Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Exosomal ANGPTL2 in cerebrospinal fluid as a novel prognostic biomarker for primary central nervous system lymphoma.
Zhu L, et al
Researchers investigated whether a protein called ANGPTL2, found in tiny vesicles known as exosomes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), could serve as a prognostic biomarker for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), a rare and aggressive brain cancer. The study analyzed CSF samples from 78 newly diagnosed PCNSL patients, measuring exosomal ANGPTL2 levels using a standard laboratory immunoassay and dividing patients into high- and low-level groups based on the median value of 4.410 ng/mL. Patients with high CSF exosomal ANGPTL2 levels experienced significantly shorter progression-free survival and overall survival, and were far less likely to achieve a complete or overall treatment response compared to those with low levels. Multivariate statistical analysis confirmed that CSF exosomal ANGPTL2 is an independent prognostic factor, meaning its predictive value holds even after accounting for other clinical variables. These findings suggest that a simple CSF-based liquid biopsy measurement could help clinicians identify PCNSL patients at higher risk of poor outcomes, potentially guiding more aggressive or tailored treatment strategies.
Frontiers in immunology
Source →Interferon Alpha-2a as Treatment for Primary Acquired Melanosis With Atypia and for Primary Acquired Melanosis With Atypia Surrounding Conjunctival Melanoma.
Vaisman D, et al
Researchers investigated whether topical interferon alpha-2a (IFN α-2a) could safely and effectively treat primary acquired melanosis (PAM) with atypia, a precancerous condition of the conjunctiva — the thin membrane covering the eye — that can progress to melanoma if left untreated. In this retrospective case series, 12 patients received topical IFN α-2a, IFN α-2b, or pegylated IFN α-2a for one to ten months, with an average follow-up period of over ten years. An impressive 93% of patients (11 out of 12) achieved a complete clinical response after an average of 5.1 months of treatment, and the average progression-free survival reached 4.3 years, with only one recurrence recorded. Side effects were generally mild — such as dry eye, redness, and blurred vision — and no damage to limbal stem cells, which are critical for corneal health, was observed in patients treated with IFN alone. These findings suggest that IFN α-2a is a safe and effective alternative to IFN α-2b for managing this potentially sight-threatening precancerous eye condition, though the authors call for larger controlled studies to confirm these results.
American journal of ophthalmology
Source →A giant pericardial cyst as rare cause of reflux and chest discomfort: a case report.
Woll F, et al
A case report published in the European Heart Journal: Case Reports describes a 42-year-old man who suffered from dysphagia and unexplained chest discomfort for seven years before receiving a correct diagnosis. Despite repeated gastroenterological evaluations and prolonged proton pump inhibitor therapy, no improvement was achieved and no cause was identified through standard digestive workup. Imaging eventually revealed a giant pericardial cyst compressing the esophagus and causing partial lung atelectasis, explaining all of the patient's longstanding symptoms. The patient underwent successful robotic-assisted surgical removal of the cyst, resulting in complete resolution of symptoms. This case highlights that pericardial cysts, though rare congenital lesions, can mimic gastrointestinal conditions and should be included in the differential diagnosis when common explanations for reflux, dysphagia, or chest complaints are exhausted.
European heart journal. Case reports
Source →Expression of p57 Immunostain in Complete and Partial Hydatidiform Moles.
Salma Shabnam U, et al
Researchers in Bangladesh conducted a study to evaluate whether the protein marker p57, detected by immunohistochemistry, could improve the diagnostic accuracy of distinguishing two types of hydatidiform mole — a form of abnormal pregnancy tissue — known as complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) and partial hydatidiform mole (PHM). The distinction is clinically critical because CHM carries a significantly higher risk of developing into persistent trophoblastic disease or the cancer choriocarcinoma. In a cross-sectional study of 57 cases from Bangladesh Medical University and private laboratories in Dhaka, the team re-evaluated histopathological diagnoses and performed p57 immunostaining on all specimens. Results showed that 88.9% of CHM cases were negative for p57 expression, while 69.2% of PHM cases were positive, a statistically significant difference that led to the reclassification of several indeterminate cases and a shift from 36 CHM and 13 PHM to 42 CHM and 15 PHM. The findings confirm that p57 immunostaining substantially reduces diagnostic ambiguity that arises from overlapping tissue features and variability between pathologists. The authors recommend routine incorporation of p57 testing alongside standard histopathology to ensure accurate subclassification of hydatidiform moles and appropriate clinical follow-up for patients at higher cancer risk.
Cureus
Source →Reasons driving choice and clinical course of patients with CNS WHO grade 3 IDH mutant glioma receiving vorasidenib after surgery: a pilot experience.
Dipasquale A, et al
This pilot study examined the use of vorasidenib, an oral inhibitor of mutant IDH1 and IDH2 enzymes, in patients diagnosed with WHO grade 3 IDH-mutant gliomas of the central nervous system following surgical resection. Researchers investigated the clinical reasons that led physicians and patients to choose vorasidenib over conventional treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as how patients fared during follow-up. The study found that factors including patient preference for an oral therapy, desire to defer radiation, and concerns about toxicity of standard chemoradiation were among the primary drivers of vorasidenib selection in this higher-grade glioma population. Although vorasidenib is currently approved for grade 2 IDH-mutant gliomas, this experience provides early real-world insight into its use in the more aggressive grade 3 setting. These findings are clinically meaningful because they highlight the growing off-label use of vorasidenib and the need for prospective trials to evaluate its efficacy and safety specifically in WHO grade 3 IDH-mutant glioma patients.
Journal of neuro-oncology
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