Yingjian Wang¹, Chen Jin¹, Yixue Qin¹, Xinghong Yao², Ye Zeng^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.5, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.076298 - 13 May 2026

Abstract Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B1 (AKR1B1) was historically characterized as the first and generally rate-limiting enzyme of the polyol pathway and, consequently, was primarily implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Recent advances, however, have repositioned AKR1B1 as a pleiotropic signaling hub whose biological functions extend far beyond glucose metabolism. This review systematically integrates the complex regulatory network governing AKR1B1, including transcriptional control by tumor protein p53 (p53) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and its dual functionality as both a metabolic enzyme and a non-catalytic signaling scaffold. We elucidate its role More >

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 >

Chunhui Tian^1,2, Weipin Xie^1,2, Wen Li², Huaiyu Gu², Xuebao Liu², Busheng Tong^1,*, Yehai Liu^1,*, Huaiyuan Zong^3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.5, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.077171 - 22 April 2026

Abstract Background: In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), solute carrier family 16 member 1 (SLC16A1) is associated with tumor advancement and reduced sensitivity to ferroptosis, yet the molecular basis of these effects remains unclear. This study seeks to uncover how SLC16A1 contributes to HNSCC tumorigenesis. Methods: To elucidate how SLC16A1 drives HNSCC progression via ferroptosis resistance, we performed RNA sequencing on SLC16A1-knockdown HNSCC cells and controls, followed by functional validation. We next systematically assessed the role of the candidate molecule solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) in HNSCC progression and resistance to ferroptosis… More > Graphic Abstract

Yan Zhu^1,#, Bin Guan^1,#, Wencai Guan¹, Jihong Zhang¹, Shiyu Wang¹, Jimin Shi¹, Wei Fan¹, Qi Lu^2,3, Lingyun Zhang^4,5,*, Guoxiong Xu^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.5, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.075241 - 22 April 2026

Abstract Background: Ovarian cancer poses the greatest threat to survival among gynecologic cancers in women. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators in oncogenesis. The current study aimed to elucidate the function and regulatory mechanism of lncRNA KRT7-AS in ovarian cancer. Methods: The clinical significance of KRT7-AS was evaluated through bioinformatics analysis of data from public repositories. KRT7-AS expression was examined by RT-qPCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The function analyses were conducted using assays for cell proliferation, migration, invasion, wound healing, and colony formation. Assessment of cell cycle and apoptosis was performed using flow… More >

Qiguo Wang¹, Qin Wang², Wen Ye³, Qin Feng³, Ting Wang^3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.075633 - 21 April 2026

Abstract Objectives: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a common primary glomerulonephritis with limited treatment options. Gallic acid (GA) has demonstrated renal protective effects, but its precise mechanisms against IgAN remain incompletely elucidated. This study aims to reveal the molecular mechanism by which GA exerts a renal protective effect on IgAN. Methods: Transcriptomics and network pharmacology were combined in an integrative manner. The GSE175759 dataset’s differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were filtered out. SwissTargetPrediction and Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) were used to forecast GA’s goals. Core targets and pathways were obtained by functional… More >

Xingchang Fu, Gang Yang^*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.074951 - 21 April 2026

Abstract Objectives: Mitochondrial dysfunction and ferroptosis play crucial roles in osteoarthritis (OA), but the mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of sex-determining region Y-box transcription factor (SOX) 11/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4) axis-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and ferroptosis in OA. Methods: Destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) induced knee OA in mice. Chondrocytes were stimulated with IL-1β. Ferroptosis and mitochondrial function-related indicators were detected by immunofluorescence, 5,5^′,6,6^′-Tetrachloro-1,1^′,3,3^′-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) staining, flow cytometry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blot. Results: OA mice had 4.4 and 1.1-fold increase in SOX11… More > Graphic Abstract

Yiheng Pang^1,#, Naixia Chao^2,#, Hongji Li³, Mingxi Xie³, Chunxia Wang^4,*, Ge Xu^1,*

Structural and Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.21, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/schd.2026.072858 - 31 March 2026

Abstract Background: Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a congenital heart disease (CHD), and accumulating evidence has implicated ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of HLHS. Therefore, exploring ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in HLHS is of clinical significance. Materials and Methods: Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) was accessed to obtain analytical data. WGCNA was employed to screen relevant module genes, and the limma package was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The rfe function in the R package caret and the glmnet package were utilized to conduct SVM-RFE and LASSO regression analyses, and the intersection of these two analyses was taken… More >

Yiran Dong¹, Jingyue Wang¹, Jiayang Chen², Liang Mo², Yong You^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.075191 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), the most prevalent histological subtype of lung cancer, remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality due to late diagnosis, metastasis, and therapy resistance. The aim of the study is to investigate the role of Kinetochore Scaffold 1 (KNL1) in promoting LUAD progression and its underlying molecular regulatory mechanisms. Methods: KNL1 mRNA expression levels across 33 cancer types were analyzed using bioinformatics analysis based on the TCGA database. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to assess KNL1 expression in LUAD and normal tissues. Stable KNL1-knockdown and KNL1-overexpressing LUAD cell lines were established using lentiviral… 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 >

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 >