To compare the diagnostic accuracy of gadoxetate disodium enhanced MRI (EOB-MRI) and contrast-enhanced CT (CE-CT) in the detection of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM).

Aberrant mucin expression is implicated in lower gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cancers, yet its clinicopathological relevance remains poorly understood. To identify distinct mucin signatures in association with (pre)tumour subtypes, anatomical location, and clinical outcomes, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of MEDLINE articles published between January 2001 and September 2025. Studies were included if they assessed mucin expression in lower GIT (pre)malignant lesions. Fifty-eight studies were eligible. MUC2 and MUC5AC expression was upregulated in serrated polyps and mucinous- and microsatellite instability (MSI)-associated proximal adenocarcinomas, whereas a downregulation of MUC2 was noted in advanced adenomas and non-mucinous distal tumours. Discrepancies in survival in relation to high-level or low-level MUC2 further suggested that this glycoprotein cooperates with other mucins during carcinogenesis. Notably, abundant MUC1 expression was seen in adenomas with high-grade dysplasia and together with high-level MUC13 correlated with (non-)mucinous CRC types and poor prognosis. Similar mucin signatures were also found in small intestinal adenocarcinoma, yet MUC2 was downregulated and increased MUC5AC rather associated with a worse survival, emphasizing the role of tumour location in influencing tumour behaviour. In conclusion, aberrant mucin signatures reflect distinct molecular pathways in (pre)malignant GIT lesions and highlight their potential utility as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Schematic representation of the main findings regarding altered mucin signalling in several precancerous lesions (adenomatous (i.e., conventional pathway 1) and serrated polyps (i.e. pathway 2)) and small intestinal (SIA) and colorectal (CRC) adenocarcinomas and its clinicopathological significance (outcome, anatomical location (proximal/distal), molecular subtypes (MSI, (non)-mucinous).

Preoperative endometrial cancer (EC) diagnosis often depends on radiologists' expertise, which introduces subjectivity. Recent studies have explored radiomics-based machine learning (ML) models for detecting myometrial invasion (MI), but a comprehensive evaluation of their diagnostic performance is lacking. Therefore, our study systematically assessed the diagnostic performance of radiomics-based ML approaches for identifying MI in EC, thereby providing evidence to guide the development or improvement of noninvasive diagnostic tools.

ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the associations between beta-blocker use and survival outcomes, including cancer-specific mortality, all-cause mortality, median overall survival, and median progression-free survival, in patients with colorectal cancer. The findings are intended to inform evidence-based strategies for optimizing adjuvant therapy in clinical practice.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library to identify studies assessing the effect of beta-blockers on survival outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. Studies reporting hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for cancer-specific mortality, all-cause mortality, median overall survival, or median progression-free survival were included. Adjusted hazard ratios were pooled using meta-analytic techniques. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity and assess result robustness.ResultsOverall, 13 high-quality cohort studies including >93,000 patients with colorectal cancer were included. Beta-blocker use was marginally associated with reduced cancer-specific mortality (hazard ratio = 0.90; 95% confidence interval: 0.81-1.00), with a more pronounced effect among patients who had not undergone surgery (hazard ratio = 0.86; 95% confidence interval: 0.75-0.98). Although no overall association was observed for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio = 0.76), a significant reduction was noted in the subgroup that underwent curative surgery (hazard ratio = 0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.42-1.00). Among patients receiving bevacizumab, beta-blocker use was linked to improved median overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.70; 95% confidence interval: 0.56-0.87), whereas a nonsignificant trend toward improved median progression-free survival was observed (hazard ratio = 0.79; 95% confidence interval: 0.60-1.05). Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness and consistency of the pooled results.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis indicates that beta-blocker use is significantly associated with a reduced risk of cancer-specific mortality in patients with colorectal cancer, with the most pronounced benefit observed among those who did not undergo surgery. Additionally, patients undergoing radical resection or bevacizumab-based therapy may also experience improved survival with beta-blocker use. Given the well-established cardiovascular safety, affordability, and broad clinical availability, beta-blockers may serve as promising adjuncts for comprehensive colorectal cancer treatment. However, further randomized controlled trials are warranted to validate these findings and define optimal patient populations, timing, and combination strategies. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD420251079257).

Solute Carrier Family 7 Member 11 (SLC7A11), a redox homeostasis and metabolism regulator, is frequently overexpressed and mutated in cancers, contributing to progression and therapy resistance. This study systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed its prognostic value, mutational landscape, role in resistance, and its therapeutic potential. A comprehensive search (2010-2024) across PubMed and ScienceDirect identified 236 studies, alongside TCGA data from 30 cancer types and 128 mutations from GDC. Prognostic and clinicopathological correlations were assessed using hazard ratios (HRs), with fixed/random effects models based on heterogeneity (I2), and significance tested via Z-tests (p < 0.05). Publication bias was evaluated using Begg's and Egger's tests. General linear models explored associations with resistance and pathway alterations. Interestingly, SLC7A11 overexpression was associated with poor prognosis (HR = 1.22), adverse clinicopathological features viz. TNM-stage and therapy resistance like chemoresistance (p < 0.001). Mutation analysis revealed diverse alterations and frequent heterozygous deletions, prevalently, missense mutation underscoring its oncogenic role. Moreover, SLC7A11 inhibitors, particularly sulfasalazine and erastin, effectively reversed resistance, in 18 clinical trials (Phase I-III) completed over the last decade. Targeting SLC7A11 presents a promising therapeutic strategy to modulate redox balance, metabolism, and ferroptosis, towards efficient cancer treatments.

The surrogacy value of distant disease-free survival for overall survival has not been validated in neoadjuvant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for early breast cancer. Here, we assess the trial-level surrogacy value of distant disease-free survival for overall survival.

Advanced ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, and the clinical value of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) remains controversial. This study aimed to define the efficacy of HIPEC by integrating the highest level of evidence and to delineate the research landscape of the field.

Preventive defunctioning ileostomy is widely used to prevent leaks in high-risk colorectal anastomosis, but here is no international consensus on the timing of stoma reversal. In this study we aim to evaluate the safety and functional outcomes of early versus late defunctioning ileostomy after low-pelvic surgery for rectal cancer.

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix (SCNECC) is a rare malignancy with poor prognosis. Optimal management of stage I-II disease remains uncertain, with guidelines variably recommending primary surgery or definitive radiotherapy. This study aimed to compare overall survival (OS) in patients with stage I-II SCNECC treated with primary surgery versus definitive radiotherapy through a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current literature.

Muir-Torre syndrome (MTS) is a hereditary tumor predisposition syndrome associated with sebaceous neoplasms. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for loss of mismatch repair (MMR) proteins in these tumors is used as a screening test, but its diagnostic accuracy has not been rigorously assessed.

Increasing evidence supports the oncologic safety of omitting axillary surgery for patients with early breast cancer undergoing breast conserving surgery (BCS). However, there is concern that sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is necessary to inform adjuvant radiotherapy and systemic therapy decisions. The aim was to assess the oncological and survival outcomes of omitting surgical axillary staging in early breast cancer.

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) proteins, STAT5A and STAT5B, are highly homologous transcription factors with distinct roles in cancer biology. While STAT5A has been characterized as a context-dependent modulator of tumor progression, the prognostic significance of STAT5B remains less clear. Here, we conducted a systematic meta-analysis of STAT5B to evaluate its association with overall survival across cancers and to compare its prognostic role with that of STAT5A, as reported previously.

Changes in immunohistochemical (IHC) profiles following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) may impact therapeutic decisions and prognosis in breast cancer patients. However, the clinical significance of these biomarker conversions remains uncertain. To evaluate the frequency of IHC marker conversion (estrogen receptor [ER], progesterone receptor [PR], and HER2) after NAC and its association with pathological complete response (pCR), overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies reporting pre- and post-NAC IHC profiles in breast cancer. A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. The ROBINS-I tool was used to assess risk of bias. Random-effects models were applied to calculate pooled conversion rates and assess the prognostic impact of IHC changes. Twenty-four studies (n = 5891 patients) were included. The pooled conversion rates were 9.2% for ER, 15.1% for PR, 8.6% for HER2. Loss of hormone receptor positivity was associated with a lower pCR rate and worse DFS (HR 1.42; 95% CI, 1.11-1.81). HER2 gain correlated with improved pCR. High heterogeneity was observed, and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results. IHC profile changes after NAC are frequent and clinically relevant. Loss of hormone receptor expression may indicate poorer prognosis, while HER2 gain suggests improved treatment sensitivity. Reassessment of IHC markers post-NAC should be considered to optimize adjuvant therapy decisions.

The role of elective neck dissection (END) in clinically node negative (cN0) locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) of the head and neck on survival outcomes is not well elucidated. To date, there is no systematic review performed on the role of END in cN0 disease for advanced cSCC. This study aims to determine if END affects survival outcomes compared to observation.

Cervical cancer (CC) remains the fourth most prevalent malignancy among women globally, with a disproportionate burden in low- and middle-income countries, where it is often diagnosed at advanced or metastatic stages.

Background & objectives Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy characterised by menstrual irregularities, hirsutism, acne, obesity, infertility, and other features adversely affecting the quality of life of women of childbearing age. Besides lifestyle modifications, limited pharmacological treatments have been used to manage the symptoms of PCOS. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate a novel pharmacological approach, sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), in PCOS. Methods Electronic databases were searched systematically for literature published before November 2024. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating SGLT2i alone or in combination in women diagnosed with PCOS, based on the Rotterdam criteria, were included in the meta-analysis. Preclinical studies, and non-randomised trials, were excluded. Quality of studies was assessed using RoB 2.0. Meta-analysis was performed for change in anthropometry, reproductive hormone levels, glycaemic and cardiometabolic indices. Adverse events (AEs) were also compared between the SGLT2i and control groups, using RevMan 5.4.1. Mean difference using the inverse-variance method and 95% confidence interval was used as a measure of effect size of continuous variables, while odds ratio (OR)using the Mantel-Haenszel method (M-H) with 95% confidence interval was calculated to analyse dichotomous variables. P value less than 0.5 was the cut-off for significance. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted to test the conventional and required information size (RIS) boundaries. The meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024608736). Results Five RCTs with 'low' risk of bias, including 205 patients with PCOS, receiving SGLT2i (empagliflozin, licogliflozin, dapagliflozin, and canagliflozin alone and in combination with metformin) or control (placebo, metformin, or exenatide) were evaluated in the meta-analysis. SGLT2i significantly reduced total testosterone (mean difference=-0.10 [-0.19, -0.01], P=0.03), free androgen index (mean difference = -0.61 [-1.16, -0.05], P=0.03), and homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (mean difference = -0.38 [-0.75, -0.02], P=0.04). Total cholesterol (mean difference=0.13 [0.01, 0.26], P=0.04) and low-density cholesterol (MD=0.18 [0.06, 0.31], P=0.003) increased with SGLT2i use. Genitourinary AEs were more common in the SGLT2i group (OR=10.88 [1.33, 89.14], P= 0.03). On performing TSA, the Z-curve did not cross the RIS boundary of 80 per cent power. Interpretation & conclusions The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that SGLT2i improves the hormonal and glycaemic indices in patients with PCOS. It can prove to be a safe alternative in patients not responding to or intolerant of standard pharmacological treatments.

The use of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitors (CDK4/6is) in treating hormone receptor positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) have been shown to be effective in prolonging progression-free survival with manageable safety profiles. However, the impact of CDK4/6is on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is unclear.

BRAF mutations are found in 10% of colon cancers (CCs) and are associated with poor prognosis in metastatic disease. BRAF V600E predicts sensitivity to cetuximab + encorafenib in the metastatic setting. With new trials testing encorafenib-containing regimens for early-stage CC, we sought to characterize the clinical outcomes of early-stage BRAF V600E CC.

There is uncertainty regarding the optimal next imaging modality for identifying likely malignant pulmonary lesions in patients with abnormal chest radiography, with or without respiratory symptoms.

For larger meningiomas, higher radiation doses need to be delivered to the tumor, increasing the chances of radiation induced toxicity. Hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (HSRS) imparts overall high dose in small multiple fractions, minimising this risk over single session SRS (SSRS). This meta analysis was conducted to homogenize the role of SRS for large meningiomas (> 8 cc) and run a comparative analysis between HSRS and SSRS.