Dat Quoc Tran¹, Mayu Takeda², Eiji Sugihara², Tetsuya Tsukamoto^2,3, Yasushi Hoshikawa⁴, Yasuyoshi Mizutani¹, Kazuya Shiogama⁵, Naoya Asai⁶, Atsuko Niimi¹, Makoto Sumitomo², Hideyuki Saya², Motoshi Suzuki^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.078309 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Objectives: Genetic risk models have substantially advanced our understanding of germline pathogenic variants (GPVs) in some malignancies, whereas their clinical significance in lung cancer remains unclear. The present study aimed to better understand potential contribution of GPVs to lung cancer etiology. Methods: A targeted sequencing panel of 143 cancer-related genes was applied to analyze 26 distinct lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tumors from 11 patients histopathologically diagnosed with multiple primary lung cancers (MPLC). Tumor classification was performed through integrated evaluation of mutation profiles, and variants shared among tumor lesions were further validated as likely germline or somatic mutations… More >

Wei Jiang¹, You Zheng¹, Zhouhong Jing², Xiangling Yu¹, Huiying Fang^2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.078278 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Background: Breast cancer treatment is often hampered by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). To improve therapeutic efficacy, this study developed a folic acid-chitosan (FA-CS)-modified liposomal formulation co-delivering doxorubicin (DOX) and resiquimod (R848) for combined chemotherapy and immune modulation. Methods: The FA-CS-R848/DOX@Lip liposomes were prepared by rotary evaporation and characterized for morphology, particle size, zeta potential, drug encapsulation efficiency (EE), drug loading (DL) capacity, and drug release profiles. Cellular uptake and cytotoxicity were determined to assess the biological effects of the formulation. Antitumor efficacy and biosafety were assessed in an EO771 tumor-bearing mouse model. The macrophage phenotype,… More >

Pei-Yu Kao¹, Jie-Hong Chen², Kuo-Hu Chen^1,3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.078219 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Cervical cancer remains a major global health challenge despite advances in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, screening, and treatment. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types, particularly HPV16 and HPV18, is a necessary cause of cervical cancer; however, only a small fraction of infections progress to malignancy, indicating the importance of additional cofactors. Increasing evidence identifies estrogen signaling as a critical modifier of HPV-driven carcinogenesis. Estrogen acts synergistically with HPV oncogenes E6 and E7 to promote genomic instability, immune evasion, and tumor progression, largely through effects on the tumor microenvironment (TME). This review aims to clarify and… More >

Daniel Arcuschin de Oliveira¹, Melissa Yoshimi Sakamoto Maeda Nisimoto¹, Jaciara Moreira Sodré Hunnicutt¹, Eduarda Massa Sartori¹, Amanda Fáris Marques¹, Francisco Macedo Paschoal², Luciana Cavalheiro Marti^1,3, Miriam Galvonas Jasiulionis⁴, Miguel Sabino Neto¹, Renato Santos de Oliveira Filho^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.077913 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is characterized by a low mutational burden, frequent chromosomal rearrangements, and profound epigenetic dysregulation, distinguishing it from ultraviolet (UV)-induced melanoma. Among the epigenetic regulators, Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), the catalytic component of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), plays a central role in chromatin compaction and transcriptional repression through trimethylation of histone H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27me3). EZH2 overexpression or hyperactivation contributes to tumor progression, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance. Recent multi-omic studies have highlighted the importance of EZH2 in regulating melanoma plasticity, immune modulation, and metabolic reprogramming. In… More > Graphic Abstract

Hyungkeun Cha¹, Yong Seok Lee², Gui Young Kwon³, Boran Kim⁴, Yeonsook Moon⁵, Lucia Kim⁶, Hae-Seong Nam^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.077514 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Objective: Studies on the comprehensive utility of complete blood count-derived inflammatory biomarkers (CBC-IBs) as biomarkers in pembrolizumab-treated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are scarce. This study aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of a panel of CBC-IBs as potential predictive biomarkers and assess whether integrating the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression could overcome the limitations of PD-L1 as a standalone predictive biomarker. Methods: Our real-world preliminary study was conducted on a cohort of patients with advanced NSCLC. Patients who had undergone PD-L1 immunohistochemistry testing at the time of diagnosis, and had… More >

Kirill V. Chernov^1,#, Artemii M. Savin^1,#, Daria E. Otvodnikova¹, Oleg A. Kuchur^1,2, Sergey A. Tsymbal^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.077445 - 21 May 2026

Abstract The formation of drug resistance poses the ultimate threat in modern oncology. Targeted therapy lacks versatility, while conventional therapy is famous for its side effects. However, for the new therapeutics to address the challenge of drug resistance, such compounds should combine properties of both modalities. In this review, we argue that metal-based therapeutics are paramount substances for achieving this goal. The unique physico-chemical properties and metabolism of these compounds, as well as metals themselves, allow to realize unique activities in normal and cancer cells, including precise targeting, non-apoptotic cell death, and disruption of critical signaling More > Graphic Abstract

Fang-Ying Chiu^1,2,3,*, Yun Yen^2,4,5,6

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.077076 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Objective: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor and is characterized by significant intratumoral heterogeneity. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and genomic landscapes of GBM across diverse ethnic populations to identify potential prognostic markers. Methods: Leveraging The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA) and bioinformatics modeling, White, African, and Asian American cohorts were analyzed. Patients were stratified according to the 2021 WHO classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Population-specific genomic drivers and phenotypic markers were evaluated for their impact on outcomes. Survival rates across age, sex, and ethnicity were estimated using the… More >

Stefano Vecchia¹, Rebecca Chinelli¹, Arianna Orcesi¹, Chiara Citterio², Alessandra Riva¹, Elena Orlandi^3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.076944 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Objectives: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality and mainly affects older adults, who frequently experience polypharmacy. While systemic therapy may improve outcomes in selected older patients, the use of multiple drugs increases the risk of potential drug–drug interactions (pDDIs). This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of pDDIs in older patients with PDAC receiving first-line systemic therapy and their potential impact on clinical outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center study including patients aged ≥ 75 years with PDAC who initiated first-line systemic therapy between December 2011 and January… More >

Shadi Zerehpoosh¹, Yasuhito Tanaka², Said A. Al-Busafi^3,4, Gulnara Aghayeva⁵, Samir Rouabhia⁶, Qiuwei Pan⁷, Mohammed Eslam^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.076937 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a critical global health challenge, standing as a leading cause of cancer mortality with a significant and projected increasing incidence worldwide. A primary hurdle in HCC management is late diagnosis, often attributable to the absence of early symptoms. Despite considerable advancements in therapeutic strategies over the past decade, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies, mortality rates remain high, underscoring the urgent need for more effective novel approaches. The inherent molecular complexity and heterogeneity of HCC, where only a minority of tumors possess readily targetable drivers, contribute to treatment resistance and More >

Maria Franza, Aurora Melfi, Filippo Acconcia, Alessandra di Masi^*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.076509 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1), a key regulator of cell cycle checkpoints, plays a central role in the DNA damage response network, serving as a critical mediator that links DNA damage detection to DNA repair mechanisms. In recent years, several other cellular functions of CHK1 have gradually been discovered. As well as monitoring genomic integrity, CHK1 coordinates the timing of DNA replication with the availability of metabolic resources. This prevents unscheduled DNA synthesis from exceeding the cell’s metabolic capacity and causing DNA damage. CHK1 activity also contributes to tumour immune surveillance and the modulation of immune… More >