Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Targeting cancer with delphinidin: from molecular insights to therapeutic implications.
Xu Y, et al
A new review published in Frontiers in Pharmacology examines the anticancer potential of delphinidin, a natural plant pigment found in berries, grapes, and other colorful fruits and vegetables. Researchers systematically analyzed how delphinidin fights cancer through multiple biological mechanisms, including stopping tumor cell growth, triggering programmed cell death, blocking tumor blood vessel formation, and enhancing the body's immune response against cancer. The compound showed promising tumor-suppressing effects across a wide range of cancers, including breast, lung, liver, colorectal, prostate, and ovarian cancers. However, the review also highlights a key obstacle to clinical use: delphinidin is poorly absorbed by the body and breaks down quickly, limiting its effectiveness as a drug. Scientists are actively developing solutions such as nanoparticle delivery systems and chemical modifications to improve how the compound works in patients. If these challenges can be overcome, delphinidin could become a valuable low-toxicity addition to cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
Frontiers in pharmacology
Source →A postoperative recurrence prediction model for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma based on multi-omics analysis of adjacent-to-tumor tissues.
Ping R, et al
Researchers developed a new model to predict cancer recurrence after surgery in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), a particularly aggressive form of bile duct cancer arising inside the liver. Rather than analyzing tumor tissue itself, the team focused on adjacent-to-tumor tissues (ATTs) — the liver tissue immediately surrounding the tumor — which proved to be more informative for predicting relapse. Using proteomic data from 116 patients, scientists classified ATTs into two molecular subtypes and built a four-protein prediction model (ENO3, HSPA13, POSTN, PTBP3), with POSTN emerging as an independent marker of recurrence risk. The model was validated in a separate cohort of 88 patients using tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry, confirming its reliability. Patients identified as high-risk by the model showed poorer responses to immunotherapy but greater sensitivity to certain chemotherapy and targeted therapy options, directly informing treatment planning. These findings offer clinicians a novel, tissue-based prognostic tool and may help personalize postoperative treatment strategies for iCCA patients who face high recurrence rates following surgical removal of the tumor.
Frontiers in oncology
Source →Case Report: AFP-producing gastric hepatoid adenocarcinoma with multiple liver metastases - integrating quantitative imaging and diagnostic decision analysis.
Zhong S, et al
Researchers report a rare case of AFP-producing hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach (HAS), an aggressive gastric cancer that mimics liver cancer in its appearance and behavior. A 68-year-old man presented with dizziness and fatigue, and imaging revealed a highly vascular stomach tumor alongside dramatically elevated blood levels of AFP, a protein normally associated with liver cancer. The patient underwent stomach surgery followed by liver surgery four months later when multiple liver metastases were detected, and subsequent chemotherapy and radiation led to normalized tumor markers at three-month follow-up. The case highlights how detailed quantitative CT scan measurements of tumor blood flow patterns can help distinguish this rare stomach cancer from primary liver cancer, potentially preventing misdiagnosis. Clinicians are urged to routinely screen AFP levels in patients with gastric lesions and to apply multidisciplinary team approaches to improve outcomes in this poorly understood malignancy.
Frontiers in oncology
Source →Gastric MALT Lymphoma in Plummer-Vinson Syndrome: Broadening the Spectrum of Associated Malignancies.
Harmon R, et al
Researchers report the first known case linking Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) — a rare condition characterized by iron deficiency anemia and esophageal webs — with gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, a type of slow-growing cancer of the stomach's immune tissue. The patient was a 59-year-old man whose workup for PVS revealed the unexpected gastric malignancy, an association not previously described in medical literature. Until now, PVS had been known to raise the risk of squamous cell cancers of the esophagus and pharynx, but this case demonstrates that the spectrum of associated cancers may be broader than previously recognized. The findings underscore the importance of thorough cancer screening in all patients presenting with iron deficiency anemia and PVS, as malignancies beyond the traditionally expected sites may be present. Clinicians should maintain a heightened index of suspicion and consider comprehensive gastrointestinal evaluation in this patient population.
ACG case reports journal
Source →Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Mediated Intranasal Drug Delivery for Brain Targeting: A Comprehensive Review.
Kaushal V, et al
This comprehensive review examines the use of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) delivered via the intranasal route as a strategy to overcome the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and treat a wide range of brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, depression, stroke, and brain cancer. The BBB normally prevents most drugs from reaching the brain, severely limiting treatment options for neurological and oncological conditions of the central nervous system. SLNs are tiny particles, ranging from 65 to 210 nanometers, composed of biocompatible lipids and surfactants that can carry therapeutic drugs directly to the brain via the olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways when administered through the nose, entirely bypassing the BBB. The review synthesizes in vitro and in vivo findings showing that SLNs significantly improve drug bioavailability and enable controlled drug release in the brain compared to conventional delivery methods. Ongoing clinical trials and growing patent activity in this field indicate strong scientific and commercial interest in SLN-based intranasal delivery as a practical, non-invasive treatment platform. For patients and clinicians, this technology holds promise for safer, more effective management of some of the most challenging brain conditions with minimal systemic side effects.
CNS & neurological disorders drug targets
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