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 >

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

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 >

Yiyang Zhao¹, Changchang Sun¹, Qihan Dong², Jiangyang He¹, Yan Wang^1,3,*, Ling Bi^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.076499 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is an emerging biophysical principle that governs subcellular organization through the formation of dynamic, membraneless biomolecular condensates. This review aims to elucidate the multifaceted mechanisms by which dysregulated LLPS drives cancer drug resistance and to explore therapeutic strategies targeting oncogenic biomolecular condensates for improved anticancer outcomes. We synthesize evidence demonstrating that dysregulated LLPS drives cancer drug resistance through diverse mechanisms, including sustaining oncogenic transcription despite targeted therapies, creating physical barriers against chemotherapeutics, modulating immune checkpoint activity, enhancing DNA damage repair, promoting cancer stemness and radioresistance. By integrating insights from cell cycle More >

Renata Pacholczak-Madej^1,2,*, Mirosława Püsküllüoğlu^3,*, Anna Polakiewicz-Gilowska⁴, Małgorzata Pieniążek⁵, Iveta Kolářová⁶, Miroslava Malejčíková⁷, Lenka Rušinová⁸, Miloš Holánek⁹, Renata Soumarová¹⁰, Karolina Winsko-Szczęsnowicz¹¹, Justyna Żubrowska¹², Aleksandra Konieczna¹³, Agnieszka Młodzińska¹³, Daniel Krejčí¹⁴, Iwona Danielewicz¹⁵, Magdalena Szymanik-Resko¹⁵, Tomasz Ciszewski¹⁶, Maja Lisik-Habib¹⁷, Anika Pękala¹⁷, Hana Študentová¹⁸, Jan Šustr¹⁹, Bogumiła Czartoryska-Arłukowicz¹¹, Aleksandra Łacko⁵, Jolanta Smok-Kalwat¹², Michał Jarząb⁴, Zuzana Bielčiková²⁰, Marcin Kubeczko⁴

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.076384 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Background: Germline breast cancer susceptibility gene 1/2 (BRCA1/2) variants guide breast cancer treatment, but their clinical relevance in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) treated with sacituzumab govitecan (SG) remains unclear. The study aimed to evaluate the association between BRCA status and outcomes in SG-treated mTNBC. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 264 patients with mTNBC and known germline BRCA1/2 (gBRCA1/2) status who received SG between August 2021 and May 2025 across multiple oncology centers in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Survival outcomes were compared between patients with gBRCA1/2 mutations (gBRCA1/2m) and those with gBRCA1/2 wild-type (gBRCA1/2wt) using Kaplan–Meier estimates, the log-rank… More >

Guoliang Zhong¹, Tianqing Yang¹, Shuqi Lin¹, Muyi Zhong^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.076300 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Hormone Receptor-positive/Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2−) breast cancer treatment has made a breakthrough due to the introduction of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors. This article mainly reviews the mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy, and current application status of CDK4/6 inhibitors, including Palbociclib, Ribociclib, Abemaciclib, and the emerging Dalpiciclib. The advantages and limitations of different treatment stages are also discussed. CDK4/6 inhibitors have excellent efficacy in prolonging progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and have become a key option for HR+/HER2− breast cancer first-line and adjuvant treatment. The issues of drug More >

Pietro Tralongo^1,#,*, Mariagiovanna Ballato^1,#, Valeria Zuccalà², Vincenzo Fiorentino², Walter Giordano¹, Giovanna Casili³, Fabiola Bellinghieri⁴, Gerardo Caruso⁵, Filippo Flavio Angileri⁵, Guido Fadda², Maurizio Martini^2,§, Maria Caffo^5,§

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.076088 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor of adulthood, and despite optimal safe resection and chemoradiation, it is still lethal. Neuroscience of cancer has shown that neuronal activities, as well as neurotransmitters, play an active role in the glioma microenvironment. This article aims to integrate the existing literature on the role of neurotransmitters and their receptors in glioblastoma, as well as other gliomas, highlighting areas of therapeutic intervention in the neuron-tumor interface. We will describe the neuro–glioma interface, including functional neuron–glioma synapses and activity-dependent tumor growth. We will also discuss major neurotransmitter… More > Graphic Abstract

Evangelia Pantazaka^1,#, Dimitrios Papakonstantinou^1,#, Argyro Roumeliotou¹, Dafni Graikioti², Sotirios Tsakas¹, Nefeli Zacharopoulou³, Stuart S. Martin⁴, Athanasios Kotsakis⁵, Constantinos M. Athanassopoulos², Catherine Alix-Panabières^6,7,8, Galatea Kallergi^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.075600 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Objectives: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) drive metastasis and exhibit resistance to conventional therapies, making them crucial therapeutic targets. Artesunate (AS), a derivative of artemisinin, displays anticancer activity, including inhibition of JunB proto-oncogene (JUNB) and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and upregulation of Vimentin (VIM), markers related to poor prognosis in CTCs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of AS on adherent and non-adherent cancer cell lines (breast, lung, colon), the patient-derived colon cancer CTC-MCC-41 line, and CTCs from small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. Methods: AS’s effect was evaluated using TetherChip technology. Cell viability was measured using… More > Graphic Abstract