Denisse A. Gutierrez^*, Elisa Robles-Escajeda, Jose A. Lopez-Saenz, Robert A. Kirken, Edgar A. Borrego, Ana P. Betancourt, Soumya Nair, Sourav Roy, Armando Varela-Ramirez, Renato J. Aguilera^*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.074945 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Objectives: Drug resistance is the major determinant of chemotherapy failure, leading to relapse and tumor progression, demonstrating the urgent need for novel antineoplastic drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer potential of two novel pyrazole derivatives, P3C.1 and P3C.2, and to elucidate their mechanism of action in cancer cells. Methods: The cytotoxicity of the compounds was evaluated across 27 different cancer cell lines via a nuclear staining assay. Subsequent flow cytometric and biochemical analyses were performed to assess reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis induction, mitochondrial integrity, and cell cycle progression. Additional studies included… More >

Francisco Raúl Borzone^1,2,*, María Belén Giorello¹, Agustina Freire³, Leandro Marcelo Martinez⁴, Leonardo Feldman⁵, Federico Dimase⁶, Pablo Evelson³, Irene Larripa⁷, Emilio Batagelj⁸, Marcela Beatriz González Cid⁹, Norma Alejandra Chasseing^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.074321 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Backgrounds: Breast cancer metastasis remains the leading cause of mortality and frequently targets the bone. Breast cancer cells release soluble factors and extracellular vesicles that disrupt bone marrow (BM)/bone homeostasis, promoting osteoclastogenesis and the accumulation of senescent cells. In line with updated cancer hallmarks, senescent mesenchymal stem/ stromal cells (MSCs), osteoblasts, and osteocytes contribute to remodeling of the BM microenvironment, thereby favoring pre-metastatic niche (PMN) formation and subsequent bone metastasis. We previously demonstrated that untreated stage III-B breast cancer patients (BCPs) exhibit increased oxidative stress and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, accompanied by senescent… More > Graphic Abstract

Mohsina Patwekar^1,2, Faheem Patwekar³, Zulhisyam Abdul Kari^1,4,*, Muhammad Rajaei Ahmad Mohd Zain^5,*, Arifullah Mohammed⁶, Rohit Sharma^7,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.073601 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Breast cancer remains the primary cause of cancer-related mortality for women globally; therefore, further breakthroughs in treatment approaches are crucial. Palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib are among the Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors that have become an innovative family of targeted therapy for hormone receptor-positive, Human Epidermal Growth factor receptor 2 (HR+/HER2−) breast cancer. These inhibitors work by preventing the action of CDK4/6, which are crucial in the regulation of the cell cycle. Leading cancer cells to cell cycle arrest and undergo apoptosis. When these inhibitors are used with endocrine medicines like letrozole and… More > Graphic Abstract

So-Ye Jeon^1,#, Zeeshan Ahmad Bhutta^1,#, Hong Kyu Lee², Kyung-Chul Choi^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.071328 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Objectives: Progesterone (P4) is believed to inhibit breast cancer growth, but its role in counteracting estrogen (E2)-driven progression remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of P4 on E2-induced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in Estrogen receptor (ER)+/progesterone receptor (PR)+ breast cancer cells by examining its regulatory role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Methods: ER and PR-positive MCF-7 clonal variant (MCF-7 CV) breast cancer cells were treated with E2 and co-treated with various concentrations of P4. The effects on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed. The expression of key EMT markers… More >

Hui Zha^1,#, Chao Li^2,#, Jia Chen³, Hao Bo², Zhaolan Hu⁴, Zailong Qin^5,6,*, Jie Guo^7,8,*, Junbin Yuan^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.067601 - 23 March 2026

Abstract Objective: Long non-coding RNAs have been found to play a pivotal role in breast cancer, yet the majority of these lncRNAs remain to be thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to explore the role of differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in breast cancer stemness and drug sensitivity. Methods: Database mining was performed to evaluate the expression of LINC00467 in different types of breast cancer and its association with clinical features. The function of LINC00467 was examined through colony formation assays, quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), and western blotting following LINC00467 silencing in breast cancer cell lines. Results: LINC00467… More >

Norbert Nass^1,2,*, Atanas Ignatov³, Thomas Kalinski¹

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.072793 - 24 February 2026

Abstract Objectives: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulates tumor vascularization in response to hypoxia and inflammatory signals. The polyphenol curcumin is supposed to interfere with inflammation-induced VEGF secretion and might therefore support anti-VEGF-based treatments. We aimed to investigate the interaction between curcumin and the inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) for VEGF secretion in breast cancer cell lines representing major breast cancer subtypes. Methods: VEGF in cell cultures was detected by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Kinase phosphorylation was investigated by Western blotting. Gene expressions were analyzed by correlation tests. VEGF was evaluated in a retrospective… More > Graphic Abstract

Myeong Ryeo Kim^1,*, Jae Rim Lee¹, Xiaohan Zhang², Kwang Won Jeong^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.072592 - 24 February 2026

Abstract Objectives: Tamoxifen is a key drug that provides endocrine therapy for estrogen receptor (ER) α-positive breast cancer; however, resistance remains a significant clinical challenge. This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms of tamoxifen resistance in ERα-positive breast cancer, with particular focus on the role of SET Domain Containing 1A (SETD1A)-driven forkhead box A2 (FOXA2) as a key regulator of this resistance. Methods: FOXA2 expression and its regulation by SETD1A were assessed via (quantitative polymerase chain reaction), western blotting, transcriptome profiling, and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses. The effects of FOXA2 on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and cancer… More >

Ina Shehaj^1,2,*, Slavomir Krajnak¹, Katrin Almstedt¹, Yaman Degirmenci¹, Roxana Schwab¹, Kathrin Stewen¹, Walburgis Brenner¹, Annette Hasenburg¹, Marcus Schmidt^1,#, Anne-Sophie Heimes^1,#

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.072222 - 24 February 2026

Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

Marcia Eduarda Viana Luna^1,2, Gustavo Jacob Lourenço², Juliana Carron^2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.072133 - 24 February 2026

Abstract This literature review explores the complex interaction between p53 and microRNAs (miRNAs) in the occurrence and progression of breast cancer (BC), the most common and lethal tumor type among women. BC is a multifactorial disease resulting from a combination of genetic and epigenetic alterations in cell DNA, influencing proliferation, differentiation, and migration. TP53 gene, which codifies p53 protein, is a known tumor suppressor, and it plays an important role in cell maintenance as DNA repair, cell proliferation control, and apoptosis activation. TP53 expression can be modulated by several miRNAs, as miR-30c, miR-34a, and the miR-200 family, More >

Weiping Yang^1,#, Wei Xiao^2,#, Wenhao Xu^3,#, Lijun Ren¹, Xian Li¹, Junhua Yu¹, Ronghua Wang^4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.3, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.071122 - 24 February 2026

Abstract Background: Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) promote antitumor immunity and predict favorable immunotherapy outcomes in breast cancer. The study aimed to investigate how Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2)-associated tryptophan metabolism influences TLS maturation and B cell class switching in breast cancer. Methods: Bulk transcriptomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas-Breast Invasive Carcinoma (TCGA-BRCA, n = 1055) were analyzed using Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA)–based metabolic scoring, immune deconvolution, and TLS quantification. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq, n = 26) and spatial transcriptomics (n = 1) were applied to map TDO2 expression and TLS spatial organization. Validation was performed by immunohistochemistry (n… More >