Xuechun Liao^1,#, Xiaoxiao Chen^2,#, Shulan Wei¹, Qiong Li¹, Yanqin Zhao¹, Yuying Xiao¹, Qi Zhou¹, Jianping Chen^1,*, Jinlei He^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.5, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.077240 - 13 May 2026

Abstract Objective: Immune checkpoint blockade holds therapeutic potential in visceral leishmaniasis; its underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential and underlying immune mechanisms of Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade in experimental visceral leishmaniasis. Methods: BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania donovani received anti-PD-1 antibody at 35–44 days post-infection. Parasite burden in target organs, serum antibodies, hepatopathology, and transcriptome of the liver were analyzed. T cell exhaustion, activation, apoptosis, and inflammation genes were quantified in target organs. Results: PD-1 blockade reduced splenic parasite load (reduction rate = 82.6%, ***p < 0.001), enhanced hepatic granulomatous… More > Graphic Abstract

Ju Li¹, Pengcheng Rao¹, Dan Yang¹, Tong Zhou¹, Jianguo Gan¹, Die Lv¹, Shuting Zhou¹, Yang Peng¹, Xiaoqiang Xia¹, Qianming Chen¹, Yuchen Jiang¹, Jian Jiang², Xiaoping Xu^1,*, Xiaodong Feng^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.5, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.075437 - 13 May 2026

Abstract Objective: Multiple programmed cell death (PCD) pathways have been individually reported to be triggered by cisplatin, but whether and how they are co-regulated remains unclear. In this study, we comprehensively investigate the spectrum of cisplatin-induced PCD. Methods: We employed integrated in vitro and in vivo models, including human cancer cell lines, a Cal27 xenograft mouse model, and paired clinical specimens from an oral squamous cell carcinoma patient receiving neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy. A comprehensive methodological suite-encompassing cell death assays, Western blotting, Hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunofluorescence, Cyclic multiplexed tissue staining, and pathway-specific pharmacological inhibitors was utilized to dissect the… More >

Yiwei Hao^1,#, Yaodong Ping^2,#, Yan Yang³, Cheng Qu³, Yuan Chen¹, Xueyan Jiang¹, Rong Fu¹, Hailong Zhao^4,*, Lei Yu^4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.074863 - 21 April 2026

Abstract Myocardial ischemia, a core pathological process underlying diverse cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, poses a severe threat to global human health by frequently leading to acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and even sudden cardiac death. A comprehensive understanding of its intricate underlying pathogenic mechanisms is not only crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies but also essential for accelerating the translation of basic research findings into clinical practice. However, the complex regulatory networks that drive myocardial ischemia remain to be systematically clarified. These networks encompass the intricate interactions among multiple pathological processes, including energy… More >

Wubin Zhao^#, Qi Wang^#, Jun Zhang^*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.076406 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Disulfidptosis is a newly identified form of regulated cell death (RCD) first described in 2023, representing a significant advance in understanding programmed cell death pathways. This unique cell death modality is characterized by abnormal intracellular accumulation of disulfide bonds and disruption of redox homeostasis, leading to cytoskeletal collapse without caspase activation. Disulfidptosis is primarily triggered by glucose deprivation in cells with high expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11). Under these conditions, insufficient NADPH supply prevents the effective reduction of accumulated cystine to cysteine, thereby inducing disulfide stress. Distinct from apoptosis, ferroptosis, cuproptosis,… More >

Donatella Coradduzza^1,#, Anna La Salvia^2,#, Giuseppe Fanciulli³, Maria Rosaria De Miglio^3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.073045 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Background: An increasing number of studies have shown that ferroptosis is related to the initiation and development of small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The systematic review aimed to summarize the characteristics of ferroptosis from its pathogenetic role to translational therapeutic implications in SCLC. Methods: This systematic review, registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251090058), followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Comprehensive research of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed for studies published between January 2010 and July 2025 investigating ferroptosis mechanisms, genetic or pharmacological modulation, or molecular profiling in SCLC. Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and quality… More >

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 >

Jung-Yeon Kim^#, Min Hui Park^#, Kiryeong Kim, Jaechan Leem^*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.11, pp. 2147-2166, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.070188 - 24 November 2025

Abstract Background: Cisplatin (CDDP) is a cornerstone chemotherapeutic agent for many solid tumors, but its clinical use is severely limited by dose-dependent nephrotoxicity, which results in acute kidney injury (AKI) in a significant proportion of patients. CDDP-induced AKI involves interconnected mechanisms, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and tubular cell death. In this study, we aimed to investigate the renoprotective effects of esculetin (ES), a natural antioxidant coumarin, in a murine model of CDDP-induced AKI. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice (8–10 weeks) received a single intraperitoneal injection of CDDP (20 mg/kg) with or without ES (40 mg/kg/day, oral gavage).… More >

Ana Clara Ciglioni Salustiano^1,2, Gabriela Barbosa^1,3,4, Rodolfo Borges dos Reis^2,4, Amílcar Castro de Mattos^5,6, Athanase Billis⁶, Leonardo O. Reis^1,3,4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.11, pp. 3417-3428, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.068023 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Objective: The tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in prostate cancer progression and may differ across metastatic sites. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the primary and metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma tumor microenvironment. Methods: A total of 27 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples derived from 17 patients diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma, including the primary tumors, and the corresponding metastatic lymphatic and hematogenous lesions from various anatomical sites. Immunohistochemical labeling was performed using antibodies against Cluster of Differentiation 3 epsilon chain (CD3e), CD8 alpha chain (CD8a), Cluster of Differentiation 68 (CD68), Cluster of Differentiation 163 (CD163), Forkhead… More > Graphic Abstract

Bi Feng^#, Siqi Yang^#, Zhiqiang He, Yushi Dai, Ruiqi Zou, Yafei Hu, Haijie Hu^*, Fuyu Li^*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.9, pp. 2353-2377, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.061422 - 28 August 2025

Abstract Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most frequently occurring malignant tumors of the digestive tract and is associated with an increased mortality rate worldwide. This study aimed to develop and validate a prognostic model based on immunogenic cell death (ICD)-related genes to predict patient survival and guide individualized treatment strategies for HCC. Methods: ICD-related genes were identified from the GeneCards database using a relevance score threshold of >10. A combination of least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariate Cox analysis was used to screen prognostic genes and construct a risk score… More >

Chuncheng Liu¹, Xiaohan Liu¹, Ziqi Li¹, Yanruoxue Wei¹, Bangdong Liu², Peng Zhu², Yukun Liu^1,2,*, Ran Zhao^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.8, pp. 2085-2105, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.065739 - 18 July 2025

Abstract Background: VPS37A (VPS37A subunit of ESCRT-I), a component of the ESCRT-I (endosomal sorting complex required for transport I) complex, mediates vesicular trafficking through sorting endocytic ubiquitinated cargos into multivesicular bodies (MVBs). Although accumulating evidence indicates that VPS37A deficiency occurs in numerous malignancies and exerts tumor-suppressive effects during cancer progression, its functional significance in colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis remains poorly characterized. Therefore, this study aims to further investigate the functional and molecular mechanisms by which VPS37A downregulation contributes to malignant biological phenotypes in CRC, with a specific focus on how its dysregulation affects cell death pathways.… More > Graphic Abstract