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

Yi Feng^1,#, Haoxin Yang², Guicai Liang¹, Jun Chen³, Tao Li¹, Yingjuan Wang⁴, Jilin Chang¹, Yan Li³, Meng Yang¹, Xilong Zhou¹, Zhiqiang Wang^5,*, Chunlei Ge^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 3801-3836, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.067824 - 27 November 2025

Abstract Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) has limited efficacy in the treatment of immune “cold” tumors. Due to insufficient T cell infiltration and heterogeneous programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, the ORR is only 5%–8% compared with 30%–40% of “hot” tumors. This article reviews the synergistic mechanism, clinical efficacy and optimization strategy of oncolytic virus (OVs) combined with ICIs in the treatment of refractory malignant tumors. Systematic analysis of mechanistic interactions across tumor types and clinical trial data demonstrates that OVs transform the immunosuppressive microenvironment by inducing immunogenic cell death and activating innate immunity. Concurrently, ICIs enhance… More >

Takeshi Toyozumi^1,*, Hideaki Shimada², Hisahiro Matsubara¹

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.11, pp. 3185-3206, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.065818 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Cancer immunotherapy has long been established as an important treatment option for cancers. In particular, Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI) has been reported to be effective against various gastrointestinal cancers (esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer); however, the treatment phase in which ICI should be used and how it should be incorporated into the treatment strategy vary depending on the cancer type being treated. Multiple clinical trials and basic research on ICIs are currently underway, and new insights from these results will continue to change the clinical treatment strategy of gastrointestinal cancers. While it is desirable… More >

Xinyao Huang^1,#, Renjun Gu^2,3,#, Ziyun Li^4,*, Fangyu Wang^3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.10, pp. 2857-2902, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.066805 - 26 September 2025

Abstract Cold tumors, defined by insufficient immune cell infiltration and a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), exhibit limited responsiveness to conventional immunotherapies. This review systematically summarizes the mechanisms of immune evasion and the therapeutic strategies for cold tumors as revealed by multi-omics technologies. By integrating genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and spatial multi-omics data, the review elucidates key immune evasion mechanisms, including activation of the WNT/β-catenin pathway, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)–mediated immunosuppression, metabolic reprogramming (e.g., lactate accumulation), and aberrant expression of immune checkpoint molecules. Furthermore, this review proposes multi-dimensional therapeutic strategies, such as targeting immunosuppressive pathways (e.g.,… More > Graphic Abstract

Jiao Li^1,2, Nurhayu Ab Rahman^1,3, Suharni Mohamad¹, Guang Yang⁴, Caixia Zhao^2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.9, pp. 2263-2278, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.065911 - 28 August 2025

Abstract Objectives: Checkpoint inhibitors have significantly improved outcomes in a number of malignancies. To determine the most effective course of treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), this systematic review evaluated the efficacy of several therapeutic approaches based on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Methods: A comprehensive evaluation of the literature was conducted, looking at randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that were published in Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials since database establishment. The risk of bias of the enrolled studies was analyzed using The Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4. Using network meta-analyses… More >

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 >

MICHELE MAFFEZZOLI^1,2,#, GIULIA CLAIRE GIUDICE^1,2,#,*, GIACOMO IOVANE^1,2, MARTINA MANINI^1,2, ELENA RAPACCHI¹, GIUSEPPE CARUSO¹, NICOLA SIMONI³, STEFANIA FERRETTI⁴, STEFANO PULIATTI⁴, DAVIDE CAMPOBASSO⁵, SEBASTIANO BUTI^1,2

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.4, pp. 741-757, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.057278 - 19 March 2025

Abstract Background: immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC), significantly improving survival outcomes. However, a subset of patients do not respond to ICIs, prompting research into potential predictive factors. Commonly prescribed medications such as corticosteroids, proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), antibiotics (Abs), antihypertensives, and analgesics may influence ICI effectiveness. Methods: we conducted a literature search on PubMed to investigate the impact of concomitant medications on the outcomes of patients with mUC, treated with ICIs. We selected the most relevant studies and performed a narrative review. Results: corticosteroids, PPIs and Abs have been associated More >

SHUANG CHEN^1,2,#, XUEMEI DENG^2,#, XINGTING HE², KEWEI XIANG², GUIHONG CHEN², HONGRU YANG^2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.3, pp. 687-694, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.052133 - 28 February 2025

Abstract Background: Previous experiments have demonstrated that hypofractionated radiation therapy (HFRT), low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT), and combined anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (αPD-1) can enhance the abscopal effect. Combined with the phenomenon of low prognosis in patients with breast cancer lung metastasis, our study establishes a mouse model and changes the irradiation regimen of LDRT to explore its preventive effect on breast cancer lung metastasis. Methods: The breast cancer subcutaneous graft tumor model was developed. Two-lung prophylactic LDRT was performed prior to the onset of lung metastases, in combination with HFRT (8 Gy, 3f), and αPD-1… More >

MARTA SANTOS¹, DIANA MARTINS^1,2,3,4, FERNANDO MENDES^1,2,3,4,5,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.2, pp. 263-281, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.052207 - 16 January 2025

Abstract Background: Gastric Cancer (GC) is the 5th most prevalent and 4th most deadly neoplasm globally. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment approach in GC, potentially improving positive clinical outcomes while addressing the limitations of conventional therapies. GC immunotherapy modalities consist of adoptive cell therapy (ACT), cancer vaccines, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Objectives: This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the advances in immune-based therapeutic approaches in GC, highlighting the potential of this therapy as a strategy for GC treatment. Methods: Key studies investigating several immunotherapeutic agents and combination therapies were searched in… More > Graphic Abstract

Evangelia Vlachou¹, Burles Avner Johnson 3rd^1,2, Elizabeth Guancial³, Kara A. Lombardo^1,2,4, Jean Hoffman-Censits^1,2

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.31, No.3, pp. 11875-11879, 2024

Abstract Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are approved for advanced urothelial cancer alone and as first line in combination with enfortumab vedotin. Platinum based chemotherapy which is another frontline choice is often not a treatment option for older patients due to comorbidities that increase with age. Despite ICIs being better tolerated compared to traditional chemotherapy little is known about their efficacy and toxicity in patients ≥ 90 years due to the rarity of this population in clinical trials. Our objective was to analyze the efficacy and toxicity of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients ≥ 90 years.
Materials and… More >