Dongchi Cai^1,2,#, Jialin Ji^3,#, Chunhui Yang^1,*, Hong Cai^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.071152 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Metabolic reprogramming involving branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)—leucine, isoleucine, and valine—is increasingly recognized as pivotal in cancer progression, metastasis, and immune modulation. This review comprehensively explores how cancer cells rewire BCAA metabolism to enhance proliferation, survival, and therapy resistance. Tumors manipulate BCAA uptake and catabolism via high expression of transporters like L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) and enzymes including branched chain amino acid transaminase 1(BCAT1), branched chain amino acid transaminase 2 (BCAT2), branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH), and branched chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK). These alterations sustain energy production, biosynthesis, redox homeostasis, and oncogenic… More >

Jianfa Wu^1,2,3, Huang Chen³, Sihong Wang^1,2, Lei Peng^1,2, Xiaoying Hu^1,2, Zhou Liu^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070542 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Objectives: Ribosomal protein S6 kinase A2 (RPS6KA2) has been identified as a potential prognostic biomarker in several cancers, including breast cancer, glioblastoma, and prostate cancer. However, its functional significance in ovarian cancer is not well characterized. This study was designed to explore the therapeutic relevance of modulating RPS6KA2 in the context of ovarian cancer, particularly in relation to cisplatin resistance. Methods: The expression levels of RPS6KA2 and key regulators involved in autophagy and ferroptosis were assessed using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, immunofluorescence staining, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting. Prognostic associations were conducted using the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database.… More >

Giacomo Iovane^1,*, Luca Traman², Michele Maffezzoli^1,3, Giuseppe Fornarini², Domenico Corradi⁴, Debora Guareschi⁴, Matteo Santoni^5,#, Sebastiano Buti^1,#

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070523 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Background: While the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) is evolving due to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), optimal strategies for later lines of therapy have yet to be defined. The combination of lenvatinib and everolimus represents a viable option, and the present review aimed to summarize its activity, effectiveness, and safety. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using PubMed, targeting studies published between 2018 and 2025. Eligible studies included English-language prospective and retrospective trials reporting survival outcomes in mRCC patients treated with lenvatinib and everolimus after at least one ICI-containing regimen. Results:… More > Graphic Abstract

Sandra Kałużna^1,*, Monika Świerczewska^1,2, Sylwia Ciesiółka¹, Małgorzata Partyka¹, Michał Nowicki¹, Karolina Wojtowicz¹

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070356 - 30 December 2025

Abstract The last research focuses on the role of exosomes in cancer treatment. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles. They can be secreted by cancer cells, and they can modulate chemotherapy sensitivity. Determining exosomal content opens the possibility for guiding treatment strategies for cancer diseases. Exosomal microRNA are considered one of the prime candidates for exosomal biomarkers. Exosomal circular RNAs represent excellent biomarkers for liquid biopsy because of their stability in many types of cancer. Exosomal proteins remain reliable biomarkers also. Exosomes have emerged as promising therapeutic candidates. Their biological properties render them ideal vectors for drug delivery.… More >

Rabindranath Bera^1,#, Yotaro Ochi^2,3, Ying-Jung Huang¹, Ming-Chung Kuo^1,4, Kenichi Yoshida⁵, Seishi Ogawa², Lee-Yung Shih^1,4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070259 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Background: Breakpoint Cluster Region-Abelson (BCR::ABL1) fusion protein is essential in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML); however, the chronic-to-blast phase transformation remains elusive. We identified novel kinesin light chain 2 (KLC2) mutations in CML-myeloid blast phase patients. We aimed to examine the functional role of KLC2 mutations in leukemogenesis. Methods: To evaluate the biological role of KLC2 mutants (MT) in CML cells, we expressed KLC2-MT in different human CML cell lines harboring BCR::ABL1 and performed immunoblot, immunofluorescence, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis; Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-drug activities; and clonogenic assays for in vitro functional analyses. We co-expressed KLC2-MT… More >

Kai Gui^1,#, Tianyi Yang^1,#, Chengying Xiong¹, Yue Wang¹, Zhiqiang He¹, Wuxian Li^2,3,*, Min Tang^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070143 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Objectives: The mechanism by which specific tumor subsets in colorectal cancer (CRC) use alternative metabolic pathways, particularly those modulated by hypoxia and fructose, to alter the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unclear. This study aimed to identify these malignant subpopulations and characterize their intercellular signaling networks and spatial organization through an integrative multi-omics approach. Methods: Leveraging bulk datasets, single-cell RNA sequencing, and integrative spatial transcriptomics, we developed a prognostic model based on hypoxia-and fructose metabolism-related genes (HFGs) to delineate tumor cell subpopulations and their intercellular signaling networks. Results: We identified a specific subset of stanniocalcin-2 positive (STC2+)… More > Graphic Abstract

Lv Ling^1,#, Minying Lu^2,#, Ling Ye³, Yuanhang Chen², Sheng Lin², Jun Yang², Yu Rong^2,*, Guixiong Wu^4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069889 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Background: A significant proportion of patients still cannot benefit from existing targeted therapies and immunotherapies, making the search for new treatment strategies extremely urgent. In this study, we combined integrate public data analysis with experimental validation to identify novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods: We analyzed RNA and protein databases to assess the expression levels of cytochrome C oxidase 5B (COX5B) in LUAD. Several computational algorithms were employed to investigate the relationship between COX5B and immune infiltration in LUAD. To further elucidate the role of COX5B in LUAD, we utilized… More > Graphic Abstract

Kun Deng^1,2,3, Jianliang Huang^1,2,3, Danyang Li^2,3, Wei Gao^2,3, Minghua Wu^2,3,4,*, Mingsheng Lei^1,5,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069442 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) prognosis has seen little improvement over the past two decades. While immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, its impact on GBM remains limited. To characterize the evolving research landscape and identify future directions in GBM immunotherapy, we conducted a comprehensive bibliometric review. Methods: All literature related to immunotherapy in GBM from 1999 to 2024 was collected from the Web of Science Core Collection. CtieSpace and VOSviewer were used to conduct bibliometric analysis and visualize the data. Results: Bibliometric analysis identified 5038 publications authored by 23,335 researchers from 4699 institutions across 96 countries/regions, published in… More >

Shujie Yin¹, Zong Li¹, Wen-Bin Ou^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069049 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent, excessive lipid peroxidation-driven form of regulated cell death. The core mechanisms of ferroptosis include lipid peroxidation cascade, System X_c⁻-glutathioneglutathione peroxidase 4 axis, iron and lipid metabolism chaos, the NAD(P)Hferroptosis suppressor protein 1—ubiquinone axis, and GTP cyclohydrolase 1 tetrahydrobiopterin-dihydrofolate reductase axis. Cuproptosis is triggered by copper ions and involves ferredoxin 1-mediated aggregation of lipoylated proteins, differing fundamentally from ferroptosis. Both ferroptosis and cuproptosis exhibit dual roles (promote or inhibit) in cancers. And the sensitivity of different cancer types to ferroptosis varies, which may depend on special metabolic signatures (e.g., E-cadherin loss causes epithelial–mesenchymal More > Graphic Abstract

Xiangmei Ye^1,2,3, Baoyi Yang⁴, Xin Zhang⁵, Luyuan Yang¹, Likun Zhang⁵, Qin Ren¹, Xiaobing Li¹, Leiguang Feng¹, Lanlan Wei^3,6,7,*, Peng Song¹, Yuqing Ye⁸, Xin Lian⁹, Yujuan Gao⁹, Haidi Tang¹, Zhiyu Liu¹

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.068814 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Objectives: Philadelphia chromosome-positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Philadelphia-like B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+/Ph-like ALL) constitute the majority of relapsed/refractory B-ALL (R/R B-ALL) cases, highlighting an urgent need to discover new therapeutic targets. This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying poor prognosis in Ph+/Ph-like ALL through transcriptome sequencing and functional cytological assays, with the goal of informing new clinical treatment strategies. Results: Transcriptomic analysis of Ph+/Ph-like ALL patients revealed that low expression of P2X Purinoceptor 1 (P2RX1) was associated with unfavorable outcomes. Specifically, patients with poor prognosis and low P2RX1 expression exhibited downregulation of… More >