Xin Qian, Xian Deng, Rongjia Zhang, Xu Li, Dehui Qiao, Xiaodong Chen, Hui Yang^*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.079674 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Background: Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) is a rare, aggressive malignancy. Cardiac metastasis from PDTC is exceedingly uncommon. We report early cardiac metastasis occurring shortly after radical thyroidectomy to highlight atypical distant spread and management challenges. Case Description: A 62-year-old woman presented four months after thyroidectomy with progressive exertional dyspnoea, fatigue, productive cough, facial oedema, lip cyanosis, and dizziness. Postoperative pathology showed poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma of the right lobe and isthmus (pT2N1bM0) with capsular and recurrent laryngeal nerve invasion. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a right atrial mass that enlarged to 5.3 × 4.0 cm and extended toward… More >

Yaqi Xu¹, Jia Zhao², Xiaowen Mao^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.079562 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are actively secreted, membrane-enclosed nanoparticles that serve as pivotal mediators of intercellular communication. They function as key mediators of intercellular communication by transporting diverse biomolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites. Within the tumor microenvironment, EVs drive complex cellular crosstalk and critically regulate tumor progression by remodeling the extracellular matrix, conferring drug resistance, and reprogramming immune responses. Given their natural biocompatibility, tissue tropism, and ability to cross biological barriers, EVs have emerged as promising platforms for immunotherapy, tumor vaccines and targeted drug delivery system. Moreover, the rapid expansion of EV-based clinical trials… More > Graphic Abstract

Yiming Ma^1,2,#, Zhihan Zhang^1,2,#, Hongli Pan³, Hailin Jiang^1,2, Lili Guo^4,*, Fengjie Guo^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.079515 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Objectives: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has a poor prognosis, and effective metabolic biomarkers are still few. Glutamine metabolism is one of the central features of tumor metabolic reprogramming, but the cellular heterogeneity and clinical significance of glutamine metabolism in the LUAD tumor microenvironment (TME) remain unknown. The goal of this paper was to define glutamine metabolism on a single-cell basis and determine major regulators that have predictive value. Methods: A single-cell RNA sequencing dataset (GSE149655) was combined with The Cancer Genome Atlas Lung Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-LUAD) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets in order to evaluate the… More >

Zhihao Wei^1,#, Jijie Cai^1,#, Sifen Wang^2,#, Yachen Li³, Libo Luo¹, Jun Chen¹, Fuyu Li¹, Hongyu Nie¹, Ke Gong^4,*, Manbo Cai^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.079281 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Breast cancer (BC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and accumulating evidence suggests that tumor-associated microbiota may contribute to disease heterogeneity beyond host genetic and immune determinants. Advances in sequencing and multi-omics technologies have uncovered a reproducible intratumoral microbiome in BC, with distinct compositional patterns associated with molecular subtypes, clinicopathological features, and clinical outcomes. Alterations in specific microbial taxa have also been linked to tumor immune status, metastatic potential, and therapeutic sensitivity, underscoring their potential value in disease stratification and prognostic assessment. Although breast tissue represents a low-biomass environment, multiple studies employing stringent… More >

Jia Liu^1,2,#, Binqian Wang^1,#, Yannan Jin¹, Wenquan Chen¹, Ruohan Shi¹, Weijia Wang¹, Xiaojing Zhang¹, Yi Tan³, Zhongran Man³, Bo Hu¹, Lisen Zhu¹, Biao Zhang^3,*, Chongchan Bao^4,5,*, Gongsheng Jin^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.079137 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Backgrounds: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype with a unique tumor microenvironment, and while Programmed cell death protein 1/Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) blockade represents a standard immunotherapy, most patients develop primary or acquired resistance, with few alternative immunotherapeutic targets currently available. Therefore, we aimed to identify potential immune checkpoint-related molecules involved in TNBC-macrophage crosstalk, clarify the underlying molecular mechanism mediated by small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), and provide a theoretical basis for the future development of novel immunotherapeutic targets against TNBC. Methods: Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets for various breast cancer… More >

Lisa J. Frey^1,*, Nina Lache¹, Nikita D. Fischer¹, Niklas Rölz¹, Lisa Frey¹, Maximilian Haack¹, Gregor Duwe¹, Stefan Porubsky², Axel Haferkamp¹, Daniel-C. Wagner^2,3, Maximilian P. Brandt¹

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.078954 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Objectives: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the bladder is an aggressive histologic subtype with distinct clinical behavior and limited treatment options after platinum-based chemotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate potential therapeutic targets in bladder SCC. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 790 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between 2011 and 2021 was screened to identify cases with histologically confirmed SCC. All SCC cases in the pathology department from 2003 to 2011 were also reviewed. Clinical and pathological data from 54 patients were analyzed. A tissue microarray (TMA) was constructed, and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses… More >

Yen-Dun Tony Tzeng^1,2,#, Chen-Yueh Wen^3,4,#, Su-Boon Yong^5,6, Zhi-Hong Wen^7,8, An-Jen Chiang^9,*, Chia-Jung Li^8,10,11,12,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.078924 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Breast cancer (BC) management has transitioned from histological classification to molecular subtyping, yet therapeutic resistance and intratumor heterogeneity remain critical clinical challenges. This review examines the emerging paradigm shift toward integrating mitochondrial metabolism into the precision medicine framework. We detail the complex mitonuclear crosstalk where nuclear genetic alterations, such as Breast Cancer 1 (BRCA1) deficiency and TP53 mutations, fundamentally reprogram mitochondrial bioenergetics. Specifically, the loss of BRCA1 function triggers a systemic NAD⁺ depletion trap through PARP1 hyperactivation, while oncogenic drivers like MYC coordinate with PGC1α to enhance mitochondrial biogenesis for metastatic survival. We evaluate the diagnostic potential of… More > Graphic Abstract

Wei Lee¹, Hung-Yu Lin^1,2,*, Pei-Yi Chu^1,3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.078813 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Background: Guanylate kinase 1 (GUK1) is crucial for nucleotide metabolism, yet its impact on breast cancer (BC) progression remains poorly defined. The objective of the present study is to investigate GUK1 as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target. Methods: We employed a multi-omics approach integrating The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data, machine learning algorithm, High-Definition spatial transcriptomics (Visium HD), single-cell profiling, molecular docking and experimental validation including in vitro knockdown models and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). Results: LASSO regression identified GUK1 as a key metabolic driver. High expression correlated significantly with poor survival and was most pronounced in… More >

Beatrice Sani^1,2, Alessandro Cignetti², Marta Leporati³, Sara Sommariva⁴, Marco Armenio¹, Valerio Tenace⁵, Arianna Savi², Johanna Umurungi^1,2, Giovanni Fornari^1,2, Simone Busso³, Alessandra Canevaro³, Igor Bisognin³, Silvia Marini¹, Michele Piana⁴, Daniela Cilloni^1,2, Valentina Gaidano^2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.078245 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Objectives: Venetoclax (VEN) is approved for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in association with azacitidine, in a 28-day schedule at a fixed dosage, which requires reduction if azoles are co-administered. The present study aims to evaluate VEN therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in a real-word setting, where the VEN schedule is frequently reduced, investigating: (i) the posaconazole impact, and (ii) whether VEN exposure correlates with safety and efficacy. Methods: We analyzed data from 43 AML patients treated with different VEN-containing regimens, for whom a near-trough VEN plasma concentration (Cmin) was determined at different timepoints (days 5-8-11-15-22-29) across different cycles… More >

Mao-Lin Chen¹, I-Che Chung¹, Kevin Chih-Yang Huang^2,3,4,5, K. S. Clifford Chao^6,7,8, Ta-Tung Yuan^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.077930 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by an immunosuppressive and metabolically rewired tumor microenvironment (TME). Although α-enolase (ENO1) is frequently overexpressed in PDAC and associated with poor prognosis, its functional role in TME remodeling remains unclear. This study investigated the role of ENO1 in plasmin-dependent transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) activation and metabolic adaptation in PDAC and evaluated the therapeutic potential of HuL001, a first-in-class humanized anti-ENO1 monoclonal antibody. Methods: ENO1 expression and clinical relevance were evaluated in PDAC tissues by immunohistochemistry. Mechanistic studies were performed using PDAC-monocyte co-culture systems, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), enzyme-linked… More >