Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a malignancy with high global morbidity and mortality. Over the past decade, systemic treatment paradigms for recurrent/ metastatic (R/M) HNSCC have evolved significantly with the introduction of immuno- and targeted therapies. The phase III KEYNOTE-048 trial established pembrolizumab, alone or in combination with chemotherapy, as a new firstline standard in PD-L1 positive cases. In the second-line setting, the CheckMate 141 and KEYNOTE-040 trials confirmed the survival benefit and favorable safety profile of PD-1 inhibitors. The recent KEYNOTE-689 and NIVOPOSTOP studies highlight the potential role of perioperative and adjuvant immunotherapy in resectable, locally advanced HNSCC. However, multiple negative studies underscore the limitations of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the definitive treatment of locally advanced disease. Defining the optimal sequencing of systemic therapies remains a key clinical challenge in this patient population.

The incidence of head and neck tumours is rising significantly worldwide. Radiotherapy has a significant role in their treatment, not only after surgery, but also as a definitive treatment, as an organ-preserving modality. Nowadays, the incidence of oropharyngeal tumours caused by the human papillomavirus is increasing sharply. They are characterised by a very good therapeutic response, including radiosensitivity, which has led to a number of deintensification trials being carried out or ongoing. Over the past decade, irradiation methods and techniques have improved considerably and changes in therapy have been made to improve the effectiveness of treatment and reduce side effects. Newer treatment options include adaptive irradiation, better definition of the target volume, the use of hadrons, stereotactic irradiation and the rise of artificial intelligence. In the following review, the results of the major publications on the above topics will provide an overview of modern and new therapeutic techniques in the field of radiotherapy of head and neck tumours.

The prognosis of early stage laryngeal carcinoma treated with radiation therapy or surgery (preferably transoral resection) is favorable. In these cases, the choice of the therapy is mainly driven by functional outcomes (speech, swallowing and respiratory function). However, there has not been any substantial improvement in the treatment of locoregionally advanced larynx cancer. The selection of the most ideal therapy is difficult, as upfront total laryngectomy is rather radical, and has a dramatic effect on quality of life, whereas reliable predictors of radiosensitivity are lacking. Moreover, current data undermines the oncologic effectiveness of salvage laryngectomy. In this review, we summarize the current anatomical and functional facts and concepts with respect to the previous clinical trials and studies that might influence the decision making during the treatment of a laryngeal cancer patient in 2025.

As non-surgical therapies gain acceptance in head and neck tumors, the importance of imaging has increased. New therapeutic methods (in radiation therapy, targeted biological therapy, immunotherapy) need better tumor characterization and prognostic information along with the accurate anatomy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the gold standard in head and neck cancer evaluation not only for staging but also for assessing tumor response, posttreatment status and complications, as well as for finding residual or recurrent tumor. Multiparametric anatomical and functional MRI (MP-MRI) is a true cancer imaging biomarker providing, in addition to high resolution tumor anatomy, more molecular and functional, qualitative and quantitative data using diffusion- weighted MRI (DW-MRI) and perfusion-dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (P-DCE-MRI), can improve the assessment of biological target volume and determine treatment response. DW-MRI provides information at the cellular level about the cell density and the integrity of the plasma membrane, based on water movement. P-DCE-MRI provides useful hemodynamic information about tissue vascularity and vascular permeability. Recent studies have shown promising results using radiomics features, MP-MRI has opened new perspectives in oncologic imaging with better realization of the latest technological advances with the help of artificial intelligence.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most prevalent tumor type among the malignancies of the mucosal lined surfaces in the head and neck region. Most frequently the diagnosis is based on the tissue taken from the primary tumor and in some cases an involved lymph node serves as a source of samples. The pathology report plays a crucial role in the decision making which is guided by the different factors included in the report. In this article we aimed to summarize the prognostic and predictive factors regarding squamous cell carcinoma of oral and pharyngeal origin while taking into account the international standards.

miR-143 and miR-145 have been reported as downregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to normal mucosa, with regulatory effects on proteins involved in carcinogenesis. These findings primarily derive from tissue homogenate analyses and experimental models. The present study employs in situ methodology to reassess miR-143 and miR-145 expression in CRC and their associations with validated protein targets within the native tumor microenvironment. Expression patterns of miR-143, miR-145, and eight previously experimentally validated target proteins were analyzed in clinical samples from 100 CRC patients using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and deep learning-based epithelial segmentation. Expression levels of miR-143 and miR-145 showed no significant difference between CRC and normal mucosa, though considerable inter-patient variability was observed. Among 11 examined miRNA-protein relationships, only four showed significant correlations, exhibiting positive associations that contrast with previously reported inverse relationships. Subgroup analyses revealed no statistically significant association between miRNA expression variability and examined clinicopathological parameters. These findings highlight the importance of in situ validation for results obtained from tissue homogenates and in vitro experiments. Additional research is warranted to determine the prognostic significance of miR-143 and miR-145 in clinical outcomes.

Endometrial cancer, a malignancy linked with obesity, may be influenced by adipocytokines signalling due to chronic inflammation. This study explores the molecular expression patterns of adiponectin, leptin, interleukin6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, and their receptors in endometrial cancer patients and associations with lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) and other tumour characteristics.

Increasing remnant liver volume before major liver resection is an effective measure to reduce postoperative adverse events of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to provide evidence for optimal management of HCC patients with insufficient future remnant liver volume (FRLV).

The human microbiome refers to the genomic content of microorganisms inhabiting the human body, including the lungs, oral cavity, intestinal tract, esophagus, and other areas. The human oral microbiota is a diverse and complex ecosystem that includes bacteria, microeukaryotes, archaea, and viruses. These communities have a highly structured biogeography resulting from the various microenvironments in the oral cavity, shaping local metabolic exchange. Dietary nitrate (NO3-) is an ion naturally present in vegetables, especially leafy greens. When consumed, it leads to the production of nitric oxide (NO). This bioactive molecule benefits bodily functions like host defense and neuronal communication and improves vascular and metabolic health. Dietary NO3- is reduced to NO via the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway, facilitated by nitrate-reducing bacteria inside the oral cavity. NO has a leading role in different types of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The bioavailability of NO is greatly enhanced by the activity of bacteria residing in the mouth, which reduces NO3-to NO2- and increases the concentration of circulating NO2-. NO is the key to causing different malignancies, including gastrointestinal cancers. NO can cause cell death by inducing DNA damage and anti-apoptotic signaling pathways. Low to moderate levels of NO derived from tumors can activate angiogenesis and promote an invasive phenotype, while high levels of NO may have an anti-tumor effect in protecting against cancer. In this review, we intend to discuss the human microbiome, dietary NO3-consumption, the vital role of NO in the human body, types of cancers, and treatments based on it.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of renal cancer, marked by high molecular heterogeneity and limited responsiveness to targeted or immune therapies. Ribosome biogenesis (Ribosis), a central regulator of cell growth and metabolism, has emerged as a driver of tumor aggressiveness. However, its role in ccRCC pathogenesis and prognosis remains poorly defined.

Lung cancer is a significant public health concern in China, posing a serious threat to the population. The QiShenFuZhengYiLiu (QSFZYL) is commonly prescribed as a complementary treatment for cancer patients, although its anticancer mechanism remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic mechanisms of QSFZYL in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

Bladder cancer (Bca) remains a major genitourinary malignancy with unmet needs in immunotherapy optimization. Despite advancements in immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), challenges persist, including low response rates and drug resistance. Emerging evidence links tumor cell senescence to immunotherapy efficacy, yet predictive biomarkers are lacking.

The prognostic role of the hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been widely reported, but the results remain controversial. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the prognostic and clinicopathological value of the HALP score in NSCLC through a pooled analysis.

Pulmonary adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is a rare and aggressive subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with poorly defined molecular characteristics and therapeutic strategies. We present a 63-year-old male patient with stage IVa (cT4N3M1b) lung ASC. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) revealed co-occurring mutations in KRAS G12C, BRAF (non-V600E), PIK3CA, and FLT1. Biomarker analysis showed: PD-L1 expression of 18.11% (Tumor Proportion Score, TPS), a tumor mutation burden (TMB) of 3.7 mutations per megabase (mut/Mb), and microsatellite instability (MSI) classified as low (MSI-L) with an instability rate of 35.29%. As first-line treatment, the patient received six cycles of tislelizumab (a PD-1 inhibitor) combined with chemotherapy, followed by tislelizumab maintenance therapy for two years. The patient maintained sustained complete response (CR) with progression-free survival (PFS) reaching 46.5 months, significantly exceeding the typical median PFS of 8-12 months in advanced NSCLC populations. To our knowledge, this presents the first reported case of advanced pulmonary ASC harboring co-occurring driver mutations that demonstrated a remarkable response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Our case highlights the critical role of comprehensive molecular profiling and rational combination strategies in managing rare lung cancer subtypes, establishing a potential treatment paradigm for genomically similar cases.

Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) has been identified as a causative factor in the progression of colon cancer. This study aims to integrate bulk RNA-seq with single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which Fn facilitates colon cancer progression.

An increasing number of studies have revealed a link between lactylation and tumor initiation and progression. However, the specific impact of lactylation on inter-patient heterogeneity and recurrence in glioblastoma (GBM) remains to be further elucidated.

Research in the field of Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) breaks through the classical theory of gene mutation in the mechanism of tumorigenesis and provides a new perspective for comprehending tumors from a network regulation standpoint. Although there have been some reviews discussing the relationship between LLPS and tumors, they often focus on elaborating isolated mechanisms. In the face of complex and diverse disease characteristics, it is necessary to summarize the correlation between LLPS and tumors through a linked and holistic approach to reveal the deep-rooted relationships among tumor disease mechanisms. Therefore, we adopt a dual-dimensional analytical framework, where one dimension (the longitude) integrates cellular physiology, tumorigenesis, progression, and therapeutic responses, while the other dimension (the latitude) focuses on the pathogenic characteristics of tumors. This structural design enables comprehensive analysis of LLPS functions across both dynamic processes and pathological features. This article first outlines how LLPS regulates normal cellular physiological activities, such as gene expression, DNA damage response (DDR), and epigenetic modifications. It then summarizes how LLPS malfunction promotes tumorigenesis and progression, including the oncogenic processes of fusion oncoproteins (FOs) expression, tumor suppressor gene mutation, epigenetic modification defect, and DDR repair abnormality, as well as the tumor progression processes of proliferation and metastasis, dysregulation of autophagy, and metabolic reprogramming. Promising therapeutic strategies are then proposed. Finally, the existing research is prospected. The above insights drive the innovation of LLPS-based tumor therapeutic strategies and the development of targeted antitumor drugs.

The impact of H. pylori infection on the efficacy of trastuzumab in HER2-positive gastric cancer (GC) remains poorly understood, despite growing evidence that tumor microenvironment and host-pathogen interactions influence therapeutic outcomes. This study aimed to investigate how H. pylori strains of differing virulence, one high (HV-HP) and one low (LV-HP), affect GC cell behavior, particularly in the context of ERBB2 (HER2) amplification and Trastuzumab (TRAS)-resistance.

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most aggressive tumor of the central nervous system (CNS), accounting for almost 80% of all primary brain tumors. Despite standard-of-care consisting of surgical resection, when possible, adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy with Temozolomide (TMZ), GB remains highly fatal, with an estimated recurrence rate of over 90% and a median overall survival (OS) of around 15 months from diagnosis. Several factors contribute to such poor patient outcome, including a unique myeloid-rich tumor microenvironment (TME) that confers immunosuppression and therapeutic resistance. Multi-omics, single-cell transcriptomics and multi-modal spatial analyses of GB are unraveling the diversity of brain myeloid cells, including activated microglia, border-associated macrophages (BAM), and monocyte-derived glioma-associated macrophages (GAM), instructed by ontogeny, spatial distribution, cell-cell interactions and response to metabolic cues in the TME. In this review, we elaborate on the heterogeneity and plasticity of myeloid cells in GB and discuss the promise and challenges for rational therapeutic targeting of GAMs in GB.

To investigate the functions of lung TRM cells in the development and treatment of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).