Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Non-canonical histone H3.3 and its chaperones HIRA and DAXX participate in the regulation of KSHV latency.
McMahon S, et al
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is responsible for several serious malignancies, including Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and Multicentric Castleman's disease, and it maintains persistent infection in host cells by entering a dormant state known as latency. This study investigated how the histone variant H3.3 and its molecular chaperone proteins HIRA and DAXX contribute to packaging the viral genome into chromatin structures that sustain this latent state. The researchers detected rapid incorporation of H3.3 onto viral episomes both shortly after initial infection and in long-term infected cells, suggesting this process is fundamental to viral genome organization. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to knock out the HIRA chaperone pathway, the team demonstrated that disrupting HIRA impaired regulation of the key viral latency protein LANA and destabilized viral latency, while deletion of DAXX did not produce the same effect. These findings establish HIRA-mediated H3.3 deposition as a central mechanism through which KSHV establishes and maintains its dormant state within host cells. Identifying this epigenetic vulnerability could offer new therapeutic targets for KSHV-associated cancers by enabling strategies that either force the virus out of latency for immune clearance or permanently silence its reactivation potential.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
Source →Clinical outcomes of the tunnelized-facial artery myomucosal island flaps in the oral cavity and comparison with cutaneous flaps in an animal model.
Chen Z, et al
Researchers evaluated a surgical reconstruction technique called the tunnelized-facial artery myomucosal island flap (t-FAMMIF) for repairing tissue defects in the mouth following oral cancer surgery. The clinical study enrolled 23 patients who underwent t-FAMMIF reconstruction and compared their outcomes with 20 matched patients who received conventional skin-based (cutaneous) flaps, using a range of functional assessments including sensory testing, swallowing evaluation, and facial nerve monitoring. Patients who received t-FAMMIF demonstrated superior aesthetic results, better sensory recovery, and faster resolution of complications such as facial nerve dysfunction and restricted mouth opening, with most issues largely resolved within six months. To understand the biological reasons behind these differences, the researchers also compared mucosal and cutaneous flaps in a beagle dog animal model, where histological analysis revealed that mucosal flaps preserved minor salivary glands and produced significantly less scar tissue than their cutaneous counterparts. These findings establish t-FAMMIF as an effective and advantageous option for reconstructing small to moderate oral mucosal defects after cancer surgery, offering patients meaningful improvements in function, sensation, and quality of life.
Frontiers in oncology
Source →Recent Advances in Natural Phytocompounds for the Chemotherapeutic Management of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma from 2018-2024.
Nooreen Z, et al
This comprehensive review examines plant-derived bioactive compounds, known as phytochemicals, as potential therapeutic agents for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the sixth most common cancer globally, with incidence projected to rise by 30% by 2030. Surveying the scientific literature from 2018 to 2024, the authors catalogued polyphenols and other natural plant compounds that demonstrate anticancer activity in laboratory and preclinical settings. Key findings reveal that these phytochemicals can arrest the cell cycle, trigger programmed cancer cell death (apoptosis), inhibit tumor blood vessel formation (angiogenesis), and suppress cancer invasion and metastasis through mechanisms including activation of tumor suppressor p53, caspase cascades, and modulation of the NF-κB, STAT3, Akt/mTOR, and PI3K signaling pathways. Critically, these natural compounds may also shield healthy tissue from the collateral damage inflicted by conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy, potentially improving treatment tolerability. The review concludes that phytochemicals, administered alone or as adjuncts to approved therapies, represent a scientifically grounded and promising direction for improving outcomes in HNSCC patients.
Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
Source →In Reply to: "Response to Intra-arterial Chemotherapy in Patients with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Lacrimal Gland".
Costa PA, et al
This publication is a correspondence piece appearing in The Oncologist, written as a reply to a previously published response regarding intra-arterial chemotherapy for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland, a rare and aggressive malignancy affecting the tear-producing gland near the eye. Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland is notoriously difficult to treat due to its tendency for perineural invasion and high recurrence rates, making the exploration of regional chemotherapy delivery an area of clinical interest. The authors engage with ongoing scientific debate about the efficacy and appropriate use of intra-arterial chemotherapy, a technique that delivers drugs directly into the blood vessels supplying the tumor to maximize local drug concentration while minimizing systemic side effects. While no new clinical data are presented, such exchanges in the literature are important for refining treatment protocols and clarifying the evidence base for clinicians managing this rare cancer. This dialogue contributes to the broader effort to establish clearer guidelines for a patient population that currently has limited therapeutic options.
The oncologist
Source →Breast MRI features of idiopathic granulomatous mastitis and invasive breast carcinoma: A single-center comparative study.
Erkoc N, et al
Researchers at a single center conducted a retrospective study comparing breast MRI features in 301 women diagnosed with either idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) or invasive breast carcinoma (IBC), two conditions that can appear similar on imaging but require very different treatments. The study found several MRI characteristics that help distinguish IGM from IBC, including retroareolar (near-nipple) involvement, abscess and fistula formation, and a pattern of non-mass enhancement, all of which were significantly more common in IGM. A key quantitative finding was that apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were higher in IGM, and a threshold of 895 × 10⁻⁶ mm²/s showed high specificity for identifying IBC, providing radiologists with a measurable cutoff to guide decisions. These results are clinically important because misdiagnosing IGM as cancer can lead to unnecessary aggressive treatment, while missing a cancer diagnosis carries its own serious risks. The authors conclude that while MRI can meaningfully improve diagnostic confidence in distinguishing these two conditions, tissue biopsy remains essential for definitive confirmation.
Clinical imaging
Source →