Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant mucosal epithelial neoplasm covering the nasopharynx with varied geographical distribution. A number of etiological factors have been associated with the development of NPC, and infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) being a long-recognized contributor. The study aims to correlate the status of EBV infection in relation to NPC within the region.

The elderly population (≥80 years) represents a growing demographic in oncology, yet remains underrepresented in clinical trials. With advancements in radiotherapy (RT) techniques, its role in managing cancer in octogenarians and nonagenarians warrants evaluation.

Cervical cancer is a leading malignancy among Indian women. The FIGO 2018 staging system introduced new substages to improve prognostication. This study evaluated survival outcomes and prognostic factors in patients staged as per FIGO 2018.

Adjuvant chest wall radiation therapy for postmastectomy breast cancer patients is highly effective in reducing the risk of locoregional recurrence. Hypofractionated regimen is increasingly being adopted in adjuvant radiotherapy. One of the reasons for its slow adoption is the concern that a hypofractionated regimen can lead to higher side effects, such as radiation-induced dermatitis. Even while modern techniques like intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) have made great strides in protecting healthy tissues, the use of two-dimensional treatments with a telecobalt machine is still prevalent in many parts of developing countries like India. Hence, we conducted a retrospective study of the incidence and severity of radiation-induced dermatitis in breast cancer patients undergoing hypofractionated chest wall radiation therapy on a telecobalt machine.

Radiation therapy is a cornerstone of treatment for solid tumors, yet it often induces lymphopenia, a condition linked to poorer clinical outcomes. This scoping review synthesizes evidence from systematic reviews to evaluate the prognostic impact of severe radiation-induced lymphopenia (RIL) on overall survival (OS) in patients with solid tumors. A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Central, and EMBASE using the following keywords: "radiation," "lymphopenia," "solid tumors," "survival AND mortality," and "systematic review AND meta-analysis," up to November 30, 2023. Reviews reporting the prognostic relationship between RIL and survival were included, and pooled adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses examined the impact of grade 3 or higher RIL across different tumor types. Of 21 identified reviews, 10 were included, covering 93 studies and 11,565 patients. The adjusted incidence rate of severe lymphopenia averaged 26.7% (range: 18.6-88.0%). The pooled aHR for OS was 1.72 (95% CI: 1.33-1.87) for grade ≥3 RIL versus grade 0-2 RIL, and 1.59 (95% CI: 1.31-1.92) for grade 4 RIL versus grade 0-3 RIL. Significant prognostic effects were observed in esophageal, head and neck, pancreatic, cervical, central nervous system, and lung cancers. Genitourinary tumors showed associations with medium-high radiation doses to pelvic and iliac bone marrow. Severe RIL consistently predicts poorer OS, emphasizing the need for prospective studies to address RIL prevention and management, especially in the era of immunotherapy.

MET alterations, including MET fusions and splicing variants (F/SVs), are linked to glioma progression, but the clinical features remain underexplored since the 2021 WHO classification of tumors of the CNS. We aimed to systematically depict the MET F/SVs and patient characteristics in a multicenter cohort focusing on clinical, pathological, and survival features. We studied data from 1,041 patients with MET F/SVs data from the public Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas database and the TruSight Tumor 170 study. Clinical outcomes were evaluated based on the RANO criteria. We used chi-square and Fisher's exact tests for variable analysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess survival trends, while univariate and multivariate analyses revealed the prognostic value of MET F/SVs. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to demonstrate the MET expression level. Among the 1,041 patients, 49 patients had F/SVs (4.70%), and 23 had ZM fusion (PTPRZ1-MET fusion gene; 2.21%). Among the 67 recurrent grade 4 astrocytomas, the proportions of F/SVs (11.94%, n = 8) and ZMs (5.97%, n = 4) were the highest. MET F/SVs were significantly associated with malignant clinical outcomes in the IDH-mutant astrocytoma cohort, with a frequency of 5.04% (18/357) across all WHO grades. Multivariate analysis revealed that the MET F/SVs were independently associated with worse survival in astrocytoma patients [overall survival (OS): p = 0.0011; progression-free survival (PFS): p = 0.004]. ZM fusion was associated with a worse prognosis in both astrocytoma (OS p < 0.001, PFS p < 0.001) and glioblastoma (OS, p = 0.252; PFS, p = 0.010) patients. We highlight the utmost relevance of ZM fusion as an adverse prognostic factor in astrocytoma (11/382, 2.88%) and glioblastoma grade 4 (11/401, 2.74%) patients and suggest that the grading of these tumors should be refined.

Glutathione S-transferase omega 1 (GSTO1) is overexpressed in a variety of cancers and plays an important role in the promotion of tumor proliferation and metastasis. Nevertheless, the function of GSTO1 in cervical cancer (CC) is unknown. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was applied to observe GSTO1 protein levels in CC tissues. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities were assessed using CCK8, EdU, plate cloning assays, and Transwell experiments in vitro. Flow cytometry was employed to analyze cell cycle progression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. A subcutaneous xenograft model was utilized to observe cell growth in vivo. Cell stemness was assessed via sphere formation assay. Transcriptome sequencing and enrichment analysis were conducted to explore GSTO1-related signaling pathways. The proteins linked to cell cycle regulation, stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway were identified through western blotting and IHC. In this study, GSTO1 was highly expressed in CC tissues and associated with poor prognosis of patients. Knockdown of GSTO1 suppressed CC cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro and inhibited the cell cycle, stemness, migration, and EMT as in C1-27 treatment. Conversely, down-regulation of GSTO1 promoted ROS production in CC cells. RNA sequencing indicated that GSTO1 mediated the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In addition, silencing GSTO1 decreased the phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR proteins. Interestingly, 740 Y-P (PI3K activator) reversed the inhibitory effects of GSTO1-induced cell proliferation, cycle, stemness, and EMT via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis. GSTO1 was important in CC progression through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and could serve as a promising therapeutic target.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by pronounced heterogeneity and extensive angiogenesis. However, anti-angiogenic therapies often show limited clinical benefit due to therapeutic resistance. Understanding endothelial cell heterogeneity and identifying key regulators of tumor angiogenesis are therefore essential for improving treatment strategies.

Mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) or microsatellite stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remains largely refractory to immunotherapy due to its intrinsically immunologically cold tumor microenvironment. Although frontline chemotherapy combined with immune-induction strategies can improve progression-free survival, these benefits have not translated into overall survival gains. Importantly, late-line trials such as LEAP-017 suggest that biologically meaningful immune activity may be masked by dilution effects in unselected populations. This review advocates a shift from empirical treatment approaches toward mechanism-driven precision stratification in refractory pMMR/MSS mCRC. We highlight two complementary immune activation strategies: tumor microenvironment remodeling via tyrosine kinase inhibitor-mediated vascular normalization, and intensified immune priming through cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 blockade. To address persistently low response rates, we propose an integrated precision framework incorporating genomic repurposing, anatomical filtering, and multimodal synergy, aiming to translate transient immune activation into durable survival benefit.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death with limited treatment options. Dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (DHDH), an enzyme involved in D-xylose metabolism, has unclear roles in tumorigenesis and immune regulation. This study aims to investigate the clinical significance, biological functions, and immunomodulatory mechanisms of DHDH in HCC, and to explore the therapeutic potential of targeting its metabolic activity.

Ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecologic malignancy due to strong interpatient heterogeneity and immune evasion. Traditional two-dimensional cultures and animal models lack the ability to maintain interactions among tumors, immune cells, and stromal cells and have limitations in clinical translation. This review discusses the organoid construction methods using adult stem cells (normal epithelium, tumor tissues and ascites), and induced pluripotent stem cells, comparing various culture platforms from air-liquid interface to microfluidic devices. We highlight organoids containing immune components are valuable for assessing T cell exhaustion, NK cell cytotoxicity, and stromal communication, which help to screen immunotherapy, discover biomarker, and profile drug resistance. The persistent challenges include limited vascularization, short-term maintenance of immune components and lack of standard protocols. We present new solutions that integrate multi-omics, biomaterials and automated perfusion to improve physiological fidelity and scalability. Collectively, ovarian cancer organoids with immune microenvironment can bridge preclinical gaps and accelerate the development of personalized immune therapy.

Tumor acidosis is a hallmark of cancer that leads to abrogation of T cell function and cancer progression. Oral sodium bicarbonate therapy for alkalization of the extracellular tumor pH has shown moderate positive effects in tumor models. However, its applicability in the clinic is very limited due to the unreasonably high dosage required and gastrointestinal disturbances that arise. In this study, we assessed the functional effects of acidity on T cells.

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) plays diverse physiological roles, but its pan-cancer significance and immunomodulatory functions remain poorly characterized.

Breast cancer (BC) exhibits marked biological heterogeneity and remains a major cause of cancer-related death in women. With advances in molecular subtyping and tumor microenvironment research, the nervous system has emerged as an important regulator of BC initiation, progression, and metastasis. Tumor-associated nerves influence cancer not only locally through sympathetic, parasympathetic, and sensory innervation, but also systemically by modulating immunity via psychological stress, circadian rhythms, and neuroendocrine pathways.

Resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting the programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) axis remains a major obstacle in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with a high mortality rate globally, ranking among the top cancers in incidence and posing a serious human health threat. In recent years, with research advancement in traditional medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has attracted increasing interest for its potential role in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As a comprehensive review, this article critically synthesizes the biological mechanisms and clinical application evidence of TCM extracts and classic formulas in HCC treatment, systematically detailing the important roles and specific mechanisms of TCM in inhibiting tumor growth, inducing apoptosis, enhancing immunity, and suppressing angiogenesis. This review aims to synthesize and analyze existing findings to provide a consolidated theoretical basis and identify potential research gaps. Furthermore, it seeks to explore new therapeutic concepts by bridging TCM theory with modern pharmacological approaches, thereby promoting the development of integrated strategies in oncology. Ultimately, we aim to contribute to the improvement of patient survival rates and quality of life. However, while preclinical evidence is promising, the clinical evidence base requires further strengthening through larger-scale, rigorously designed trials to validate efficacy and establish standardized protocols.

The emergence of drug-resistant cancers has led to the discovery of novel therapeutic agents. Medicinal plants are a promising source, with Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq. a parasitic plant used in ethnomedicine, showing promising anticancer potential. This study reviews preclinical evidence of the anticancer activity of D. pentandra, focusing on its phytochemical constituents and molecular mechanisms of action. A systematic search of Scopus and PubMed databases was conducted for preclinical studies published between 2015 and 2025. After screening, 13 articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in narrative synthesis. The 13 included studies demonstrated that D. pentandra extracts exhibit potent cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects against multiple cancer cell lines. The primary anticancer mechanism identified was the induction of apoptosis, which is frequently mediated by the upregulation of p53 and Bax proteins, downregulation of Bcl-2, and induction of cell cycle arrest at the G1/S or G2/M phase. Flavonoids, particularly quercetin, have been identified as the key bioactive phytoconstituents that contribute to these effects. In vivo studies further support these findings, showing that D. pentandra extract can inhibit tumor progression in colitis-associated cancer models by reducing inflammatory markers such as myeloperoxidase (MPO).

Colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) is a highly prevalent malignancy of the digestive tract. The close association between ulcerative colitis (UC) and CAC makes inhibiting this carcinogenic transformation a critical preventive goal. Based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theories of "dampness-heat stasis" and "latent pathogen-induced deficiency", this review systematically explores the pathological process of ulcerative colitis associated carcinogenesis (UCAC) and its interpretation in TCM. We conducted a comprehensive literature search in CNKI and PubMed databases (2020-2025), systematically analyzing about 79 relevant studies to summarize the clinical applications of TCM in preventing and treating UCAC progression, including oral and topical herbal therapies, as well as non-pharmacological interventions such as acupuncture. Furthermore, we elucidate the underlying mechanisms of TCM interventions in UCAC, with a focus on gut microbiota modulation and key inflammatory signaling pathways (eg, NF-κB, IL-6/JAK2/STAT3), offering new translational perspectives. The novelty of this review is twofold: firstly, it provides the first systematic synthesis of research progress on therapeutic methods, encompassing oral and topical herbal formulations as well as acupuncture, and molecular mechanisms of TCM for UCAC. Secondly, it advances the field by analyzing TCM theories through the lens of modern medicine, comparing TCM's holistic approach with Western medicine's targeted paradigm, and proposing an integrated "gut microbiota-metabolite-target" research framework. This framework aims to furnish a theoretical foundation for both the modernization of TCM and the development of combined therapeutic strategies that leverage the strengths of both medical systems.

Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis (DPL) is a rare condition characterized by multiple peritoneal and subperitoneal nodules composed of smooth muscle cells. Although it has been associated with iatrogenic dissemination following uncontained power morcellation, it may also arise spontaneously.

Systematic lymphadenectomy is crucial in gastric cancer surgery for improving patient prognosis. However, current clinical lymph node (LN) mapping relies on fragmentary single-modal imaging agents, which suffer from low accuracy in N-staging and lack integration between preoperative and intraoperative visualization.