Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Coeliac trunk origin of bilateral inferior phrenic arteries.
Almansour RA, et al
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh investigated the anatomical variations of the inferior phrenic arteries — blood vessels that supply the diaphragm, adrenal glands, and lower oesophagus — in Scottish cadavers. The study dissected six formalin-embalmed cadavers to map the origin, course, and branching patterns of these arteries. A notable finding was that in two female donors, representing one third of the sample, both left and right inferior phrenic arteries originated from the coeliac trunk rather than the abdominal aorta, which is the more typical anatomical configuration. This variation is clinically significant because it can affect the completeness of hepatocellular carcinoma embolization procedures, a common minimally invasive treatment for liver cancer, and may increase the risk of accidental vessel injury during upper abdominal surgeries. The authors emphasize that awareness of such anatomical variants is essential for surgeons and interventional radiologists to minimize complications such as incomplete tumor treatment or life-threatening haemothorax.
Frontiers in surgery
Source →Urinary Function After Laparoscopic Surgery in Very Low Rectal Cancer.
Fukunaga Y, et al
A prospective multicenter clinical trial (ULTIMATE trial) conducted across 47 Japanese hospitals investigated urinary function outcomes in 300 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for low rectal cancer. Researchers used three standardized questionnaires alongside postoperative residual urine measurements to assess voiding disorders in the short and long term. The study found that short-term voiding dysfunction occurred in 78 patients and was linked primarily to longer surgery duration, while abdominoperineal resection — a more extensive surgical procedure removing the rectum and anus — was associated with lasting urinary deterioration that did not recover over time. Patients older than 75 years also experienced significantly worse urinary function after surgery compared to younger patients, and this age group showed greater long-term decline. These findings highlight the need for targeted preoperative counseling and postoperative monitoring of urinary function, particularly for elderly patients and those requiring abdominoperineal resection.
Diseases of the colon and rectum
Source →In silico exploration of the RAPTOR-STAT3 interface reveals potential crosstalk between mTORC1 and JAK-STAT pathways in Sjogren's syndrome and its linked cancer.
Singh Y, et al
Researchers used computational biology tools to investigate a potential molecular link between Sjögren's syndrome, a chronic autoimmune disease affecting salivary glands, and the increased cancer risk observed in patients with this condition. The study focused on two key proteins — RAPTOR, a core component of the mTORC1 metabolic signaling complex, and STAT3, a well-known driver of both inflammation and tumor development — asking whether these proteins physically interact and share signaling roles. Using protein-protein interaction network analysis, molecular docking simulations, missense variant mapping, and transcriptomic data from both cancer databases and Sjögren's patient salivary gland tissue, the team found consistent evidence that RAPTOR and STAT3 form a meaningful interaction interface and are co-expressed in disease-relevant tissues. These findings suggest that a bidirectional crosstalk between the mTORC1 and JAK-STAT3 pathways may serve as a shared immunometabolic hub connecting autoimmune inflammation in Sjögren's syndrome to downstream cancer development. For clinicians and patients, this implies that targeting the RAPTOR-STAT3 axis could one day offer a dual therapeutic strategy addressing both autoimmune damage and malignant transformation. The authors emphasize that experimental laboratory validation is the essential next step to confirm these computationally predicted interactions.
Computational biology and chemistry
Source →Nasopharyngeal mass containing B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient: A case report and review of the literature.
Labus M, et al
Researchers present a rare case report of a 48-year-old man who developed a large nasopharyngeal mass causing hearing loss, nasal obstruction, impaired smell, and occasional nosebleeds. Surgical removal and tissue analysis revealed B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) with polyclonal plasma cell differentiation, an uncommon malignancy arising from lymphoid tissue in the back of the throat. Further testing confirmed the patient was HIV-positive and showed high antibody levels against Epstein-Barr virus, both of which are known to increase the risk of lymphoma development. This case highlights that enlarged adenoid tissue in adults should not be automatically assumed to be benign, as malignant transformation, though rare, is possible. Clinicians are urged to conduct thorough diagnostic workups — including imaging, endoscopy, and serological testing — when adults present with persistent rhinological or otological symptoms, to ensure early detection of potentially serious conditions.
International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology
Source →Surgery Alone Treatment vs. Surgery with Adjuvant Therapy for Laryngeal Mucoepidermoid Cancer: A Systematic Review.
Chiari F, et al
A new systematic review published in Oncology Research examined the role of adjuvant therapy—particularly radiotherapy—in treating mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the larynx, an extremely rare cancer accounting for less than 1% of all laryngeal tumors. Researchers analyzed 22 studies covering 55 patients, comparing outcomes between surgery alone and surgery followed by radiotherapy across both early-stage and advanced-stage disease. In early-stage patients, surgery alone provided strong local disease control of 85–88% and five-year disease-free survival of 77%, while adding radiotherapy pushed both figures to 100%, though the difference was not statistically significant. For patients with advanced-stage disease, adjuvant radiotherapy dramatically improved outcomes, with five-year local control reaching 100% compared to only 38% for surgery alone, and five-year disease-free survival of 80% versus 36%. These findings suggest that while surgery with clear margins is sufficient for early-stage laryngeal MEC, postoperative radiotherapy should be strongly considered for advanced or high-grade cases, providing clinicians with clearer guidance for this rare and challenging malignancy.
Oncology research
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