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Extrachromosomal circular DNAs (eccDNAs) are a type of circular DNAs originating from but independent of chromosomal DNAs. Nowadays, with the rapid development of sequencing and bioinformatics, the accuracy of eccDNAs detection has significantly improved. This advancement has consequently enhanced the feasibility of exploring the biological characteristics and functions of eccDNAs. This review elucidates

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducers are often identified in phenotypic screening campaigns by the release or surface exposure of various danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from malignant cells. This study aimed to streamline the identification of ICD inducers by leveraging cellular morphological correlates of ICD, specifically the condensation of nucleoli (CON). We applied artificial intelligence

Gruber K. Prior authorisation is can harm patients with cancer in the USA. Lancet Oncol 2024; published online Dec 12. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(24)00719-8—In this News story, there was a typographical error in the title. This correction has been made to the online version as of Dec 18, 2024, and will be made to the printed version.

More than a billion people live in fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable settings requiring humanitarian support, where cancer is a substantial health issue. Despite its substantial effect on populations, cancer care remains underprioritised in emergency preparedness and response frameworks and humanitarian operational planning. This Policy Review summarises the perspectives and actionable recommendations

Protein palmitoylation is a reversible fatty acyl modification that undertakes important functions in multiple physiological processes. Dysregulated palmitoylations are frequently associated with the formation of cancer. How palmitoyltransferases for S-palmitoylation are involved in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is largely unknown. Chemical carcinogen diethylnitrosamine

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent oral malignancy, which poses significant health risks with a high mortality rate. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), characterized by their immunosuppressive capabilities, are intricately linked to OSCC progression and patient outcomes. The metabolic reprogramming of Tregs within the OSCC tumor microenvironment (TME) underpins their function, with key pathways

This cross-sectional study assesses the various patents and US government grants that were critical to the publicly funded development of the cancer drug enzalutamide.

ImportanceMost patients with locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recur within the liver following systemic therapy.ObjectiveTo determine whether stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) improves outcomes in patients with locally advanced HCC compared with sorafenib alone.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis multicenter phase 3 randomized clinical trial randomized patients with HCC 1:1

ImportanceStereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for spinal metastases improves symptomatic outcomes and local control compared to conventional radiotherapy. Treatment failure most often occurs within the epidural space, where dose is constrained by the risk of radiation myelitis (RM). Current constraints designed to prevent RM after spine SBRT are derived from limited data.ObjectiveTo characterize

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is the current standard of care for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), but recurrence is common. Additional therapeutic options are a major unmet medical need for treating unresponsive patients. Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) plays a central role in mounting innate and adaptive immune responses to tumor cells, and activation of STING is a promising immunotherapeutic

Tumor-initiating cancer stem cells (CSC) pose a challenge in human malignancies since they are largely treatment resistant and can seed local recurrence and metastasis. Epigenetic mechanisms governing cell fate decisions in embryonic and adult stem cells are deregulated in CSCs. This review focuses on the methyltransferase DOT1L, which methylates H3K79 and is a key epigenetic regulator governing embryonic

RAS is a common driver of cancer that was considered undruggable for decades. Recent advances have enabled the development of RAS inhibitors, but the efficacy of these inhibitors remains limited by resistance. Here, we developed a pan-RAS inhibitor, ADT-007, that binds nucleotide-free RAS to block GTP activation of effector interactions and MAPK/AKT signaling, resulting in mitotic arrest and apoptosis

Resistance of BRAF-mutant melanomas to targeted therapy arises from the ability of cells to enter a persister state, evade treatment with relative dormancy, and repopulate the tumor when reactivated. A better understanding of the temporal dynamics and specific pathways leading into and out of the persister state is needed to identify strategies to prevent treatment failure. Using spatial transcriptomics

Evolutionarily conserved selenoprotein O (SELENOO) catalyzes a post-translational protein modification known as AMPylation that is essential for the oxidative stress response in bacteria and yeast. Given that oxidative stress experienced in the blood limits survival of metastasizing melanoma cells, SELENOO might be able to impact metastatic potential. However, further work is needed to elucidate the

Purpose: Developing T cell or vaccine therapies for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been challenging due to a lack of knowledge regarding immunodominant, cancer-specific antigens, as a scarcity of genomic mutation-associated neoepitopes characterizes PDAC and there are limited availability of effective approaches to discover them. Experimental Design: We utilized an advanced mass spectrometry

Purpose: To characterize factors associated with response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in advanced sarcoma. Experimental Design: This is a retrospective study with a cohort of 216 patients with advanced sarcoma treated with ICIs between 2016-2023 at Stanford Health Care. Overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), objective response rates per RECIST criteria (ORR), and reason

Background Racial and ethnic minorities remain underrepresented in gynecologic cancer clinical trials despite disproportionately worse oncologic outcomes. Research shows differential racial enrollment patterns due to comorbidity-based exclusion criteria (CEC). Our objective was to evaluate contemporary trends in CECs among NCI-sponsored gynecologic cancer clinical trials and protocol adherence to broadened

Most Colorectal Cancer (CRC) patients exhibit limited responsiveness to anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) therapy, with the underlying mechanisms remaining elusive. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a significant role in tumorigenesis and development, with potential applications in tumor screening and predicting treatment efficacy. However, there are few studies exploring the role of circRNAs

Tracheal cancer is a rare malignancy with limited research but high mortality rates. This study aims to analyse recent data to understand the global burden, trends, and risk factors for tracheal cancer, facilitating improved prevention and treatment strategies. We conducted a study on tracheal cancer using data from the Global Cancer Observatory and the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents databases

Despite considerable progress, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) remains a major cause of cancer-related death in children. Now, data from the phase III AALL1731 trial demonstrate that adding the CD19 × CD3 bispecific T cell engager blinatumomab to chemotherapy significantly improves the outcomes of patients with standard-risk B-ALL with an average or high risk of disease relapse. In this

We profiled a large heterogenous cohort of matched diagnostic-relapse tumour tissue and paired plasma-derived cell free DNA (cfDNA) from patients with relapsed and progressive solid tumours of childhood. Tissue and cfDNA sequencing results were concordant, with a wider spectrum of mutant alleles and higher degree of intra-tumour heterogeneity captured by the latter, if sufficient circulating tumour-derived

Cdc2-like kinase 1 (CLK1) has dual-specificity kinase ability to phosphorylate tyrosine and serine/threonine protein residues. CLK1 regulates many physiological processes and has been shown to contribute to multiple types of cancer. Here, we investigated the functional role of CLK1 during intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) development. The expression of CLK1 was elevated in ICC tumors, and patients

As colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related death, identifying therapeutic targets and approaches is essential to improve patient outcomes. The EGFR ligand epiregulin (EREG) is highly expressed in RAS wildtype and mutant CRC with minimal expression in normal tissues, making it an attractive target for antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) development. In this study, we produced and

BackgroundGliomas are a major cause of cancer-related death among children, adolescents, and young adults (age 0–40 years). Primary mismatch repair deficiency (MMRD) is a pan-cancer mechanism with unique biology and therapeutic opportunities. We aimed to determine the extent and impact of primary MMRD in gliomas among children, adolescents, and young adults. MethodsClinical and molecular data were

Global efforts to highlight cancer and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as a growing burden were first raised in 2005 World Health Assembly Resolution 58.22 and reinforced with Resolution 70.12 and the Global NCD action plan in 2017. One common thread for addressing cancer burden was the need to articulate cancer priorities within a comprehensive national cancer control plan (NCCP). Since 2012, the

Purpose: we tested whether ctDNA changes may be used to assess early response and clinical outcome in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients undergoing front-line systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT). Experimental Design: 862 plasma samples were collected 4-weekly from baseline (BL) until disease progression in mCRC patients receiving front line SACT. ctDNA normalization was defined as ≥99% clearance

Background Association between light to moderate alcohol consumption and colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence remains understudied, especially regarding drinking pattern, beverage type and temporal aspects. Methods Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for time to CRC diagnosis were estimated among 137,710 participants. Estimates based on remote (eg, >10 years before follow-up) and recent

C-reactive protein (CRP) has long been recognized as a marker of inflammation, but its evolving role in immunomodulation and cancer has increasingly been recognized. In recent years, multiple studies have explored CRP as a biomarker for prognosis and therapy response, particularly in the context of cancer immunotherapy. In this issue of Cancer Research, Feng and colleagues investigate the role of CRP

Purpose: The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant cause of cervical cancer. We hypothesized that detecting viral cell-free HPV DNA (cfDNA) before, during, and after chemoradiation (chemoRT) could provide insights into disease extent, clinical staging, and treatment response. Experimental Design: Sixty-six patients with locally advanced cervical cancer were enrolled between 2017 and 2023. 49

Purpose: To establish HMGA2 as a marker of basal-like disease in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and explore its use as a biomarker for prognosis and treatment resistance. Experimental Design: We identified high expression of HMGA2 in basal PDAC cells in a scRNAseq Atlas of 172 patient samples. We then analyzed HMGA2 expression, along with expression of the classical marker GATA6, in a cohort

Purpose: Appendiceal adenocarcinoma (AA) is a rare malignancy with distinct histopathologic subtypes and a natural history with metastasis primarily limited to the peritoneum. Little is known about the molecular pathogenesis of AA relative to common tumors. Experimental Design: We analyzed molecular data for patients within the Guardant Health database with appendix cancer (n = 718). We then identified

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Pathogenic TP53 germline variants cause young-onset breast cancer and other cancers of the Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) spectrum, but the clinical consequences of partial-loss-of function TP53 variants are incompletely understood. In the consecutive cohort of Palestinian breast cancer patients of the Middle East Breast Cancer Study (MEBCS), breast cancer risk among TP53 p. R181C heterozygotes was 50%

Objectives To evaluate the acceptability and performance of an organ inventory as an alternative to asking about gender and/or sex assigned at birth in cancer screening. Methods We fielded an online, self-administered survey to a convenience sample of English- or Spanish-speaking transgender and gender-diverse (TGD), intersex, and cisgender people (>/=15 years) in the US. The survey contained an organ

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Purpose: To uncover the underpinnings of acquired resistance (AR) to immunotherapy (IO), we determined whether distinctive clinico-pathological, radiomic and peripheral blood (PB) immune-inflammatory features reflect oligo- and systemic (sys)-AR in advanced NSCLC patients undergoing immune checkpoints inhibitors. Experimental Design: On 105 consecutive IO-treated advanced NSCLC, PB immunophenotypes

Purpose: There is overwhelming interest to use actinium-225 ([225Ac]Ac) to develop targeted alpha therapies. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are highly cytotoxic. Combining [225Ac]Ac with ADC to develop an antibody-drug radioconjugate (ADR) [225Ac]Ac-Macropa-trastuzumab-PEG6-DM1, is expected to be more effective than its ADC (trastuzumab-PEG6-DM1) against breast cancer (BC). Experimental design: [

Purpose: Mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) tumors have demonstrated favorable responses to immune checkpoint inhibition targeting PD-1. However, more in-depth identification of predictors of response could further refine patient selection for immunotherapy treatment. Experimental Design: We undertook integrated evaluation performed on samples collected from 28 of 42 patients enrolled on the NCI-MATCH

Purpose: To evaluate linrodostat mesylate, a selective, oral indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibitor, combined with nivolumab ± ipilimumab in advanced solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Patients and Methods: In this phase 1/2 study, patients received once-daily (QD) linrodostat (part 1 [escalation], 25-400 mg; part 2 [expansion], 100 or 200 mg) plus nivolumab (480 mg every [Q] 4 weeks

In this issue of Cancer Cell, Qiu et al. use single-cell metabolic analysis to identify reduced mannose metabolism as a previously unknown feature of exhausted T cells. This metabolic pathway can be targeted to enhance memory and persistence of adoptively transferred T cells, resulting in improved anti-tumor efficacy.

Liquid biopsy has received tremendous attention as a non-invasive approach for detecting and tracking cancer. Here, we discuss the latest work on circulating tumor DNA and circulating tumor cells with respect to clinical applications, including cancer screening, early detection of relapse, real-time monitoring of therapeutic efficacy, and detection of therapeutic targets and resistance mechanisms.

Unconventional T cells, including invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, gamma delta (γδ) T cells, and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, play important roles in both innate and adaptive immunity. These cells respond to tumors rapidly and influence the tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent advances in understanding their biology, as well as the development of novel therapeutic approaches

Cytokines are proteins used by immune cells to communicate with each other and with cells in their environment. The pleiotropic effects of cytokine networks are determined by which cells express cytokines and which cells express cytokine receptors, with downstream outcomes that can differ based on cell type and environmental cues. Certain cytokines, such as interferon (IFN)-γ, have been clearly linked

Circadian disruption increases cancer risk, but connections between circadian clocks and cancer biology are diverse and depend on tumor type. In this issue of Cancer Cell, Gonzalez-Aponte et al. demonstrate that circadian timing of glucocorticoid exposure affects glioblastoma growth. These findings underscore the importance of timing in designing therapeutic interventions.

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BackgroundOptimal therapy following breast-conserving surgery in older adults with low-risk, early-stage breast cancer remains uncertain. The EUROPA trial aims to compare the effects of radiotherapy and endocrine therapy as single-modality treatments on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and ipsilateral breast tumour recurrence (IBTR) outcomes in this population. MethodsThis non-inferiority, phase

BackgroundProcarbazine-containing chemotherapy regimens are associated with cytopenias and infertility, suggesting stem-cell toxicity. When treating Hodgkin lymphoma, procarbazine in escalated-dose bleomycin–etoposide–doxorubicin–cyclophosphamide–vincristine–procarbazine–prednisolone (eBEACOPP) is increasingly replaced with dacarbazine (eBEACOPDac) to reduce toxicity. We aimed to investigate the impact

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that colorectal cancer incidence is increasing among younger adults (aged <50 years) in multiple high-income western countries in contrast with stabilising or decreasing trends in incidence in older adults (aged ≥50 years). This study aimed to investigate contemporary colorectal cancer incidence trends in younger adults versus older adults. MethodsColorectal cancer

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