Current Oncology ReportsPub Date : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2025-04-11DOI: 10.1007/s11912-025-01666-2
Allen M Chen
{"title":"HPV-Mediated Radiosensitivity in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Molecular Mechanisms and Cellular Pathways.","authors":"Allen M Chen","doi":"10.1007/s11912-025-01666-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11912-025-01666-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>While the oncogenic potential of HPV has been well-established in other disease sites (e.g. cervix, vulva, anus), it is increasingly evident that a significant proportion of oropharyngeal cancer cases are related to the virus. Although considerable progress has been made in the understanding of this disease with respect to its underlying biology and clinical behavior, numerous questions persist. From a therapeutic standpoint, HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer has been shown to be more radiosensitive than HPV-negative disease. However, how HPV mediates this radiosensitivity is relatively uncertain.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Given that it has been firmly established that patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer have a significantly improved prognosis as a result of their exquisite response to radiation and can be treated with less-than-standard doses, logical questions pertain to how HPV confers this benefit to infected patients. Although the exact reason for the improved radiosensitivity of HPV-positive oropharyngeal carcinoma is unclear, multiple theories have been proposed. Indeed, it is likely that no single explanation exists for the increased radiosensitivity, and instead, HPV likely exerts its influence through a cascade of activated pathways at both the cellular level and tumor microenvironment. As will be discussed in this review, the proposed mechanisms for HPV-induced radiation response have generally centered on the disruption of such cellular pathways as DNA repair, cell cycle checkpoints, metabolic-induced stress, immunology, and cancer stem cells. Given that HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer is increasingly recognized as a public health problem, the search to better understand its unique biological radiosensitivity has important societal and treatment-related implications.</p>","PeriodicalId":10861,"journal":{"name":"Current Oncology Reports","volume":" ","pages":"634-641"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12081570/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143986495","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current Oncology ReportsPub Date : 2025-05-01Epub Date: 2025-04-03DOI: 10.1007/s11912-025-01642-w
Dympna Waldron, Kirk Levins, David Murphy, Michael McCarthy, David Gorey, Karen Ryan, Eileen Mannion, Bairbre Mc Nicholas, Doiminic Ó Brannagáin, Leona Reilly, Laura Gaffney, Beth Molony, Mary Healy, Jack Molony, Anthony Dickenson
{"title":"Reflecting on Cancer Pain as Constant Acute Pain, not Chronic Pain. 'Known Knowns, Known Unknowns, Unknown Unknowns'.","authors":"Dympna Waldron, Kirk Levins, David Murphy, Michael McCarthy, David Gorey, Karen Ryan, Eileen Mannion, Bairbre Mc Nicholas, Doiminic Ó Brannagáin, Leona Reilly, Laura Gaffney, Beth Molony, Mary Healy, Jack Molony, Anthony Dickenson","doi":"10.1007/s11912-025-01642-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11912-025-01642-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>to explore a paradigm shift in the definition of opioid-responsive cancer pain in this hypothesis-driven review. Opioid-responsive cancer pain may be misplaced within the definition of chronic pain, chronic pain takes three months to establish, early effective control is worthwhile to achieve. RECENT: findings, from a bench-to-bed perspective, debates the interpretation of results supporting the hypothesis that opioid-responsive cancer pain could remain 'constant acute pain', with explanations, best solutions, for tolerance and/or addiction, in cancer patients compared to those with chronic pain from other conditions. Unraveling the unique apparent properties of opioid-responsive cancer pain empowers knowledge of the process by which acute pain may have the potential to remain acute in nature and not transition into chronic pain. Findings outlined defend the hypothesis of probable sustained acute nature of opioid-responsive cancer pain, importance of early, sustained pain control, opioid reduction and further exploration of this hypothesis in clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":10861,"journal":{"name":"Current Oncology Reports","volume":" ","pages":"584-600"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12081498/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143771788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Growth Modulation Index (GMI) as an Efficacy Outcome in Cancer Clinical Trials: A Scoping Review with Suggested Reporting Guidelines.","authors":"Kilian Trin, Cynthia Dalleau, Simone Mathoulin-Pelissier, Christophe Le Tourneau, Derek Dinart, Carine Bellera","doi":"10.1007/s11912-025-01667-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11912-025-01667-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The growth modulation index (GMI) is defined as the ratio between the time to progression of a new line of treatment and the previous line. This ratio can be used to determine whether the new line of treatment brings a clinical benefit. It has been proposed as an outcome in trials evaluating non-cytotoxic drugs. Its interest lies in the intra-patient comparison. The terminology employed to refer to the GMI, as well as its definitions, are highly variable in the literature. Some uses of the GMI are arbitrary and not based on any scientific rationale. Our aim is to describe how the GMI is reported in the scientific literature.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>We carried out a scoping review using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and BASE (Bielefeld Academic Search Engine). The algorithm was composed of the terms \"growth modulation index\", \"time to progression ratio\" and \"progression-free survival ratio\". Documents in English, with full-text available, published up to 2023, were included. Among 227 included documents, 166 of which discussed GMI specifically. On these 166 documents, 76 reported on observational studies, 62 on interventional studies and 17 on methodological or statistical developments pertaining to the GMI. All were about oncology. Our review highlights significant variability in the reporting and use of the GMI. To address this, we propose standardized reporting guidelines. Additionally, we emphasize the need for methodological and statistical developments to improve the use of the GMI and to develop novel GMI-based trial designs.</p>","PeriodicalId":10861,"journal":{"name":"Current Oncology Reports","volume":" ","pages":"516-532"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12081581/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143742393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current Oncology ReportsPub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2025-03-19DOI: 10.1007/s11912-025-01661-7
Lindsay F Schwartz, Sarah P Shubeck, Elizabeth C Danielson
{"title":"Young People with Cancer: A Growing Population in Need of United Attention.","authors":"Lindsay F Schwartz, Sarah P Shubeck, Elizabeth C Danielson","doi":"10.1007/s11912-025-01661-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11912-025-01661-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Each year, over 84,000 young people in the United States are diagnosed with cancer. These patients face unique burdens that defy historical \"adolescent and young adult\" and \"early-onset cancer\" silos. These groups share common vulnerabilities, including financial toxicity, disruptions to education and career development, and inadequate survivorship care. Research efforts to address these shared challenges remain inefficient due to parallel and uncoordinated investigations. Health policy decisions are similarly impacted, with the lack of a unified framework potentially leading to gaps in insurance coverage, disparities in resource allocation, and incomplete data collection on young people diagnosed with cancer. To address these challenges, a collaborative and integrated strategy across clinical care, research, and health policy is urgently needed. By unifying efforts and recognizing the shared experiences of young people with cancer, we can develop more effective support systems, optimize outcomes, and reduce the long-term burden of cancer for this fast-growing and vulnerable population.</p>","PeriodicalId":10861,"journal":{"name":"Current Oncology Reports","volume":" ","pages":"333-335"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11976828/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143662768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current Oncology ReportsPub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2025-02-27DOI: 10.1007/s11912-025-01643-9
Xiaolin Zhu, Chien-Kuang C Ding, Rahul R Aggarwal
{"title":"Emerging Therapeutic Targets of Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer.","authors":"Xiaolin Zhu, Chien-Kuang C Ding, Rahul R Aggarwal","doi":"10.1007/s11912-025-01643-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11912-025-01643-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Treatment-emergent neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is aggressive and lethal. As androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSIs) are increasingly used in earlier disease settings, treatment-emergent NEPC becomes more prevalent, and effective therapies are urgently needed. The purpose of this review was to summarize recent progress on emerging therapeutic targets of NEPC.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>A multitude of therapeutic targets have emerged in NEPC over recent years. These targets may represent drivers of treatment-emergent lineage plasticity or simply be overexpressed on the surface of NEPC cells. Multiple modalities have been employed to drug these targets, with promising preclinical and clinical results. Treatment-emergent NEPC represents a distinct and clinically significant subset of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Emerging therapeutic approaches have demonstrated encouraging efficacy and safety profiles, offering the potential to improve patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":10861,"journal":{"name":"Current Oncology Reports","volume":" ","pages":"362-374"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143514968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current Oncology ReportsPub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2025-03-12DOI: 10.1007/s11912-025-01659-1
Nora Jaber, Hanna Saadani, Winnie Schats, Else A Aalbersberg, Marcel P M Stokkel
{"title":"Novel Clinical PET Tracers in the Pipeline for Melanoma.","authors":"Nora Jaber, Hanna Saadani, Winnie Schats, Else A Aalbersberg, Marcel P M Stokkel","doi":"10.1007/s11912-025-01659-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11912-025-01659-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The aim of this review is to provide an overview of novel clinical PET tracers in the pipeline for melanoma. Secondarily, to provide a head-to-head comparison with the current clinical standard used in clinical practice, [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG, if available.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>[<sup>18</sup>F]FDG PET/CT has become important in the clinical setting for melanoma as it serves many purposes, but lacks other important qualities due its nonspecific nature. There is an increased clinical need for specific tracers. Many new PET tracers, such as melanin-targeted and antibody-based probes, have been studied in melanoma with the intention of achieving high sensitivity detection of metastases and small lesions. There are four main groups of PET tracers in de pipeline for melanoma: melanin-, FAP-, PD-1/PD-L1- and CD8+ T cell-tracers. Melanin-targeted tracers and FAP inhibitors revealed potential for diagnostic application, whilst PD-1/PD-L1 and CD8+ T cell tracers demonstrated potential for response assessment and prediction. In conclusion, research has revealed promising results from current (ongoing) studies; however, more melanoma patients need to be included to further assess the value of these tracers.</p>","PeriodicalId":10861,"journal":{"name":"Current Oncology Reports","volume":" ","pages":"458-471"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143613869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current Oncology ReportsPub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2025-03-08DOI: 10.1007/s11912-025-01646-6
Nikolaos A Chinas, Stella Kaliampou, Vasiliki Nikolaou
{"title":"Unveiling the Role of the Cellular Tumor Microenvironment and the Therapeutic Targets it Provides in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma.","authors":"Nikolaos A Chinas, Stella Kaliampou, Vasiliki Nikolaou","doi":"10.1007/s11912-025-01646-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11912-025-01646-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) poses challenges both in diagnosis and prognosis. The purpose of this review is to address the role of profiling immune and non-immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) as it provides information for better diagnosis, prognosis, biomarker discovery, and personalized treatment strategies.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent evidence suggests that the progression of CTCL is closely linked to the Tumor Microenvironment (TME) which comprises various cell types including immune cells, stromal cells, blood vessels, and the extracellular matrix. Cell profiling within the TME demonstrates the perplexity of intracellular communication of the different cell fates and their mediators as the disease progresses. CTCL as a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma often misdiagnosed due to its similarity to other skin conditions. It encompasses diseases like Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary Syndrome (SS), with the latter being more severe. Advances in studying the TME have shown its pivotal role in CTCL progression, highlighting the need for comprehensive cell profiling to enhance diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment personalization.</p>","PeriodicalId":10861,"journal":{"name":"Current Oncology Reports","volume":" ","pages":"415-430"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11976352/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143585002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current Oncology ReportsPub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2025-03-22DOI: 10.1007/s11912-025-01663-5
Adam G Fish, David C Madoff
{"title":"The Role of the Interventional Radiologist in Stopping Bleeding in Cancer Patients.","authors":"Adam G Fish, David C Madoff","doi":"10.1007/s11912-025-01663-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11912-025-01663-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Malignancy-related hemorrhage is a complex and potentially life-threatening complication that requires a multidisciplinary approach. This review examines the role of endovascular interventions in achieving hemostasis when conservative measures fail, focusing on their indications, efficacy, and associated risks.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Endovascular therapies have demonstrated high success rates in controlling hemorrhage from various malignancies. Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) effectively manages hemoptysis in lung cancer, though recurrence remains a challenge. Gastrointestinal tumor bleeding can be treated with targeted embolization, but ischemic complications require careful technique. Hematuria due to urinary and prostate malignancies responds well to superselective embolization, and uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a viable option for gynecologic malignancy-related bleeding. Emerging techniques, such as bronchial artery chemoembolization, show promise in improving long-term control. Endovascular interventions are a cornerstone in the management of malignancy-related hemorrhage, offering minimally invasive and effective hemostatic solutions. While recurrence and complications remain a concern, advancements in embolization techniques and materials continue to improve outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to optimizing patient care.</p>","PeriodicalId":10861,"journal":{"name":"Current Oncology Reports","volume":" ","pages":"483-489"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143691478","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current Oncology ReportsPub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2025-02-26DOI: 10.1007/s11912-025-01652-8
Allen M Chen
{"title":"De-escalation for Human Papillomavirus-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Look at the Prospective Evidence.","authors":"Allen M Chen","doi":"10.1007/s11912-025-01652-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11912-025-01652-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Although it is now firmly established that the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) expression in oropharyngeal cancer is associated with a favorable prognosis, the implications with respect to treatment remain uncertain. However, the recognition that HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer is exquisitely sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy has raised questions regarding the appropriateness of historical treatment paradigms, and clinical trials have been conducted to assess whether patients can be treated with less intensive regimens. The fundamental goal of de-escalation is to preserve the high rates of cure and survival from traditional approaches while reducing the incidence of both short- and long-term side effects. However, the data reporting on de-escalation is relatively limited.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>While the evidence to date has been promising, the heterogeneity of the published studies particularly with trial design, de-escalation approach, inclusion criteria, and treatment selection has made drawing definitive conclusions difficult. The use of differing endpoints related to disease control and quality of life have also complicated the comparison of trials across the literature. Multiple uncertainties continue to exist with respect to the current state of de-escalation for HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer, and how to consider the growing evidence in the context of clinical decision-making in the future is the subject of this review.</p>","PeriodicalId":10861,"journal":{"name":"Current Oncology Reports","volume":" ","pages":"355-361"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11976804/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143499637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Current Oncology ReportsPub Date : 2025-04-01Epub Date: 2025-03-19DOI: 10.1007/s11912-025-01658-2
Carlos Ortiz-Hidalgo
{"title":"History of Leukemia, Revisited.","authors":"Carlos Ortiz-Hidalgo","doi":"10.1007/s11912-025-01658-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11912-025-01658-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of the review: </strong>Provide a general historical overview of leukemia, emphasizing the early discoveries that led to its characterization.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Leukemia recognition began in the late 19th century with the advent of the microscope. Leeuwenhoek and Swammerdam described erythrocytes, while Lieutaud first observed globuli albicantes, later identified as lymphocytes by Hewson. Early case studies by Velpeau, Donné, Bennett, Craigie, Virchow, and Fuller suggested that leukocytosis could occur without infection. Virchow coined the term \"leukemia,\" while Bennett proposed \"leucocythemia.\" Neumann identified the bone marrow as the source of blood cells and leukemia, coining the term \"myelogenous leukemia,\" and Ehrlich classified leukemia into myeloid and lymphoid types. In 1914, Boveri linked chromosomal abnormalities to cancer, and in 1960, Nowell and Hungerford discovered the Philadelphia chromosome. The use of mustard gas in WWI led to the development of chemotherapy drugs like chlorambucil and busulfan. The Human Genome Project further advanced leukemia diagnosis and treatment. Leukemia, like many diseases, has evolved due to changes in causative factors such as viruses, bacteria, and genetic mutations, which have impacted its pathogenesis and treatment. It will undoubtedly continue to evolve, with new scientists working towards a cure for this devastating disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":10861,"journal":{"name":"Current Oncology Reports","volume":" ","pages":"472-482"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143662766","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}