{"title":"Epigenetic targeting in oral squamous cell carcinoma: mechanisms, therapies, and translational potential.","authors":"Junting Yang, Xiaoru Yan, Xiaotang Wang, Xiaoqi Chang, Jiping Gao, Guohua Song","doi":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2570164","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2570164","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a heterogeneous malignancy with rapid progression, limited therapeutic options, and poor prognosis. Epigenetic alterations - including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA (ncRNA) regulation - are key drivers of oncogene activation and tumor suppressor silencing, offering novel therapeutic opportunities.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review summarizes the major epigenetic mechanisms in OSCC and highlights recent progress in therapeutic agents and molecular targets. In particular, we emphasize ncRNA-based modulators, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which play crucial roles in epigenetic regulation and represent promising therapeutic candidates. Innovative delivery strategies, including exosome-mediated transfer and nanoparticle formulations, are discussed for their potential to improve treatment specificity and overcome resistance. An updated summary of clinical trials targeting epigenetic regulators in OSCC is also presented, along with possible combination strategies to enhance clinical outcomes.</p><p><strong>Expert commentary: </strong>Epigenetic therapies hold significant promise for precision treatment of OSCC. Combining targeted agents with advanced delivery systems may accelerate clinical translation, while validated biomarkers could support early detection, risk stratification, and personalized therapy.A literature search was conducted in PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov from January 2002 to July 2025 to identify high-quality studies on epigenetic therapies in OSCC.</p>","PeriodicalId":12099,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"1-18"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145206037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent advances in the management of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: the role of actionable mutations and targeted therapies.","authors":"Wilson M Alobuia, Timothy M Pawlik","doi":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2570163","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2570163","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma has continued to increase, with dismal rates of overall survival. While upfront surgery remains the mainstay of resectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, systemic therapy has gained increasing acceptance worldwide, especially for advanced and metastatic cholangiocarcinoma.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>In this article, we review the different genetic mutations associated with cholangiocarcinoma, as well as recent advances made in the management of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma using therapies that directly target actionable mutations. We also review the clinical trials that led to the approval of these drugs, and the specific indications for their use.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>While significant progress has been made in identifying actionable mutations and developing drugs that target these mutations, several challenges exist in the management of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma using these targeted therapies. These challenges include issues with drug resistance, efficacy and cost. Furthermore, enrollment in clinical trials for cholangiocarcinoma is very limited and completed trials often lack the diversity needed to generalize their findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":12099,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145211735","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Oreste Iocca, Flaminia Campo, Clare Schilling, Karl Payne, Pasquale Di Maio
{"title":"CURRENT EVIDENCE AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN THE SURVEILLANCE OF HPV-POSITIVE OROPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA.","authors":"Oreste Iocca, Flaminia Campo, Clare Schilling, Karl Payne, Pasquale Di Maio","doi":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2571211","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14737140.2025.2571211","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Human papilloma virus positive (HPV+) OPSCC has a favorable prognosis compared to its HPV- carcinomas but a significant proportion of patients will experience disease recurrence and death. Enhancement of surveillance strategies after treatment for primary HPV + OPSCC is of great importance.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>The aim of this paper is to provide an updated synthesis of the current state of evidence on the surveillance of HPV+ OPSCC and provide guidance on future directions on this topic. Basic and clinical research efforts are directed on various aspects of surveillance, including but not limited to patterns of recurrence, radiology, circulating tumor HPV DNA, and follow-up strategies.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>The majority of OPSCC recurrences are detected by patients or during follow-up imaging. Rarely, recurrences are detected during the visits. Routine clinical surveillance can be scheduled once every 3 months in the first year, once every 6 months in the second year, and then annually up to year 5. Regarding imaging surveillance, positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) of the head, neck, and chest is the most widely recommended modality. Current guidelines recommend one imaging at 3 months post-treatment, with subsequent imaging at the discretion of the clinician. Circulating HPV-DNA is an emerging technology which can be integrated soon into daily clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":12099,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145225223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anderson Matheus Pereira da Silva, Dillan Cunha Amaral, Luciano Falcão Carneiro Filho, Kenzo Ogasawara Donato, Ariane Barros Mesquita Cunha, Mariana Letícia de Bastos Maximiano, Bruna Melgaço Batista Alves, Denisse J Mora-Paez, Clarissa Matosinho, Jaime Guedes
{"title":"Risk factors for secondary neoplasms in retinoblastoma survivors: a systematic literature review.","authors":"Anderson Matheus Pereira da Silva, Dillan Cunha Amaral, Luciano Falcão Carneiro Filho, Kenzo Ogasawara Donato, Ariane Barros Mesquita Cunha, Mariana Letícia de Bastos Maximiano, Bruna Melgaço Batista Alves, Denisse J Mora-Paez, Clarissa Matosinho, Jaime Guedes","doi":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2532110","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2532110","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular malignancy in children. Although survival has improved with multimodal therapy, survivors remain at risk for subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs), often due to prior treatments or genetic predisposition. To identify risk factors associated with SMNs in childhood retinoblastoma survivors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251026103). A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus up to January 2025. Observational studies reporting SMNs risk factors were included. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment were independently performed by two reviewers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 1,640 records, five studies met the inclusion criteria. The main risk factors identified were: radiotherapy, especially linked to bone and soft tissue sarcomas; chemotherapy, notably alkylating agents and anthracyclines; germline RB1 mutations and Li-Fraumeni syndrome; bilateral retinoblastoma; and socioeconomic disparities, with increased SMNs incidence in low- and middle-income countries. One study reported a potential protective role of proton therapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and genetic predisposition are key risk factors for SMNs in retinoblastoma survivors. Standardized prospective studies are needed to guide prevention strategies and survivor care.</p><p><strong>Registration: </strong>PROSPERO (CRD420251026103).</p>","PeriodicalId":12099,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"1195-1202"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144590767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrés Coca Pelaz, Juan Pablo Rodrigo, Mark Zafereo, Iain Nixon, Orlando Guntinas-Lichius, Gregory Randolph, Francisco J Civantos, Pia Pace-Asciak, Mark A Jara, Russ Kuker, Alfio Ferlito
{"title":"Differentiated thyroid cancer and positron emission computed tomography: when, how and why?","authors":"Andrés Coca Pelaz, Juan Pablo Rodrigo, Mark Zafereo, Iain Nixon, Orlando Guntinas-Lichius, Gregory Randolph, Francisco J Civantos, Pia Pace-Asciak, Mark A Jara, Russ Kuker, Alfio Ferlito","doi":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2529285","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2529285","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) has become an indispensable tool in oncology, offering both metabolic and anatomical insights into tumor behavior. Most differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTC) are indolent and therefore FDG PET/CT is not routinely incorporated into management. However, in biologically aggressive DTCs, FDG PET/CT plays a crucial role in detecting recurrence and metastases.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This narrative review with articles from the last 25 years from PubMed database, explores the evolving role of FDG PET/CT, focusing on its utility in recurrence detection, staging, and follow-up of radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory cases. Current guidelines recommend FDG PET/CT primarily for high-risk patients with elevated thyroglobulin levels and negative RAI scans (TENIS syndrome). We also examine advancements in PET imaging, novel radiotracers and theragnostic approaches that enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment monitoring.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>While FDG PET/CT has proven valuable in biologically aggressive DTC, its routine use remains limited by cost, accessibility, and concerns regarding radiation exposure in younger patients requiring repeated imaging studies. Future developments in molecular imaging, including novel tracers and artificial intelligence-driven analysis, are expected to refine its role, leading to more personalized and effective management, though economic and reimbursement challenges remain important considerations for broader adoption.</p>","PeriodicalId":12099,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"1153-1164"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144559555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A neurocentric model of survivorship: rethinking success when the mind and nerves don't recover.","authors":"Waseem Jerjes","doi":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2536673","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2536673","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12099,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"1125-1129"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144658704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"PSMA PET or conventional imaging in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer?","authors":"Panagiotis J Vlachostergios","doi":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2530603","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2530603","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12099,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"1131-1135"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144559556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Maintenance therapy in patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer receiving oxaliplatin plus antiangiogenic-based induction regimen: a study cohorts analysis.","authors":"Giuseppe A Colloca, Antonella Venturino","doi":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2536107","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2536107","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Maintenance therapy is frequently proposed to patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, the optimal regimen has not been defined, and studies have failed to characterize the patients who benefit from the maintenance strategy.</p><p><strong>Research design and methods: </strong>A systematic search of studies of maintenance was performed. Prospective studies that evaluated the progression-free survival (PFS) from the start of induction to progression and reported overall survival (OS) were selected. The efficacy of induction + maintenance therapy was assessed by the PFS/OS ratio. Twenty-one baseline variables were extracted and a linear regression was performed, separating cohorts in which maintenance included antiangiogenic agent (AAG)-based or fluoropyrimidine (FP)-based regimen.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-three study cohorts related to 18 trials were selected. Analysis of variables versus PFS/OS ratio showed a significant relationship with sex (23 cohorts; β = -0.0082, p-value = 0.016). In the 19 cohorts that received an AAG-based regimen, a benefit was found for females, patients receiving longer oxaliplatin-based induction chemotherapy, lung metastases, while in the 17 cohorts that received an FP-based treatment only patients without a previous primary tumor resection reported higher PFS/OS.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite the heterogeneity of the studies, female sex was associated with a more pronounced effect of maintenance regimens, particularly AAG-based.</p>","PeriodicalId":12099,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"1203-1211"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144667500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Taeweon Lee, Landan MacDonald, Tarek Lawen, Ashish M Kamat
{"title":"Optimizing cystectomy outcomes in muscle-invasive bladder cancer: what's new in 2025?","authors":"Taeweon Lee, Landan MacDonald, Tarek Lawen, Ashish M Kamat","doi":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2535657","DOIUrl":"10.1080/14737140.2025.2535657","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Radical cystectomy (RC) remains the gold standard surgical treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). It is a technically complex procedure with considerable short- and long-term morbidity, even in experienced hands.</p><p><strong>Areas covered: </strong>This review highlights recent advances in the multidisciplinary management of MIBC across the pre-, peri-, and post-operative phases. Improvements in surgical technique, peri-operative care pathways, and systemic therapies - including immunotherapy - have transformed outcomes. A targeted literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for English-language articles from 2015-2024, focusing on prospective studies from seminal clinical trials. Salient strategies were selected for inclusion based on clinical relevance and impact on patient outcomes.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>Optimizing outcomes for patients undergoing RC requires an evidence-based, patient-centered approach. The addition of immunotherapy in the peri-operative setting has changed the standard of care. In the future, peri-operative treatment decisions may be guided by biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA. Additionally, optimizing patient comorbidities, delivering individualized patient education, and adhering to enhanced recovery protocols remain essential to optimizing patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":12099,"journal":{"name":"Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy","volume":" ","pages":"1181-1193"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144706902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}