage, laryngeal preservation feasibility, sarcopenia, circulating tumor DNA dynamics, and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. The framework has not been prospectively validated and is presented as a hypothesis-generating, conceptual tool for multidisciplinary discussion rather than a clinically validated instrument. Adjuvant nivolumab is recommended for residual pathologic disease after margin-negative (R0) resection when surgery follows preoperative chemoradiotherapy; after PD-1-based induction, adjuvant checkpoint inhibition remains investigational. Conclusions: The available cervical-direct evidence is predominantly retrospective and selection-prone, and several inputs supporting the framework are extrapolated from thoracic ESCC cohorts; conclusions about the survival benefit of surgery should therefore be read as associations rather than causal claims. Surgery has a role after induction therapy in carefully selected incomplete responders. The proposed framework is designed for multidisciplinary use and requires prospective validation before routine clinical application. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 330 KB  
Review
Pathological Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer: A Literature Overview
by Anita Gorzelak-Magiera, Jacek Kabut, Joanna Sadurska, Anna Długaszek, Małgorzata Domagała-Haduch, Anna Szot and Iwona Gisterek-Grocholska
Cancers 2026, 18(11), 1718; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18111718 - 25 May 2026
Viewed by 566
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women worldwide. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has increased rates of breast-conserving procedures and enabled the identification of patients with a particularly poor prognosis. Achieving a pathological complete response (pCR), an indicator of [...] Read more.
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women worldwide. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has increased rates of breast-conserving procedures and enabled the identification of patients with a particularly poor prognosis. Achieving a pathological complete response (pCR), an indicator of NACT efficacy, contrasts with residual disease (RD), which identifies patients at higher risk of recurrence. This review provides an overview of current evidence on the clinical and prognostic significance of pCR and RD in patients receiving NACT for breast cancer. The analysis is based on data from randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses, and current clinical guidelines for contemporary systemic treatment. Pathological complete response varies according to tumor subtype, with the highest rates observed in triple-negative and non-luminal HER2-positive breast cancer. In HER2-positive disease, the combination of chemotherapy with HER2-targeted therapies increases pCR rates, while the presence of RD supports escalation of postoperative treatment with antibody–drug conjugates. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the inclusion of platinum agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors improves treatment efficacy. In HER2-negative breast cancer and germline BRCA1/2 mutations, adjuvant PARP inhibitors improve survival independently of pCR, highlighting the complex relationship between pathological response and prognosis. Immunotherapy and targeted therapies are used alongside standard chemotherapy and hormone therapy in perioperative treatment. Further research is required to refine response assessment, integrate new biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and optimize treatment selection, while clarifying the significance of reassessing hormone receptor and HER2 status in residual disease and its impact on subsequent treatment decisions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Therapy)
12 pages, 1091 KB  
Case Report
Atypical Pruriginous Pustular Eruption Preceding Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: A Case Report and Gut–Skin–Tumour Axis Hypothesis
by Monica Manciulea (Profir), Luciana Alexandra Pavelescu and Sanda Maria Crețoiu
Diagnostics 2026, 16(11), 1592; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16111592 - 22 May 2026
Viewed by 361
Abstract
Background and Clinical Significance: Cutaneous paraneoplastic phenomena are infrequently characterised in colorectal cancer (CRC), and chronic pruriginous inflammatory eruptions in particular have received limited attention. In older adults, persistent treatment-resistant dermatoses of unclear aetiology may represent overlooked extraintestinal diagnostic clues to occult malignancy, [...] Read more.
Background and Clinical Significance: Cutaneous paraneoplastic phenomena are infrequently characterised in colorectal cancer (CRC), and chronic pruriginous inflammatory eruptions in particular have received limited attention. In older adults, persistent treatment-resistant dermatoses of unclear aetiology may represent overlooked extraintestinal diagnostic clues to occult malignancy, including potentially curable CRC. Faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) for occult bleeding is a low-cost, non-invasive tool whose role outside conventional alarm-symptom triage remains underexplored. Case presentation: A 72-year-old woman presented for outpatient evaluation with several months of pruriginous, pustular, and crusted symmetric eruption involving the dorsal aspects of the limbs, refractory to standard dermatologic treatment, and without gastrointestinal symptoms. A non-invasive systemic stool-based work-up demonstrated detectable faecal haemoglobin (iFOBT), mildly elevated faecal calprotectin (51.6 mg/kg, ULN 50 mg/kg), markedly elevated faecal alpha-1-antitrypsin (631 µg/mL; 2.3× ULN), and predominance of Escherichia coli on stool culture. Colonoscopy revealed a locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma; staging classified the lesion as cT3N1M0. The patient received long-course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (50 Gy, concurrent capecitabine) followed by low anterior resection with total mesorectal excision and pathological complete response (ypT0N0, R0), and adjuvant capecitabine. The cutaneous eruption resolved progressively in parallel with antineoplastic therapy without specific dermatologic intervention. The patient remains in remission at over 36 months. Conclusions: Persistent, unexplained, treatment-resistant pruriginous/pustular cutaneous eruptions may, in selected patients, coincide with an underlying malignancy, including colorectal cancer, and should prompt careful individualised clinical assessment, including review of age-appropriate colorectal cancer screening status. This single case raises the hypothesis that quantitative faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) may be prospectively evaluated as a low-cost, non-invasive triage tool in carefully selected patients aged ≥50 years with persistent dermatoses of unclear aetiology, even in the absence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Positive FIT results should be managed according to established local colorectal referral pathways. NICE diagnostics guidance DG56 supports FIT use in symptomatic adults with suspected lower gastrointestinal pathology; however, any extension of FIT to extraintestinal presentations remains investigational and requires formal validation through prospective studies assessing diagnostic yield, cost-effectiveness, and stage distribution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Diagnosis and Prognosis)
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 755 KB  
Review
The Paradigm Shift in Clinical Stage II Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Management: A Comprehensive Review of Optimal Surgical and Systemic Approaches
by Tyler W. Wilson and Jessica S. Donington
Cancers 2026, 18(11), 1680; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18111680 - 22 May 2026
Viewed by 376
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being the most prevalent type. While surgical resection followed by adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy has been the standard for curative-intent therapy for clinical stage II NSCLC since 2005, disappointing [...] Read more.
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being the most prevalent type. While surgical resection followed by adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy has been the standard for curative-intent therapy for clinical stage II NSCLC since 2005, disappointing 5-year survival prompted the exploration of newer systemic therapies. In recent years, several landmark trials increasingly support the use of immunotherapy and molecular targeted treatments. The evidence for neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy is exciting, but the transition from a surgery-first approach to a new standard of care carries important challenges, including increased surgical attrition, intraoperative technical difficulty, and delays in care. This article provides a comprehensive review of the optimal treatments and emerging therapies for resectable stage II NSCLC. By systematically analyzing recent advances and challenges in NSCLC treatment strategies, we aim to highlight a paradigm shift toward a more molecularly guided, individualized treatment sequence in stage II NSCLC care, with the goal of maximizing each patient’s curative potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Surgical Treatment for Lung Cancers)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 3034 KB  
Review
New Perspectives and Open Issues in the Adjuvant and Neoadjuvant Treatment of Melanoma
by Andrea Spagnoletti, Lorenza Di Guardo, Alice Indini, Massimo Di Nicola, Roberto Patuzzo, Andrea Maurichi, Paolo Fava, Gabriele Roccuzzo, Alessandro Minisini, Federico Pravisano, Jacopo Pigozzo, Luisa Piccin, Carolina Cimminiello, Nikolaos Papadopoulos and Michele Del Vecchio
Cancers 2026, 18(10), 1669; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18101669 - 21 May 2026
Viewed by 613
Abstract
Melanoma adjuvant therapy has substantially improved recurrence-free and distant metastasis-free survival in patients with resected high-risk disease, and more recently, these advances have extended to earlier stages. However, important unmet needs remain, including the management of stage IIIA disease, the optimal treatment strategy [...] Read more.
Melanoma adjuvant therapy has substantially improved recurrence-free and distant metastasis-free survival in patients with resected high-risk disease, and more recently, these advances have extended to earlier stages. However, important unmet needs remain, including the management of stage IIIA disease, the optimal treatment strategy after relapse on adjuvant therapy, and the identification of biomarkers capable of refining patient selection. This review summarizes recent advances and unresolved questions in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment of melanoma. We discuss novel systemic strategies, including immune checkpoint inhibitor combinations and personalized neoantigen mRNA vaccines, together with the expanding role of neoadjuvant approaches. We also examine prognostic and predictive tools—such as clinicopathologic models, circulating tumor DNA, serum biomarkers, tumor microenvironment features, and gene expression profiling—that may help better define recurrence risk and therapeutic benefit. Current evidence suggests that although modern therapies have changed the natural history of resected melanoma, a substantial proportion of patients are still overtreated or undertreated when treatment decisions are based on stage alone. Future progress will depend on integrating biological risk stratification with clinical staging and optimizing treatment sequencing across adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 847 KB  
Review
A Consensus Approach to the Incorporation of Total Neoadjuvant Therapy in a Treatment Algorithm for Stage I–III Resectable Rectal Cancer
by Sami A. Chadi, Karineh Kazazian, Paul Savage, Christine Brezden-Masley, Ron Burkes, Eric Chen, Anand Govindarajan, Ali Hosni, Raymond Jang, Erin Kennedy, John Kim, Jelena Lukovic, Aruz Mesci, Catherine O’Brien, Fayez Quereshy, Abdulazeez Salawu, Peter K. Stotland and Carol J. Swallow
Curr. Oncol. 2026, 33(5), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol33050274 - 8 May 2026
Viewed by 808
Abstract
Advances in surgical techniques, radiographic imaging capabilities, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have led to improved outcomes for patients with rectal adenocarcinoma. Treatment strategies have correspondingly evolved, as seen with total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) and organ preservation approaches. TNT is a treatment strategy for primary, [...] Read more.
Advances in surgical techniques, radiographic imaging capabilities, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have led to improved outcomes for patients with rectal adenocarcinoma. Treatment strategies have correspondingly evolved, as seen with total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) and organ preservation approaches. TNT is a treatment strategy for primary, non-metastatic, resectable mismatch repair proficient rectal cancer where the intent is to administer all appropriate adjuvant therapy in the preoperative phase, including both systemic therapy and chemoradiotherapy/radiotherapy. In this setting, TNT is increasingly administered for the purposes of maximizing tumour response to facilitate resection, improving treatment compliance, thus increasing the likelihood of a complete response to allow for organ preservation and for the possibility of improving survival. While several recent randomized controlled trials have described the role of TNT in the contemporary treatment of rectal cancer, there is significant heterogeneity in sequencing of treatments, dosing, allowance for non-operative management, and the potential for over-treatment. Our objective here was to incorporate current evidence to develop a consensus-based institutional treatment algorithm to be used in the ambulatory and multidisciplinary team setting for the treatment of stage I–III rectal cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Gastrointestinal Oncology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 851 KB  
Article
Non-Wilms Renal Tumours in Children: The Republic of Ireland Experience
by Kris Hughes, Charles Lee, Michael Capra, Jane Pears, Cormac Owens, Michael McDermott, Maureen O’Sullivan, Sri Paran and Israel Fernandez-Pineda
Children 2026, 13(4), 575; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13040575 - 21 Apr 2026
Viewed by 509
Abstract
Background: Non-Wilms renal tumours (NWRTs) are rare paediatric malignancies and account for a small but clinically significant proportion of childhood renal cancers. Due to their low incidence and biological heterogeneity, outcome data are limited, and management is largely extrapolated from international collaborative [...] Read more.
Background: Non-Wilms renal tumours (NWRTs) are rare paediatric malignancies and account for a small but clinically significant proportion of childhood renal cancers. Due to their low incidence and biological heterogeneity, outcome data are limited, and management is largely extrapolated from international collaborative protocols. No national data describing the incidence and outcomes of NWRTs in children in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) have previously been published. Objective: To determine the incidence, treatment strategies, and survival outcomes of NWRTs in children in the ROI. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of all children under 16 years of age with histologically confirmed renal tumours diagnosed and treated at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin between January 2005 and December 2025. As CHI Crumlin is the single national paediatric oncology centre in the ROI, this cohort represents national case ascertainment for the study period. A total of 143 paediatric renal tumours were identified; Wilms tumours (n = 118) were excluded, leaving 25 children (17.48%) with NWRTs for analysis. No cases of bilateral renal tumours were identified. Histological subtypes included renal cell carcinoma (RCC), clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK), congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN), malignant rhabdoid tumour of the kidney (MRTK), and anaplastic sarcoma of the kidney. Demographic characteristics, treatment strategies, and survival outcomes were analysed. Results: Twenty-five children with NWRTs were identified: CCSK (n = 9), RCC (n = 7), CMN (n = 6), MRTK (n = 2), and anaplastic sarcoma of the kidney (n = 1). At a median follow-up of 107.9 months (range 4.5–181.3 months), overall survival for the cohort was 76%. Overall survival by histology was 100% for CMN, CCSK and anaplastic sarcoma, 43% for RCC, and 0% for MRTK. Treatment strategies varied by histology, with 68% undergoing upfront surgery, 32% receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 60% receiving adjuvant systemic therapy, and 44% receiving radiotherapy. Tumour recurrence occurred in 4/25 patients (16%), confined to the RCC (3) and CMN (1) subgroups. Seven Event-Free Survival events were observed, comprising three RCC relapses and one RCC progression, one CMN relapse, and two MRTK progression-related deaths. No recurrences occurred in CCSK. Conclusions: NWRTs comprised 17.5% of all paediatric renal tumours diagnosed nationally during the study period and demonstrated marked heterogeneity in outcomes according to histological subtype. CMN showed excellent survival with six out of seven requiring surgery alone, whereas MRTK remained associated with dismal outcomes despite multimodal therapy. These national data support histology-driven, risk-adapted management and highlight the importance of continued international collaboration to improve outcomes in NWRTs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pediatric Solid Tumor: Precision Medicine and Long-Term Prognosis)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 688 KB  
Review
Clinical Trials and Emerging Therapeutic Paradigms in Upper-Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
by Julian Chavarriaga and Jay D. Raman
Cancers 2026, 18(8), 1223; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18081223 - 13 Apr 2026
Viewed by 1053
Abstract
Upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) represents a biologically distinct and clinically challenging subset of urothelial malignancies, accounting for only 5–10% of urothelial cancers but carrying a disproportionately high risk of advanced disease and recurrence. Historically, management strategies for UTUC have been extrapolated from bladder [...] Read more.
Upper-tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) represents a biologically distinct and clinically challenging subset of urothelial malignancies, accounting for only 5–10% of urothelial cancers but carrying a disproportionately high risk of advanced disease and recurrence. Historically, management strategies for UTUC have been extrapolated from bladder cancer data, with limited prospective evidence specific to the upper urinary tract. However, recent years have witnessed an expanding number of UTUC-focused clinical trials that are reshaping treatment paradigms across localized, locally advanced, and metastatic disease states. This review examines the evolving landscape of clinical trials in UTUC, highlighting pivotal and ongoing studies that will inform contemporary management. We summarize evidence supporting perioperative systemic therapy, including neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy, and discuss the expanding role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in both perioperative and metastatic settings. Additionally, we review trials evaluating kidney-sparing approaches, intraluminal therapies, and novel drug-delivery platforms aimed at preserving renal function while maintaining oncologic control. Emerging trial designs incorporating molecular profiling, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-targeted therapies, and biomarker-driven patient selection are also explored. Despite meaningful progress, significant gaps remain, including the underrepresentation of UTUC patients in large urothelial cancer trials, heterogeneity in risk stratification, and challenges in trial accrual for this rare disease. We conclude by outlining future directions for UTUC-specific clinical research, emphasizing the need for collaborative, multicenter trials, innovative endpoints, and integrated translational studies to further refine personalized treatment strategies. As the clinical trial ecosystem for UTUC continues to mature, these efforts hold promises for improving outcomes while balancing oncologic efficacy with renal preservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Trials and Evolving Treatment Paradigms in Urologic Cancers)
Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 1649 KB  
Guidelines
Guidance for Canadian Breast Cancer Practice: National Consensus Recommendations for the Systemic Treatment of Patients with HER2+ Breast Cancer in Both the Early and Metastatic Settings (2025 Update)
by Aalok Kumar, Katarzyna J. Jerzak, Karen A. Gelmon, Jean-François Boileau, Nathaniel Bouganim, Christine Brezden-Masley, Jeffrey Q. Cao, David W. Cescon, Stephen Chia, Scott Edwards, Anil Abraham Joy, Kara Laing, Nathalie LeVasseur, Sandeep Sehdev, Christine Simmons, Marc Webster, Mita Manna and on behalf of Patient Advocacy, Breast Cancer Canada
Curr. Oncol. 2026, 33(4), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol33040200 - 31 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1906
Abstract
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer is an aggressive subtype associated with a poor prognosis when not optimally treated. Over the past year, major advances—including results from DESTINY-Breast05, DESTINY-Breast09, DESTINY-Breast11, PATINA, and long-term APHINITY follow-up—have changed the treatment landscape regarding [...] Read more.
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer is an aggressive subtype associated with a poor prognosis when not optimally treated. Over the past year, major advances—including results from DESTINY-Breast05, DESTINY-Breast09, DESTINY-Breast11, PATINA, and long-term APHINITY follow-up—have changed the treatment landscape regarding the place in therapy of antibody–drug conjugates and the optimal sequencing of systemic therapies. These developments prompted the need for updated evidence-informed consensus recommendations to support consistent, high-quality care across Canada. Research Excellence, Active Leadership Canadian Breast Cancer Alliance (REAL Alliance), comprising clinical-academic oncologists from across Canada and Breast Cancer Canada, updated its 2024 HER2+ recommendations through a modified Delphi process with up to three rounds of anonymous voting. Consensus was defined a priori as ≥75% agreement. This 2025 update incorporates new data in early-stage, metastatic, and central nervous system-involved disease, including revisions to neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment pathways and expanded guidance on the clinical use of antibody–drug conjugates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue REAL Canadian Breast Cancer Alliance Collection)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop