Oncology Treatment Discovery

Clinical Analysis of Endoscopic Esophageal Dilation Combined with Mitomycin in the Treatment of Corrosive Esophageal Stenosis in Children

Shiwu Yang — 2025-09-17

Objective: To explore the clinical application of endoscopic esophageal dilation combined with mitomycin in the treatment of corrosive esophageal stenosis in children. Methods: Twenty children with corrosive esophageal stenosis treated in our hospital from August 2023 to March 2025 were selected and divided into an intervention group (n = 10, combined with mitomycin) and a control group (n = 10, simple dilation) according to the treatment plan. The Stooler swallowing grade, diameter of the stenotic segment, total effective rate, number of dilations, and complications were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: After treatment, the swallowing function improved in both groups, but the increase in the diameter of the stenotic segment was greater in the intervention group (P < 0.05), and the total effective rate was higher (P < 0.05). The average number of dilations in the intervention group (3.20 ± 1.03) was significantly less than that in the control group (5.00 ± 1.63) (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups, mainly mild bleeding and chest pain. Conclusion: Combined mitomycin can improve efficacy, reduce treatment frequency, and has good safety, which is worthy of priority clinical application.

Studying the Impact of Skin Dose on Post-Mastectomy Radiotherapy Planning for Breast Cancer

Wenlan Fu — 2025-10-16

Objective: To investigate the impact of skin dose on post-mastectomy radiotherapy planning for breast cancer. Methods: Sixty patients undergoing radiotherapy after radical mastectomy for breast cancer were collected as research subjects and divided into a traditional group P1 and a newly designed group P2. The traditional method and a new method with the skin as an organ at risk (OAR) for dose limitation were used to set up the plans. The differences between the radiotherapy plans of the two groups were compared. All patients were followed up, focusing on the occurrence of acute skin reactions ≥ grade 2, to analyze whether limiting skin dose ultimately benefits patients. Results: According to Tables 1, 2, and 3, there was no significant increase in the target dose and the irradiated dose to organs at risk (P > 0.05). Table 4 shows that the maximum skin dose decreased by 1.95%, V107% and V110% decreased by 57.32% and 73.68%, respectively, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Table 5 reveals that among patients without skin dose limitation, 7 developed acute skin reactions ≥ grade 2, whereas only 3 developed such reactions after limitation. Although the incidence of acute skin reactions ≥ grade 2 decreased by 13.33%, the statistical results showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Limiting skin dose by considering it an organ at risk can significantly reduce the irradiated skin dose. However, reducing the skin dose in breast cancer patients does not significantly decrease the incidence of acute skin reactions ≥ grade 2. This suggests that reducing the skin dose in breast cancer patients does not significantly benefit them.

Advances in the Study of mRNA Vaccines and Their Application in Tumor Therapy

Yuanyuan Zeng — 2025-10-16

The active ingredients of traditional vaccines are pathogen antigens, mainly proteins, extracted from cells, and their production relies on large-scale cell culture, which greatly limits the speed of vaccine production and makes it difficult for humans to face large-scale epidemics such as COVID-19. In contrast, mRNA vaccine production technology is a vaccine production technology independent of cell culture. In the 1980s mRNA in vitro transcription methods were invented, in which the mRNA could encode the most effective proteins, which greatly increased the production rate. However, the body’s immune system can recognize foreign mRNA, which can trigger an inflammatory response and greatly reduce the amount of mRNA in the body and the efficiency of translation. The nucleotide in mRNA is modified by adding a Cap at 5’ end ^[1], adding Poly(A) tail at 3’ end, optimization of UTR, optimization of ORF codon, nucleoside, etc., can play a role in protecting the mRNA from being broken down by enzymes, and greatly reduce immune response triggered by mRNA. At present, there are three mRNA tumor vaccines entering the clinical application stage, namely: naked mRNA cancer vaccine, formulation mRNA cancer vaccine and dendritic cell vaccine. In the future, mRNA vaccines are expected to become effective drugs for tumor therapy. This paper reviews the working principle, mechanism and research progress of mRNA vaccines, the base modification of mRNA vaccines, and the application of mRNA vaccines in tumor therapy, with a view to providing theoretical references for the subsequent research on mRNA vaccines.

Establishment and Real-World Application of an Adverse Reaction Monitoring System for Targeted Therapy of Antitumor Drugs

Xiaoyan Li — 2025-10-16

This multicenter prospective observational study aims to construct an adverse reaction monitoring system for molecular targeted antitumor drugs and explore its real-world application. By recruiting patients receiving molecular targeted therapy from outpatient, inpatient, and pharmacy settings, we collected comprehensive data including patient demographics, disease information, treatment regimens, and adverse reactions. The adverse reactions were graded according to CTCAE v5.0. With a planned enrollment of at least 100,000 patients over five years, this study will conduct descriptive analysis and build prediction models for adverse reactions. The results will contribute to establishing a national monitoring network and database, updating clinical guidelines, and enhancing the safety of molecular targeted therapy.

Research on Ultrasound Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules: A Bibliometric Analysis

Xiaodi Chen — 2025-10-16

Objective: To evaluate global research trends and outputs on the ultrasound diagnosis of thyroid nodules using bibliometric analysis. Methods: The study searched the Web of Science Core Collection for publications on thyroid nodule ultrasound diagnosis (2000–2025). Relevant literature data (publication year, countries, institutions, authors, journals, keywords, and citations) were extracted. Bibliometric analyses were performed using VOSviewer to map collaboration networks, research hotspots, and co-citation patterns. Results: A total of over 8,000 publications were included. Annual output rose from 25 in 2000 to 390 in 2022. The United States and China together contributed more than one-third, with the U.S. leading by citations and China showing rapid growth. Leading institutions were concentrated in East Asia and North America, especially Korea and China. Author networks revealed strong collaboration among Korean radiologists. The thyroid was the most productive and most-cited journal. Keyword co-occurrence clustered around ultrasound risk stratification, FNA cytology and molecular testing, and management strategies. Co-citation analysis highlighted guidelines, particularly the 2015 ATA statement, as central to the knowledge network. Conclusion: Research on ultrasound diagnosis of thyroid nodules has expanded rapidly over the past two decades, with Asia and North America at the forefront. Collaboration networks reveal regional clusters and prolific contributor groups. The literature emphasizes differentiating benign from malignant nodules via standardized ultrasound risk stratification and adjunct FNA, while emerging trends include the integration of advanced imaging techniques, artificial intelligence, and nonsurgical therapies. These bibliometric insights map the evolution of this field and can guide future research and international collaboration.

Investigation of Potential Biological Mechanisms Linking Blood Lipids and Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Aoxiong Zhou — 2025-10-16

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common malignancy with a heterogeneous etiology. Circulating total cholesterol (TC), apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) may influence tumorigenesis via metabolic, inflammatory, and immune pathways. The causal relationship and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study systematically evaluated lipid-related genetic variants and HNSCC risk. Methods: Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) using genome-wide association study (GWAS) data assessed causal effects of TC, ApoA-I, and LDL-C on head and neck cancer (HNC). Significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were functionally annotated and subjected to pathway enrichment. Candidate genes were analyzed in GEPIA2, TIMER3.0, and cBioPortal for differential expression (DE), survival, immune infiltration, and clinical stage associations. Results: MR revealed no significant causal effects (P>0.05). Positive effect group SNPs are enriched in cytochrome P450 (CYP450)-mediated xenobiotic metabolism; negative effect group SNPs are enriched in monocarboxylic acid and alcohol metabolism pathways, suggesting protective metabolic adaptation. DE analysis showed ADH1B downregulation and FADS1/2, PARP9, and SEMA7A upregulation. Immune infiltration linked these genes to CD8⁺ T cells, M1/M2 macrophages, regulatory T cells (Treg), cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), and NK cells, with ADH1B downregulation associated with immunotherapy response. ALDH1A2, EVI5, and LCAT, though not DE, exhibited prognostic value, with expression increasing in advanced stages. Conclusion: Lipid-related variants may influence HNSCC via opposing mechanisms: CYP450/inflammation versus metabolic adaptation/alcohol pathways. ADH1B and FADS1/2, PARP9, SEMA7A regulate tumor metabolism and immune microenvironment; ALDH1A2, EVI5, and LCAT hold prognostic potential. These findings provide mechanistic insight and candidate molecular targets for HNSCC prediction and intervention.

Molecular Targets and Developmental Potential of Alkaloid Monomers from Traditional Chinese Medicine as Anticancer Agents

Beiqi Yang — 2025-10-16

Plant-derived alkaloids exhibit significant anticancer potential, yet their multi-target mechanisms, spanning signaling pathways, programmed cell death, immunity, and metabolism, remain fragmented. This narrative review synthesizes recent preclinical evidence on five representative alkaloids: dendrobine (DDB), aloperine (ALO), levo-tetrahydropalmatine (L-THP), solamargine (SM), and cyclovirobuxine D (CVB-D). Using a dual-framework of compound-specific analysis and key regulatory modules (NF-κB, MAPK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK/STAT; apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis; immune checkpoints; metabolism/microbiota), the study identified convergent anticancer mechanisms with translational relevance. These alkaloids consistently suppress NF-κB, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and MAPK pathways, and modulate JAK/STAT signaling. They induce apoptosis and ferroptosis, and block autophagic flux. Notably, EVO and SM downregulate PD-L1 via the MUC1-C/NF-κB/c-MYC axis, enhancing CD8⁺ T cell function. L-THP activates AMPK and remodels tumor metabolism. These mechanistic insights support rational co-therapies such as L-THP plus metabolic inhibitors, or ALO combined with bispecific immune checkpoint inhibitors. Overall, these alkaloids demonstrate systemic, multi-pathway anticancer efficacy, and represent promising partners in precision combination therapy. Clinical translation should prioritize formulation and pharmacokinetic optimization, biomarker-guided stratification, and preclinical validation of synergistic regimens.

Esophageal Carcinoma with Small-Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Component and Lymph Node Metastasis Mixed with Poorly Differentiated Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Rare Case Report

Binghui Ding — 2025-10-17

This study reports a case of a 74-year-old male patient with esophageal carcinoma who presented two months before admission with dysphagia and chest pain during meals. Preoperative imaging and biopsy revealed a mixed esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma and non-neuroendocrine carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma, SCC), with small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC) comprising the predominant component (65%). Based on the preferences of the patient and his family, surgical treatment was performed first. Postoperative pathological examination revealed poorly differentiated SCC as the predominant component (approximately 90%), with SCNEC accounting for about 10% and lymph node metastasis present, indicating that the NEC component exhibited marked aggressiveness. This case highlights the importance of multiple deep preoperative biopsies and calls for a reevaluation of the WHO definition of Mixed Neuroendocrine-Non-Neuroendocrine Neoplasm (MiNEN), particularly the 30% threshold. Further clinical studies are warranted to refine the diagnostic criteria and therapeutic strategies for MiNEN to improve patient outcomes.

Exploring the Potential Biological Relationship Between Hypothyroidism and Gastric Cancer: Focus on SH2B3

Chengju Huang — 2025-10-16

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignancy worldwide, and its development is influenced by genetic, metabolic, and immune microenvironmental factors. Hypothyroidism (HT), characterized by decreased thyroid hormone levels, has been suggested to influence tumor biology, but the molecular mechanisms linking HT to GC remain unclear. Methods: Based on Mendelian randomization (MR) studies identifying HT-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the study annotated candidate genes using the Ensembl database and analyzed their differential expression in GC and normal tissues using GEPIA2. Functional enrichment analysis was performed using Metascape, and survival analysis was conducted with Kaplan–Meier Plotter. The study further evaluated the immune infiltration and clinicopathological associations of prioritized genes to investigate their potential roles in GC progression and therapeutic implications. Results: Among 121 candidate genes, 24 were differentially expressed in GC. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these genes participate in cytokine response, angiogenesis, hemostasis, immune cell regulation, and autoimmune disease pathways. Survival analysis highlighted SH2B3 as a pivotal gene whose high expression correlated with poorer overall survival. Immune infiltration analysis revealed that SH2B3 expression positively correlated with CD8⁺ T cells, neutrophils, and cancer-associated fibroblasts, but negatively with myeloid-derived suppressor cells, suggesting a complex role in shaping the tumor immune microenvironment. Clinicopathological analysis demonstrated an increasing SH2B3 expression with tumor stage, grade, T/N/M classification, and copy number alterations. Conclusion: SH2B3 may serve as a key regulator bridging HT and GC by influencing tumor progression and immune microenvironment dynamics. These findings provide novel molecular and immunological insights into the potential protective role of HT in GC and underscore SH2B3 as a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.