Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Oesophageal tissue engineering: optimisation of stereotactic robotic cell injection in decellularised oesophageal scaffolds.
Yamada K, et al
Researchers have developed an automated robotic system to inject living cells into decellularised oesophageal scaffolds, aiming to improve the engineering of replacement oesophageal tissue for patients with conditions such as oesophageal atresia, caustic injuries, or cancer. The study addressed a key limitation of existing methods: the high dependence on individual operator skill, which makes results difficult to reproduce across different surgical teams. A stereotaxic robotic platform was adapted to deliver a mixture of cells and porcine gelatin into the scaffold in a precisely controlled pattern, with the scaffold automatically rotated to ensure even, circumferential coverage at calibrated injection depths. Results showed that cells injected by the robot remained just as viable as those injected manually, and post-injection analysis confirmed uniform cell distribution throughout the scaffold. This advance brings tissue-engineered oesophageal replacement closer to clinical applicability by providing a standardised, reproducible manufacturing process that reduces human error. For patients — particularly children born with oesophageal atresia — a reliable method of producing bioengineered oesophagi could one day offer a superior alternative to current surgical reconstructions using stomach or bowel tissue.
Pediatric surgery international
Source →Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Incidence in Japan Based on National Cancer Registry Data 2016-2019.
Koyama S, et al
A new study published in the JMA Journal provides the first comprehensive national profile of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in Japan, drawing on data from the national cancer registry for the years 2016 to 2019. Researchers analyzed over 30,500 cases and found that in 2019, the age-standardized incidence rate was 5.12 per 100,000 people, with men accounting for 57% of cases and the tongue being the most commonly affected site. The study revealed notable regional disparities, with standardized incidence ratios ranging from 0.77 in Gifu Prefecture to 1.37 in Miyagi Prefecture, suggesting that geography may influence cancer risk or detection rates. The one-year overall survival rate was 83.5%, and women were found to have a significantly lower risk of dying within one year compared to men, with a hazard ratio of 0.81. These findings offer clinicians and public health officials an important epidemiological baseline that can guide screening programs, resource allocation, and targeted prevention efforts across Japan.
JMA journal
Source →Tracking the Cesarean Delivery-Postmolar Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia Link.
Paiva G, et al
A large retrospective study conducted across two gestational trophoblastic disease centers in Brazil and the United States examined whether a history of cesarean delivery affects the risk of developing postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN), a rare cancer that can arise after a molar pregnancy. Analyzing records from 2,904 patients with hydatidiform mole diagnosed between 2002 and 2022, researchers found that women with a prior cesarean delivery had a 45% higher risk of progressing to GTN compared to those without such history, even after adjusting for age, mole type, and hormone levels. Importantly, neither the number of previous cesarean deliveries nor whether the procedure was elective changed this elevated risk, suggesting that any cesarean history carries similar implications. However, a prior cesarean delivery did not appear to make GTN more difficult to treat, as chemoresistance rates were not significantly different between groups. These findings do not call for changes in current treatment protocols but do suggest that clinicians should apply heightened vigilance when monitoring patients with a cesarean delivery history during routine post-molar follow-up. The study highlights an important clinical link that may help individualize surveillance strategies for women at elevated risk of this rare but serious complication.
Obstetrics and gynecology
Source →Is looking at the tip of the iceberg sinking our ship? A longitudinal cohort study on the patterns of evolution on treatment of non-enhancing FLAIR lesions in primary CNS lymphoma.
Guha A, et al
A new study published in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology reveals that non-enhancing FLAIR abnormalities (NEFA) — areas of brain signal change visible on MRI but lacking the classic contrast enhancement used in standard response criteria — are powerful predictors of treatment failure in primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL), a rare and aggressive brain cancer. Researchers retrospectively analyzed 112 PCNSL patients treated between 2008 and 2024, tracking the evolution of NEFA lesions on serial MRI scans at multiple time points during and after high-dose methotrexate-based therapy. Patients who had NEFA at any point during treatment experienced dramatically higher rates of disease progression (46.6% versus 7.4%), and those with increasing NEFA during follow-up faced more than eleven times the risk of death compared to patients without such changes. Critically, NEFA worsening often preceded the appearance of new contrast-enhancing lesions — the current gold standard for detecting progression — suggesting that current response criteria may be missing early warning signs of relapse. The authors conclude that incorporating NEFA assessment into standard response evaluation could allow clinicians to identify high-risk patients sooner and intervene earlier, potentially improving outcomes in this difficult-to-treat malignancy.
Journal of neuro-oncology
Source →Clinical significance of hiatus hernia on Barrett's oesophagus: a scoping review.
Kyang LS, et al
A new scoping review published in Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery examined the clinical significance of hiatal hernia (HH) in patients with Barrett's oesophagus (BO), a condition in which the lining of the oesophagus changes in ways that can lead to oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Researchers systematically analyzed 66 studies from major medical databases and found that HH is strongly associated with the development of BO, particularly when the hernia is larger than 2–4 cm and when long-segment Barrett's is present. The review also found preliminary evidence suggesting that HH may contribute to the progression of BO toward dysplasia and cancer, though this association was inconsistent across studies. Importantly, larger hiatal hernias were found to reduce the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation, a common endoscopic treatment for BO, requiring more treatment sessions to achieve adequate results. The authors conclude that surgical repair of hiatal hernia should be considered in carefully selected patients — especially those with hernias of 4 cm or more and established Barrett's oesophagus — to restore normal anatomy and reduce the acid reflux environment that drives disease progression. These findings suggest that international clinical guidelines should reconsider recognising HH as a major risk factor for Barrett's oesophagus.
Langenbeck's archives of surgery
Source →