{"title":"Information for Readers","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S0147-0272(25)00072-8","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S0147-0272(25)00072-8","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55193,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cancer","volume":"58 ","pages":"Article 101245"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145018458","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":"MAGE-A3 as a target for cancer immunotherapy: A systematic review of clinical and preclinical evidence","authors":"Gaurang Telang , Smriti Mishra , Anurag Sureshbabu , Samruddhi Kulkarni , Shantanu Joshi , Rajshri Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101237","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101237","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>MAGE-A3, a cancer-testis antigen, is a promising immunotherapeutic target due to its high expression in various malignancies and limited expression in normal tissues. However, clinical outcomes with MAGE-A3-based therapies have been inconsistent.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of MAGE-A3 immunotherapy in cancer by synthesizing clinical and <em>in vitro</em> evidence regarding efficacy, immunogenicity, safety, and predictive biomarkers.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024577090). A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane for articles published until February 8, 2024, supplemented by a manual review of bibliographies. Two independent reviewers followed PRISMA guidelines for study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment, including Risk of Bias evaluation using the ROBVIS tool.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ninety-three studies were included. Clinical investigations, mainly in melanoma and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), demonstrated that MAGE-A3 immunotherapy is generally safe and elicits antigen-specific immune responses. However, large phase III trials (e.g., MAGRIT, DERMA) failed to show significant improvements in disease-free or overall survival. A subset of studies identified predictive gene signatures correlating with better outcomes. <em>In vitro</em> studies provided mechanistic insights, revealing enhanced antigen expression through epigenetic modulation, improved dendritic cell-mediated antigen presentation, and promising results from advanced T-cell receptor engineering.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Although MAGE-A3 immunotherapy induces immune responses with a favorable safety profile, its clinical efficacy remains limited. Future strategies should focus on optimized patient selection via predictive biomarkers and combination therapies to enhance antitumor effectiveness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55193,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cancer","volume":"58 ","pages":"Article 101237"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144723752","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}
Current Problems in CancerPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-07-04DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101223
Aleksandra Maciejczyk , Karol Bartecki , Anna M. Czarnecka , Anna Szumera-Ciećkiewicz , Piotr Rutowski , Tomasz Świtaj
{"title":"Hormonal treatment of aggressive angiomyxoma","authors":"Aleksandra Maciejczyk , Karol Bartecki , Anna M. Czarnecka , Anna Szumera-Ciećkiewicz , Piotr Rutowski , Tomasz Świtaj","doi":"10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101223","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101223","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This review aims to evaluate the efficacy of hormonal therapy, including gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH agonists), aromatase inhibitors (AIs), selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and combination therapy in the management of aggressive angiomyxoma (AAM).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify studies reporting the use of hormonal interventions in AAM treatment. Seventy-five scientific papers were analyzed to gather data on treatment modalities, response rates, and adverse effects, which were then extracted and synthesized. The review was structured according to the PICO(S/T) framework to ensure consistency in data synthesis and interpretation. This systematic review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure methodological transparency and rigor.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists demonstrated anti-tumoral activity by inducing hypoestrogenism, resulting in tumor shrinkage and prevention of recurrence. Aromatase inhibitors stabilized disease progression and improved symptoms. Selective estrogen receptor modulators administered postoperatively prolonged progression-free survival. Combination therapies exhibited synergistic effects, with notable responses observed in neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Hormonal therapy presents an effective adjunct to surgical resection in AAM management, especially in cases demonstrating estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) positivity. While effective, careful monitoring for adverse effects and individualized treatment approaches are necessary to optimize outcomes and minimize risks. This review highlights the evolving role of hormonal interventions in the multidisciplinary management of AAM, emphasizing the need for further research to refine treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55193,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cancer","volume":"58 ","pages":"Article 101223"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144549839","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}
Current Problems in CancerPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-07-04DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101222
Gabriele Ricciardi , Pietro Tralongo , Vincenzo Fiorentino , Emanuela Germanà , Mariagiovanna Ballato , Walter Giuseppe Giordano , Ludovica Pepe , Vincenzo Ficarra , Cristina Pizzimenti , Giuseppe Giuffrè , Valeria Zuccalà , Antonio Ieni , Guido Fadda , Francesco Pierconti , Maurizio Martini
{"title":"Roles for epigenetic and other biomarkers in upper tract urothelial carcinoma diagnosis and surveillance","authors":"Gabriele Ricciardi , Pietro Tralongo , Vincenzo Fiorentino , Emanuela Germanà , Mariagiovanna Ballato , Walter Giuseppe Giordano , Ludovica Pepe , Vincenzo Ficarra , Cristina Pizzimenti , Giuseppe Giuffrè , Valeria Zuccalà , Antonio Ieni , Guido Fadda , Francesco Pierconti , Maurizio Martini","doi":"10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101222","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101222","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare but aggressive malignancy with increasing incidence, often diagnosed at advanced stages due to the limitations of current diagnostic tools. Conventional methods such as urinary cytology, imaging, and ureteroscopy have important drawbacks, including low sensitivity, high costs, and procedural invasiveness. As a result, there is a growing need for non-invasive, highly accurate diagnostic approaches.</div><div>Epigenetic biomarkers, particularly DNA methylation-based assays, have emerged as promising alternatives for UTUC detection and surveillance. Among these, Bladder EpiCheck® (BE) has shown remarkable sensitivity and specificity, particularly for high-grade tumors, making it a valuable adjunct to standard diagnostic techniques. By analyzing tumor-specific methylation patterns in urine samples, BE offers a practical and non-invasive solution that could improve early detection, reduce the need for ureteroscopy, and enhance risk stratification. Several studies have demonstrated its superior diagnostic accuracy, with sensitivity reaching 97.4 % and specificity up to 100 % for high-grade UTUC.</div><div>Despite these advantages, challenges remain regarding the standardization of testing protocols, validation in larger patient cohorts, and evaluation of cost-effectiveness. Moreover, the role of DNA methylation biomarkers in guiding clinical decisions and predicting disease progression requires further investigation. This review explores the current state of UTUC diagnosis, compares BE with conventional and emerging biomarkers, and discusses its clinical applications, limitations, and future perspectives. The integration of molecular biomarkers like BE into clinical practice has the potential to revolutionize UTUC diagnosis, improving patient outcomes through more precise, non-invasive detection strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55193,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cancer","volume":"58 ","pages":"Article 101222"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144556847","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}
Current Problems in CancerPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-05-14DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101203
Chloe Cottone , Katherine Kozlowski , Joshua Sorrentino , Kelly Stahovic , Xiaoyi Ma , Vishal Gupta , Ayham Al Afif
{"title":"Sensitivity of core needle biopsy in the diagnosis of lymphoma: A meta-analysis","authors":"Chloe Cottone , Katherine Kozlowski , Joshua Sorrentino , Kelly Stahovic , Xiaoyi Ma , Vishal Gupta , Ayham Al Afif","doi":"10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101203","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101203","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Lymphoma commonly presents in the head and neck. Studies on the sensitivity of core needle biopsy (CNB) in diagnosing subtypes of lymphoma are mixed. We performed a meta-analysis of the existing literature to uncover the sensitivity of CNB in diagnosing lymphoma subtypes.</div></div><div><h3>Data sources</h3><div>PubMed, Embase by Elsevier</div></div><div><h3>Review methods</h3><div>Articles included examined the sensitivity of CNB by lymphoma subtype. We excluded articles that did not use CNB and lacked sufficient data. A random effect logistic regression model was used to pool sensitivity data. Pooled sensitivity estimates and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals were obtained from model estimates and all analyses were conducted at a significance of 0.05.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Screening yielded 32 articles (15 including Head and Neck nodes) with 3,027 biopsies. Across all subtypes, estimated sensitivity was 86.4 % (CI:76.1–96.7). There was significant heterogeneity among disease subtypes (<em>p</em> < 0.001). Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Mantle Cell (MCL) and Diffuse Large B Cell (DLBCL) lymphoma exhibited highest sensitivities at 97.8 % (CI:94.2–99.1), 97.0 % (CI:92.2–98.9), and 94.5 % (CI:91.44–96.5), respectively. Low Grade B Cell not otherwise specified, Natural Killer/T cell, and Angioimmunoblastic Lymphomas demonstrated lowest sensitivities at 71.0 % (CI:44.5–88.2), 75.4 % (CI:23.0–96.9), and 77.1 % (CI:54.2–90.5), respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>CNB is highly sensitive in the diagnosis of some lymphoma subtypes, particularly MCL, DLBCL and CLL. Knowledge of CNB performance relative to each subtype can aid in clinical decision making, as it pertains to treatment and the need for excisional biopsy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55193,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cancer","volume":"57 ","pages":"Article 101203"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143942079","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}
Current Problems in CancerPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-05-01DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101207
Dipak Limbachiya, Ayush Heda, Mahan Gowda
{"title":"Diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative frozen section in endometrial cancer: Correlation with final histopathology","authors":"Dipak Limbachiya, Ayush Heda, Mahan Gowda","doi":"10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101207","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101207","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Accurate intraoperative assessment of tumor characteristics for endometrial cancer, including histological type, grade, and depth of myometrial invasion (MI), is essential for determining the extent of surgery, particularly lymphadenectomy. This study aims to evaluate the concordance between intra-operative frozen section analysis (IFS) and final histopathology (FH) in endometrial cancer cases.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This retrospective analysis included 100 patients who underwent laparoscopic staging surgery for endometrial carcinoma between March 2018 and September 2024. Data on histological type, tumor grade, MI, lymph node involvement, and cervical/adnexal metastases were extracted from medical records. The diagnostic accuracy of IFS was assessed by comparing findings with FH. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and Cohen's kappa (κ) statistics were used to determine agreement levels.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>IFS demonstrated high concordance with FH for malignancy detection (97%, κ = 0.56). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 96.9%, 100%, 100%, and 40%, respectively. Tumor grading agreement was 78.2% (κ = 0.67), with the highest accuracy in Grade 3 tumors (sensitivity 85.0%, specificity 98.3%). MI assessment showed strong agreement (κ = 0.851) with 93.7% overall accuracy. Lymph node evaluation by IFS exhibited excellent agreement (κ = 0.942), with 98.3% accuracy.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>IFS is a reliable tool for intraoperative decision-making in endometrial cancer, particularly for malignancy detection, MI assessment, and lymph node evaluation. However, moderate concordance in tumor grading suggests caution in surgical decision-making based solely on IFS results. Future research should focus on optimizing frozen section protocols to improve diagnostic accuracy and streamline intraoperative management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55193,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cancer","volume":"57 ","pages":"Article 101207"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143891960","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}
Current Problems in CancerPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-06-17DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101221
Gabriella Gentile , Mariavita Ciccarone
{"title":"Management of fertility preservation in young female patients with gastrointestinal cancer: A case series and systematic literature review","authors":"Gabriella Gentile , Mariavita Ciccarone","doi":"10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101221","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101221","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers in young women pose significant challenges to fertility due to the gonadotoxic effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical interventions. While fertility preservation options exist, counseling remains underutilized, limiting patients' reproductive choices. This systematic review and case series examine the impact of GI cancer treatments on female fertility, available preservation techniques, pregnancy outcomes and sexual dysfunction. Despite advancements in fertility preservation, implementation remains suboptimal, underscoring the need for a multidisciplinary approach to improve counseling and reproductive outcomes. Raising awareness and promoting early intervention can enhance fertility preservation efforts and improve the quality of life for young female cancer survivors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55193,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cancer","volume":"57 ","pages":"Article 101221"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144297627","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}
Current Problems in CancerPub Date : 2025-08-01Epub Date: 2025-05-14DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101219
Ozlem Candan, Derya Demirtas, Fatma Temiz, Ahmet Mert Yanik, Asu Fergun Yilmaz, Isik Atagunduz, Ayse Tulin Tuglular, Tayfur Toptas
{"title":"Acute lymphoblastic leukemia following lenalidomide therapy in multiple myeloma patients: Two case reports and review of the literature","authors":"Ozlem Candan, Derya Demirtas, Fatma Temiz, Ahmet Mert Yanik, Asu Fergun Yilmaz, Isik Atagunduz, Ayse Tulin Tuglular, Tayfur Toptas","doi":"10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101219","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2025.101219","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Lenalidomide, as an immunomodulatory drug, has significantly contributed to advancements in hematologic malignancies. However, lenalidomide therapy has been associated with rare but severe complications, particularly therapy-related acute lymphoblastic leukemia (t-ALL). This study aims to contribute to understanding the clinical, genetic, and therapeutic characteristics of t-ALL following lenalidomide therapy. To achieve this, cases reported in the literature were reviewed, and a comprehensive evaluation was conducted with the addition of two new case reports.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A comprehensive review of published cases was conducted using databases such as PubMed and Scopus. Inclusion criteria focused on patients who developed ALL following lenalidomide therapy. Clinical findings, cytogenetic data, treatment protocols, and outcomes were analyzed alongside two new cases from our institution.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The findings revealed a diverse genetic landscape among patients with lenalidomide-associated t-ALL, with common abnormalities including TP53 mutations and hypodiploidy. The latency period for developing t-ALL after lenalidomide therapy varied widely, with a median duration of approximately 50 months (range: 6-126). Treatment strategies, such as intensive chemotherapy and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, showed variable efficacy, heavily influenced by cytogenetic risk factors and the presence of infections.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Lenalidomide-associated t-ALL represents a rare but clinically significant complication. Vigilant monitoring, early detection, and personalized therapeutic strategies are crucial for improving outcomes. This study emphasizes the importance of balancing the therapeutic benefits of lenalidomide against its potential risks and advocates for further multicenter studies to refine management protocols and discover predictive biomarkers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55193,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cancer","volume":"57 ","pages":"Article 101219"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143942020","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":"Information for Readers","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S0147-0272(25)00054-6","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S0147-0272(25)00054-6","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55193,"journal":{"name":"Current Problems in Cancer","volume":"57 ","pages":"Article 101227"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144614773","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}