Molecular and clinical oncology最新文献

{"title":"Pan-cancer analysis and experimental validation reveal UTP4 as a novel biomarker for gastric cancer.","authors":"Diao Wei, Tianyu Lei, Yuhang Che, Qinyong Hu","doi":"10.3892/mco.2026.2933","DOIUrl":"10.3892/mco.2026.2933","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>UTP4 is a critical component of ribosome biogenesis, and its dysregulation may contribute to cancer development. However, the role of UTP4 in cancer remains unclear. The present study comprehensively investigated the expression and prognostic significance of UTP4 across multiple cancers, with a particular focus on gastric cancer (GC). Integrated bioinformatics analysis of public datasets, including The Cancer Genome Atlas, revealed that UTP4 is frequently overexpressed in various tumors and associated with poor prognosis. Further analysis uncovered its correlations with genetic mutations, immune infiltration and immune checkpoint expression. Based on these findings and CRISPR-Cas9 screening predictions, the functional role of UTP4 in GC cells was experimentally validated. The results demonstrated that UTP4 knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion. These findings highlight UTP4 as a novel pan-cancer biomarker and potential therapeutic target, providing a foundation for further clinical investigations.</p>","PeriodicalId":18737,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and clinical oncology","volume":"24 4","pages":"24"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12977186/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147444434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of obesity on breast cancer development in relation to menopausal status (Review).","authors":"Ziwen Yang, Ziyuan Sun","doi":"10.3892/mco.2026.2932","DOIUrl":"10.3892/mco.2026.2932","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Breast cancer (BC) ranks as the second most prevalent malignant tumor among women globally, posing a significant threat to female health. Obesity is recognized as an independent risk factor for both the development and progression of BC. Nevertheless, due to the complex mechanism through which obesity affects BC, coupled with the considerable variations in hormone levels, metabolic states, and treatment responses between premenopausal and postmenopausal women, epidemiological studies examining the relationship between obesity and BC incidence often produce inconsistent results. Consequently, it is imperative to stratify analyses by menopausal status to elucidate the specific impact of obesity on BC and to inform targeted prevention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":18737,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and clinical oncology","volume":"24 4","pages":"23"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12937966/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147326727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sequential immune checkpoint inhibition after palliative radiotherapy in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Atsuto Katano, Akiko Oka, Masanari Minamitani, Yusuke Ito, Koji Yamamura, Kenya Kobayashi, Hideomi Yamashita, Yuki Saito","doi":"10.3892/mco.2026.2931","DOIUrl":"10.3892/mco.2026.2931","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) frequently presents at an advanced stage, where curative options are often not feasible. Palliative radiotherapy (RT) can relieve symptoms and improve performance status, potentially enabling systemic therapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have a survival benefit in recurrent and metastatic HNSCC; however, the optimal sequencing of RT and ICIs remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of ICI therapy administered after palliative RT in patients with advanced HNSCC. Consecutive patients with advanced HNSCC treated at The University of Tokyo Hospital (Tokyo, Japan) between January 2017 and December 2024 were retrospectively reviewed. Eligible patients received initial palliative RT, with or without subsequent ICIs within 6 months (RT-ICI vs. RT groups). Clinical data, including demographics, RT parameters, treatment regimens and outcomes, were collected. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models. Among 74 patients (median age, 75 years; 82% male), 17 received ICIs following RT. The RT-ICI group achieved a 2-year OS rate of 55.8% compared with 5.7% in the RT group (P<0.001). Median PFS time in the RT-ICI group was 12.7 months, with a 2-year PFS rate of 20.9%. Multivariate analysis confirmed RT-ICI treatment [hazard ratio (HR) 0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09-0.55; P=0.001], higher biologically effective dose (≥39 Gy; HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.24-0.91; P=0.025) and preserved performance status (HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.02-3.88; P=0.043) as independent predictors of OS. Grade 3 or higher immune-related adverse events occurred in three patients (17.6%). In conclusion, sequential ICI therapy after palliative RT was revealed to be associated with improved survival outcomes in patients with advanced HNSCC. Higher RT dose was also associated with a better survival; however, no causal or mechanistic conclusions can be drawn from this observation. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings, and to clarify the optimal sequencing and dosing strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":18737,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and clinical oncology","volume":"24 4","pages":"22"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12936903/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147326698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Expression and significance analyses of microRNAs in colorectal cancer.","authors":"Jing Zhang, Liwei Sun, Changxiu Yan, Honggang Ran, Kaiyong Qu, Zhijian Chen, Argen Bahet, Chenxi Wang, Xin Cai, Guohong Zhuang, Zeyang Lin","doi":"10.3892/mco.2026.2929","DOIUrl":"10.3892/mco.2026.2929","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) serve as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers or therapeutic targets. However, their roles in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression levels and functions of miR-205, miR-376c, and miR-539 in CRC development and prognosis. Multiple GEO databases were used to explore miRNA expression levels and associations in CRC cancer and adjacent/normal tissues. In addition, the associations between the expression of the miRNAs and the clinicopathological features of CRC were analyzed. The clinical data and specimens of 25 patients with CRC were collected, detected and analyzed. Combining bioinformatics analysis and databases, the relationship between the three miRNAs and CRC progression and prognosis was explored. In the GSE41655 dataset, miR-376c, miR-539, and miR-205 were all downregulated in tumor tissues, with miRNA-376c exhibiting the most pronounced downregulation. MiR-376c was closely associated with CRC liver metastasis, especially in the synchronous metastasis condition. Additionally, in the miRDB database, an analysis of the overlapping predicted target genes for miR-205, miR-376c, and miR-539 revealed that these three miRNAs share 53 common predicted target genes. Not only did miR-539 and miR-205 significantly differ according to tumor stage and lymph node metastasis, but also their upregulation was significant in tumor advanced stage and lymph node metastasis according to logistic regression in collected cancer tissues. Furthermore, miR-205 was significantly upregulated in tumor differentiation according to logistic regression. In conclusion, miR-205, miR-376c, and miR-539 were revealed to be involved in the development and prognosis of CRC and may be potential targets for CRC therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":18737,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and clinical oncology","volume":"24 3","pages":"20"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12933723/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147308006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Monocyte distribution width in breast cancer: Results from a retrospective exploratory pilot study.","authors":"Giovanni Napolitano, Ruben Napolitano, Raffaella Coppola, Angela Ragone, Sanober Kafeel, Giuseppina Palmiero, Angela Lombardi, Giovanni Casaretta, Rosa Giannatiempo, Michele Caraglia, Silvio Naviglio, Luigi Sapio","doi":"10.3892/mco.2026.2930","DOIUrl":"10.3892/mco.2026.2930","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite the therapeutic breakthroughs achieved over the years, breast cancer (BC) continues to rank as the deadliest tumor among women worldwide. Therefore, prevention and screening programs remain crucial for the successful recovery of patients with BC. Monocyte distribution width (MDW) is a novel hematological parameter provided along with the complete blood count by DxH haematology analyzers. Variations in MDW have been associated with diagnostic and prognostic significance in sepsis, viral infections and other inflammation-related diseases. However, the potential role of MDW remains largely unknown in malignant disorders, including BC. Using a retrospective approach, patients with BC were included in the present study to examine the MDW levels at diagnosis in relation to controls. MDW was also assessed with respect to the histopathological features of BC. Either Welch's t-test or Brown-Forsythe and Welch ANOVA were used to estimate significance, while receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curve were used to evaluate the overall performance of MDW in BC. MDW levels were higher in patients with BC than in controls (P<0.0001), while no changes were recorded in the absolute monocytes count. With respect to the histopathological features, an elevated MDW was typically detected in BC presenting as invasive ductal carcinoma (P=0.0002), and expressing either estrogen (P<0.0001) or progesterone receptors (P<0.0001). Higher MDW levels were also observed in patients with BC scoring as grade III, as well as in those presenting lymph node involvement (N1-3), suggesting a possible association with the progression of BC. Overall, the present retrospective exploratory pilot study proposed MDW as a possible biomarker in BC, indicating future perspectives for the diagnosis, stratification and prognosis of this deadly disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":18737,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and clinical oncology","volume":"24 3","pages":"21"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12933710/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147307992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prognostic value of serum uric acid levels following radiotherapy and chemotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.","authors":"Xianming He, Qiwei Luo, Yuhao Ding, Jianwu Ding, Ronghuan Hu, Jia-Li Hu, Lei Tao, Jianze Zhang, Zhenxing Huang, Xiaoqiang Chen, Jiayin Wu, Su Deng, Shubin Luo, Lei Zeng, Mengmeng Liu","doi":"10.3892/mco.2026.2924","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2026.2924","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To evaluate the association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and prognosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with a comprehensive regimen of induction chemotherapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and adjuvant chemotherapy. A total of 182 patients with NPC treated at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between 2017 and 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. SUA levels were recorded at four time points: Pre-treatment, post-induction chemotherapy, post-IMRT and post-adjuvant chemotherapy. Based on the median post-adjuvant chemotherapy SUA level (350.48 µmol/l), patients were stratified into high (SUA >350 µmol/l) and low (SUA ≤350 µmol/l) groups. Survival outcomes were compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to identify independent prognostic factors. Changes in SUA levels over time were assessed using repeated-measures ANOVA. The high SUA group demonstrated improved 3-year overall survival (OS; P=0.037), progression-free survival (PFS; P<0.001), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS; P=0.001) compared with the low SUA group. No significant difference in locoregional relapse-free survival (P=0.41) was observed. Post-adjuvant chemotherapy SUA levels were an independent prognostic factor for OS, PFS and DMFS. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed a significant reduction in SUA levels post-IMRT compared with baseline, post-induction chemotherapy, and post-adjuvant chemotherapy (all P<0.001). In conclusion, elevated post-adjuvant chemotherapy SUA levels are associated with improved survival outcomes in patients with advanced-stage NPC. IMRT induces a transient decrease in SUA levels. These findings suggested that SUA levels may serve as a valuable prognostic biomarker for NPC.</p>","PeriodicalId":18737,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and clinical oncology","volume":"24 2","pages":"15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12836142/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146093135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reduction of seroma by pectoralis fascia dissection using an energy device in total mastectomy for breast cancer: An observational study.","authors":"Hiroaki Shima, Yuta Kondo, Takashi Nakamura, Daisuke Kyuno, Noriko Nishikawa, Satoko Uno, Ai Noda, Kiminori Sato, Asaka Wada, Toru Mizuguchi","doi":"10.3892/mco.2026.2923","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2026.2923","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Seroma formation is one of the unresolved complications of breast cancer surgery. The use of energy devices (EDs) can improve breast cancer surgery outcomes. Dissection of the pectoralis fascia is an important process in total mastectomy, which involves a wide area of the posterior wall of the mammary glands. The current study investigated whether using EDs for this process could lead to a reduction in seroma formation or potentially reduce other complications. In the present observational study, the use of an ED for pectoralis fascia dissection was compared with conventional electrocautery. The main outcomes were the total amount of drainage (total AD), amount of drainage per day and adverse events (AEs) after propensity score matching (PSM). in addition, a univariate analysis of AE occurrence was performed. Overall, 41 and 117 patients were included in the ED and control groups, respectively. PSM was performed for three covariates: Presence or absence of axillary dissection, preoperative chemotherapy and body mass index >25 kg/m². Compared with those in the control group, the total AD post-PSM in the ED group did not decrease (P<i>=</i>0.1778), whereas the amount of drainage per day was markedly decreased on postoperative day 8 in the ED group. In the univariate analysis, only the use of ED was associated with a reduction in AEs requiring intervention; other factors showed no significant association. The frequency of AEs requiring intervention was significantly lower in the ED group than that in the control group post-PSM (P=0.0372). Notably, seroma accounted for most AEs. The results of the present study suggested that pectoralis fascia dissection using an ED may reduce fluid drainage and the incidence of AEs. This simple modification suggests the possibility of improving surgical techniques and is expected to contribute to favorable surgical outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":18737,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and clinical oncology","volume":"24 2","pages":"14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12836455/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146093075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Targeting KRAS in colorectal cancer (Review).","authors":"Minjie Zhang, Dawei Wu, Yu Tang, Li Zhang, Shuquan Zhang, Wei Li, Ning Li, Xinhua Yan","doi":"10.3892/mco.2025.2873","DOIUrl":"10.3892/mco.2025.2873","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>RAS genes play crucial roles in regulating important biological processes such as cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis in normal cells. When RAS genes undergo mutations or abnormal expression, they can become oncogenic drivers, and the oncogenic mechanism of KRAS mutations which drive cancer progression is highly complex. Colorectal cancer carrying KRAS mutation genes often exhibits poor prognosis. Despite the advent of KRAS G12C inhibitors, monotherapy demonstrates suboptimal clinical efficacy in colorectal cancer, which is attributed to primary resistance and limited coverage of prevalent KRAS mutations (such as G12D and G12V). Notably, combinatorial regimens integrating KRASG12C inhibitors with EGFR monoclonal antibodies (such as cetuximab) have doubled objective response rates, highlighting synergistic therapeutic potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":18737,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and clinical oncology","volume":"23 3","pages":"78"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12278713/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144682816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Single-cell analysis reveals distinct immune characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma in HBV-positive vs. HBV-negative cases.","authors":"Ke Liu, Erbao Chen, Jiaming Liang, Yanyan Li, Binghua Cheng, Wenli Shi, Zeyu Zhou, Wenjie Zhou, Hui Tian, Dongye Yang, Ximing Shao, Hongchang Li","doi":"10.3892/mco.2025.2871","DOIUrl":"10.3892/mco.2025.2871","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a key risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and progression. It is widely recognized that immunopathological mechanisms are pivotal in the development of HBV-associated HCC; nevertheless, the specific underlying mechanisms through which HBV-induced modifications within the tumor microenvironment (TME) contribute to HCC pathogenesis have yet to be fully elucidated. In the present study, single-cell RNA sequencing was utilized to analyze and compare the immune landscapes between HBV-positive and HBV-negative HCC. These experiments revealed that HBV infection significantly modifies the composition and state of immune cells, leading to the suppression and exhaustion of T cells within the TME. Specifically, increases in the proportions of SLC4A10⁺ CD8⁺ T cells and IFITM3⁺ macrophages were observed, along with an upregulation of the gene <i>SLC35F1</i> in various immune cell subtypes. Taken together, these findings have offered valuable insights into the alteration of the immunological microenvironment in HCC that is associated with HBV infection, suggesting possible targets for immunotherapeutic intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":18737,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and clinical oncology","volume":"23 3","pages":"76"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12235239/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144600995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of ramucirumab and subsequent nivolumab therapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer: A retrospective study","authors":"Masaaki Saito, Koichi Suzuki, S. Tamaki, Yasuaki Kimura, I. Abe, Y. Endo, F. Watanabe, T. Rikiyama","doi":"10.3892/mco.2024.2715","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2024.2715","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18737,"journal":{"name":"Molecular and clinical oncology","volume":"42 33","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139442240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}