Se Ha Jang^1,2,#, Hyung Seok Kim^3,#, Jung Woo Eun^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.072240 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as crucial regulators of gene expression and cancer progression, yet the functional diversity of RP11-derived lncRNAs—originally mapped to bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones from the Roswell Park Cancer Institute—has only recently begun to be appreciated. This mini-review aims to systematically synthesize current findings on RP11-derived lncRNAs in HCC, outlining their genomic origins, molecular mechanisms, and biological significance. We highlight their roles in metabolic reprogramming, microRNA network modulation, and tumor progression, as well as their diagnostic and More >

Huihui Shi^1,#, Lei Chen^2,#, Juan Huang^3,#, Xuejing Lin², Lei Huang⁴, Min Tang⁴, Kai Lu^5,*, Wenchao Wang^4,*, Maoling Zhu^1,§,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.068737 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. This study aimed to identify key genes involved in HCC development and elucidate their molecular mechanisms, with a particular focus on mitochondrial function and apoptosis. Methods: Differential expression analyses were performed across three datasets—The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (LIHC), GSE36076, and GSE95698—to identify overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A prognostic risk model was then constructed. Cysteine/serine-rich nuclear protein 1 (CSRNP1) expression levels in HCC cell lines were assessed via western blot (WB) and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).… More > Graphic Abstract

Fangyuan Li^1,2,#, Xiaoyuan Hu^1,#, Xiaoge Gao³, Ling Liu³, Tao Li¹, Dan He¹, Jiaxing Cheng¹, Xiaobiao Ma¹, Li Li^1,*, Chunlei Ge^1,*, Hong Yao^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 4029-4048, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.067628 - 27 November 2025

Abstract Background: Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) are recognized as pivotal drivers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression; however, the molecular mechanisms maintaining their stem-like phenotype remain largely unresolved. This work investigates the role of prefoldin subunit 6-like protein (PFDN6L) in shaping LCSC traits and promoting or restraining HCC progression. Methods: PFDN6L, a cytoskeleton-associated chaperone, was studied using multiple in vitro assays—cell growth evaluation, cell cycle profiling, and spheroid culture—alongside analyses of stemness-associated markers (SOX2, CD133, CD44). Tumorigenic capacity was assessed in xenograft mouse models, and signaling pathway interrogation was performed to define underlying mechanisms. Results: In patient samples, More >

Xingchao Song^1,#, Qiuyu Song^2,#, Xiao Ma¹, Anzhi Xu¹, Chunyan Tian^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.11, pp. 3583-3603, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.067638 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Background: Motif interacting with ubiquitin-containing novel DUB family-1 (MINDY1) could enhance the stability of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). The study aimed to investigate whether MINDY1 regulates the immune escape of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mediated by PD-L1. Methods: MINDY1 and PD-L1 levels were detected through Western blot. The link between MINDY1 and PD-L1 was validated using the co-immunoprecipitation assay. The malignant biology of HCC cells was assessed through Cell Counting Kit-8, Carboxyfluorescein Succinimidyl Ester staining, transwell, and wound healing assay. CD8⁺ T cells were isolated and then co-cultured with HCC cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent Assay kits detected CD8⁺… More > Graphic Abstract

Yuanyuan Yang^1,2,#, Peipei Zhao^1,2,#, Hepu Chen^1,3, Yixuan Tu⁴, Yujia Zhou², Xu Liu³, Lyly Sreang³, Zhigang Zhou^3,5,*, Jian Tu^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.11, pp. 3247-3268, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.066440 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by its highly invasive and metastatic potential, as well as a propensity for recurrence, contributing to treatment failure and increased mortality. Under physiological conditions, the liver maintains a balance in lipid biosynthesis, degradation, storage, and transport. HCC exhibits dysregulated lipid metabolism, driving tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. This review aims to elucidate the roles of fatty acid, sphingolipid, and cholesterol metabolism in HCC pathogenesis and explore emerging therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways. Key findings demonstrate that upregulated enzymes like fatty acid synthase (FASN), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), enhance de novo lipogenesis and… More >

Mingxuan Lei¹, Jiayin Xu², Xiaoying Hu², Lin Feng³, Baoping Luo^4,5,6,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.10, pp. 1947-1965, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.068926 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) typically begins inconspicuously and progresses swiftly, leading to most patients being diagnosed at an advanced stage. Accordingly, a pressing priority is to clarify the development mechanisms of HCC and devise efficient intervention and treatment protocols. Methods: An upstream miRNA of solute carrier transporter family 1 member 5 (SLC1A5) was predicted to be miR-122-5p by various databases, and a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the SLC1A5- and miR-122-5p-targeting relationship. SLC1A5 and miR-122-5p expression in HCC cells was quantitatively assessed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR). Western blotting… More >

Oncology Research Editorial Office

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.10, pp. 3155-3155, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.073032 - 26 September 2025

Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

Mingyang Tang^1,2,#, Shengfu He^3,#, Bao Meng^1,2, Qingyue Zhang^1,2, Chengcheng Li^1,2, Yating Sun^1,2, Weijie Sun^1,2, Cui Wang⁴, Qingxiang Kong⁵, Yanyan Liu^1,2, Lifen Hu^1,2, Yufeng Gao^1,2, Qinxiu Xie^1,2, Jiabin Li^1,2,*, Ting Wu^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.10, pp. 3077-3100, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.067065 - 26 September 2025

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths. The Nod-like receptor (NLR) family is involved in innate immunity and tumor progression, but its role in HCC remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value and biological function of NLR genes in HCC. Methods: Transcriptomic and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas were analyzed using nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) to classify HCC into molecular subtypes. Differentially expressed genes were used to build an NLR-based prognostic model (NLR_score) through univariate Cox, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox… More > Graphic Abstract

Jiahao Xue^1,#, Jingchang Zhang^2,#, Gang Chen³, Liucui Chen^4,*, Xinjun Lu^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.9, pp. 2309-2329, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.063719 - 28 August 2025

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive malignancy, largely driven by an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that facilitates tumor growth, immune escape, and resistance to therapy. Although immunotherapy—particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)—has transformed the therapeutic landscape by restoring T cell-mediated anti-tumor responses, their clinical benefit as monotherapy remains suboptimal. This limitation is primarily attributed to immunosuppressive components within the TME, including tumor-associated macrophages, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). To address these challenges, combination strategies have been explored, such as dual checkpoint blockade targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand More >

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 >