Zongmeng Zhang^1,2,#, Cai Chen^3,#, Shaorui Rui³, Conghan Li³, Jiong Gu^3,*, Liang He^3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.073085 - 23 January 2026

Abstract Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks among the most prevalent malignant tumors globally. Metabolically associated fatty liver disease is a significant risk factor for HCC. Adiponectin, a key regulatory protein in glucolipid metabolism, presents potential as an anti-tumor target in HCC cells. The study focused on evaluating the anti-HCC properties of AdipoRon, an agonist of the adiponectin receptor. Method: Cell viability and proliferation were assessed using the cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays, respectively. AdipoRon’s effect on HCC cell damage was evaluated via flow cytometry, apoptosis, and (lactate dehydrogenase) LDH assays. Mitochondrial function was evaluated… More >

Xinyang Li^1,2,3,#, Luyuan Ma^1,2,3,#, Chuan Shen^1,2,3, Ruolan Gu^1,2,3, Shilong Dong^1,2,3, Mingjie Liu^1,2,3, Ying Xiao^1,2,3, Wenpeng Liu^1,2,3, Yuexia Liu^1,2,3, Caiyan Zhao^1,2,3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.073179 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive and lethal malignancy. Metabolic reprogramming dynamically remodels the tumor microenvironment (TME) and drives HCC progression. This study investigated the mechanism through which metabolic reprogramming remodels the TME in HCC. Methods: HCC patient transcriptome data were subjected to bioinformatics analysis to identify differentially expressed genes and immune infiltration status. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A (SDHA) expression and M2 macrophage infiltration. SDHA-knockdown or SDHA-overexpressing HCC cells were used for in vitro experiments, including co-culturing, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blotting… More >

Huan Zhang^1,#, Zhangwendi Xu^1,#, Yien Xu^1,#, Mao Li², Lingrui Liu¹, Caiyun He^1,*, Wenhuan Zhong^1,*, Jiliang Qiu^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.073079 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Objective: Ring finger protein 145 (RNF145), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its role in HCC remains unknown. The study aimed to investigate the functions and underlying mechanisms of RNF145 in HCC. Methods: The role of RNF145 in HCC was investigated using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and in vitro experimental assays. Its oncogenic functions were assessed using the transwell migration assay and the wound-healing assay. The molecular mechanism was explored through protein immunoprecipitation and western blot analyses. Data from public databases were analyzed to correlate RNF145 expression… More >

Zhilong He^1,#, Jing Qin^1,#, Sixuan Wu^2,#, Xian Liang¹, Yu Liu¹, Jinfeng Qiu¹, Zhimin Li^2,*, Kai Hu^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070567 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Objective: The contribution of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with protein palmitoylation to the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unclear. This study sought to establish a prognostic signature based on palmitoylation-related lncRNAs and explore their functional implications in HCC. Methods: RNA sequencing and clinical data for HCC and normal tissues were sourced from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify lncRNAs that were co-expressed with palmitoylation-related genes. Univariate Cox regression was applied to select lncRNAs with prognostic value, followed by the construction of a predictive model using the… More >

Hyung Seok Kim^1,#, Ju A Son^2,#, Minji Kang^3,4,#, Soon Sun Kim³, Geum Ok Baek³, Moon Gyeong Yoon³, Se Ha Jang^3,4, Dokyung Jung⁵, Ji Eun Han³, Jae Youn Cheong^3,*, Jung Woo Eun^3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070392 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Objectives: Early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant challenge due to the limited sensitivity of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). This study aimed to assess serum-derived extracellular vesicle-encapsulated GULP PTB domain-containing engulfment adaptor 1 (EV-GULP1) as a novel, noninvasive biomarker for HCC detection and prognosis, leveraging the potential of tumor-specific molecules carried by small extracellular vesicles (EVs). Methods: The study utilized both internal and external cohorts of HCC patients and controls. Small EVs were isolated from serum samples, then characterized and validated to confirm their identity. The expression levels of EV-GULP1 were quantified using quantitative reverse transcription… More >

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 >