Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Risk stratification and anal cancer screening in immunocompetent women with genital HPV: Value of multicentric HSIL and performance of HPV-based screening.
Matas I, et al
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study of 354 immunocompetent women referred for anal evaluation due to genital HPV infection or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) to determine who is at greatest risk of developing precancerous changes in the anal canal. The study found that anal high-risk HPV infection was present in 62.5% of participants, while anal HSIL was detected in 5.6% overall. Women with multicentric genital disease — meaning HSIL affecting multiple genital sites simultaneously — had a significantly higher rate of anal HSIL (20.7%) compared to women with single-site cervical, vaginal, or vulvar disease and to the control group. Crucially, no case of anal HSIL was found among women who tested negative for high-risk HPV in the anal canal, giving HPV testing alone a perfect sensitivity and negative predictive value of 100%, while cytology alone achieved only 68.4% sensitivity. Combining HPV testing with cytology did not improve diagnostic accuracy and led to unnecessary referrals for further procedures. These findings support using high-risk HPV testing alone as the most efficient and accurate screening strategy for anal cancer precursors in women with genital HSIL, potentially simplifying clinical protocols and reducing patient burden.
International journal of cancer
Source →The distinct roles of Negativicoccus and Fusobacterium in proximal- and late-onset colorectal cancer.
Ali S, et al
Researchers investigated the gut microbiome's role in colorectal cancer (CRC), focusing on differences between early-onset CRC (under age 50) and late-onset CRC, as well as between tumors arising in different parts of the colon. The study validated anal swabs as a practical alternative to stool samples for profiling gut bacteria, finding strong correlations between the two collection methods for key microbial groups including Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Fusobacterium. Using anal swabs from 76 patients and stool samples from 33 patients analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the team discovered that the bacterium Negativicoccus is associated with proximal (right-sided) CRC, while Fusobacterium is linked to late-onset CRC. Laboratory experiments showed that Negativicoccus drives cancer cell proliferation and inflammation by activating the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway and increasing levels of oncogenes such as KRAS and c-MYC, whereas Fusobacterium promotes cancer cell migration and tissue invasion through the WNT/β-catenin pathway. These findings reveal that distinct bacteria contribute to different subtypes of colorectal cancer through different molecular mechanisms, opening new avenues for microbiome-based diagnostics and targeted therapies.
Gut microbes
Source →Exploring lived experiences in oral cavity cancer: an Asia-Pacific perspective on psychosocial challenges and opportunities for enhanced patient-centric care.
Sundaresan P, et al
A new study published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship examined the lived experiences of patients with locoregionally advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (LA-OCSCC) across five Asia-Pacific countries: Australia, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Researchers interviewed 115 participants — including patients who had undergone surgery and chemoradiotherapy, their caregivers, and multidisciplinary healthcare providers — using the Psycho-Onco Emotional Anxiety (POEM) framework to assess psychosocial burden. The findings revealed that the combined physical and functional toll of tri-modality treatment caused profound psychological distress, social withdrawal, and negative impacts on psychosexual well-being, while cultural norms — particularly those discouraging men from expressing vulnerability — further limited patients' willingness to seek support. Fear of cancer recurrence and social stigma associated with oral cavity cancer compounded anxiety, and limited access to psychosocial care services restricted the delivery of truly patient-centered treatment. The study concludes that early recognition of distress by healthcare professionals, supported by targeted screening strategies and integrated psychosocial rehabilitation, is essential to improving quality of life and long-term survivorship outcomes for this patient population.
Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice
Source →Oral paraneoplastic manifestations and findings associated with extra-oral surgically treated malignancies: a prospective cross-sectional study of 300 cases.
Liskova V, et al
A prospective cross-sectional study published in the World Journal of Surgical Oncology examined oral paraneoplastic manifestations and findings in 300 patients with surgically treated malignancies located outside the oral cavity. Paraneoplastic phenomena are signs and symptoms that arise at a distance from the primary tumor, not caused by direct invasion or metastasis, and the oral cavity can serve as an early indicator of systemic cancers. The study systematically documented the types, frequency, and clinical characteristics of oral changes — such as mucosal lesions, pigmentation, gingival alterations, and other soft tissue findings — observed in this patient cohort. The findings highlight that oral manifestations may precede or accompany the diagnosis of extra-oral cancers, suggesting that dental professionals and oncologists should be aware of these associations. Early recognition of paraneoplastic oral signs could contribute to faster diagnosis and more comprehensive cancer management for affected patients.
World journal of surgical oncology
Source →Luspatercept: From Bench to Bedside and Beyond in the Management of Ineffective Erythropoiesis.
Popat D, et al
Researchers conducted a comprehensive review of luspatercept, a novel erythroid maturation agent designed to correct ineffective erythropoiesis — a condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce sufficient functional red blood cells. The drug works by targeting the transforming growth factor-β superfamily signaling pathway, thereby promoting the late stages of red blood cell development and maturation. Clinical trial data summarized in this review demonstrate that luspatercept significantly improves erythroid response rates and enables transfusion independence in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes, transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia, and myelofibrosis. These findings are particularly meaningful for patients who previously faced chronic reliance on blood transfusions and the associated burdens of iron overload and reduced quality of life. The review also outlines the drug's adverse event profile and points to ongoing trials that may broaden its approved indications to additional hematologic disorders. Luspatercept represents a meaningful shift toward targeted erythroid therapy and offers clinicians a well-characterized new tool for managing debilitating blood diseases.
Journal of hematology
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