Ping Wang^1,2,#, Yan-Han Chen^1,2,#, Ze-Tao Zhan^1,2, Jun-Xiang Zeng^1,2, Yu Chen^3,4, Yuan Lin^1,2, Tao Chen^1,5,*, Wei-Jie Zhou^1,2,5,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.071902 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Background: Thimerosal is a mercury-containing preservative widely used in vaccines. This study aimed to investigate its potential antitumor effects and mechanisms in solid malignancies, particularly colorectal cancer (CRC) and melanoma. Methods: A combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches was employed. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, ATP viability, Western blotting, flow cytometry, wound-healing and Transwell assays. Subcutaneous, lung metastases, and Azoxymethane/Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt (AOM/DSS)-induced colitis-associated CRC models were established to examine antitumor efficacy and safety. The functional role of mercury ions was validated using structural… More >

Marta Pawłowska^1,*, Dorian Jarek², Jan Milanowski², Karolina Szewczyk-Golec¹

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.071891 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Parasitic infections are increasingly recognized as contributors to cancer development, yet the underlying oncogenic mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. Growing evidence from molecular oncology, immunology, and microbiome research suggests that chronic parasitic infections may drive tumorigenesis through sustained inflammation, deregulated signaling pathways, genomic instability, and the release of parasite-derived exosomes that reshape the tumor microenvironment. These insights underscore the need to integrate parasitology with cancer biology to understand infection-associated malignancies better. The aim of this narrative review is to synthesize current knowledge on how selected parasites contribute to cancer development and to highlight emerging therapeutic and… More > Graphic Abstract

Stefano Dore¹, Matteo Sacchi¹, Antonio Pinna¹, Giuseppe Palmieri^2,3, Panagiotis Paliogiannis^4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.071831 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular cancer, with approximately 5.2 individuals per million affected annually in the United States. It represents approximately 3% of the global malignant melanoma cases, accounting for 80% of the overall noncutaneous melanomas. Clinically, it remains silent in about 30% of the cases; when symptomatic, it generally causes metamorphopsia (painless loss or distortion of vision) and/or photopsia (flashing or flickering of light in the visual field). Discoloration of the iris, astigmatism, glaucoma, and even blindness are other, less common clinical manifestations. Several pathophysiological mechanisms underlie the development of UM.… More >

Min Hee Kim¹, Boyoon Huh¹, Joo-Won Park^1,*, Woo-Jae Park^2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.071523 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies among women and comprises a heterogeneous spectrum of molecular subtypes with distinct biological behaviors. Among various regulatory molecules, sphingolipids play pivotal roles in dynamically modulating fundamental cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis through metabolic interconversions, including phosphorylation, glycosylation, and the generation of sphingosine-1-phosphate. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms through which sphingolipid metabolism orchestrates cancer cell fate and drives breast cancer progression. Particular emphasis is placed on the balance between proapoptotic ceramides and pro-survival metabolites, such as sphingosine-1-phosphate, which collectively influence tumor growth More >

Wei-Ting Hsueh^1,#, Kwang-Yu Chang^1,2,3,#, Chin-Chuan Tsai^4,5, Kuan-Tso Chen^5,6, Kuen-Jang Tsai⁷, Zi-Xuan Hong⁸, Chan-Chuan Liu², Jui-Mei Chu², Li-Ying Qiu², Yu-Yan Lan⁸, Chia-Hung Chien^8,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.071258 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Objectives: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a prevalent malignant brain tumor prone to drug resistance. We previously found a strong correlation between SH3 domain GRB2-like endophilin B1 (SH3GLB1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), which converts O₂ to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Prior studies show that H₂O₂ redox signaling is vital for physiological processes and can drive tumor progression. Therefore, we aim to define how H₂O₂ signaling regulates SH3GLB1 and AKT (protein kinase B) pathways in GBM and to assess whether modulating H₂O₂ reverses temozolomide (TMZ) resistance. Methods: We used cultured cells and pharmacological inhibitors and activators to confirm the significance of… More > Graphic Abstract

Harpreet Kaur^1,*, Dhrubalochan Rana², Sowvik Bag², Paramjeet Singh³

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.071209 - 19 January 2026

Abstract The prolonged and intricate history of oncological treatments has transitioned significantly since the introduction of chemotherapy. Substantial therapeutic benefits in cancer therapy have been achieved by the integration of conventional treatments with molecular biosciences and omics technologies. Human epidermal growth factor receptor, hormone receptors, and angiogenesis factors are among the established therapies in tumor reduction and managing side effects. Novel targeted therapies like KRAS G12C, Claudin-18 isoform 2 (CLDN18.2), Trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP2), and epigenetic regulators emphasize their promise in advancing precision medicine. However, in many cases, the resistance mechanisms associated with these interventions… More > Graphic Abstract

Ruoxue Cai^1,#, Shuyi Hu^2,#, Feiyang Li², Huanhuan Sha^3,*, Guoren Zhou^2,*, Ying Fang³

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070893 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Objective: To determine whether immunotherapy can bring new hope for patients with limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). We conducted this retrospective study to evaluate whether immunotherapy can achieve better efficacy in LS-SCLC patients. Methods: We evaluated 122 LS-SCLC patients who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) or sequential chemoradiotherapy (SCRT) (Group A) and immunotherapy combined with CCRT/SCRT followed by immunotherapy (Group B), to assess the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and progression-free survival (PFS). Factors affecting prognosis were also explored using Cox analysis. The prognosis of patients with type 2 diabetes and patients with… More >

Shail Rakesh Modi, Terrick Andey^*, George Acquaah-Mensah^*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070793 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Objectives: The current treatment options and therapeutic targets for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive subtype of breast cancer (BrCA), are limited. This study aimed to identify novel biomarkers and transcriptional regulatory networks (TRN) inherent in TNBC samples. Methods: We analyzed pan-cancer BrCA datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to compare triple-positive breast cancer (TPBC) with TNBC. TRN algorithms and virtual inference of protein-enriched regulon (VIPER) were used to identify master regulators and their target genes. Utilizing TNBC cells (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468), we validated the relationship of nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 3 (NFE2L3) and… More > Graphic Abstract

Zhilong He^1,#, Jing Qin^1,#, Sixuan Wu^2,#, Xian Liang¹, Yu Liu¹, Jinfeng Qiu¹, Zhimin Li^2,*, Kai Hu^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070567 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Objective: The contribution of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with protein palmitoylation to the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unclear. This study sought to establish a prognostic signature based on palmitoylation-related lncRNAs and explore their functional implications in HCC. Methods: RNA sequencing and clinical data for HCC and normal tissues were sourced from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify lncRNAs that were co-expressed with palmitoylation-related genes. Univariate Cox regression was applied to select lncRNAs with prognostic value, followed by the construction of a predictive model using the… More >

Kamila Mozga¹, Olga Synowiecka¹, Igor Rydzyk¹, Anna Marek¹, Ewelina Wieczorek¹, Alicja Petniak^2,*, Paulina Gil-Kulik²

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070505 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Objectives: Immunotherapy based on immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has become a key treatment for melanoma. However, the increasing number of cases of melanoma resistant to immunotherapy highlights the need to develop methods to overcome this resistance. This study aims to collect the most recent information on melanoma immunotherapy, discuss potential strategies to overcome resistance to immunotherapy, and identify areas that require further analysis. Methods: To achieve this goal, scientific publications from 2021–2024 available in PubMed and Google Scholar databases were analyzed. The databases were searched using the following terms: “melanoma”, “immunotherapy”, “Immune Checkpoint Blockade”, and More >