Ranran Yang^1,2,3,#, Dan Yuan^2,#, Chaohan Liang^4,#, Siying Zhu⁴, Jie Huang², Yingqi Zhang⁴, Weiling He⁵, Qinghai Li^1,*, Hong Zhang^2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 3945-3971, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.064463 - 27 November 2025

Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a predominant contributor to global cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Oxaliplatin (OXP), a foundational chemotherapeutic agent for CRC, often exhibits limited efficacy due to the emergence of drug resistance. Although endothelin-1 (EDN1) has been implicated in tumor drug resistance, its role in oxaliplatin resistance in CRC remains poorly defined. This work aimed to define how EDN1 contributes to oxaliplatin resistance and to explore its potential as a therapeutic target. Methods: Public genomic datasets were analyzed to confirm EDN1 upregulation in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its association with poor prognosis. EDN1 expression was… More >

Yong Huang¹, Xiandeng Li¹, Qingling Jing¹, Qin Zhang¹, Chungui Huang^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.11, pp. 2195-2216, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.072716 - 24 November 2025

Abstract Objective: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are important cells in bone tissue engineering. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) effectively treats bone defects and nonunion. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether BMP-2 promotes bone formation and femoral fracture healing by inhibiting inflammation and promoting osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, in order to provide an experimental basis for developing more efficient fracture treatment strategies. Methods: Bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs) were isolated from rats and treated with OE-BMP-2, the 5^′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signal agonist 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR), and the inhibitor Compound C. Osteogenic differentiation was evaluated through… More >

Mujeebu Rehman¹, Qinghua Liu¹, Ali Ghulam², Tariq Ahmad³, Jawad Khan^4,*, Dildar Hussain^5,*, Yeong Hyeon Gu⁵

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.145, No.1, pp. 779-805, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2025.067412 - 30 October 2025

Abstract Identifying druggable proteins, which are capable of binding therapeutic compounds, remains a critical and resource-intensive challenge in drug discovery. To address this, we propose CEL-IDP (Comparison of Ensemble Learning Methods for Identification of Druggable Proteins), a computational framework combining three feature extraction methods Dipeptide Deviation from Expected Mean (DDE), Enhanced Amino Acid Composition (EAAC), and Enhanced Grouped Amino Acid Composition (EGAAC) with ensemble learning strategies (Bagging, Boosting, Stacking) to classify druggable proteins from sequence data. DDE captures dipeptide frequency deviations, EAAC encodes positional amino acid information, and EGAAC groups residues by physicochemical properties to generate… More >

Ana Clara Ciglioni Salustiano^1,2, Gabriela Barbosa^1,3,4, Rodolfo Borges dos Reis^2,4, Amílcar Castro de Mattos^5,6, Athanase Billis⁶, Leonardo O. Reis^1,3,4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.11, pp. 3417-3428, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.068023 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Objective: The tumor microenvironment plays a pivotal role in prostate cancer progression and may differ across metastatic sites. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the primary and metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma tumor microenvironment. Methods: A total of 27 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples derived from 17 patients diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma, including the primary tumors, and the corresponding metastatic lymphatic and hematogenous lesions from various anatomical sites. Immunohistochemical labeling was performed using antibodies against Cluster of Differentiation 3 epsilon chain (CD3e), CD8 alpha chain (CD8a), Cluster of Differentiation 68 (CD68), Cluster of Differentiation 163 (CD163), Forkhead… More > Graphic Abstract

Chiao-Ping Chen^1,2, Yan-Jei Tang^1,2, You-Yan Cai¹, Yi-Ru Pan³, Chun-Nan Yeh^3,4, Wen-Kuan Huang^1,2, Chih-Hong Lo^1,2, Yu-Tien Hsiao^1,2, Hsuan-Jen Shih^1,*, Chiao-En Wu^1,2,4,5,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.11, pp. 3429-3446, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.066672 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Background: KIT proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (KIT, CD117) and platelet-derived growth factor-alpha (PDGFRA) are key drivers of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), but resistance to targeted therapy often arises from tumor protein p53 (p53) alterations and loss of cell cycle control. However, the role of p53 status in GIST therapeutic potential has rarely been studied, so this study aimed to employ both wild-type and mutant p53 GIST models to investigate how p53 dysfunction influences the efficacy of p53 pathway-targeted therapies. Methods: The efficacy of the mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) inhibitor (HDM201) and the Wee1… More >

Anastasia Vylegzhanina^1,2, Irina Shalaginova^2,*, Dana Korolevich¹, Dmitry Katserov¹, Alexandra Semenova¹, Maria Sidorova¹, Sergey Eresko³, Marat Airapetov³, Marina Pavlova², Anna Levina², Natalia Dyuzhikova²

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.10, pp. 2007-2031, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.071198 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Objectives: Chronic stress can trigger neuroinflammation and gut microbiota alterations, contributing to post-stress disorders. Individual differences in stress responses, shaped by genetic and physiological factors, require better characterization. We aimed to investigate the long-term effects of chronic stress in rats selectively bred for high and low nervous system excitability. Methods: Adult male rats from two strains selectively bred for high (HT) and low (LT) excitability thresholds of the nervous system underwent a 15-day chronic emotional-pain stress protocol. Behavioral assessments (elevated plus maze), cytokine levels (TNF, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10) in the hippocampus and amygdala measured by… More >

Minseo Hong, Jea-Hyun Baek^*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.10, pp. 2699-2724, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.067487 - 26 September 2025

Abstract AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase that functions as a central regulator of cellular energy status. In cancer, where metabolic reprogramming enables rapid proliferation and survival under stress, AMPK functions as a metabolic checkpoint that restrains tumor growth by inhibiting biosynthetic pathways and promoting catabolic processes, such as autophagy and fatty acid oxidation. Given its role in opposing many hallmarks of cancer metabolism, AMPK has attracted significant interest as a therapeutic target. This review examines the molecular mechanisms by which AMPK influences tumor progression and evaluates the preclinical and clinical evidence… More >

Jiayin Peng^1,2,#, Yijun Xue^2,#, Zhiren Cai², Zhaoguan Li², Kangyan Han², Xiaoqi Lin², Yutong Li^1,*, Yumin Zhuo^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.10, pp. 3127-3154, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.067340 - 26 September 2025

Abstract Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is an aggressive malignancy associated with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Emerging studies suggest that the actin-regulating protein actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunit 1B (ARPC1B), a key regulatory protein within the actin cytoskeleton, could play a pivotal role in ccRCC progression. The current study aimed to uncover the biological functions of ARPC1B and the molecular mechanisms driving its effects in ccRCC. Methods: ARPC1B expression and prognostic implications were analyzed using data sourced from the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) platform, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining on 150 tumor… More >

Songhua Bei^1,2,#, Qianqian Guo^1,#, Xinglei Wu^1,#, Fan Li^2,#, Yaya Xie³, Xiaohong Zhang^2,*, Li Feng^2,*, Xingxing Zhang^1,3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.10, pp. 3101-3125, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.067247 - 26 September 2025

Abstract Background: Ferroptosis is a type of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, which has been linked to tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. However, the contribution of lactate metabolism and its receptor, hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 1 (HCAR1), in ferroptosis regulation in gastric cancer (GC) remains poorly understood. Focusing specifically on its effects on cell proliferation, ferroptosis regulation, and the disruption of lactate-mediated metabolic pathways, the study aimed to clarify the role of HCAR1 in GC progression. Methods: Bioinformatics analysis identified prognostic genes associated with ferroptosis in GC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated… More >

Mingyang Tang^1,2,#, Shengfu He^3,#, Bao Meng^1,2, Qingyue Zhang^1,2, Chengcheng Li^1,2, Yating Sun^1,2, Weijie Sun^1,2, Cui Wang⁴, Qingxiang Kong⁵, Yanyan Liu^1,2, Lifen Hu^1,2, Yufeng Gao^1,2, Qinxiu Xie^1,2, Jiabin Li^1,2,*, Ting Wu^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.10, pp. 3077-3100, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.067065 - 26 September 2025

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths. The Nod-like receptor (NLR) family is involved in innate immunity and tumor progression, but its role in HCC remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value and biological function of NLR genes in HCC. Methods: Transcriptomic and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas were analyzed using nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) to classify HCC into molecular subtypes. Differentially expressed genes were used to build an NLR-based prognostic model (NLR_score) through univariate Cox, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and multivariate Cox… More > Graphic Abstract