Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Role of Epigenetics in the Pathogenesis of Acquired Cholesteatoma-A State of the Art Review.
Brar T, et al
Researchers conducted a systematic review of the scientific literature to investigate how epigenetic changes contribute to the development of acquired cholesteatoma, an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear that is a leading cause of hearing loss and currently requires aggressive surgical treatment. Analyzing 26 eligible studies retrieved from major databases, the review found that most research has focused on non-coding RNAs, with fewer studies examining histone modifications and RNA methylation. The findings reveal that several non-coding RNAs are differentially expressed in cholesteatoma tissue and play roles in regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and immune signaling through cytokine pathways. Specific targets such as miRNA-21 emerged as particularly promising candidates for the development of biomarkers and pharmaceutical therapies. Because epigenetic modifications are reversible and have already led to FDA-approved cancer drugs, these findings open the door to non-surgical treatment strategies for cholesteatoma patients, potentially reducing the need for repeated operations.
Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Source →Middle Ear Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Case Series Highlighting Diagnostic and Management Challenges.
Lukkes S, et al
Researchers at two university-affiliated medical centers conducted a retrospective case series examining middle ear neuroendocrine tumors (MeNETs), a rare type of slow-growing tumor that can easily be mistaken for more common ear conditions such as cholesteatoma or glomus tumors. All five patients in the study presented with unilateral symptoms including hearing loss, tinnitus, or ear pain, and imaging revealed soft tissue masses sometimes accompanied by erosion of the small bones of the middle ear. Every patient underwent tympanomastoidectomy and required at least one additional operation due to residual or recurrent disease, with two patients experiencing delayed local recurrence years after their initial surgery. Pathological analysis confirmed low-grade neuroendocrine tumors with no evidence of metastatic spread, indicating a generally favorable prognosis. The findings highlight that while MeNETs are not immediately life-threatening, their tendency to recur long after treatment makes sustained, long-term follow-up essential, and clinicians should consider planning a second-look surgical procedure as part of routine management.
The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology
Source →Precision Oncology in Ocular Melanoma: Integrating Molecular and Liquid Biopsy Biomarkers.
Kaštelan S, et al
Researchers conducted a comprehensive review of molecular and liquid biopsy biomarkers in ocular melanoma, focusing on two rare but serious cancers: uveal melanoma (affecting the inner eye) and conjunctival melanoma (affecting the eye surface). The review found that uveal melanoma is characterized by mutations in GNAQ, GNA11, BAP1, SF3B1, and EIF1AX genes that help predict which patients face the highest risk of metastasis, while conjunctival melanoma shares a mutational profile with skin melanoma, including BRAF and NRAS alterations that can be targeted with existing therapies. Beyond genetic mutations, epigenetic changes, microRNAs, and protein markers were identified as additional tools to understand how these tumours grow, spread, and evade the immune system. Liquid biopsy technologies — which analyze tumor DNA, circulating tumor cells, and exosomes from blood samples — showed growing promise for non-invasive monitoring of disease progression and treatment response in real time. The authors conclude that combining established tissue-based molecular testing with emerging liquid biopsy methods could create a powerful framework for personalized surveillance and treatment decisions in ocular melanoma patients. This integrated approach has the potential to improve early detection of recurrence, guide therapy selection, and ultimately improve outcomes for patients with these challenging cancers.
Current issues in molecular biology
Source →Evaluating murine double minute 2 status as a stratification tool for risk-adapted management in plasma cell neoplasms.
Ebrahim NA, et al
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute conducted a retrospective study of 71 patients with multiple myeloma or related plasma cell disorders to evaluate whether the protein MDM2, detected by immunohistochemistry, could serve as a prognostic marker for disease severity and treatment outcomes. MDM2, a regulator of the tumor suppressor p53, was found to be overexpressed in approximately 30% of patient samples, and these MDM2-positive patients showed significantly lower serum albumin levels and distinct immunophenotypic features, including lower epithelial membrane antigen and higher CD45 expression, suggesting altered cell differentiation. At 12 weeks of treatment, MDM2-positive patients responded significantly worse to therapy according to standardized myeloma criteria, though this difference was not sustained at 24 weeks. Most strikingly, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that MDM2-positive patients had a dramatically shorter median relapse-free survival of 22 months compared to 68 months in MDM2-negative patients. These findings suggest that routine IHC testing for MDM2 could help clinicians identify high-risk myeloma patients earlier and tailor more aggressive or targeted treatment strategies accordingly.
World journal of clinical oncology
Source →Extragonadal Primary Mixed Germ Cell Tumor of the Stomach.
Mubeen B, et al
Researchers from India report a rare case of a primary mixed germ cell tumor (GCT) originating in the stomach of a 4-year-old boy, highlighting an exceptionally uncommon presentation of a cancer type usually found in the gonads. Germ cell tumors arising outside the gonads, known as extragonadal GCTs, are already rare, and those occurring as primary tumors in the gastrointestinal tract are even more exceptional. The diagnosis was established through careful histological examination, immunohistochemistry profiling, and tumor marker analysis, which together confirmed the gastric origin and mixed germ cell nature of the tumor. This case underscores the importance of including GCT in the differential diagnosis of any poorly differentiated epithelioid tumor in children, regardless of the anatomical site. Clinicians are reminded that an unusual location should not discourage consideration of GCT, as timely and accurate diagnosis is essential for appropriate treatment and improved patient outcomes.
Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons
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