Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Bioorthogonal-Inspired In Situ Hydrogel for Nattokinase-Assisted Enhancement of Photothermal-Chemotherapy of Tumors.
Liu J, et al
Researchers developed a novel combination cancer treatment strategy to overcome one of the key barriers in conventional chemotherapy: the dense, high-pressure tumor microenvironment that prevents drugs from reaching cancer cells effectively. The approach first uses nattokinase, an enzyme derived from fermented soybeans, to soften tumor tissue and improve blood flow, making the tumor more accessible to subsequent treatments. A specially engineered hydrogel containing copper-based nanoparticles is then injected directly into the tumor, where it forms a stable depot that generates heat under near-infrared light to ablate cancer cells through photothermal therapy. The nanoparticles also react with orally administered disulfiram, an existing drug used to treat alcoholism, to produce a potent toxic compound called copper diethyl dithiocarbamate that kills remaining tumor cells. In preclinical studies, this multi-pronged strategy demonstrated markedly enhanced tumor destruction compared to single-modality treatments, with prolonged local drug retention and reduced systemic side effects. This work offers a promising blueprint for repurposing approved drugs alongside advanced nanomaterials to improve solid tumor treatment outcomes.
ACS applied materials & interfaces
Source →The clinical consequences of diagnostic delay in sporadic pediatric MEN2B: a case series of 6 children.
Liu Y, et al
Researchers at Beijing Children's Hospital conducted a retrospective case series study examining six pediatric patients diagnosed with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2B (MEN2B) between 2019 and 2023, focusing on the consequences of delayed diagnosis in this rare but aggressive genetic cancer syndrome. All six children, with a median age of 9.2 years, carried the de novo RET p.M918T mutation and displayed the full classic MEN2B phenotype, including marfanoid body build, oral mucosal neuromas, and gastrointestinal symptoms, yet diagnosis was significantly delayed in every case. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy with neck dissection, and postoperative pathology confirmed medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in all cases, with cervical lymph node metastases found in four of the six children, indicating advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. After a median follow-up of nearly three years, only one patient achieved biochemical remission, underscoring the poor outcomes associated with late-stage diagnosis. The study highlights that while MEN2B presents with a highly recognizable and complete set of physical features, low awareness among clinicians leads to missed early opportunities for genetic testing and prophylactic surgery, which should ideally be performed within the first year of life. The authors call for improved specialist education, routine genetic screening, and multidisciplinary referral pathways to enable earlier diagnosis and ultimately better long-term survival for affected children.
European journal of pediatrics
Source →Establishment of a nomogram model for predicting distant metastasis in oncocytic thyroid carcinoma: A retrospective cohort study.
Xu J, et al
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to develop a predictive tool for distant metastasis in oncocytic thyroid carcinoma (OCA), a rare and aggressive subtype of thyroid cancer associated with poor survival outcomes when metastasis occurs. Using data from 770 OCA patients recorded between 2004 and 2021 in the U.S. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, the team identified key clinical factors linked to distant spread of the disease. Statistical analyses revealed that patients aged 55 or older, those with advanced tumor stage (T4), and those with regional lymph node involvement (N1a or N1b) faced significantly higher risks of developing distant metastasis. These three factors were combined into a nomogram — a graphical clinical scoring tool — that achieved an impressive area under the curve and concordance index of 0.903, indicating strong predictive accuracy. The nomogram was further validated through calibration and decision curve analyses, confirming its practical clinical utility. This tool offers oncologists a straightforward, evidence-based method to identify high-risk OCA patients early, enabling more timely and targeted treatment decisions.
Medicine
Source →Combination of Ocular Radiation With Systemic Chemotherapy for Treatment of Primary Vitreoretinal Lymphoma: A Prospective Single Center Cohort With Long Follow-Up.
Trabolsi A, et al
Researchers conducted a prospective single-center cohort study examining the combination of ocular radiation therapy and systemic chemotherapy for the treatment of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL), a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma affecting the eye and central nervous system. The study followed patients over an extended period, allowing for meaningful assessment of both disease control rates and long-term outcomes that short-term trials often cannot capture. Findings from the cohort provided insights into the efficacy and safety profile of this combined treatment approach, helping to define whether local radiation to the eye adds meaningful benefit when paired with systemic chemotherapy regimens. The results are clinically important because PVRL is frequently misdiagnosed and carries a high risk of central nervous system relapse, making optimal treatment sequencing and combination strategies a critical unmet need. This work contributes valuable real-world evidence to guide hematologists and ophthalmologists in managing a disease where large randomized trials remain scarce.
American journal of hematology
Source →Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Pediatric Meningiomas.
Shanahan RM, et al
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center conducted a 35-year review of Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for pediatric meningiomas, identifying 9 patients under 18 years of age treated between 1987 and 2022. Unlike their adult counterparts, meningiomas in children tend to behave more aggressively, making treatment decisions particularly challenging. The study found that tumor control was achieved in 6 of the 9 patients following one or more SRS procedures, with a median progression-free survival of 8.2 years and a median overall survival of 8.9 years. Importantly, no patient developed adverse radiation effects, malignant tumor transformation, or secondary brain cancers, suggesting a favorable safety profile for this non-invasive treatment approach. The authors conclude that SRS is a reasonable primary or early adjuvant option for pediatric meningioma patients, though families should be counseled that multiple treatment sessions may be needed over the course of the disease.
Pediatric neurosurgery
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