Hui Zhou^1,2, Jiarui Wang³, Zhili Qiao⁴, Xin Liao^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.082613 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Objectives: Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) has been extensively studied as a metabolic regulator in glioma; however, its relationship with the tumour immune microenvironment and the cellular source of its expression within the glioma tumour microenvironment (TME) remains poorly understood. This study aimed to characterise UCP2 expression at single-cell resolution and evaluate its immunological significance in glioma. Methods: This study employed an integrative multi-omics approach incorporating bulk transcriptomics, scRNA-seq (GSE70630, GSE84465, and GSE89567; n = 13,216 cells), immune deconvolution, immunohistochemistry (n = 96 glioma patients), and immunofluorescence co-staining (n = 6). Results: Pan-cancer analysis confirmed UCP2… More >

Shidi Wen^1,2,#, Lu Wang^1,2,#, Ying Jiang³, Zhiyang Zhang^4,*, Yuejuan Cheng^4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.080462 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Background: Hidradenocarcinoma is a rare and highly aggressive malignancy with limited therapeutic options. This report describes the clinical course and treatment response of a patient with recurrent metastatic hidradenocarcinoma treated with sequential immunochemotherapy combined with anti-angiogenic therapy, with the aim of providing further insight into potential treatment strategies for this rare malignancy. Case Description: A 60-year-old male initially presented in 2020 with scrotal erythema and was diagnosed with hidradenocarcinoma after surgery. Despite surgical treatment, he developed recurrent disease with diffuse metastases. First-line chemoimmunotherapy (sintilimab, cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil; six cycles) achieved a progression-free survival (PFS) of 6 months. Following… More >

Yaqi Xu¹, Jia Zhao², Xiaowen Mao^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.079562 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are actively secreted, membrane-enclosed nanoparticles that serve as pivotal mediators of intercellular communication. They function as key mediators of intercellular communication by transporting diverse biomolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites. Within the tumor microenvironment, EVs drive complex cellular crosstalk and critically regulate tumor progression by remodeling the extracellular matrix, conferring drug resistance, and reprogramming immune responses. Given their natural biocompatibility, tissue tropism, and ability to cross biological barriers, EVs have emerged as promising platforms for immunotherapy, tumor vaccines and targeted drug delivery system. Moreover, the rapid expansion of EV-based clinical trials… More > Graphic Abstract

Zhihao Wei^1,#, Jijie Cai^1,#, Sifen Wang^2,#, Yachen Li³, Libo Luo¹, Jun Chen¹, Fuyu Li¹, Hongyu Nie¹, Ke Gong^4,*, Manbo Cai^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.079281 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Breast cancer (BC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and accumulating evidence suggests that tumor-associated microbiota may contribute to disease heterogeneity beyond host genetic and immune determinants. Advances in sequencing and multi-omics technologies have uncovered a reproducible intratumoral microbiome in BC, with distinct compositional patterns associated with molecular subtypes, clinicopathological features, and clinical outcomes. Alterations in specific microbial taxa have also been linked to tumor immune status, metastatic potential, and therapeutic sensitivity, underscoring their potential value in disease stratification and prognostic assessment. Although breast tissue represents a low-biomass environment, multiple studies employing stringent… More >

Alejandro Valdés^1,2, Jaime González-Montero^1,3, Carlos Rojas^1,3, Mauricio Burotto^1,3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.077711 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) combined with vascular endothelial growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGF-TKIs) have transformed the treatment landscape of advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Current guidelines favour ICI plus VEGF-TKI (IO+TKI) combinations for favourable-risk disease (International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium [IMDC] score 0) based on improved objective response rates and progression-free survival. However, no IO+TKI combination has demonstrated a statistically significant overall survival (OS) benefit in this subgroup. A pooled analysis of four pivotal phase III trials (n = 839 favourable-risk patients) revealed no OS advantage for IO+TKI versus sunitinib monotherapy (hazard… More > Graphic Abstract

Ioannis Anestopoulos^1,*, Sotiris Kyriakou¹, Maria Deligiorgi², Dimitrios T. Trafalis², Sotiris Botaitis³, Rodrigo Franco^4,5, Aglaia Pappa⁶, Mihalis I. Panayiotidis^7,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.072349 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Despite the use of targeted and/or immune-based therapeutic approaches, mortality rates among melanoma patients are high, mainly due to drug-induced resistance mechanisms. In parallel, alterations of epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., deregulated patterns of DNA methylation, aberrant histone modifications and abnormal expression levels of non-coding RNAs [ncRNAs]) have been associated not only with the pathophysiology of melanoma but also with the resistance against various immunotherapeutic drugs. In this review article, we discuss the involvement of different types of epigenetic mechanisms in melanoma progression. In addition, we report on melanoma’s immune environment and immunosuppressive mechanisms while we highlight More >

Ye Ri Han^1,*, Sang Bong Lee^2,3,4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.079556 - 16 June 2026

Abstract Colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with clinical outcomes limited by biological heterogeneity and inconsistent therapeutic responses. Despite advances in systemic chemotherapy, targeted agents, immunotherapy, and liver-directed interventions, the translation of preclinical efficacy into clinical benefit remains suboptimal, highlighting the need for predictive experimental models. However, therapeutic efficacy in CRLM is highly model-dependent, and discrepancies between preclinical findings and clinical outcomes often arise from differences in biological fidelity across experimental platforms. This review critically examines preclinical platforms used to study CRLM, with emphasis on orthotopic and metastatic models that More >

Huimin Zhao^1,#, Xiuran Wang^2,#, Zhimeng Fan³, Ai Sun⁴, Changhua Zhang^1,*, Chunhui Sun^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.078825 - 16 June 2026

Abstract Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers represent a significant global health burden, characterized by high incidence, poor prognosis, and limited response to monotherapies. The advent of bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) has introduced a novel therapeutic paradigm, enabling dual targeting of tumor-associated antigens and immune effectors to enhance antitumor immunity. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in bsAb-based immunotherapy across major GI malignancies, including colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, biliary tract, esophageal, and liver cancers. We summarize key molecular targets and highlight representative clinical candidates such as CEA-TCB and RG7802. The discussion extends to innovative strategies involving BsAbs in… More > Graphic Abstract

Zehao Wei^1,#, Xuejian Liu^2,#, Zheng Zhang¹, Yimin Ma^2,*, Min Xu^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.078793 - 16 June 2026

Abstract Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies, characterized by difficulties in early diagnosis, limited therapeutic options, and generally poor patient prognosis. In recent years, immunotherapy has provided new opportunities for the treatment of pancreatic cancer; however, its clinical efficacy has been substantially constrained by the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune evasion mechanisms. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, AI has demonstrated great potential in the early detection of pancreatic cancer, prediction of immunotherapeutic responses, and design of personalized treatment strategies. This review systematically summarizes the latest advances in the More >

Yang Wang^1,2, Ying Xie¹, Yiyi Ye¹, Youyang Shi¹, Feifei Li¹, Mengdie Zhu¹, Ciyi Hua¹, Yuan Xu¹, Rui Yang^1,3,*, Sheng Liu^1,4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.078051 - 16 June 2026

Abstract Background Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast malignancy characterized by poor clinical outcomes and limited therapeutic options. The identification of reliable biomarkers for predicting prognosis and immunotherapeutic response remains an urgent clinical need. This study aimed to develop an integrative lactylation-related gene signature to simultaneously evaluate prognostic trajectories and immunotherapeutic sensitivity in TNBC. Methods Transcriptomic and clinical data from public TNBC cohorts were systematically analyzed. Lactylation-related gene signatures were used to stratify patients via consensus clustering. A scoring model was constructed based on differentially expressed genes between clusters, and its associations with… More >