Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Clinical implications of the 2021 edition of the WHO classification of central nervous system tumours.
Horbinski C, et al
Researchers reviewed the 2021 WHO classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumours, which was updated just five years after the previous 2016 edition due to rapid advances in understanding the molecular biology of brain and spinal cord tumours. The new classification places greater emphasis on molecular markers — specific genetic and biochemical changes within tumour cells — to more precisely define and diagnose CNS tumours, including a reorganized system for gliomas that distinguishes between adult-type and paediatric-type tumours. Several entirely new tumour entities have been added, particularly those that occur predominantly in children, reflecting discoveries that these tumours are biologically distinct from similar-looking tumours in adults. For clinicians, these changes will directly affect post-surgical treatment decisions, eligibility for clinical trials, and how patients are grouped in cooperative research studies. While the 2021 classification represents a major scientific advance in precision oncology for brain tumours, the authors acknowledge that implementing these molecular tests routinely in clinical settings will require innovative solutions to overcome practical and logistical challenges.
Nature reviews. Neurology
Source →A systematic literature review of the management, oncological outcomes and psychosocial implications of male breast cancer.
Rutherford CL, et al
A new systematic literature review published in the European Journal of Surgical Oncology examined the diagnosis, surgical management, survival outcomes, genetic screening, and psychosocial impact of male breast cancer (MBC), a rare condition representing less than 1% of all breast cancer cases. Analyzing 59 studies encompassing nearly 40,000 patients with a mean age of 64.5 years, the review found that mastectomy remains the dominant surgical approach, used in nearly 90% of cases. Survival outcomes revealed that overall survival at 5 and 10 years stood at 72.7% and 50.7% respectively, while disease-specific survival at the same intervals was 87.1% and 67.1%, with men frequently presenting at a later disease stage than women. Genetic screening, performed in fewer than 40% of patients, identified BRCA2 mutations in 15.8% of those tested, highlighting a significant hereditary risk component. Psychosocial research underscored the unique burden MBC places on gender identity and the lack of adequate support structures for male patients. The authors conclude that greater public and clinical awareness, along with more prospective research, is urgently needed to improve early detection and reduce the stigma surrounding breast cancer in men.
European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology
Source →Involvement of Phytochemical-Encapsulated Nanoparticles' Interaction with Cellular Signalling in the Amelioration of Benign and Malignant Brain Tumours.
Mehan S, et al
Researchers conducted a comprehensive review examining the potential of plant-derived compounds (phytochemicals) encapsulated in nanoparticles as a novel strategy for treating both benign and malignant brain tumours, with a particular focus on glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of astrocytoma. A central challenge in brain cancer therapy is the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a highly selective biological shield that prevents most drugs, including conventional chemotherapy agents, from reaching tumour cells in the brain. The review highlights that phytochemicals offer a promising alternative because they are more affordable, less toxic, and more environmentally friendly than standard chemotherapeutic drugs, while still targeting key molecular signalling pathways involved in cancer progression. By encapsulating these plant-derived compounds within nanoparticles, scientists can potentially overcome BBB penetration limitations and improve targeted drug delivery to brain tumour cells. This research matters for patients because it points toward accessible, cost-effective treatment options that could complement or reduce reliance on expensive and side-effect-laden conventional therapies. The authors also outline current limitations and future challenges that must be addressed before phytochemical nanoparticle therapies can be translated into clinical practice.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Source →Major Features of the 2021 WHO Classification of CNS Tumors.
Smith HL, et al
This review examines the landmark 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors, which represents a major overhaul of how brain and spinal cord tumors are categorized and diagnosed. The updated system, released just five years after the 2016 edition, dramatically expands the role of molecular biology, with more than 40 tumor types and subtypes now defined by their specific genetic and molecular characteristics rather than appearance under a microscope alone. Key changes include the reorganization of tumors into new broad groupings such as adult-type diffuse gliomas, pediatric-type diffuse gliomas, and circumscribed astrocytic gliomas, as well as the introduction of entirely new tumor entities, particularly in children. The review highlights the most clinically relevant updates affecting diffuse and circumscribed gliomas, ependymomas, embryonal tumors, and meningiomas. These changes have direct implications for how patients are diagnosed, how treatment plans are developed, and how individuals are enrolled in clinical trials, making the updated classification a critical tool for oncologists and neurologists worldwide.
Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics
Source →Imaging response assessment for CNS germ cell tumours: consensus recommendations from the European Society for Paediatric Oncology Brain Tumour Group and North American Children's Oncology Group.
Morana G, et al
An international working group representing the European Society for Paediatric Oncology Brain Tumour Group and the North American Children's Oncology Group has developed consensus recommendations for standardizing how imaging is used to assess treatment response in children and young people with CNS germ cell tumours. Currently, European and North American clinical protocols use different criteria to evaluate how well a patient is responding to therapy based on MRI and other imaging, making it difficult to compare results across international clinical trials. The working group reviewed existing literature and clinical practices to identify key challenges, then defined new imaging standards for the most common tumour locations and for determining how far a tumour has spread locally. These standardized criteria will enable more consistent evaluation of therapy responses across institutions and countries, and will facilitate direct comparisons of treatment outcomes in future international studies. For patients, this ultimately means more reliable evidence to guide treatment decisions for a rare but serious brain tumour type.
The Lancet. Oncology
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