Chenglu Lu^1,#, Huiting Zhang^2,#, Ujjal K. Bhawal^3,4, Lei Wang¹, Jingwu Li¹, Pangzhou Chen^5,*, Lewei Zhu^6,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 3657-3678, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069703 - 27 November 2025

Abstract The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex network composed of non-tumor cells, extracellular matrix, blood vessels, and various molecular signals that surround and profoundly influence tumor progression. As one of the key immune effector cells within the TME, mast cells (MCs) exhibit functional complexity, and their specific roles remain widely debated. Depending on the cancer type, spatial distribution, and interactions with other TME components, MCs can demonstrate dual regulatory capabilities—either promoting or inhibiting tumor growth. This characteristic has made them an important focus in current tumor immunology research. This review aims to systematically review the More >

Botao Pan¹, Zirun Luo², Xiujuan Yang¹, Qingqing Liu³, Zhimin Yang^4,*, Chenglai Xia^1,3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.11, pp. 3557-3582, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.068119 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Objectives: Breast cancer is characterized by significant metabolic dysregulation, in which altered enzyme activity plays a central role. Malate dehydrogenase 2 (MDH2), a key enzyme in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, has been implicated in several malignancies, but its role in breast cancer tumorigenesis and progression remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate the oncogenic role of MDH2 in breast cancer and to evaluate its potential as a diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic biomarker. Methods: We combined in vitro cell-based assays with mouse xenograft models to systematically dissect how MDH2 governs breast cancer growth. In vitro, we assessed the effects… More >

Anjali Kariyarath Valappil^1,#, Reshmi Akter^2,#, Muhammad Awais², Dong Uk Yang³, Daehyo Jung², Li Ling⁴, Eun Kim⁵, Kyu Hyeong Yoon⁵, Yoon Ok Lee⁵, Deok Chun Yang^1,2,4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.9, pp. 1771-1795, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.069145 - 25 September 2025

Abstract Objectives: The phytochemical investigation of traditional herbal medicines holds significant promise for modern drug discovery, particularly in cancer therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity, apoptosis induction, and immune-modulatory activities of extracts from three herbal medicines with historical use in traditional medicine—Acanthopanax sessiliflorus, Phragmites communis, and Pinus densiflora, as well as their combined extract (GMAS 01/COM), on human lung cancer cells (A549) and normal cell lines, including murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) and human keratinocytes (HaCaT). Methods: Plant extracts were prepared using aqueous extraction, sonication, and rotary evaporation. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified using the… More >

HAISU LIANG^1,2,#, WEI YAN^3,#, ZHI LIU^1,4, YUNBO HE^1,2,5, JIAO HU¹, ZHIWEI SHU¹, HUIHUANG LI¹, BELAYDI OTHMANE¹, WENBIAO REN^1,6, CHAO QUAN¹, DONGXU QIU¹, MINFENG CHEN¹, WEI XIONG⁵, BINGNAN ZHANG^1,*, PEIHUA LIU^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.5, pp. 1105-1119, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.054623 - 18 April 2025

Abstract Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a type of non coding RNA that possess unique single stranded circular structures formed through reverse splicing mechanisms. Due to the lack of a free end that is typically susceptible to degradation by nucleases, circular RNAs exhibit resistance to ribonuclease R, making them highly stable in eukaryotic cells. The complex relationship between circRNA dysregulation and various pathophysiological conditions, especially cancer. Tumor microenvironment (TME) is a collective term for various components surrounding tumors and is an important factor affecting tumor development. Simultaneous infiltration of TME by different types of immune cells; These… More >

EDMUND CHEUNG SO^1,2,#, LOUIS W. C. CHOW^3,#, CHIN-MIN CHUANG⁴, CING YU CHEN^5,6, CHENG-HSUN WU⁷, LIAN-RU SHIAO⁸, TING-TSZ OU⁹, KAR-LOK WONG¹⁰, YUK-MAN LEUNG^8,*, YI-PING HUANG^8,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.2, pp. 397-406, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.052743 - 16 January 2025

Abstract Objectives: Mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uniporter (MCU) provides a Ca²⁺ influx pathway from the cytosol into the mitochondrial matrix and a moderate mitochondrial Ca²⁺ rise stimulates ATP production and cell growth. MCU is highly expressed in various cancer cells including breast cancer cells, thereby increasing the capacity of mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake, ATP production, and cancer cell proliferation. The objective of this study was to examine MCU inhibition as an anti-cancer mechanism. Methods: The effects of MCU-i4, a newly developed MCU inhibitor, on cell viability, apoptosis, cytosolic Ca²⁺, mitochondrial Ca²⁺ and potential, glycolytic rate, generation of ATP, and reactive oxygen species,… More >

KERAN JIA¹, YANHAO ZHANG¹, MENGYU JIANG², MENGGE CUI², JIA WANG², JIAJIA ZHANG², HUIHAI ZHAO², MENGYAN LI², HUA WANG², QUANMING ZOU^1,#,*, HAO ZENG^1,#,*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.9, pp. 1355-1368, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.051383 - 04 September 2024

Abstract Objective: Candida albicans is a common fungal pathogen that triggers complex host defense mechanisms, including coordinated innate and adaptive immune responses, to neutralize invading fungi effectively. Exploring the immune microenvironment has the potential to inform the development of therapeutic strategies for fungal infections. Methods: The study analyzed individual immune cell profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Candida albicans-infected mice and healthy control mice using single-cell transcriptomics, fluorescence quantitative PCR, and Western blotting. We investigated intergroup differences in the dynamics of immune cell subpopulation infiltration, pathway enrichment, and differentiation during Candida albicans infection. Results: Our findings indicate that infiltration… More >

MEIR DJALDETTI^*

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.9, pp. 1389-1399, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.049745 - 23 August 2024

Abstract Resveratrol (RSV), the primary polyphenol found in grapes, has been revealed to have anti-inflammatory properties by reducing the capacity of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-1ra and TNFα. Considering the close association between chronic inflammation and cancer development, RSV’s immunomodulatory properties are one way by which the polyphenol may inhibit cancer initiation, proliferation, neovascularization, and migration. Resveratrol influences the generation of microtumor environment which is one of the key factors in cancer progress. In addition to immunomodulation, RSV inhibits cancer development by expressing anti-oxidant effects, causing cell cycle… More > Graphic Abstract

POOJA YADAV, NAR SINGH CHAUHAN^*

BIOCELL, Vol.48, No.8, pp. 1127-1143, 2024, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2024.051318 - 02 August 2024

Abstract A diverse array of microbes in and on the human body constitute the microbiota. These micro-residents continuously interact with the human host through the language of metabolites to dictate the host’s physiology in health and illnesses. Any biotic and abiotic component ensuring a balanced host-microbiota interaction are potential microbiome therapeutic agents to overcome human diseases. Plant metabolites are continually being used to treat various illnesses. These metabolites target the host’s metabolic machinery and host-gut microbiota interactions to overcome human diseases. Despite the paramount therapeutic significance of the factors affecting host-microbiota interactions, a comprehensive overview of More > Graphic Abstract

CHENHAO SHI¹, MAOHONG HUA², GUANHUA XU^3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.6, pp. 1329-1344, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.028381 - 19 May 2023

Abstract Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease that often presents with abdominal pain, diarrhea, hematochezia, and significant morbidity. Gancao Xiexin decoction (GXD), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been applied for the clinical treatment of UC, while its action mechanisms are unclear. Methods: The active ingredients and their targets of GXD, and UC-related targets, were derived from public databases. Protein-protein interaction, Gene Ontology (GO), and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used to analyze the important active compounds, key targets, and signaling pathways. Then, molecular docking and animal experiments were performed to verify… More >

XIN TIAN, XIANGLING HE^*, SHUQIN QIAN, RUNYING ZOU, KEKE CHEN, CHENGGUANG ZHU, ZEXI YIN

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.5, pp. 1085-1093, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.027090 - 10 April 2023

Abstract Background: The immunomodulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their exosomes have been receiving increasing attention. This study investigated the immunoregulatory effects of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) and their exosomes on phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods: The hAMSCs used in the experiment were identified by light microscopy and flow cytometry, and the differentiation ability of the cells was determined by Oil Red O and Alizarin Red staining. The expressions of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and interleukin (IL)-6 were detected by quantitative… More >