Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Chemotherapy with bevacizumab and pembrolizumab followed by radiotherapy for unclassified round cell sarcomas of the gallbladder: A case report and review of literature.
Wang D, et al
Researchers report the case of a 60-year-old man diagnosed with unclassified round cell sarcoma (URCS) of the gallbladder, an exceptionally rare and aggressive cancer with very limited treatment options. The patient was treated with a novel combination of chemotherapy alongside bevacizumab, a drug that blocks blood vessel growth, and pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy agent, followed by radiotherapy. This approach achieved a progression-free survival of 11 months, suggesting meaningful clinical benefit in a cancer type that typically responds poorly to available therapies. Molecular profiling of the tumor revealed amplification of a vascular growth factor receptor, mutations in the CHEK1, ERCC3, and TP53 genes, deletion of the PD-L1 gene (CD274), and microsatellite stability — a genetic profile not typically associated with immunotherapy response. The findings suggest that certain genetic alterations may predict benefit from immunotherapy even in tumors with low PD-L1 expression and microsatellite stability, challenging conventional biomarker assumptions. This case highlights the potential of combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy and anti-angiogenic agents for rare sarcomas and calls for further investigation into genetic predictors of immunotherapy response in URCS.
Translational oncology
Source →3D ultrasound in evaluating resection margins during salivary gland tumour surgery.
Bøgh M, et al
Researchers investigated whether three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound could accurately assess surgical margins in real time during operations to remove salivary gland tumours, including pleomorphic adenomas and suspected malignant growths of the parotid and submandibular glands. In a prospective study of 28 patients, the resected tumour specimens were imaged with a novel 3D ultrasound setup immediately after removal, and the results were compared against the gold standard of histopathological analysis. The technique correctly classified margin status in 93% of cases, achieving a sensitivity of 96% and strong correlations with histopathology for both tumour size and margin measurements. These findings demonstrate that 3D ultrasound can provide surgeons with immediate, reliable feedback about whether enough tissue has been removed around a tumour. Because incomplete resection often requires a second operation, this low-cost and widely accessible tool has the potential to reduce re-interventions and improve outcomes for patients with salivary gland tumours.
Acta oto-laryngologica
Source →Oncological Safety of the Submental Artery Island Flap for Oral Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Taseen S, et al
A new systematic review and meta-analysis published in Head & Neck examined whether the submental artery island flap, a surgical technique used to reconstruct the mouth after cancer removal, is safe from an oncological standpoint. The concern has been that this flap is harvested near submental lymph nodes, which could potentially contain cancer cells and increase the risk of spreading the disease. Researchers analyzed multiple studies following the rigorous PICO framework and found an overall pooled locoregional recurrence rate of 16%, which is considered acceptable for oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. The findings suggest that, in carefully selected patients, the submental artery island flap provides reliable reconstruction without significantly compromising cancer control outcomes. This is important for surgeons because the technique is faster and less complex than many alternative reconstructive methods, offering a practical option when more elaborate procedures are not feasible.
Head & neck
Source →Long-Term Follow Up of Two Patients With Variants in the Cluster 1031-1159 of TRRAP Gene: Expanding the Phenotype of Developmental Delay With or Without Dysmorphic Facies and Autism.
Zechi-Ceide RM, et al
Researchers conducted a long-term follow-up study of two Brazilian females carrying rare genetic variants in the TRRAP gene, a gene encoding a protein critical for gene transcription, DNA repair, and cell-cycle regulation. Both patients harbored heterozygous missense variants clustering within the 1031–1159 amino acid region of TRRAP and presented with strikingly similar facial features, orofacial clefts, and multiple system anomalies. One patient exhibited severe global developmental delay and non-verbal autism with significant behavioral difficulties, while the other had moderate-to-severe developmental delay and was also diagnosed with inguinal cancer. These cases expand the known clinical spectrum of the condition called DEDDFA (developmental delay with or without dysmorphic facies and autism), reinforcing the strong genotype-phenotype correlation associated with variants in the 1031–1159 cluster of TRRAP. The findings suggest this specific region may represent a functionally important domain and highlight that clinicians should be aware of the broad multisystem manifestations, including cancer risk, in patients with TRRAP variants. Early genetic testing and long-term multidisciplinary follow-up are essential for improving outcomes in individuals affected by TRRAP-related disorders.
American journal of medical genetics. Part A
Source →Laryngeal Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma-Two Case Reports and Literature Review.
Jovanovic K, et al
Researchers from a clinical pathology setting report two rare cases of laryngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma (LACC), a malignant tumor accounting for less than 1% of all laryngeal cancers, which arises from minor salivary glands and is notorious for slow growth, deep tissue invasion, and a tendency to spread to distant organs. Both patients were elderly men presenting with advanced disease — one a 73-year-old with bilateral vocal cord paralysis and a prior history of tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma, the other a 79-year-old with persistent hoarseness and cartilage erosion visible on CT imaging. Both underwent total laryngectomy with neck dissection, and the second patient also received postoperative radiotherapy; at follow-up of 17 and 24 months respectively, neither patient showed signs of recurrence. The cases differed in histological pattern — one displaying a cribriform and tubular architecture, the other a predominantly solid growth pattern — highlighting the morphological variability of this tumor. The authors emphasize that submucosal spread frequently delays diagnosis and that individualized treatment planning informed by detailed histopathological analysis is essential for managing this rare and challenging cancer.
Case reports in pathology
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