{"title":"Highlights of recent research focused on the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.","authors":"Theodore Gourdin","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001128","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001128","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review is designed to highlight recent research focused on improving outcomes in men with advanced prostate cancer.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent randomized trials have suggested advantages to treating men with advanced prostate cancer earlier in their disease course with novel hormonal agents and in some cases chemotherapy. Work remains to identify the optimal sequence of systemic therapies for metastatic prostate cancer with a focus on biomarkers that might select men in need of novel therapeutics. Some men with oligometastatic disease may benefit from localized therapy to sites of isolated progression and research continues to focus on optimally selecting these men. Radiopharmaceuticals are changing the treatment paradigm in advanced prostate cancer with efforts ongoing to improve outcomes with better biomarkers for response and novel treatment combinations.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Ongoing research focuses on refining the use of existing therapeutics and developing novel treatments and combinations for men with advanced prostate cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"218-222"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143662797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Polyamine metabolism in prostate cancer.","authors":"Laura A Sena","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001134","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001134","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Normal and malignant prostate engage in high rates of de novo polyamine synthesis. This review considers how polyamine metabolism regulates prostate cancer initiation and progression.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The androgen receptor (AR) establishes a metabolic program to drive robust polyamine synthesis in the normal prostate. Upon malignant transformation, this AR-driven metabolic program persists and is optimized for oncogenesis by the proto-oncogene MYC and/or alterations to PI3K signaling. A deeper understanding of the function of polyamines in prostate cancer may be obtained by considering their function in the normal prostate.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Recent findings support ongoing research into the role of polyamines in driving prostate cancer initiation and progression and suggest targeting polyamine metabolism remains a promising therapeutic strategy for prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"223-232"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11971019/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143604040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"New trends in supportive care of head and neck cancers.","authors":"Ilaria Mascagni, Paolo Bossi","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001135","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001135","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Supportive care plays a vital role in the management of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, as the disease often affects a frail and older population that is treated with multiple strategies and is associated with severe symptoms. We will focus on mucositis, dermatitis, dysphagia, pain, cachexia, and infections, as they are among the most common and challenging symptoms encountered.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Efforts have focused on multiomics approaches to decipher the complex biological pathways that drive symptom onset and treatment-related toxicities, with the aim of developing novel therapeutic strategies. A notable example is ponsegromab, a monoclonal antibody designed to target cancer cachexia. Other promising areas of research, such as machine-learning models and the role of oral and gut microbiota on cachexia and mucositis, are actively being explored; however, their impact to date remains limited.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>In recent years, new knowledge has emerged regarding the underlying causes and predictive models for the supportive care of HNC patients. Unfortunately, this expanding body of knowledge primarily adds to complexity without translating into practical applications or substantial improvements for patients. Future efforts should prioritize the standardization of therapeutic algorithms, and the generation of robust evidence based on existing preclinical models.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"194-202"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143604033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Novel immunotherapy combinations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.","authors":"Shyam Kankotia, Soyun Park, Jacob Thomas","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001127","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001127","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Relapsed or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) is a deadly disease that historically was treated with palliative chemotherapy-based regimens. Since 2019, immunotherapy-based regimens have become the standard of care for 1 st line treatment in this disease. Over the last several years, there have been numerous studies conducted with novel combination therapies for R/M HNSCC but there has not yet been a new standard of care.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Novel treatment combinations with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, vaccines, and intratumoral drugs have been evaluated in the treatment of R/M HNSCC. Favorable efficacy has been seen with many of these combinations, although some large studies have failed to improve upon the current standard.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Many promising combination regimens are being tested which could lead to a new standard of care in the treatment of R/M HNSCC in the coming years.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"209-217"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143596645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andre R Kydd, Md Shahid Sarwar, Saad Atiq, Raju Chelluri, Sandeep Gurram, Elias Chandran, Nicholas Simon, Ian Stukes, Sally Weng, Abbas Yousefi-Rad, A Rouf Banday, Salah Boudjadi, Andrea B Apolo
{"title":"Antibody-drug conjugates in rare genitourinary tumors: review and perspectives.","authors":"Andre R Kydd, Md Shahid Sarwar, Saad Atiq, Raju Chelluri, Sandeep Gurram, Elias Chandran, Nicholas Simon, Ian Stukes, Sally Weng, Abbas Yousefi-Rad, A Rouf Banday, Salah Boudjadi, Andrea B Apolo","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001141","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001141","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Rare cancers of the genitourinary (GU) tract are often clinically aggressive yet have few or no standard-of-care treatments. Multiple antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have been approved in solid malignancies. This review explores the use of ADCs in rare GU tumors in the context of biological pathways and ongoing research in solid tumors.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Few clinical trials of ADCs focus on recruiting participants with rare tumors of the GU tract, including trials testing enfortumab vedotin as monotherapy or combined with pembrolizumab, and sacituzumab govitecan as monotherapy or combined with atezolizumab. We highlight many ongoing trials of novel ADCs for advanced/metastatic solid tumors and emphasize the potential eligibility of patients with rare GU tumors for tumor-agnostic trials.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>ADCs are being tested in multiple solid tumors, including rare GU tumors. Ongoing preclinical research supports the use of some ADCs in several rare GU tumors and improves our understanding of their pathophysiology.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"250-258"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11970986/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143662794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thibault Gauduchon, Eve Marie Neidhardt, Jerome Fayette
{"title":"Therapeutic perspectives for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.","authors":"Thibault Gauduchon, Eve Marie Neidhardt, Jerome Fayette","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001133","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001133","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) remains a significant therapeutic challenge due to its biological complexity and clinical heterogeneity. This review addresses the relevance of exploring novel therapeutic approaches, particularly in light of recent advances and the persistent unmet needs in patient outcomes.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent phase II and III clinical trials have highlighted promising strategies, including combinations of immunotherapy with targeted therapies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), HPV vaccines, dual immunotherapy approaches, and therapies targeting the tumor microenvironment. These innovations represent emerging directions to overcome resistance mechanisms and improve treatment efficacy.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The findings suggest that integrating innovative strategies such as ADCs, immunotherapy combinations, and tumor microenvironment-targeting therapies may significantly enhance clinical outcomes for patients with R/M HNSCC. Further research is essential to refine these approaches and optimize their application in clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"175-183"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143604123","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Douglas E Peterson, Noam Yarom, Charlotte Duch Lynggaard, Nofisat Ismaila, Deborah Saunders
{"title":"Implementation of the 2024 ASCO guidelines for the prevention and management of osteoradionecrosis in patients with head & neck cancer treated with radiation therapy.","authors":"Douglas E Peterson, Noam Yarom, Charlotte Duch Lynggaard, Nofisat Ismaila, Deborah Saunders","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001130","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001130","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Osteoradionecrosis may often be prevented in context of interprofessional healthcare that includes dental specialists prior to and following completion of the patient's head and neck radiation therapy. Important factors, however, compromise delivery of guideline-concordant management of osteoradionecrosis (ORN), including patient access to this interprofessional care. This review is directed to these and related issues, in order to foster enhanced approaches for ORN management.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The review is centered in the 2024 Journal of Clinical Oncology publication 'Prevention and Management of Osteoradionecrosis in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer Treated With Radiation Therapy: ISOO-MASCC-ASCO Guideline', and the companion 2024 JCO Oncology Practice publication in which clinical insights for the guideline are addressed. Key recent literature is cited in order to provide contemporary context to clinical decision-making for prevention and early diagnosis and treatment of ORN. Although a relatively infrequent complication in head and neck radiation patients, ORN can have profound clinical and financial impact when it occurs.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Interprofessional oncology care is essential for ORN management. Future research is needed in order to enhance this management, including studies directed to predicting risk of development of ORN based on patient-centered risk factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"184-193"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143604107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Novel therapeutics in refractory germ cell tumors.","authors":"Noah H Richardson, Nabil Adra","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001129","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001129","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Refractory germ cell tumors (GCT), those progressing after known effective salvage therapies, carry a dismal prognosis with minimal treatment options of limited efficacy. This review aims to highlight the advances in understanding refractory GCT and review upcoming and active clinical trials with novel therapeutics in development.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Patients with refractory disease after optimal salvage chemotherapy are rarely cured and should be referred to centers with expertise in GCT. While prior investigational agents have not overcome current limitations of salvage therapy, current and upcoming trials of novel agents including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTE), and antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) are promising avenues of therapy.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Outcomes in refractory GCT remain poor. Patients should preferably be evaluated at tertiary care centers with expertise in the management of these patients and access to clinical trials of novel therapeutics. Active research in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of resistance and targeting of uniquely expressed antigens has broadened the potential therapies in development.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"267-273"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143596550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vivian Wong, Taylor Goodstein, Gabriela Bravo Montenegro, Ramaprasad Srinivasan, Eric A Singer
{"title":"Biomarkers in advanced renal cell carcinoma: current practice and future directions.","authors":"Vivian Wong, Taylor Goodstein, Gabriela Bravo Montenegro, Ramaprasad Srinivasan, Eric A Singer","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001138","DOIUrl":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001138","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review focuses on contemporary research into potential prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) published over the past 18 months. Beyond serum lab values, there is no consensus on the use of specific biomarkers for this purpose. Potential biomarkers being investigated consist of genetic, protein, immunologic, and radiologic candidates.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>New insights in genomic biomarkers include a better understanding of VHL mutational heterogeneity, tumor mutational burden, and the importance of genes like PBRM1 and SETD2 . Protein biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and PDZK1 have demonstrated utility in predicting disease progression, therapeutic response, and survival, while immunologic biomarkers like PSMD2, cytokines, and Tregs continue to shed light on the tumor microenvironment and immune evasion. Emerging imaging biomarkers, from CAIX-targeted radiotracers to PSMA-based PET-CT, offer noninvasive diagnostic and prognostic tools that may revolutionize RCC management.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>There are several promising biomarkers currently under investigation for use in advanced RCC.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":"274-282"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11970984/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143742410","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marie Aline Echterbille, Florence Horicks, Jennifer Dhont, Virginie De Wilde
{"title":"Implementing an integrative oncology pathway in a comprehensive cancer center: expert insights and perspectives.","authors":"Marie Aline Echterbille, Florence Horicks, Jennifer Dhont, Virginie De Wilde","doi":"10.1097/CCO.0000000000001150","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/CCO.0000000000001150","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Integrative oncology (IO) has evolved into an evidence-informed discipline endorsed by major oncology organizations. However, integrating IO into standard oncology care remains a challenge, often dependent on institutional culture and provider attitudes. This exploratory pilot study aimed to assess healthcare professionals' (HCPs) knowledge, communication practices, perceived needs, and perspectives regarding IO in a Belgian Comprehensive Cancer Center with no preexisting IO pathway.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Among the 33 participants, 45% understood IO as a patient-centered approach, while 88% acknowledged complementarity to conventional medicine. However, 24% found its definition unclear. Physician-patient communication remains challenging, with 48% of HCPs believing patients hesitate to discuss IO. Key needs include training (88%), standardized communication tools (45%), and a directory of recommended therapists (94%). The interviews facilitated a shift in perception, with 55% of HCPs expressing increased willingness to engage in IO initiatives.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Successfully integrating IO requires tailored training, specialized referents, and a well structured care pathway. The observed shift in mindset among HCPs highlights the importance of awareness and collaborative solution-building for effective IO adoption.</p>","PeriodicalId":10893,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Oncology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144149317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}