Category Archives: Review Article

Postoperative radiotherapy for stage IV breast cancer following primary tumor removal: Systematic review and meta-analysis

De novo metastatic breast cancer (dnMBC) is diagnosed when breast cancer has spread at presentation and accounts for 5–10% of cases. The benefit of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) after primary tumor surgery in this setting remains uncertain.
We conducted a review and meta-analysis of observational studies published between 2013 and 2024. Two databases (PubMed and Embase) were searched and the review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines.

Looking back to move forward: 50 years of epidemiology of lymphohaematopoietic malignancies for prevention, and healthcare planning in Sardinia, Italy

The Italian region of Sardinia is the second largest and one of the least populated islands in the Mediterranean Sea. While renowned for its stunning coastline, scientists know it better for the unique genetic features among the local population,1 which have been preserved through millennia of isolation and selective pressure exerted by malaria.

A literature review of radio-genomics in breast cancer: Lessons and insights for low and middle-income countries

To improve precision medicine in breast cancer (BC) decision-making, radio-genomics is an emerging branch of artificial intelligence (AI) that links cancer characteristics assessed radiologically with the histopathology and genomic properties of the tumour. By employing MRIs, mammograms, and ultrasounds to uncover distinctive radiomics traits that potentially predict genomic abnormalities, this review attempts to find literature that links AI-based models with the genetic mutations discovered in BC patients.

Adding immune checkpoint inhibitors to chemotherapy in elderly cancer patients: Beneficial for many but not all?

The strategic addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to chemotherapy (CT) offers a potential paradigm shift in the treatment of elderly cancer patients. This systematic review evaluates the impact of ICIs combined with CT on the overall survival (OS) of patients aged 65 and older.

Associations between vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphisms and response to 5-FU-based pharmaceutical therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A meta-analysis

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms are associated with the response to pharmaceutical therapy in many cancers. This study aimed to investigate the effects of VEGF gene polymorphisms in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients receiving pharmaceutical therapy.

Adjuvant chemotherapy in elderly patients with HER2-negative early breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Evidence from randomized trials regarding adjuvant chemotherapy and its impact on survival in older patients with resected breast cancer is limited. This study evaluates the current evidence on the use of adjuvant chemotherapy and its effects on overall mortality and breast cancer-specific mortality in older patients.

Implications and mechanisms of O-GlcNAcylation in cancer therapy resistance

O-linked-N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation), one of the protein post-translational modifications, is the process of adding O-linked-β-D-N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAc) to serine and threonine residues of proteins. O-GlcNAcylation regulates various fundamental cell biological processes, including gene transcription, signal transduction, and cellular metabolism.

European Cancer Organisation Essential Requirements for Quality Cancer Care for ovarian cancer: Focus on the multidisciplinary team

European Cancer Organisation Essential Requirements for Quality Cancer Care (ERQCC) are written by experts representing all disciplines involved in cancer care in Europe. They give patients, health professionals, managers and policymakers a guide to essential care. Here, the essential requirements to treat ovarian cancer patients are described.

KRAS inhibitors in drug resistance and potential for combination therapy

Kirsten Rat Sarcoma (KRAS) is a potent target for cancer therapy because it acts as a signaling hub, engaging in various signaling pathways and regulating a number of cellular functions like cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival. Recently, an emergency approval from the US-FDA has been issued for KRASG12C inhibitors (sotorasib and adagrasib) for metastatic lung cancer treatment.

Advances in spatial multi-omics in tumors

Single-cell techniques have convincingly demonstrated that tumor tissue usually contains multiple genetically defined cell subclones with different gene mutation sets as well as various transcriptional profiles, but the spatial heterogeneity of the microenvironment and the macrobiological characteristics of the tumor ecosystem have not been described.