Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Single base focal hypermutation cooccurs with structural variation as an early event in advanced prostate tumourigenesis with ancestry specific independence: a multi-ancestral observational study.
Jiang J, et al
A multi-ancestral observational study published in Genome Medicine investigated the genomic architecture of advanced prostate cancer, specifically examining whether focal hypermutation occurring at single DNA base positions co-occurs with structural genomic variation across men of diverse ancestral backgrounds. Researchers found that single-base focal hypermutation and structural genomic changes arise together as early events during the progression toward advanced prostate cancer, suggesting a coordinated oncogenic process rather than independent mutations. Crucially, this co-occurrence was found to operate with ancestry-specific independence, meaning that while some genomic features showed population-level differences, the fundamental pairing of hypermutation with structural variation appeared as a shared early driver across ancestries. The multi-ancestral design of the study is particularly significant because prostate cancer incidence and outcomes vary substantially across populations, yet the genomic underpinnings of this disparity remain poorly understood. These findings could guide the development of more equitable early detection biomarkers and therapeutic targets by establishing which early genomic events are universal versus ancestry-specific in prostate cancer progression.
Genome medicine
Source →Biophysical membrane responses of hypoxic prostate cancer cells depend on kindlin-2.
Hernandez-Cortes D, et al
Researchers investigated how the protein kindlin-2 (K2) governs the physical behavior of prostate cancer cells under hypoxia — the low-oxygen conditions that promote tumor escape and metastasis. Using electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS), a technique that tracks live cell movement and adhesion electrically, the team found that reducing K2 expression by 44% paradoxically accelerated wound-closure rates by more than 130% under hypoxic conditions, yet cells failed to fully restore normal cell-to-cell contacts after wounding, indicating K2 is critical for proper membrane repair. The study further revealed that integrin complexes partnered with K2 shift dynamically during hypoxia — α6β1 integrins dominate at cell-edge protrusions in the first 4–8 hours, while α5β1 integrins accumulate in focal adhesions after 12 hours, suggesting a coordinated, time-dependent program of cell migration machinery. Importantly, focal adhesions — the molecular anchors cancer cells use to grip and move through tissue — became twice as numerous but up to 45% smaller under hypoxia, indicating a shift toward faster, more dispersed cell movement. These findings identify kindlin-2 as a central regulator of cancer cell mechanics in hypoxic microenvironments and highlight it as a promising therapeutic target for blocking prostate cancer spread.
Biophysical journal
Source →Expression of asprosin and OLFR734 in reproductive tissues of polycystic ovary syndrome mice: insights into metabolic and reproductive dysfunction.
Khan S, et al
Researchers conducted the first histological investigation into the tissue-level expression of asprosin, a hormone released during fasting, and its receptor OLFR734 in the reproductive organs of mice with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common condition that disrupts both hormonal balance and fertility. Using mouse models of PCOS induced by the androgen dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), maintained on either a standard chow or a high-fat diet, the team mapped asprosin and OLFR734 presence in the ovary, oviduct, and uterus. High-fat diet PCOS mice exhibited more pronounced metabolic disturbances, including weight gain, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and elevated circulating asprosin, while in healthy ovaries asprosin was confined to the theca cell layer of mature follicles but expanded in PCOS ovaries to include granulosa cells and the fluid-filled antrum of cystic follicles. Both proteins were upregulated across PCOS reproductive tissues, but dietary conditions and androgen excess produced tissue-specific rather than uniform additive effects, revealing a complex, context-dependent regulatory pattern. These findings establish the asprosin-OLFR734 signaling axis as a molecular bridge between metabolic stress and reproductive dysfunction in PCOS, positioning these proteins as emerging candidates for future diagnostic or therapeutic research.
Cell and tissue research
Source →Microdochectomy for patients with nipple discharge and the risk of associated breast cancer.
Amann N, et al
This study examined the clinical outcomes of microdochectomy — a targeted surgical procedure to remove one or more breast milk ducts — in patients presenting with nipple discharge, with the primary aim of quantifying the associated risk of underlying breast cancer. Nipple discharge is a frequent reason for referral to breast clinics and, while commonly caused by benign lesions such as intraductal papillomas, it may occasionally indicate malignancy. The research assessed how frequently breast cancer was identified in patients undergoing microdochectomy, thereby clarifying both the diagnostic yield and the therapeutic role of the procedure. The findings offer surgeons and oncologists evidence-based guidance for managing nipple discharge cases and for determining when surgical intervention is most appropriate. Understanding the magnitude of cancer risk in this patient group is essential for optimizing screening pathways and improving early detection outcomes.
BMC surgery
Source →Impact of spinal versus general anesthesia on dwell time of early immediate intravesical epirubicin administration following transurethral resection of bladder tumor: an observational study.
Kacan T, et al
Researchers conducted an observational study to investigate whether the type of anesthesia—spinal or general—affects the dwell time of epirubicin instilled directly into the bladder immediately after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). Immediate intravesical chemotherapy following TURBT is a guideline-recommended strategy to reduce the risk of early bladder cancer recurrence, and adequate dwell time of the instilled drug is considered essential for its effectiveness. The study compared patients undergoing TURBT under spinal versus general anesthesia to determine whether anesthesia choice influences how long patients can retain the chemotherapy agent in the bladder before voiding. This distinction is clinically relevant because insufficient dwell time may compromise the oncological benefit of the instillation, while the physiological effects of different anesthesia types on bladder tone and patient cooperation may play a role. These findings offer practical guidance for urological teams when planning post-TURBT chemotherapy protocols in centers where both anesthesia approaches are routinely used.
World journal of urology
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