Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Prediction of progression of hepatic metastases from uveal melanoma using gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.
Lee JE, et al
Researchers investigated whether gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI could help predict how quickly liver metastases from uveal melanoma — a rare but aggressive eye cancer — would progress in patients. The retrospective study analyzed baseline MRI scans from 65 patients treated at two tertiary centers between 2010 and 2023, using standardized tumor response criteria to track disease progression over time. Four key MRI features emerged as independent predictors of faster progression: larger tumor size, low signal on pre-contrast T1 imaging, mild-to-moderate brightness on T2 imaging, and low signal during the hepatobiliary phase. Based on these findings, the team built and internally validated a predictive nomogram — a practical scoring tool — that showed strong accuracy with a Harrell's c-index of 0.807. These results suggest that gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI, already widely used to assess liver lesions, can also serve as a valuable prognostic tool to guide treatment planning for patients with uveal melanoma liver metastases.
Melanoma research
Source →miR-100-5p Enhances Cell Cycle-Mediated Chemoresistance by Modulating the CTDSPL/pRB/E2F1 Signaling Pathway in Oxaliplatin-Resistant Colorectal Cancer Cells.
Chen Y, et al
Researchers investigated how a small RNA molecule called miR-100-5p contributes to resistance against the chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer cells. By exposing the LoVo colorectal cancer cell line to progressively higher doses of oxaliplatin, scientists created a drug-resistant cell model and discovered that miR-100-5p was significantly overexpressed in these resistant cells. The study found that miR-100-5p promotes cancer cell survival by suppressing a tumor-suppressor protein called CTDSPL, which in turn disrupts the pRB/E2F1 signaling pathway that normally controls when cells divide, effectively keeping cancer cells locked in a proliferative state and resistant to drug-induced death. Additionally, the transcription factor FOXP3 was identified as an upstream activator of miR-100-5p, adding a new layer to the regulatory network driving resistance. Crucially, when miR-100-5p or FOXP3 were inhibited in resistant cells, CTDSPL expression was restored, leading to reduced cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. These findings reveal a novel molecular mechanism underlying oxaliplatin resistance in colorectal cancer and suggest that targeting the miR-100-5p/CTDSPL/pRB/E2F1 axis could represent a promising strategy to overcome chemoresistance and improve treatment outcomes for patients.
Oncology research
Source →Association between cardiovascular disease and non-melanoma skin cancer: The mediation effect of obesity and inflammation.
Zhang X, et al
A new study published in PLOS ONE examined whether cardiovascular disease (CVD) increases the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and whether obesity and inflammation play a mediating role in this relationship. Researchers analyzed data from 7,424 adults participating in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2015 and 2018. The results showed that individuals with CVD had an 83% higher odds of developing NMSC compared to those without CVD, and that inflammatory markers (SIRI) and obesity indices (BMI and weight-adjusted waist index, WWI) partially explained this link. These findings suggest that shared biological mechanisms — including chronic inflammation and excess body weight — may connect heart disease and skin cancer. For patients and clinicians, this research highlights the importance of managing cardiovascular risk factors not only for heart health but potentially for cancer prevention as well. The authors conclude that weight management and inflammation control could be valuable strategies for reducing the burden of both CVD and NMSC.
PloS one
Source →Cancer Incidence in People With Glomerular Disease: A Population-Level Study.
Han J, et al
A large Canadian study examined cancer risk among 4,039 adults diagnosed with glomerular disease (GN), a group of kidney disorders, using a centralized pathology registry in British Columbia spanning 2000 to 2020. Researchers found that patients with GN faced a 30% higher overall cancer incidence compared to the general population, with a 20-year cancer risk of 23%. The elevated risk was particularly striking in patients under 40 years old, whose cancer incidence was nearly three times higher than age-matched peers, and specific cancers including lymphoma, kidney, colorectal, and lung cancer showed the greatest increases. Older age, male sex, reduced kidney function, and GN disease type were independently identified as risk factors for cancer development. These findings are clinically significant because younger GN patients are typically excluded from standard cancer screening programs, meaning their elevated risk currently goes undetected and unaddressed. The authors call for greater awareness among clinicians and the development of tailored cancer screening strategies for people living with glomerular disease.
American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation
Source →Epigenetics of Malignant Melanoma: Mechanisms, Diagnostic Approaches and Therapeutic Applications.
Hong SG, et al
A new comprehensive review published in Oncology Research examines the role of epigenetic modifications in malignant melanoma, one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of skin cancer. The review explores how changes such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNA regulation alter gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence, driving tumor growth, invasion, immune evasion, and resistance to therapy. Crucially, because epigenetic changes are reversible — unlike permanent genetic mutations — they represent promising targets for new diagnostic biomarkers and therapies designed to restore normal gene function and improve the effectiveness of existing treatments. The authors also highlight that combining epigenetic data with genomic profiling and artificial intelligence algorithms could enable more personalized treatment strategies for melanoma patients in the future. This review provides clinicians and researchers with a thorough overview of the current understanding of epigenetic dysregulation in melanoma and its translational potential.
Oncology research
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