Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
From Static to Dynamic: Adaptive Molecular Subtyping in Treated Breast Cancers-Evidence from Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.
Ultimescu F, et al
A new study published in Cancers examined whether repeatedly testing breast cancer tumors before and after treatment provides more useful information than a single test at diagnosis. Researchers analyzed 32 patients using advanced tissue sequencing and liquid biopsy (circulating tumor DNA from blood), tracking changes in key biomarkers including hormone receptors, HER2 status, and genetic mutations. The results revealed striking molecular changes driven by treatment: one-third of patients lost progesterone receptor expression, one-third showed HER2 status changes, and nearly 78% had variable tumor proliferation rates after therapy. Liquid biopsy identified additional clinically important genetic alterations — including FGFR1 amplification and BRCA1/2 variants — that were missed by standard tissue testing alone. These findings challenge the traditional practice of classifying breast cancer based on a single biopsy at diagnosis and support a dynamic, evolving model of tumor profiling. Clinicians may need to reassess tumor characteristics during and after treatment to better tailor therapies and detect emerging resistance mechanisms.
Cancers
Source →A Rare Case of Schwannoma at the Glans Penis: Comprehensive Clinical and Radiological Evaluation, Surgical Management, and Long-Term Follow-Up.
Sankhala S, et al
Researchers report an exceptionally rare case of schwannoma — a benign tumor arising from nerve-sheath cells — located on the glans penis of a 33-year-old man, adding to a very limited body of literature on this condition. The patient presented with a painless, slowly growing 2 cm mass on the dorsal glans, which was evaluated with ultrasound and contrast-enhanced MRI before surgical removal through a vertical glans incision. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis through classic microscopic features including Antoni A and Antoni B tissue patterns and strong S-100 protein positivity on immunohistochemistry. After four years of follow-up, the patient remains free of recurrence with fully preserved erectile and urinary function, highlighting the excellent long-term outcomes achievable with complete surgical excision. This case underscores that schwannoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of penile masses, and that MRI plays a valuable role in surgical planning even when definitive preoperative diagnosis is difficult.
Cureus
Source →A case of transient monoclonal plasma cell aberrancy following respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination.
McHenry J, et al
Researchers from a clinical hematopathology setting report a rare case of a 77-year-old woman with ovarian cancer who developed a striking but temporary abnormality in her blood just days after receiving an RSV vaccine. Routine pre-surgical blood work revealed leukocytosis and 22% circulating monoclonal plasma cells — a pattern that closely resembles findings seen in serious blood cancers such as multiple myeloma. Detailed immune profiling via flow cytometry showed these plasma cells carried a characteristic surface marker profile, yet serum protein studies were entirely normal with no detectable M-protein, arguing against a true malignancy. Critically, a repeat blood test only six days later showed complete normalization, confirming the phenomenon was transient and vaccine-related rather than cancerous. This case highlights that RSV vaccination can trigger short-lived immunological responses that may mimic plasma cell neoplasms, and clinicians should be aware of this possibility to avoid unnecessary bone marrow biopsies and other invasive procedures in recently vaccinated patients.
Journal of hematopathology
Source →Cancer Risk in Patients with Acromegaly: Insights from a Single Center in Ankara.
Cinel M, et al
Researchers at Ankara University investigated cancer risk among 78 patients diagnosed with acromegaly, a rare hormonal disorder caused by excess growth hormone and IGF-1, typically resulting from a pituitary tumor. The study, conducted retrospectively using data from 2015 to 2019, screened patients for multiple cancer types including thyroid, breast, prostate, and colon cancers through ultrasonography, colonoscopy, mammography, and PSA testing. Remarkably, cancer was detected in 21.7% of acromegaly patients, with well-differentiated thyroid cancer being the most common finding, identified in 14.1% of all patients. Notably, elevated cancer risk did not correlate with hormone levels, tumor size, age, or duration of disease, suggesting that acromegaly itself may be a broad cancer risk factor independent of disease severity markers. These findings reinforce the need for routine, systematic cancer screening in all acromegaly patients, regardless of their hormonal control status or clinical profile.
Journal of clinical medicine
Source →Basal crypt dysplasia in Barrett's oesophagus: ready for prime time?
Deshpande V, et al
A new review published in Gut examines basal crypt dysplasia (CD), an emerging concept in Barrett's oesophagus (BE) where abnormal cells are confined to the base of glandular crypts without spreading to the surface. Researchers found that crypt dysplasia shares important molecular features with established forms of dysplasia, including TP53 mutations and chromosomal instability, suggesting it may represent a very early stage of cancer development in the oesophagus. The review proposes a practical diagnostic framework dividing CD into low-grade and high-grade categories, while highlighting that high-grade crypt atypia generally warrants a definitive CD diagnosis, whereas low-grade atypia is harder to distinguish from benign reactive changes caused by inflammation or tissue injury. Inconsistent grading and limited data on long-term clinical outcomes remain significant challenges, underscoring the need for standardized criteria and better interobserver agreement among pathologists. For patients with Barrett's oesophagus—a condition whose prevalence is rising alongside oesophageal cancer—earlier and more accurate detection of crypt dysplasia could ultimately improve surveillance strategies and outcomes.
Gut
Source →