Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
T cell-mediated immune surveillance suppresses an endogenous retrovirus Emv10 in C57BL/6-Ly5.1 mice.
Todo K, et al
Researchers investigating endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) — ancient viral sequences embedded in mammalian genomes — discovered that a widely used laboratory mouse strain called C57BL/6-Ly5.1 carries an extra retroviral gene called Emv10 that is absent in standard C57BL/6 mice. Under normal conditions, the immune system keeps this dormant virus suppressed, and the mice show elevated levels of CD8+ T cells, suggesting their immune systems are constantly working to control Emv10. When T cells were experimentally removed, the virus became highly active in B cells and viral RNA was shed into the surrounding medium. Most strikingly, T cell-deficient mice spontaneously developed aggressive B cell lymphomas with very high levels of retroviral activity, demonstrating that T cell surveillance actively prevents cancer development driven by this endogenous retrovirus. These findings reveal that immune control of ERVs is not merely theoretical but is continuously operating to prevent lymphoma, with direct implications for understanding how immune suppression — such as in transplant patients or those with immune deficiencies — might unleash hidden viral elements and trigger cancer. The study also issues an important practical warning to researchers: genetic differences between mouse strains used as experimental controls can significantly affect immunological outcomes and must be carefully accounted for.
Biochemical and biophysical research communications
Source →Exploring multiple drug actions of a Ca2+-sensing receptor modulator: perspectives in alternative applications of cinacalcet.
Leung Y
Researchers have published a comprehensive review exploring the diverse pharmacological actions of cinacalcet, a drug originally approved to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease and hypercalcemia in parathyroid cancer by activating the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR). Beyond its established use, cinacalcet has been investigated experimentally for a wide range of additional applications, including anticancer activity, treatment of diarrhea and kidney disorders, antibacterial effects, enhancement of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and cardioprotective and neuroprotective effects. Notably, while many of these emerging uses involve the same CaSR mechanism, some effects have been shown to occur through CaSR-independent pathways, broadening the drug's potential scope. The review critically evaluates the current evidence for each of these repurposing opportunities and highlights necessary precautions and proposed protocols for safely exploring cinacalcet in new clinical contexts. This work is significant because drug repurposing can dramatically shorten the path to new therapies, and cinacalcet's well-established safety profile makes it a promising candidate for addressing unmet medical needs across multiple disease areas.
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology
Source →Clinicopathological Profile of Conjunctival Melanoma at a Referral Ophthalmology Center in Peru.
Concha-Tuero AC, et al
Researchers at the Instituto Nacional de Oftalmología in Lima, Peru, conducted a retrospective study examining the clinical and pathological characteristics of conjunctival melanoma, a rare and aggressive eye cancer, in 29 patients treated between 2012 and 2023. The study found that the average patient age was 60.4 years, with women making up 69% of cases, and the right eye and bulbar conjunctiva were most commonly affected. The majority of tumors were pigmented, medium-sized, and spread across multiple quadrants of the ocular surface, with two-thirds originating from primary acquired melanosis (PAM), a precancerous pigmented condition of the eye. Notably, 87% of patients had no additional pigmented lesions elsewhere, suggesting isolated ocular involvement in most cases. These findings provide valuable baseline data for clinicians in Latin America and highlight the importance of monitoring PAM as a significant precursor to conjunctival melanoma, supporting earlier detection and intervention strategies in the region.
Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)
Source →Prevalence and correlates of clinical skin checks for skin cancer among Australians.
Reyes-Marcelino G, et al
A large Australian study examined how commonly older adults in New South Wales undergo clinical skin checks for skin cancer detection, and which factors are associated with participating in these checks. Using data from over 43,000 participants in the 45 and Up Study who completed a 2020 follow-up survey, researchers found that 43.2% had a whole-body skin check and 21.0% had a partial skin check in the previous 12 months, while 35.8% had no check at all. The strongest predictors of having a whole-body skin check were a personal history of melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer, having many moles, and having fair or olive skin tone. Additional factors linked to skin checking included being male, aged 70-79, born in Australia or New Zealand, having university education, holding private health insurance, and regularly using sunscreen. These findings highlight important gaps and disparities in skin cancer early detection among older Australians, suggesting that public health efforts should target those at elevated risk who are not currently engaging in regular skin surveillance.
Cancer epidemiology
Source →Atypical Presentation of Conjunctival Kaposi Sarcoma.
Albou J, et al
This publication in JAMA Ophthalmology presents a case report describing an atypical clinical presentation of conjunctival Kaposi Sarcoma, a rare vascular tumor most commonly associated with HIV/AIDS and immunosuppressed patients. Kaposi Sarcoma affecting the conjunctiva — the transparent membrane covering the eye — can be difficult to diagnose when it does not display its classic reddish-purple lesion appearance. The case highlights how unusual features of this tumor may lead to delayed or missed diagnosis, underscoring the importance of maintaining a broad differential diagnosis when evaluating ocular surface lesions. Early and accurate recognition of conjunctival Kaposi Sarcoma is critical, as it may signal underlying immunodeficiency and requires prompt systemic evaluation and treatment.
JAMA ophthalmology
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