Trends in cancerPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-03-04DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2026.01.010
Julia Yemelyanenko, Jos Jonkers, Daniel Zingg
{"title":"FGFR rearrangements: oncogenic drivers and therapeutic targets.","authors":"Julia Yemelyanenko, Jos Jonkers, Daniel Zingg","doi":"10.1016/j.trecan.2026.01.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trecan.2026.01.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Genomic amplifications and hotspot mutations affecting fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) have long been recognized as oncogenic drivers across human cancers. However, recent studies have uncovered FGFR in-frame fusions and complex structural variants as an additional class of tumor driver alterations. Notably, the identification of FGFR2 exon 18 truncations and the demonstration of their potent oncogenic competence have refined our understanding of FGFR-driven tumorigenesis and have impacted clinical trial design for FGFR-targeted agents. This review explores the biological and clinical implications of FGFR rearrangements. It covers their mechanisms in driving cancer, their potential as biomarkers to predict treatment response, and the emerging challenges and opportunities for FGFR-targeted therapy. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of FGFR rearrangements is critical for advancing precision oncology and improving patient benefit.</p>","PeriodicalId":23336,"journal":{"name":"Trends in cancer","volume":" ","pages":"461-476"},"PeriodicalIF":21.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147356622","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 : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-03-16DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2026.01.011
Ningning Niu, Mo Chen, Jing Xue
{"title":"Epigenetic dysregulation and microenvironment remodeling in pancreatic cancer.","authors":"Ningning Niu, Mo Chen, Jing Xue","doi":"10.1016/j.trecan.2026.01.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trecan.2026.01.011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Epigenetic dysregulation including frequent mutations in epigenetic regulators alongside nonmutational reprogramming driven by oncogenic and metabolic stresses represents a hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Recent advances using low-input epigenomics and single-cell technologies have revealed their role in fostering cellular plasticity, stromal reprogramming, immune evasion, and therapy resistance. This review synthesizes current knowledge of epigenetic mechanisms in PDAC pathogenesis, highlighting their stage- and context-dependent roles in tumor progression, tumor microenvironment crosstalk, and metabolic adaptation. We further highlight emerging therapeutic strategies that target epigenetic vulnerabilities. By integrating cutting-edge epigenomic profiling with functional studies, we outline a roadmap for translating epigenetic discoveries into clinical strategies against this lethal malignancy.</p>","PeriodicalId":23336,"journal":{"name":"Trends in cancer","volume":" ","pages":"447-460"},"PeriodicalIF":21.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147475436","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 : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-03-25DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2026.01.007
Amin Aalipour, Ariana Barreiro, Andrea Garmilla, Michael E Birnbaum
{"title":"In vivo CAR T cell engineering: design principles and open questions.","authors":"Amin Aalipour, Ariana Barreiro, Andrea Garmilla, Michael E Birnbaum","doi":"10.1016/j.trecan.2026.01.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trecan.2026.01.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has transformed the treatment of hematologic malignancies, leading to seven FDA-approved products, but widespread adoption has been limited by costly and complex manufacturing and administration. Several methods have emerged to directly reprogram T cells within patients, with the potential to simultaneously improve potency, reduce costs, and broaden accessibility. While early clinical studies demonstrate safety and therapeutic activity, critical questions remain regarding long-term efficacy, the interplay between means of delivery and host biology, and optimal disease indications for each delivery approach. This review summarizes the preclinical and clinical data for state-of-the-art viral and nonviral approaches for in vivo CAR-T engineering, discusses their opportunities and limitations, and highlights key open questions that will shape the maturation of this emerging field.</p>","PeriodicalId":23336,"journal":{"name":"Trends in cancer","volume":" ","pages":"434-446"},"PeriodicalIF":21.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147521458","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 : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-04-01DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2026.03.001
Lucia Borriello, Lorenzo Galluzzi
{"title":"Unexpected role of the integrated stress response in cancer immune evasion.","authors":"Lucia Borriello, Lorenzo Galluzzi","doi":"10.1016/j.trecan.2026.03.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trecan.2026.03.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Viral mimicry, i.e., the ability of uninfected cancer cells to emit molecular signals normally associated with infection, is paramount for anticancer immunity. Recent findings from Bossowski et al. indicate that the integrated stress response (a crucial component of cellular responses against infection) can unexpectedly promote immune evasion via an LCN2-driven, macrophage-dependent mechanism.</p>","PeriodicalId":23336,"journal":{"name":"Trends in cancer","volume":" ","pages":"383-385"},"PeriodicalIF":21.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147609991","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 : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-03-10DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2026.01.005
Pooja Kumari, Zacary P Germon, Evangeline R Jackson, Tuan Vo, Matthew D Dun
{"title":"The redox paradox in HGGs: ROS as drivers and destroyers.","authors":"Pooja Kumari, Zacary P Germon, Evangeline R Jackson, Tuan Vo, Matthew D Dun","doi":"10.1016/j.trecan.2026.01.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trecan.2026.01.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential second-messenger molecules, yet when deregulated, they fuel cancer growth and therapeutic resistance. In high-grade gliomas, including glioblastoma, diffuse hemispheric glioma, and diffuse midline glioma (DMG), genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic alterations drive chronic ROS production and redox imbalance. This oxidative stress promotes DNA damage, epigenetic reprogramming, tumor growth, and immune escape. In DMG, global DNA and histone hypomethylation are amplified by oxidative stress, while ROS-dependent Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways reinforce tumor survival. Paradoxically, the same ROS create an intrinsic vulnerability as excess ROS can overwhelm defenses and trigger cytotoxicity. Targeting ROS is challenging; however, new strategies, including NADPH oxidase inhibition, metabolic modulation, and ROS-inducing therapies, reveal vulnerabilities. Understanding this redox paradox is critical to exposing therapeutic vulnerabilities and improving outcomes for patients with these deadly cancers.</p>","PeriodicalId":23336,"journal":{"name":"Trends in cancer","volume":" ","pages":"420-433"},"PeriodicalIF":21.6,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147435801","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 : 2026-05-01Epub 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}