Trends in cancerPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-04-03DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.010
Fiona Sherman, Jacob S Rozowsky, Arinze Okafor, Mia Petljak
{"title":"Toward mutational epidemiology: using mutational signatures of environmental exposures to assess cancer risk.","authors":"Fiona Sherman, Jacob S Rozowsky, Arinze Okafor, Mia Petljak","doi":"10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Exposure to environmental mutagens increases cancer risk, yet exposure-detection methods often lack standardization and sensitivity. Genotoxic agents leave characteristic 'mutational signatures' in DNA, creating permanent, quantitative records of past exposures. Analyses of these signatures have clarified the mutational impacts of many established carcinogens and implicated contributions of previously unrecognized ones. Recent studies indicate that signatures of environmental exposures may be detectable in readily accessible human tissues, providing a basis for population-scale monitoring-termed 'mutational epidemiology'-which could complement conventional approaches to refine and accelerate the identification of mutagenic carcinogens. Realizing this potential will require identifying accessible tissues that capture mutations from specific exposure types and routes, defining signature profiles within those tissues, and determining how well they reflect mutagenesis in cancer-prone organs.</p>","PeriodicalId":23336,"journal":{"name":"Trends in cancer","volume":" ","pages":"393-403"},"PeriodicalIF":21.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147616866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in cancerPub Date : 2026-04-14DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2026.03.006
Kostas A Papavassiliou, Dimitrios J Stravopodis, Athanasios G Papavassiliou
{"title":"Neural circuits in lung adenocarcinoma modulate immunosurveillance.","authors":"Kostas A Papavassiliou, Dimitrios J Stravopodis, Athanasios G Papavassiliou","doi":"10.1016/j.trecan.2026.03.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trecan.2026.03.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent evidence from a study published in Nature by Wei et al. reveals a bidirectional tumor-brain axis in lung cancer that suppresses immune surveillance by reprogramming macrophages and disabling T cell responses. These findings highlight neuroimmune signaling as a key regulator of cancer progression and a promising therapeutic target.</p>","PeriodicalId":23336,"journal":{"name":"Trends in cancer","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":17.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147691948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in cancerPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.007
Jianguo Tao, Kevin Qiu, Michael E Williams
{"title":"Targeting persister cells: proactively overcoming therapy resistance in aggressive B cell lymphomas.","authors":"Jianguo Tao, Kevin Qiu, Michael E Williams","doi":"10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Treatment resistance remains a formidable barrier to curing lymphomas, driven in part by their ability to alter their phenotypic and molecular profiles under therapeutic pressure. A growing body of evidence suggests that a clinically minute population of drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cells, which undergo non-genetic adaptations to survive therapy, are responsible for seeding relapse. We highlight the substantial progress being made to characterize DTP populations, and postulate that they confer novel vulnerabilities for therapeutic targeting. We propose the addition of therapies that proactively address these therapy-induced adaptations to delay or prevent the emergence of resistance in aggressive B cell lymphomas. We contend that this approach can deepen clinical responses, spare patients unnecessary toxicity, and advance progress towards achieving a true cure.</p>","PeriodicalId":23336,"journal":{"name":"Trends in cancer","volume":" ","pages":"370-381"},"PeriodicalIF":21.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145935287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in cancerPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.001
Jason Xu, Vanessa A Kennedy, Connie Ma, Jonathan H Sussman, Shovik Bandyopadhyay, Changya Chen, David T Teachey, Kai Tan
{"title":"HSPC-like blasts in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: biology and therapeutic opportunities.","authors":"Jason Xu, Vanessa A Kennedy, Connie Ma, Jonathan H Sussman, Shovik Bandyopadhyay, Changya Chen, David T Teachey, Kai Tan","doi":"10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Stem cell-like blasts have been associated with hierarchical tumor-initiating potential and poor outcomes in myeloid leukemias. Previous studies using primary samples of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have identified blasts that immunophenotypically and transcriptomically resemble hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), but failed to consistently demonstrate hierarchical tumor-initiating potential in xenograft models. Recent multi-omic profiling of lymphoblastic and mixed-phenotype leukemias has improved our understanding of the phenotypes of HSPC-like blasts and their association with treatment failure, relapse, and lineage switch during therapy. In this review, we highlight the opportunities and challenges of using HSPC-like blasts to risk-stratify patients with ALL and direct patients with relapsed/refractory disease toward targeted therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23336,"journal":{"name":"Trends in cancer","volume":" ","pages":"348-357"},"PeriodicalIF":21.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12742566/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145821128","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in cancerPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.006
Darren Haywood, Alexandre Chan, Maryam B Lustberg, Larissa Nekhlyudov, Raymond J Chan, Debra J Anderson, Angela Dawson, Inge Gnatt, Meera R Agar, Nicolas H Hart
{"title":"Planning for cancer: building accessible and high-quality survivorship care for all.","authors":"Darren Haywood, Alexandre Chan, Maryam B Lustberg, Larissa Nekhlyudov, Raymond J Chan, Debra J Anderson, Angela Dawson, Inge Gnatt, Meera R Agar, Nicolas H Hart","doi":"10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Global cancer incidence is rising. In most high-income countries, it is projected that one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, with incidence rates among middle- and low-income countries also set to follow these projections. Cancer incidence is increasing due to a multitude of factors, including an ageing population, lifestyle factors, and improved detection. Earlier cancer detection and improved treatments mean that people are now living longer with and beyond cancer. Given these occurrences and projections, planning for 'when' and not 'if' we get cancer is critical. Supportive care in cancer provides high-value return on investment and significantly improves outcomes, yet is clearly underfunded and inconsistently prioritised. Supportive care must be prioritised globally to ensure functioning and wellbeing at all levels of society.</p>","PeriodicalId":23336,"journal":{"name":"Trends in cancer","volume":" ","pages":"320-327"},"PeriodicalIF":17.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145896388","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in cancerPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-03-07DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2026.02.002
Ali Valipour Motlagh, Eyad Elkord, Weiwei Dai
{"title":"Ammonia: a metabolic checkpoint for Treg potency.","authors":"Ali Valipour Motlagh, Eyad Elkord, Weiwei Dai","doi":"10.1016/j.trecan.2026.02.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trecan.2026.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ammonia acts as a metabolic checkpoint fueling regulatory T cells (Tregs). Gu et al. demonstrate that utilizing argininosuccinate lyase-linked survival buffering and a FOXP3-spermine-PPARγ axis for mitochondrial reinforcement allows Tregs to convert toxic waste into suppressive power, driving tumor immune evasion and immunotherapy resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":23336,"journal":{"name":"Trends in cancer","volume":" ","pages":"307-309"},"PeriodicalIF":21.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147378753","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in cancerPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-03-07DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.008
Terrance J Haanen, David D Schlaepfer
{"title":"Disarming cancer resistance: FAK as a therapeutic target.","authors":"Terrance J Haanen, David D Schlaepfer","doi":"10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The FDA recently granted accelerated approval of the small-molecule focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor (FAKi, defactinib) in combination with a RAF-MEK clamp inhibitor (avutometinib) for KRAS-mutated low-grade serous ovarian cancer developed by Verastem Inc. This milestone moment represents a long journey in FAKi development, from initial findings of limited single-agent activity to orally delivered FAKi effects that can sensitize solid tumors to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy treatments. In this study, we review a short history of FAK, summarize ongoing combinatorial clinical trials, discuss potential mechanisms of action, and highlight studies showing that FAK activation is a chemo- and mechano-sensitive signaling hub driving tumor adaptive changes. Targeting FAK disarms tumor resistance through multiple mechanisms, which supports new biological insights and future clinical combinations.</p>","PeriodicalId":23336,"journal":{"name":"Trends in cancer","volume":" ","pages":"358-369"},"PeriodicalIF":21.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13174975/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147378639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in cancerPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-02-11DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.009
Deborah R Caswell, Crispin Hiley, Cian Murphy, Loc Carlo Bao, Charles Swanton
{"title":"Lung cancer in never smokers: from early detection to prevention.","authors":"Deborah R Caswell, Crispin Hiley, Cian Murphy, Loc Carlo Bao, Charles Swanton","doi":"10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lung cancer in never smokers (LCINS) is a growing global health challenge. Unlike smoking-related lung cancer, LCINS is characterized by distinct epidemiological patterns and unique molecular pathogenesis and, consequently, requires different clinical management approaches. Unfortunately, for patients with lung cancer who have never smoked, symptoms are nonspecific and often dismissed due to these patients not fitting a high-risk profile (e.g., smoker), underscoring the need for improved detection and interception. Emerging risk factors, including germline variants, clonal hematopoiesis, and environmental exposures, offer new avenues for risk stratification and preventive strategies. While low-dose computed tomography screening shows promise in high-risk subgroups, challenges remain in optimizing cost-effectiveness. Novel prevention approaches, from interleukin (IL)-1β inhibition to cancer vaccines, are under investigation. This opinion article discusses why LCINS demands unique clinical and research paradigms to address its biological complexity.</p>","PeriodicalId":23336,"journal":{"name":"Trends in cancer","volume":" ","pages":"310-319"},"PeriodicalIF":21.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146182634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in cancerPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-02-26DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2026.01.006
Asia Jordan, Claire Hughes, Lea Schäfer, Adele E Connor, Yvonne O'Meara, Chowdhury A Jahangir, Teerna Banerjee, Arman Rahman, Antoinette S Perry
{"title":"Evolving approaches to broaden public and patient involvement in cancer research.","authors":"Asia Jordan, Claire Hughes, Lea Schäfer, Adele E Connor, Yvonne O'Meara, Chowdhury A Jahangir, Teerna Banerjee, Arman Rahman, Antoinette S Perry","doi":"10.1016/j.trecan.2026.01.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trecan.2026.01.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) integrates patients and the public into research design, conduct, and dissemination to ensure future research represents the needs of society. We propose a toolkit for researchers, based on outcomes from an ovarian cancer PPI project, to incorporate meaningful, representative cancer research into future studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23336,"journal":{"name":"Trends in cancer","volume":" ","pages":"299-303"},"PeriodicalIF":21.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147318342","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in cancerPub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.004
Lois M Kelly, Nina Fenouille, Kris C Wood, Alexandre Puissant
{"title":"Exploiting tumor lineage features for precision cancer therapy.","authors":"Lois M Kelly, Nina Fenouille, Kris C Wood, Alexandre Puissant","doi":"10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trecan.2025.12.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cancer cells often retain lineage- and tissue of origin-specific programs established prior to malignant transformation. This observation has been elaborated by advances in single-cell and lineage-tracing technologies, which provide high-resolution mapping of these features. Here, we provide an overview of these recent technological developments and examine how the tissue of origin shapes tumor behavior and vulnerabilities. We discuss how the preferential selection of oncogenic drivers by specific tissues leads to distinct genetic alterations across cancers. We then explore the continued dependence of cancer cells on lineage-specific physiological functions and signaling pathways, thereby revealing lineage-dependent therapeutic targets. Finally, we highlight how lineage-specific cell surface marker expression informs precision immunotherapies. Together, these insights are driving a shift toward therapies tailored to the developmental and functional identities of cancer cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":23336,"journal":{"name":"Trends in cancer","volume":" ","pages":"328-347"},"PeriodicalIF":21.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12904362/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145896135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}