The integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with perioperative chemotherapy (CT) has become a major focus of clinical research in resectable gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer. Recent phase 2 and 3 trials have reported disparate outcomes, generating considerable debate. To synthesize this evidence, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding ICIs to CT in this setting.

Mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) and microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) colorectal cancers demonstrate exceptional responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors; however, evidence for the efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy remains limited. This review consolidates all prospective trials evaluating neoadjuvant immune checkpoint blockade in non-metastatic dMMR/MSI-H colorectal cancer.

This meta-analysis was designed to compare the long-term outcomes of first-line programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy in patients with advanced HER2-negative gastric cancer (GC).

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are effective in cancer treatment but may trigger immune-related adverse events (irAEs), especially in patients with preexisting autoimmune diseases (ADs). This population is often excluded from trials due to higher risks of flares, higher rates of irAEs, and potential reduced ICI efficacy. This review examines the safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with preexisting autoimmune diseases and explores emerging evidence on potential predictive biomarkers.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a novel and promising anti-cancer therapy. We conducted this systematic review to precisely quantify the occurrence and development for actue kidney injury(AKI) following ICIs treatment for cancer. We conducted a search of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. Twenty-nine studies, comprising 24,953 cancer patients who received ICIs were finally eligible. The incidence of AKI was 16.2% (95%CI:12.8%-19.8%); the incidence of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated acute kidney injury (ICPi-AKI) was 3.1%(95%CI:2.4%-4%); the incidence of non-ICPi-AKI was 11.2%(95%CI:8.4%-14.3%), and the incidence of sustained AKI was 14.9%(95%CI:7.5%-24.3%). Patients who developed AKI (HR = 1.521(95%CI:1.208-1.916)) and ICPi-AKI (HR = 1.407(95%CI:1.059-1.869)) exhibited an elevated risk of all-cause mortality. An increased risk for AKI was observed with preexisting chronic kidney disease (CKD) and combined with other extrarenal immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), proton pump inhibitor (PPI), diuretic, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAASi), antibiotics and fluidone was also significantly associated with incident AKI. Combined therapy had a greater impact on renal injury compared to monotherapy. Patients using ipilimumab were more prone to developing AKI, compared to those using nivoluma. CTLA4 (ref'PD-1) was associated with a higher likelihood of sustained AKI. The use of PDL-1(ref='PD-1) was linked to an increased susceptibility to ICPi-AKI. The occurrence of AKI was intricately linked to specific complications, the concomitant use of certain medications, and the specific regimen of ICIs. This deserves our attention.

Biosimilar anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents are cheaper alternatives to current treatments, but their safety and efficacy are unknown. This review aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of biosimilar anti-vascular endothelial growth factors in the management of retinopathy of prematurity.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) accounts for approximately 90% of all esophageal cancer cases and is associated with poor prognosis. However, recent advancements have transformed the treatment landscape. Tislelizumab, a humanized immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody, was developed to overcome resistance mechanisms by minimizing binding to FcγR on macrophages. The RATIONALE-302 clinical trial showed statistically significant survival benefits of tislelizumab over chemotherapy in second-line ESCC highlighting the necessity of evaluating comparative efficacy with existing treatments. This study aimed to identify trials evaluating anti-PD-1 therapies for second-line ESCC and indirectly estimate the relative efficacy of tislelizumab versus existing anti-PD-1 therapies.

PARP inhibitor (PARPi)-based therapy is a well-established treatment modality for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) harboring homologous recombination repair (HRR) deficiencies. However, its clinical efficacy in mCRPC without HRR alterations remains undefined.

The DNA damage response (DDR) is a critical cellular mechanism for maintaining genomic stability and integrity. Over the past decade, targeting DDR pathways in tumors has led to significant therapeutic advances but faces limitations such as drug resistance and combinatorial toxicity. Meanwhile, cancer immunotherapy has shown remarkable efficacy in some solid tumors, yet response rates to single-agent therapies remain modest and are often hindered by immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME). DDR inhibitors (DDRi) can potentiate antitumor immunity via mechanisms such as increased neoantigen release and activation of the cGAS-STING pathway, providing a rationale for combining DDRi with immunotherapy. Indeed, the combination of DDRi with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has shown synergistic promise in clinical studies, while combinations of DDRi with novel immunotherapeutic approaches are now in early development. Here, we systematically review DDR-targeted cancer therapies and their molecular mechanisms for enhancing tumor immunogenicity, along with recent clinical advances in combining DDRi with immunotherapy. Our goal is to provide a theoretical foundation and translational insight for optimizing these combination strategies.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer treatment but are associated with gastrointestinal (GI) immune-related adverse events (IrAEs). GI dysautonomia is a rare IrAE due to enteric nervous system dysfunction with/without generalized autonomic failure. Here, we present a case series of GI dysautonomia following ICI therapy and conduct a systematic review of the literature.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), particularly anti-PD-(L)1s, have transformed cancer care by their extended efficacy, even receiving next-line. Event-free survival 2 (EFS2), progression/recurrence-free survival 2 (PRFS2) and progression-free survival 2 (PFS2) capture the time from randomization to objective recurrence/progression or death on the first subsequent therapy, potentially offering a more accurate measure of durable benefit than first-event endpoints. Our aim is to review the magnitude of this benefit and evaluate long-term endpoints as surrogates for overall survival (OS) in immunotherapy for solid malignancies.

Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Peritoneal metastasis (PM) occurs in 5-20 % of patients at diagnosis and is associated with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Intraperitoneal paclitaxel (IP PTX) has shown variable outcomes in this setting. This study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze the efficacy and safety of IP PTX-based regimens in gastric cancer with PM. A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov identified 253 articles, of which 35 clinical trials (CTs) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Screening and data extraction were conducted, with quality assessment performed using the RoB (Risk of Bias) 2.0 tool and the NIH Quality Assessment Questionnaire. Survival outcomes were assessed using median survival time (MST) and 1-year overall survival (OS). Tumor response was evaluated using RECIST criteria. Subgroup analysis was performed for patients undergoing conversion gastrectomy. Safety was assessed by adverse events (AEs). Among 855 patients, the overall pooled MST with IP PTX-based regimens was 20.2 months. Overall cumulative 1-year OS among 785 patients was 71 % (95 % CI: 66-76). In 332 patients undergoing conversion gastrectomy, pooled overall MST was 27 months. For 168 patients who underwent conversion gastrectomy after IP PTX-based regimens, the 1-year OS was 84 % (95 % CI: 77-89). The most common AEs were alopecia (75 %) and anemia (60 %). IP PTX-based regimens appear safe and effective for treating gastric cancer with PM. Subsequent conversion gastrectomy in eligible patients can further improve survival outcomes.

Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (CIN) may reflect higher pharmacodynamic exposure and relate to improved outcomes, but its clinical relevance in pancreatic cancer remains uncertain.

Existing meta-analyses of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapies for neovascular age-related macular degeneration focus mainly on ranibizumab and aflibercept, with limited data on newer agents (faricimab, conbercept). This network meta-analysis (NMA) comprehensively compares all four key agents.

Copper-cysteamine nanoparticles (Cu-Cy NPs) represent an innovative approach for cancer therapy due to their unique ability to be activated by multiple physical and chemical stimuli. This review systematically evaluates studies investigating Cu-Cy NPs in combination with chemical agents and diverse energy sources, including X-rays, UV light, microwaves, and ultrasound. A comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to August 2025 identified 18 relevant studies encompassing both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Across these studies, Cu-Cy NPs consistently suppressed tumor growth and triggered cancer cell death by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and enhanced therapeutic effects when combined with co-treatments such as disulfiram, potassium iodide, and other adjunct therapies. The multi-modal activation of Cu-Cy NPs, along with their ability to enhance existing therapeutic approaches, demonstrates a novel strategy in cancer treatment that integrates chemical and physical mechanisms for maximal efficacy. These findings underscore the nanoparticles' potential to transform current oncology strategies, offering targeted, versatile, and personalized therapeutic options. Continued investigation is essential to fully elucidate their mechanisms, optimize treatment protocols, and translate these promising preclinical results into safe and effective clinical applications.

Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is a frequent complication of anticancer therapy which arises from cytotoxic injury, having significant clinical implications. Nutritional and supplement-based interventions have been proposed as adjunctive strategies to improve outcomes. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating nutritional or natural supplement interventions for prevention or management of OM in pediatric oncology. Methods: We conducted a systematic search (17 August 2025) of Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Google Scholar (1 January 2000-1 June 2025) following PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251134454). The review included randomized controlled trials in pediatric cancer patients (≤18 years; up to 25 years for follow-up) receiving chemo-/radiotherapy, assessing nutritional, dietary, or natural product interventions for oral mucositis prevention or treatment. Non-randomized, adult, non-English, non-peer-reviewed, or inaccessible studies were excluded. Outcomes included incidence, severity, duration of OM, and mucositis-associated pain. Risk of bias was assessed using the NIH Study Quality Assessment Tools and the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Results were qualitatively summarized. Results: Of 5870 records identified, 20 RCTs met inclusion criteria resulting in 1430 total included patients. Interventions tested included systemic supplements (e.g., glutamine, zinc, and bovine colostrum), topically applied agents (e.g., honey, vitamin E, Aloe vera, and olive oil), and nutrient-containing rinses (e.g., chamomile, Caphosol, and Traumeel S). Honey-based interventions showed promising outcomes. Discussion: Study designs and sample sizes varied considerably, and outcome measures were heterogeneous. Challenges with blinding, variable compliance, and inconsistent reporting reduce confidence and precision in the findings. Conclusions: Evidence from pediatric RCTs remains limited but highlights nutritional and natural products as promising supportive care options for OM. Findings suggest potential for practical, low-cost adjuncts to established oral care protocols, warranting further high-quality multicenter trials.

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.

Six-heptyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-ones and their analogues, named in this work as hyptolactones, are substances that have great antitumor potential because they are structurally related to pironetin, an important natural product with well-established antitumor effects. To investigate the cytotoxic potential and other biological effects of natural hyptolactones, a systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. The search was conducted on databases: PubMed Central, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Science. The authors independently evaluated 272 records after insertion into the Rayyan platform, including 61 articles (Cohen's Kappa: 0.94), which indicated the existence of 72 hyptolactones originating from plants and 14 from fungi. Of these, 58 demonstrated some type of biological activity, the main ones being cytotoxic, antibacterial and antifungal effects. The SYRCLE tool was used to assess the risk of bias in animal studies. As only the α,β-unsaturated δ-lactones were cytotoxic, it is assumed that the biological effects of the hyptolactones are due to the α,β-unsaturated lactone group, also present in pironetin. Despite promising results, there is a lack of data regarding the biological effects of these lactones, especially in vivo models. Thus, scientific evidence of their therapeutic potential motivates more in-depth biological studies, enabling greater expansion of their potential.

The highly fibrotic extracellular matrix (ECM) constitutes a major barrier that restricts the penetration and delivery efficiency of anticancer drugs, particularly in fibrotic tumors such as pancreatic cancer, in which cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) secrete excess collagen and cross-linking enzymes to establish a mechanically resistant and poorly compressible tumor microenvironment (TME). This review summarized the pathological mechanisms underlying collagen enrichment in the ECM and its pivotal role in tumor drug resistance, with a systematic overview on recent advances in collagenase-based anticancer therapies, especially those incorporated nano-carrier targeted drug delivery technology. Such approaches degrade the ECM collagen barrier, reducing interstitial pressure and collagen density, thereby substantially improving drug penetration and distribution in TME. Moreover, nano-carrier-mediated collagenase delivery not only circumvents the off-target toxicity associated with systemic administration but also facilitates precise local release and microenvironmental modulation, significantly enhancing the efficacy of other therapies. Critically, this review uniquely differentiates itself from existing literature by providing a comprehensive and comparative evaluation of the burgeoning landscape of nanocarriers specifically engineered for collagenase delivery. We meticulously categorize, analyze, and tabulate diverse nanocarrier platforms (e.g., liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, micelles, inorganic nanoparticles, hydrogel​) employed in this context over recent years. Their demonstrated efficacy in overcoming the ECM barrier and enhancing subsequent therapeutic outcomes in preclinical models of fibrotic cancers. To our knowledge, this work represents the first dedicated and systematic review within the past five years that consolidates and critically contrasts this rapidly evolving array of nanotechnological approaches for collagenase delivery aimed at ECM modulation. As an emerging synergistic treatment strategy, nano-carrier targeted collagenase delivery exhibits remarkable translational potential as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of cancer.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) patients, comparing SBRT alone to SBRT combined with immunotherapy. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Electronic databases, including Google Scholar, Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and PubMed, were searched up to October 23, 2024. Studies evaluating SBRT alone or in combination with immunotherapy for APC were included. Key outcomes assessed were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). Data were analyzed and presented as percentages. The study is registered with PROSPERO under the registration number CRD420250655873. The 1-year OS rate was 44% for SBRT alone, compared to 8% for nivolumab + ipilimumab + SBRT, 80% for durvalumab + SBRT, and 2% for durvalumab + tremelimumab + SBRT. The 1-year PFS rate was 46% for SBRT alone, versus 43%, 4%, and 3% for the respective combinations. Grade 3/4 TRAEs were lower for SBRT alone (21.5%) compared to combination therapies: 79.1% for nivolumab + ipilimumab + SBRT, 73.2% for nivolumab + SBRT, 33.3% for durvalumab + SBRT, and 61.1% for durvalumab + tremelimumab + SBRT. SBRT is an effective treatment option for APC, with a 1-year OS rate of 44% and relatively low TRAEs. The combination of durvalumab + SBRT demonstrated a promising 1-year OS rate of 80%, highlighting its potential for further investigation.