CDH1 is commonly mutated in sporadic diffuse gastric cancer (DGC) and germline CDH1 mutations underlie most cases of the cancer syndrome hereditary DGC.

Barrett's oesophagus (BE) continues to rise in prevalence alongside oesophageal adenocarcinoma; understanding and identifying early neoplastic changes is critical. Crypt dysplasia (CD) in BE is an emerging concept characterised by dysplasia confined to the crypt base without surface involvement. Recent studies suggest that CD shares molecular alterations with low-grade and high-grade dysplasia, such as TP53 mutations and chromosomal instability, and may represent an early phase of neoplasia. Grading of CD remains inconsistent, with limited correlation to clinical outcomes, although classifying CD into low-grade and high-grade categories provides a practical diagnostic framework. High-grade crypt atypia typically warrants a diagnosis of CD, whereas low-grade crypt atypia poses greater diagnostic challenges and requires careful differentiation from reactive changes. This framework also incorporates exclusionary criteria, such as inflammation, ulceration and erosion. This review encompasses key features of CD, the diagnostic pitfalls encountered in clinical practice and the underlying biology driving crypt dysplasia. Future studies focusing on the natural history of CD, its molecular underpinnings and interobserver reproducibility will be pivotal in refining diagnostic criteria and improving patient outcomes in BE.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is typically diagnosed after the onset of symptoms in the context of established, characteristic patterns of intestinal inflammation. However, there is now substantial evidence pointing to a prolonged, biologically active preclinical phase of disease. Analysis of archived biological samples from large-scale longitudinal cohort studies of healthy individuals, some of whom develop incident IBD, has identified different molecular features that can be detected many years before clinical presentation. These include increased titres of antimicrobial and autoreactive antibodies and perturbations in a complex network of circulating, immunologically active proteins. As well as affording 'diagnostic' opportunities to identify individuals destined to develop IBD, an integrated view of these multiple different molecular features enables speculation of potential proximal drivers of preclinical IBD. Consistently recognised associations include dysregulated mononuclear phagocyte-lymphocyte interactions, augmented chemotaxis, frequently relating to interferon-γ-driven chemokine programmes and evidence of early tissue injury, such as increased circulating extracellular matrix components and metalloproteinases. Increased levels of circulating antibacterial and antiviral antibody responses hint towards disordered host-microbe interactions as potential prime triggers for the transition between health and early disease, although it is possible that these serological responses are an epiphenomenon linked to early mucosal damage and microbial translocation. There is now a timely opportunity to develop these different molecular features into scalable and clinically tractable biomarker panels to detect preclinical disease and enable strategies to proactively intercept IBD before it even develops.

Capillarisation of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) constitutes an early pathological event that promotes hepatic stellate cell activation and initiates liver fibrogenesis. Previous studies suggest that Ras-associated protein 1A (RAP1A) might be involved in liver fibrosis. However, the role of RAP1A in LSEC capillarisation remains unclear.

As it is a tumour-associated antigen in epithelial cells, research on claudin18.2 (CLDN18.2) has focused on its role as a therapeutic target in pancreatic cancers and its part in maintaining tight junctions.

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in regulating host immunity, metabolism and inflammation, with accumulating evidence linking its composition and function to the development and progression of cancers in the reproductive tract. Patients with ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancers exhibit distinct alterations in their gut microbiota, characterised by reduced microbial diversity and shifts towards taxa associated with dysbiosis and chronic inflammation. Mechanistically, gut-derived metabolites and microbial translocation appear to influence systemic immune responses and oestrogen metabolism, thereby fostering a tumour microenvironment conducive to cancer growth. Beyond its role in tumourigenesis, the gut microbiota also affects treatment outcomes. Dysbiosis can reduce sensitivity to chemotherapy and alter immunotherapy responses, while antibiotic use during cancer treatment has been linked to poorer prognosis. Clinically, these insights highlight emerging applications of microbiome modulation as biomarkers for patient stratification and as adjuvant approaches to enhance therapeutic efficacy in gynaecological oncology, underscoring the therapeutic potential of targeting the microbiota-through dietary interventions, probiotics or faecal microbiota transplantation-to improve cancer treatment outcomes. However, most of these applications remain investigational, and current evidence is limited by heterogeneity across study designs, patient cohorts and cancer subtypes. This review summarises current understanding of gut microbiota profiles in reproductive tract cancers, examines potential mechanisms by which the microbiota influences malignancy, discusses its impact on therapy response and explores its emerging role in precision oncology.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key stromal components of the tumour microenvironment (TME) that profoundly influence tumour progression. However, CAFs exhibit pronounced phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, and whether conserved CAF subtypes with shared functional hallmarks exist across different cancer types remains unclear.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterised by a dismal prognosis and insensitivity to immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs); however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and it is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in China. While Helicobacter pylori is a known GC pathogen, its abundance declines in tumours and the role of other bacteria in GC metastasis remains unclear.

Liver metastasis is a common and fatal event for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics reshape biological processes, including metabolism reprogramming, which disrupts immune cell function and promotes metastatic progression.

Plasmablast-derived HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) and structural basis for binding to native HBsAg are poorly known.

Stroke induces complex pathophysiological responses that extend beyond the brain, yet the mechanisms through which peripheral signals influence stroke recovery remain largely unclear.