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 >

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

Sandra Kałużna^1,*, Monika Świerczewska^1,2, Sylwia Ciesiółka¹, Małgorzata Partyka¹, Michał Nowicki¹, Karolina Wojtowicz¹

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070356 - 30 December 2025

Abstract The last research focuses on the role of exosomes in cancer treatment. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles. They can be secreted by cancer cells, and they can modulate chemotherapy sensitivity. Determining exosomal content opens the possibility for guiding treatment strategies for cancer diseases. Exosomal microRNA are considered one of the prime candidates for exosomal biomarkers. Exosomal circular RNAs represent excellent biomarkers for liquid biopsy because of their stability in many types of cancer. Exosomal proteins remain reliable biomarkers also. Exosomes have emerged as promising therapeutic candidates. Their biological properties render them ideal vectors for drug delivery.… More >

Kai Gui^1,#, Tianyi Yang^1,#, Chengying Xiong¹, Yue Wang¹, Zhiqiang He¹, Wuxian Li^2,3,*, Min Tang^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070143 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Objectives: The mechanism by which specific tumor subsets in colorectal cancer (CRC) use alternative metabolic pathways, particularly those modulated by hypoxia and fructose, to alter the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unclear. This study aimed to identify these malignant subpopulations and characterize their intercellular signaling networks and spatial organization through an integrative multi-omics approach. Methods: Leveraging bulk datasets, single-cell RNA sequencing, and integrative spatial transcriptomics, we developed a prognostic model based on hypoxia-and fructose metabolism-related genes (HFGs) to delineate tumor cell subpopulations and their intercellular signaling networks. Results: We identified a specific subset of stanniocalcin-2 positive (STC2+)… More > Graphic Abstract

Jing Cai^1,#, Haoyun Zhu^1,#, Weiling Guo¹, Ting Huang¹, Pangzhou Chen^1,2, Wen Zhou¹, Ziyun Guan^1,3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069902 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Background: Therapeutic responses of breast cancer vary among patients and lead to drug resistance and recurrence due to the heterogeneity. Current preclinical models, however, are inadequate for predicting individual patient responses towards different drugs. This study aimed to investigate the patient-derived breast cancer culture models for drug sensitivity evaluations. Methods: Tumor and adjacent tissues from female breast cancer patients were collected during surgery. Patient-derived breast cancer cells were cultured using the conditional reprogramming technique to establish 2D models. The obtained patient-derived conditional reprogramming breast cancer (CRBC) cells were subsequently embedded in alginate-gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel microspheres… More >

Xu Guo¹, Yanan Yu², Xiaolin Ma³, Yuanjie Cai^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069274 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) act as epigenetic regulators for tumor hallmarks. This investigation sought to probe the carcinogenic trait of PAN3-AS1 across pan-cancer comprehensively. Methods: We studied the diagnostic and prognostic features and the immune landscape of PAN3-AS1 across pan-cancer by bioinformatics approaches. The hierarchical regulatory networks governing PAN3-AS1 expression in colon cancer were explored via chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase activity assays, and RNA immunoprecipitation, etc. We screened drugs sensitive to WAP four-disulfide core domain 13 (WFDC13) by virtual screening and molecular docking. Results: Single-cell transcriptomics demonstrated that a variety of immune populations abnormally expressed PAN3-AS1… More >

Shujie Yin¹, Zong Li¹, Wen-Bin Ou^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069049 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent, excessive lipid peroxidation-driven form of regulated cell death. The core mechanisms of ferroptosis include lipid peroxidation cascade, System X_c⁻-glutathioneglutathione peroxidase 4 axis, iron and lipid metabolism chaos, the NAD(P)Hferroptosis suppressor protein 1—ubiquinone axis, and GTP cyclohydrolase 1 tetrahydrobiopterin-dihydrofolate reductase axis. Cuproptosis is triggered by copper ions and involves ferredoxin 1-mediated aggregation of lipoylated proteins, differing fundamentally from ferroptosis. Both ferroptosis and cuproptosis exhibit dual roles (promote or inhibit) in cancers. And the sensitivity of different cancer types to ferroptosis varies, which may depend on special metabolic signatures (e.g., E-cadherin loss causes epithelial–mesenchymal More > Graphic Abstract

Yimin Liu^1,#, Bin Liu^2,3,4,#, Huabin Gao¹, Jinlong Wang⁵, Jingya Duan¹, Xiaolan Huang¹, Yuexi Liu¹, Ying Huang¹, Wenjing Liao¹, Ruonan Li^1,*, Hua Linghu^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069007 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Objectives: High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the most common subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), exhibits a mesenchymal phenotype characterized by fibrotic stroma and poor prognosis. Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), a key diagnostic biomarker for ovarian cancer, is involved in fibrotic processes in several non-malignant diseases. Given the clinical significance of stromal fibrosis in HGSOC and the potential link between HE4 and fibrosis, this study aimed to investigate the role of HE4 in the formation of stromal fibrosis in HGSOC. Methods: A total of 126 patients with gynecological conditions were included and divided into… More > Graphic Abstract

Wendong Jia^#, Ting Zhang^#, Ziying Zhang, Lingzhi Wu, Xihao Fu, Zhenxin Wang^*, Ni Yin^*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.068651 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Objectives: Chromobox 4 (CBX4), a polycomb protein family member linked to tumor pathogenesis via dysregulation, has an incompletely defined role in gastric cancer (GC). The study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of CBX4 in GC progression and evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target. Methods: CBX4 expression was assessed in GC tissues vs. adjacent non-cancerous tissues and in GC cell lines vs. normal gastric mucosal epithelial cells. Clinicopathological correlations were analyzed. Functional impacts of CBX4 were determined using knockdown and overexpression models in vitro (cell proliferation, migration, invasion) and in vivo (xenograft tumorigenesis in nude… More >

Ashok Kumar Sah^1,*, Ranjay Kumar Choudhary^1,2, Velilyaeva Alie Sabrievna³, Karomatov Inomdzhon Dzhuraevich⁴, Anass M. Abbas⁵, Manar G. Shalabi⁵, Nadeem Ahmad Siddique⁶, Raji Rubayyi Alshammari⁷, Navjyot Trivedi⁸, Rabab H. Elshaikh¹

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.068238 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Male breast cancer (MBC) is rare, representing 0.5%–1% of all breast cancers, but its incidence is increasing due to improved diagnostics and awareness. MBC typically presents in older men, is human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative and estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, and lacks routine screening, leading to delayed diagnosis and advanced disease. Major risk factors include hormonal imbalance, radiation exposure, obesity, alcohol use, and Breast Cancer Gene 1 and 2 (BRCA1/2) mutations. Clinically, it may resemble gynecomastia but usually appears as a unilateral, painless mass or nipple discharge. Advances in imaging and liquid biopsy have More >