Journal Description
Cancers
Cancers
is a peer-reviewed, open access journal of oncology, published semimonthly online by MDPI. The Irish Association for Cancer Research (IACR), Spanish Association for Cancer Research (ASEICA), Biomedical Research Centre (CIBM), British Neuro-Oncology Society (BNOS) and Spanish Group for Cancer Immuno-Biotherapy (GÉTICA) are affiliated with Cancers and their members receive a discount on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubMed, PMC, Embase, CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Oncology) / CiteScore - Q1 (Oncology)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 17.9 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Sections: published in 18 topical sections.
- Companion journals for Cancers include: Radiation and Onco.
Impact Factor:
5.2 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
5.6 (2022)
Latest Articles
The Many Roads from Alternative Splicing to Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms Involving Driver Genes
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2123; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112123 (registering DOI) - 1 Jun 2024
Abstract
Cancer driver genes are either oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes that are classically activated or inactivated, respectively, by driver mutations. Alternative splicing—which produces various mature mRNAs and, eventually, protein variants from a single gene—may also result in driving neoplastic transformation because of the
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Cancer driver genes are either oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes that are classically activated or inactivated, respectively, by driver mutations. Alternative splicing—which produces various mature mRNAs and, eventually, protein variants from a single gene—may also result in driving neoplastic transformation because of the different and often opposed functions of the variants of driver genes. The present review analyses the different alternative splicing events that result in driving neoplastic transformation, with an emphasis on their molecular mechanisms. To do this, we collected a list of 568 gene drivers of cancer and revised the literature to select those involved in the alternative splicing of other genes as well as those in which its pre-mRNA is subject to alternative splicing, with the result, in both cases, of producing an oncogenic isoform. Thirty-one genes fall into the first category, which includes splicing factors and components of the spliceosome and splicing regulators. In the second category, namely that comprising driver genes in which alternative splicing produces the oncogenic isoform, 168 genes were found. Then, we grouped them according to the molecular mechanisms responsible for alternative splicing yielding oncogenic isoforms, namely, mutations in cis splicing-determining elements, other causes involving non-mutated cis elements, changes in splicing factors, and epigenetic and chromatin-related changes. The data given in the present review substantiate the idea that aberrant splicing may regulate the activation of proto-oncogenes or inactivation of tumour suppressor genes and details on the mechanisms involved are given for more than 40 driver genes.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Alternative Splicing in Cancer)
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The Role of MRI in Breast Cancer and Breast Conservation Therapy
by
Iman Washington, Russell F. Palm, Julia White, Stephen A. Rosenberg and Dana Ataya
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2122; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112122 (registering DOI) - 1 Jun 2024
Abstract
Contrast-enhanced breast MRI has an established role in aiding in the detection, evaluation, and management of breast cancer. This article discusses MRI sequences, the clinical utility of MRI, and how MRI has been evaluated for use in breast radiotherapy treatment planning. We highlight
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Contrast-enhanced breast MRI has an established role in aiding in the detection, evaluation, and management of breast cancer. This article discusses MRI sequences, the clinical utility of MRI, and how MRI has been evaluated for use in breast radiotherapy treatment planning. We highlight the contribution of MRI in the decision-making regarding selecting appropriate candidates for breast conservation therapy and review the emerging role of MRI-guided breast radiotherapy.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Approaches in Radiotherapy for Cancer)
Open AccessArticle
Genetic Prognostic Factors in Adult Diffuse Gliomas: A 10-Year Experience at a Single Institution
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Amir Barzegar Behrooz, Hadi Darzi Ramandi, Hamid Latifi-Navid, Payam Peymani, Rahil Tarharoudi, Nasrin Momeni, Mohammad Mehdi Sabaghpour Azarian, Sherif Eltonsy, Ahmad Pour-Rashidi and Saeid Ghavami
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2121; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112121 (registering DOI) - 1 Jun 2024
Abstract
Gliomas are primary brain lesions involving cerebral structures without well-defined boundaries and constitute the most prevalent central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms. Among gliomas, glioblastoma (GB) is a glioma of the highest grade and is associated with a grim prognosis. We examined how clinical
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Gliomas are primary brain lesions involving cerebral structures without well-defined boundaries and constitute the most prevalent central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms. Among gliomas, glioblastoma (GB) is a glioma of the highest grade and is associated with a grim prognosis. We examined how clinical variables and molecular profiles may have affected overall survival (OS) over the past ten years. A retrospective study was conducted at Sina Hospital in Tehran, Iran and examined patients with confirmed glioma diagnoses between 2012 and 2020. We evaluated the correlation between OS in GB patients and sociodemographic as well as clinical factors and molecular profiling based on IDH1, O-6-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase (MGMT), TERTp, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification (EGFR-amp) status. Kaplan–Meier and multivariate Cox regression models were used to assess patient survival. A total of 178 patients were enrolled in the study. The median OS was 20 months, with a 2-year survival rate of 61.0%. Among the 127 patients with available IDH measurements, 100 (78.7%) exhibited mutated IDH1 (IDH1-mut) tumors. Of the 127 patients with assessed MGMT promoter methylation (MGMTp-met), 89 (70.1%) had MGMT methylated tumors. Mutant TERTp (TERTp-mut) was detected in 20 out of 127 cases (15.7%), while wildtype TERTp (wildtype TERTp-wt) was observed in 107 cases (84.3%). Analyses using multivariable models revealed that age at histological grade (p < 0.0001), adjuvant radiotherapy (p < 0.018), IDH1 status (p < 0.043), and TERT-p status (p < 0.014) were independently associated with OS. Our study demonstrates that patients with higher tumor histological grades who had received adjuvant radiotherapy exhibited IDH1-mut or presented with TERTp-wt experienced improved OS. Besides, an interesting finding showed an association between methylation of MGMTp and TERTp status with tumor location.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Findings, Insights and Perspectives on Central Nervous System Tumors)
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Open AccessArticle
Prognostic Impact of Mucin Expression in Curatively Resected Ampulla of Vater Cancer
by
Byeong Gwan Noh, Hyung Il Seo, Young Mok Park, Su-Bin Song, Suk Kim, Seung Baek Hong, Nam Kyung Lee, Jonghyun Lee, Tae In Kim, Chae Hwa Kwon and Ji Hyun Ahn
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2120; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112120 (registering DOI) - 1 Jun 2024
Abstract
Introduction: Mucins play a pivotal role in epithelial carcinogenesis; however, their role remains elusive in ampulla of Vater (AoV) cancer, regardless of histological subtype. Therefore, we investigated the clinical significance of MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6 expression in AoV cancer. Methods: Using
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Introduction: Mucins play a pivotal role in epithelial carcinogenesis; however, their role remains elusive in ampulla of Vater (AoV) cancer, regardless of histological subtype. Therefore, we investigated the clinical significance of MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6 expression in AoV cancer. Methods: Using samples from 68 patients with AoV cancer, we performed immunohistochemical staining for MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6 using a tissue microarray. Subsequently, we analyzed their expression patterns in relation to clinicopathological parameters and patient outcomes. Results: Of the patients, 98.5% exhibited positive expression for MUC1, while MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC6 were expressed in 44.1%, 47.1%, and 41.2% of the patients, respectively. Correlation analyses between mucin expression and clinicopathological factors revealed no significant associations, except between MUC5AC expression and N stage. Univariate analysis demonstrated significant associations between MUC5AC expression and overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis further confirmed that MUC5AC expression was a significant predictor of OS, along with the N stage. However, MUC5AC expression was not meaningfully associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS). The patients positive for MUC5AC expression had a considerably shorter OS than those with negative expression. Conclusions: Our study provides insights into the clinical impact of mucins on AoV cancer, regardless of the histological subtype. Although MUC1 expression is universal, MUC5AC expression is a significant prognostic indicator that correlates with lymph node metastasis and poor OS. These results emphasize the possible utility of MUC5AC as a biomarker for extensive lymph node dissection and the prognostic evaluation of patients with AoV cancer.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Clinical Studies of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma)
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Insights into MLH1 Methylation in Endometrial Adenocarcinoma through Pyrosequencing Analysis: A Retrospective Observational Study
by
Fábio França Vieira e Silva, Andrea Ballini, Vito Carlo Alberto Caponio, Mario Pérez-Sayáns, Marina Gándara Cortés, Laura Isabel Rojo-Álvarez, Abel García-García, José Manuel Suaréz-Peñaranda, Marina Di Domenico and María Elena Padín-Iruegas
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2119; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112119 (registering DOI) - 1 Jun 2024
Abstract
Background: In cancer care, the MLH1 gene is crucial for DNA mismatch repair (MMR), serving as a vital tumor suppressor. Evaluating MLH1 protein expression status, followed by analysis of MLH1 promoter methylation, has become a key diagnostic and prognostic approach. Our study
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Background: In cancer care, the MLH1 gene is crucial for DNA mismatch repair (MMR), serving as a vital tumor suppressor. Evaluating MLH1 protein expression status, followed by analysis of MLH1 promoter methylation, has become a key diagnostic and prognostic approach. Our study investigates the complex link between MLH1 methylation and prognosis in endometrial adenocarcinoma (EA) patients. Methodology: MLH1 methylation status was accessed by a Pyrosequencing (PSQ) assay. Qualitative positivity for methylation was established if it exceeded the 11% cut-off; as well, a quantitative methylation analysis was conducted to establish correlations with clinicopathological data, relapse-free survival, and disease-free survival. Results: Our study revealed that 33.3% of patients without MLH1 methylation experienced relapses, surpassing the 23.3% in patients with methylation. Furthermore, 16.7% of patients without methylation succumbed to death, with a slightly higher rate of 17.6% in methylated patients. Qualitative comparisons highlighted that the mean methylation rate in patients experiencing relapse was 35.8%, whereas in those without relapse, it was 42.2%. This pattern persisted in disease-specific survival (DSS), where deceased patients exhibited a higher mean methylation level of 49.1% compared to living patients with 38.8%. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the efficacy of PSQ for evaluating MLH1 methylation. While unmethylation appears to be associated with a higher relapse rate, the survival rate does not seem to be influenced by methylation. Quantitative percentages suggest that elevated MLH1 methylation is linked to relapse and mortality, though a study with a larger sample size would be essential for statistically significant results.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Research Advances in Endometrial Carcinoma)
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Flow Cytometry Profiling of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasms
by
Siba El Hussein and Wei Wang
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2118; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112118 (registering DOI) - 1 Jun 2024
Abstract
In this review, we aim to provide a summary of the diverse immunophenotypic presentations of distinct entities associated with plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) proliferation. These entities include the following: (1) blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN); (2) mature pDC proliferation (MPDCP), most commonly
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In this review, we aim to provide a summary of the diverse immunophenotypic presentations of distinct entities associated with plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) proliferation. These entities include the following: (1) blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN); (2) mature pDC proliferation (MPDCP), most commonly seen in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML); and (3) myeloid neoplasms with pDC differentiation, in which pDCs show a spectrum of maturation from early immature pDCs to mature forms, most commonly seen in acute myeloid leukemia (pDC-AML). Our aim is to provide a flow cytometry diagnostic approach to these distinct and sometimes challenging entities and to clarify the immunophenotypic spectrum of neoplastic pDCs in different disease presentations. In this review, we also cover the strategies in the evaluation of residual disease, as well as the challenges and pitfalls we face in the setting of immune and targeted therapy when evaluating residual disease by flow cytometry. The differential diagnosis will also be discussed, as blasts in some AML cases can have a pDC-like immunophenotype, mimicking pDCs.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Flow Cytometry of Hematological Malignancies)
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The Association of Ethnicity and Oncologic Outcomes for Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC)
by
Kiana Mahboubi, Steven C. Nakoneshny, Khara Sauro, Samuel Roberts, Rob Hart, T. Wayne Matthews, Joseph Dort and Shamir P. Chandarana
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2117; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112117 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
(1) Background: To compare oncologic outcomes of South Asian (SA) patients treated for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) to the general population. (2) Methods: Adult patients who underwent surgical resection of OSCC +/− adjuvant treatment between 2009 and 2022 (N = 697) at
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(1) Background: To compare oncologic outcomes of South Asian (SA) patients treated for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) to the general population. (2) Methods: Adult patients who underwent surgical resection of OSCC +/− adjuvant treatment between 2009 and 2022 (N = 697) at a regional cancer centre in Canada were included. SA patients, identified using a validated method, were compared to non-SA patients. Kaplan–Meier methods were used to compare the primary outcomes, disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) across baseline univariate characteristics, including betel nut consumption. Median follow-up time was 36.4 months. Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify independent predictors of survival with significance set at p < 0.05. (3) Results: SA patients (9% of cohort, N = 64) were significantly younger and had lower rates of smoking and alcohol consumption compared to non-SA patients (p < 0.05). SA patients had a two-fold higher risk of recurrence and significantly worse disease-specific survival, even after adjusting for stage and high-risk features [RFS: HR 2.01 (1.28–3.14), DSS: HR 1.79 (1.12–2.88)]. The consumption of betel nut was not associated with outcomes. (4) Conclusion: SA patients had significantly worse oncologic outcomes, even after controlling for known predictors of poor prognosis. These findings are novel and can inform personalized treatment decisions and influence public health policies when managing patients with different ethnic backgrounds.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Research of Cancer)
Open AccessArticle
Implementing Multifactorial Risk Assessment with Polygenic Risk Scores for Personalized Breast Cancer Screening in the Population Setting: Challenges and Opportunities
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Meghan J. Walker, Kristina M. Blackmore, Amy Chang, Laurence Lambert-Côté, Annie Turgeon, Antonis C. Antoniou, Kathleen A. Bell, Mireille J. M. Broeders, Jennifer D. Brooks, Tim Carver, Jocelyne Chiquette, Philippe Després, Douglas F. Easton, Andrea Eisen, Laurence Eloy, D. Gareth Evans, Samantha Fienberg, Yann Joly, Raymond H. Kim, Shana J. Kim, Bartha M. Knoppers, Aisha K. Lofters, Hermann Nabi, Jean-Sébastien Paquette, Nora Pashayan, Amanda J. Sheppard, Tracy L. Stockley, Michel Dorval, Jacques Simard and Anna M. Chiarelliadd
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Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2116; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112116 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Risk-stratified breast screening has been proposed as a strategy to overcome the limitations of age-based screening. A prospective cohort study was undertaken within the PERSPECTIVE I&I project, which will generate the first Canadian evidence on multifactorial breast cancer risk assessment in the population
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Risk-stratified breast screening has been proposed as a strategy to overcome the limitations of age-based screening. A prospective cohort study was undertaken within the PERSPECTIVE I&I project, which will generate the first Canadian evidence on multifactorial breast cancer risk assessment in the population setting to inform the implementation of risk-stratified screening. Recruited females aged 40–69 unaffected by breast cancer, with a previous mammogram, underwent multifactorial breast cancer risk assessment. The adoption of multifactorial risk assessment, the effectiveness of methods for collecting risk factor information and the costs of risk assessment were examined. Associations between participant characteristics and study sites, as well as data collection methods, were assessed using logistic regression; all p-values are two-sided. Of the 4246 participants recruited, 88.4% completed a risk assessment, with 79.8%, 15.7% and 4.4% estimated at average, higher than average and high risk, respectively. The total per-participant cost for risk assessment was CAD 315. Participants who chose to provide risk factor information on paper/telephone (27.2%) vs. online were more likely to be older (p = 0.021), not born in Canada (p = 0.043), visible minorities (p = 0.01) and have a lower attained education (p < 0.0001) and perceived fair/poor health (p < 0.001). The 34.4% of participants requiring risk factor verification for missing/unusual values were more likely to be visible minorities (p = 0.009) and have a lower attained education (p ≤ 0.006). This study demonstrates the feasibility of risk assessment for risk-stratified screening at the population level. Implementation should incorporate an equity lens to ensure cancer-screening disparities are not widened.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Era of Cancer Research: From Large-Scale Cohorts to Big-Data)
Open AccessReview
Phospholipid Acyltransferases: Characterization and Involvement of the Enzymes in Metabolic and Cancer Diseases
by
Jan Korbecki, Mateusz Bosiacki, Maciej Pilarczyk, Magdalena Gąssowska-Dobrowolska, Paweł Jarmużek, Izabela Szućko-Kociuba, Justyna Kulik-Sajewicz, Dariusz Chlubek and Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2115; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112115 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
This review delves into the enzymatic processes governing the initial stages of glycerophospholipid (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine) and triacylglycerol synthesis. The key enzymes under scrutiny include GPAT and AGPAT. Additionally, as most AGPATs exhibit LPLAT activity, enzymes participating in the Lands cycle with
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This review delves into the enzymatic processes governing the initial stages of glycerophospholipid (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine) and triacylglycerol synthesis. The key enzymes under scrutiny include GPAT and AGPAT. Additionally, as most AGPATs exhibit LPLAT activity, enzymes participating in the Lands cycle with similar functions are also covered. The review begins by discussing the properties of these enzymes, emphasizing their specificity in enzymatic reactions, notably the incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) into phospholipids. The paper sheds light on the intricate involvement of these enzymes in various diseases, including obesity, insulin resistance, and cancer. To underscore the relevance of these enzymes in cancer processes, a bioinformatics analysis was conducted. The expression levels of the described enzymes were correlated with the overall survival of patients across 33 different types of cancer using the GEPIA portal. This review further explores the potential therapeutic implications of inhibiting these enzymes in the treatment of metabolic diseases and cancer. By elucidating the intricate enzymatic pathways involved in lipid synthesis and their impact on various pathological conditions, this paper contributes to a comprehensive understanding of these processes and their potential as therapeutic targets.
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(This article belongs to the Section Tumor Microenvironment)
Open AccessArticle
Current Status and Management of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in the Gulf Region: Survey Results and Expert Opinion
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Giuseppe Saglio, Mohamed Yassin, Ahmad Alhuraiji, Amar Lal, Arif Alam, Faraz Khan, Fatima Khadada, Hani Osman, Islam Elkonaissi, Mahmoud Marashi, Mohamed Abuhaleeqa, Murtadha Al-Khabori, Ramesh Pandita, Salam Al-Kindi, Shakir Bahzad, Dayane Daou and Yasmin Al Qudah
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2114; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112114 - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Studies on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in the Gulf region are scarce, consisting of a survey and expert meeting that included 15 experts in 2023 which discussed CML diagnosis, testing, treatment objectives, toxicities, and discontinuation in the Gulf region. Most patients were reported
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Studies on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in the Gulf region are scarce, consisting of a survey and expert meeting that included 15 experts in 2023 which discussed CML diagnosis, testing, treatment objectives, toxicities, and discontinuation in the Gulf region. Most patients were reported to be in first-line therapy, and the most common treatments were imatinib/imatinib generic in first-line and dasatinib in second- and third-lines. Mutation analysis was not reported to be routinely performed at the time of diagnosis but rather in case of progression to accelerated/blast phase or any sign of loss of response. While all participants were aware that BCR-ABL should be monitored every three months during the first year of treatment, 10% reported monitoring BCR-ABL every six months in practice due to test cost and lab capability. The most important first-line therapy objective was “achievement of major molecular response” (MMR) in younger patients and “overall survival” in older ones. The most important treatment objectives were “MMR” and “early molecular response followed by prolongation of overall survival” in the short term and “treatment-free remission” in the long term. The current practices in CML in the Gulf region appear to be similar to global figures.
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(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy)
Open AccessArticle
The Role of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein (IGFBP)-2 in DNA Repair and Chemoresistance in Breast Cancer Cells
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Alaa Mohammedali, Kalina Biernacka, Rachel M. Barker, Jeff M. P. Holly and Claire M. Perks
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2113; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112113 - 31 May 2024
Abstract
The role if insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) in mediating chemoresistance in breast cancer cells has been demonstrated, but the mechanism of action is unclear. This study aimed to further investigate the role of IGFBP-2 in the DNA damage response induced by
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The role if insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) in mediating chemoresistance in breast cancer cells has been demonstrated, but the mechanism of action is unclear. This study aimed to further investigate the role of IGFBP-2 in the DNA damage response induced by etoposide in MCF-7, T47D (ER+ve), and MDA-MB-231 (ER-ve) breast cancer cell lines. In the presence or absence of etoposide, IGFBP-2 was silenced using siRNA in the ER-positive cell lines, or exogenous IGFBP-2 was added to the ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. Cell number and death were assessed using trypan blue dye exclusion assay, changes in abundance of proteins were monitored using Western blotting of whole cell lysates, and localization and abundance were determined using immunofluorescence and cell fractionation. Results from ER-positive cell lines demonstrated that upon exposure to etoposide, loss of IGFBP-2 enhanced cell death, and this was associated with a reduction in P-DNA-PKcs and an increase in γH2AX. Conversely, with ER-negative cells, the addition of IGFBP-2 in the presence of etoposide resulted in cell survival, an increase in P-DNA-PKcs, and a reduction in γH2AX. In summary, IGFBP-2 is a survival factor for breast cancer cells that is associated with enhancement of the DNA repair mechanism.
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(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Pathophysiology)
Open AccessArticle
Cryopreserved Thyroid Tissue Autotransplant in Pediatric Age Patients: A Feasibility Study and Literature Review
by
Claudio Spinelli, Marco Ghionzoli, Linda Idrissi Sahli, Silvia Visintainer, Carla Guglielmo, Chiara Cordola, Simone Lapi, Elisa Biagi, Angela Pucci, Riccardo Morganti, Silvia Martina Ferrari and Alessandro Antonelli
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2112; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112112 - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Background and aims: This paper aims to study an alternative solution to hormonal replacement therapy in specific groups of patients who underwent thyroidectomy during childhood or adulthood. After cryopreservation, thyroid autotransplantation could be an alternative solution which would allow us to use the
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Background and aims: This paper aims to study an alternative solution to hormonal replacement therapy in specific groups of patients who underwent thyroidectomy during childhood or adulthood. After cryopreservation, thyroid autotransplantation could be an alternative solution which would allow us to use the ability of the thyroid tissue of producing hormones according to the physiological needs of the body. Materials and methods: A feasibility study about the effects of the most modern cryopreservation techniques on the structural and functional integrity of the follicular cells of the thyroid tissue has been carried out. Patients who could benefit from the treatment have been found for both autotransplant techniques. Additionally, a literature review has been conducted. Results: The histological analysis has shown that cryopreservation does not alter the original architecture, and the culture examination that cell viability is successfully preserved. Moreover, both thyroid autotransplantation studies on animals and those on humans that were found in the literature have shown good results regarding the viability and functionality of the transplant. Conclusions: The viability of cryopreserved thyroid tissue found in this study is encouraging. Further studies to evaluate the levels of FT3, FT4 and thyroglobulin in thyroid tissue after cryopreservation are needed to verify that the secretory properties of the thyrocytes have been maintained intact. Furthermore, autotransplanted cases found in the literature do not have a long-term follow-up.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Classification, Risk Assessment and Clinical Management of Malignant Thyroid Nodules)
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Mutations in Mismatch Repair Genes and Microsatellite Instability Status in Pancreatic Cancer
by
Marina Emelyanova, Anna Ikonnikova, Alexander Pushkov, Elena Pudova, George Krasnov, Anna Popova, Ilya Zhanin, Darya Khomich, Ivan Abramov, Sergei Tjulandin, Dmitry Gryadunov and Ilya Pokataev
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2111; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112111 - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) showing mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency may benefit from immunotherapy. Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a hallmark of MMR deficiency (MMR-D). Here, we estimated the prevalence of MSI in PC, investigated germline and somatic mutations in the three MMR genes
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Patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) showing mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency may benefit from immunotherapy. Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a hallmark of MMR deficiency (MMR-D). Here, we estimated the prevalence of MSI in PC, investigated germline and somatic mutations in the three MMR genes (MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6), and assessed the relationship between MMR genes mutations and MSI status in PC. Clinical specimens from PC patients were analyzed using targeted next-generation sequencing, including paired normal and tumor specimens from 155 patients, tumor-only specimens from 86 patients, and normal-only specimens from 379 patients. The MSI status of 235 PCs was assessed via PCR. Pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) germline variants in the MMR genes were identified in 1.1% of patients, while somatic variants were found in 2.6% of patients. No MSI-H tumors were detected. One patient carried two variants (P (VAF = 0.57) and LP (VAF = 0.25)) simultaneously; however, their germline/somatic status remains unknown due to the investigation focusing solely on the tumor and MSI analysis was not performed for this patient. MSI is rare in PC, even in tumors with MMR genes mutations. Our findings underscore the importance of assessing tumor MMR-D status in PC patients with confirmed Lynch syndrome when deciding whether to prescribe immunotherapy.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Research in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma)
Open AccessArticle
Medication Risks and Their Association with Patient-Reported Outcomes in Inpatients with Cancer
by
Maximilian Günther, Markus Schuler, Leopold Hentschel, Hanna Salm, Marie-Therese Schmitz and Ulrich Jaehde
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2110; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112110 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Background: We aimed to assess medication risks and determine factors influencing the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in cancer inpatients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted to identify drug-related problems (DRPs) based on medication reviews, including patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Multiple linear regression analyses
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Background: We aimed to assess medication risks and determine factors influencing the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in cancer inpatients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted to identify drug-related problems (DRPs) based on medication reviews, including patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify sociodemographic, disease-related, and drug therapy-related factors influencing changes from hospital admission to discharge in the scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Results: A total of 162 inpatients with various hematological and solid cancer diseases was analyzed. Patients received a mean of 11.6 drugs and 92.6% of patients exhibited polymedication resulting in a mean of 4.0 DRPs per patient. Based on PRO data, 21.5% of DRPs were identified. Multiple linear regression models described the variance of the changes in global HRQOL and physical function in a weak-to-moderate way. While drug therapy-related factors had no influence, relapse status and duration of hospital stay were identified as significant covariates for global HRQOL and physical function, respectively. Conclusion: This analysis describes underlying DRPs in a German cancer inpatient population. PROs provided valuable information for performing medication reviews. The multiple linear regression models for global HRQOL and physical function provided explanations for changes during hospital stay.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Correlating Patient-Reported Quality of Life before, during, and after Therapy with Objective Measures and Outcomes)
Open AccessArticle
Fertility-Preserving Treatments and Patient- and Parental Satisfaction on Fertility Counseling in a Cohort of Newly Diagnosed Boys and Girls with Childhood Hodgkin Lymphoma
by
Katja C. E. Drechsel, Irene M. IJgosse, Sofie Slaats, Lisanne Raasen, Francis S. Stoutjesdijk, Eline van Dulmen-den Broeder, W. Hamish Wallace, Auke Beishuizen, Dieter Körholz, Christine Mauz-Körholz, Michaela Cepelova, Anne Uyttebroeck, Leila Ronceray, Gertjan J. L. Kaspers, Simone L. Broer and Margreet A. Veening
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2109; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112109 - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of fertility-preserving (FP) treatments and fertility counseling that was offered in a cohort of newly diagnosed children with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Methods: In this observational study, boys and girls
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Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of fertility-preserving (FP) treatments and fertility counseling that was offered in a cohort of newly diagnosed children with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL). Methods: In this observational study, boys and girls with cHL aged ≤ 18 years with scheduled treatment according to the EuroNet-PHL-C2 protocol were recruited from 18 sites (5 countries), between January 2017 and September 2021. In 2023, a subset of Dutch participants (aged ≥ 12 years at time of diagnosis) and parents/guardians were surveyed regarding fertility counseling. Results: A total of 101 boys and 104 girls were included. Most post-pubertal boys opted for semen cryopreservation pre-treatment (85% of expected). Invasive FP treatments were occasionally chosen for patients at a relatively low risk of fertility based on scheduled alkylating agent exposure (4/5 testicular biopsy, 4/4 oocyte, and 11/11 ovarian tissue cryopreservation). A total of 17 post-menarchal girls (20%) received GnRH-analogue co-treatment. Furthermore, 33/84 parents and 26/63 patients responded to the questionnaire. Most reported receiving fertility counseling (97%/89%). Statements regarding the timing and content of counseling were generally positive. Parents and patients considered fertility counseling important (94%/87% (strongly agreed) and most expressed concerns about (their child’s) fertility (at diagnosis 69%/46%, at present: 59%/42%). Conclusion: Systematic fertility counseling is crucial for all pediatric cHL patients and their families. FP treatment should be considered depending on the anticipated risk and patient factors. We encourage the development of a decision aid for FP in pediatric oncology.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Children’s Diseases, Family Management, and Quality of Life)
Open AccessArticle
Ponatinib as a Prophylactic or Pre-Emptive Strategy to Prevent Cytological Relapse after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Transplanted in Complete Cytological Remission
by
Anna Candoni, Patrizia Chiusolo, Davide Lazzarotto, Chiara Sartor, Michelina Dargenio, Sabina Chiaretti, Cristina Skert, Fabio Giglio, Silvia Trappolini, Nicola Stefano Fracchiolla, Sara Medici, Paola Bresciani, Angela Cuoghi and Cristina Papayannidis
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2108; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112108 - 31 May 2024
Abstract
The administration of TKIs after Allo-SCT in Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph + ALL) remains controversial, and the TKI approach (prophylactic, pre-emptive or salvage) is still heterogeneous in transplant centers. In this context, very little is known about the feasibility and safety
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The administration of TKIs after Allo-SCT in Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph + ALL) remains controversial, and the TKI approach (prophylactic, pre-emptive or salvage) is still heterogeneous in transplant centers. In this context, very little is known about the feasibility and safety of third-generation TKIs. In this paper, we analyze the efficacy and safety of ponatinib (PONA) administered after Allo-SCT to prevent cytologic relapse of Ph + ALL. This is a multicenter observational study including 48 patients (pts) with Ph + ALL (median age 49 years) who received PONA after Allo-SCT while in complete cytological remission (cCR); 26 (54%) had positive minimal residual disease (MRD pos) before Allo-SCT. PONA was administered after Allo-SCT prophylactically (starting with MRD neg) in 26 pts or pre-emptively (starting with MRD pos post-SCT and without hematological relapse) in 22 pts. Patients treated prophylactically with PONA started treatment earlier, at a median of 4.3 months (range 1.5–6) after Allo-SCT, than those treated pre-emptively, who started PONA at a median of 7.4 months (range 2–63) after Allo-SCT (p = 0.01). The median starting dose of PONA was 30 mg/day (range 15–45). A dose reduction was required in 10/48 (21%) of cases, but a permanent discontinuation of PONA, due to toxicity, was required in only 5/48 pts (10.5%). No deaths due to PONA-related adverse events (AEs) were reported. The median follow-up time after Allo-SCT was 34 months (range 7.7–118). At the last follow-up, the median duration of PONA therapy was 22 months (range 2–100). The 5-year OS and RFS after Allo-SCT were 92% and 71%, respectively. The 5-year RFS after Allo-SCT of pts who received PONA prophylaxis was 95%, and it was 57% for those who received PONA pre-emptively (log-rank p = 0.02). In conclusion, this multicenter analysis of 48 patients with Ph + ALL undergoing Allo-SCT while in CcR, although with the caution of the retrospective data, supports the feasibility of PONA maintenance strategy after Allo-SCT with a low rate of discontinuations (10.5%) due to PONA-related AE.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Hematological Malignancies)
Open AccessArticle
High-Risk Genotypes of Human Papillomavirus at Diverse Anogenital Sites among Chinese Women: Infection Features and Potential Correlation with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
by
Chao Zhao, Jiahui An, Mingzhu Li, Jingran Li, Yun Zhao, Jianliu Wang, Heidi Qunhui Xie and Lihui Wei
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2107; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112107 (registering DOI) - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Background: Both cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection at different anogenital sites, but the infection features of high-risk (HR) HPVs at these sites and their association with cervical lesions have not been well characterized. Given
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Background: Both cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection at different anogenital sites, but the infection features of high-risk (HR) HPVs at these sites and their association with cervical lesions have not been well characterized. Given the limitation of cervical HPV 16/18 test in screening patients with high-grade CIN (CIN 2+), studies on whether non-16/18 HR-HPV subtype(s) have potential as additional indicator(s) to improve CIN 2+ screening are needed. Methods: The infection of 15 HR-HPVs in vulva, anus, vagina, and cervix of 499 Chinese women was analyzed, and CIN lesion-associated HR-HPV subtypes were revealed. Results: In addition to the well-known cervical-cancer-associated HPV 16, 52, and 58, HPV 51, 53, and 56 were also identified as high-frequency detected subtypes prevalently and consistently present at the anogenital sites studied, preferentially in multi-infection patterns. HPV 16, 52, 58, 56, and 53 were the top five prevalent subtypes in patients with CIN 2+. In addition, we found that cervical HPV 33/35/52/53/56/58 co-testing with HPV 16/18 might improve CIN 2+ screening performance. Conclusion: This study provided a new insight into HR-HPV screening strategy based on different subtype combinations, which might be used in risk stratification clinically.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cervical Cancer: Screening and Treatment in 2024)
Open AccessArticle
Qualitative Classification of Late Systemic Symptoms in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors
by
Poppy Schoenberg, Elizabeth Wulff-Burchfield, David Schlundt, Kemberlee Bonnet, Mary Dietrich and Barbara Murphy
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2106; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112106 - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Improved rates of cancer control have increased the head and neck cancer survivor population. Cancer survivorship clinics are not widely available in the USA, and longitudinal supportive care for patients undergoing multimodal therapy has not advanced at a pace commensurate with improvements in
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Improved rates of cancer control have increased the head and neck cancer survivor population. Cancer survivorship clinics are not widely available in the USA, and longitudinal supportive care for patients undergoing multimodal therapy has not advanced at a pace commensurate with improvements in cancer control. Consequently, a large head and neck cancer survivor population whose quality of life may be chronically and/or permanently diminished presently exists. This lack of awareness perpetuates under-recognition and under-investigation, leaving survivors’ (mostly detrimental) experiences largely uncharted. We conducted a qualitative exploration of survivors’ experiences, aiming to unpack the profound impact of late systemic symptoms on daily life, encompassing work, relationships, and self-identity in the head and neck cancer survivor community. The study included 15 remitted head and neck survivors, ≥12 months from their final treatment, who participated in semi-structured interviews conducted by a medical oncologist. Data analysis comprised qualitative thematic analysis, specifically inductive hierarchical linear modeling, enriched by a deductive approach of anecdotal clinical reporting. Results highlighted that 43.36% of all quotation material discussed in the interviews pertained to chronic emotion disturbance with significant implications for other domains of life. A central symptom cluster comprised impairments in mood/emotions, daily activity, and significant fatigue. Dysfunction in sleep, other medical conditions, and cognitive deficits comprised a secondary cluster. Physical dysfunctionality, encompassing pain, appetite, and eating, and alterations in experienced body temperature, constituted a tertiary cluster, and perhaps were surprisingly the least discussed symptom burden among head and neck cancer survivors. Symptoms causing heightened long-term survivor burden may be considered epiphenomenal to central physical dysfunctionality, albeit being presently the least represented in cancer survivor care programs. Moving forward, the development of targeted and multi-dimensional treatment programs that encompass physical, psychosocial, and spiritual domains are needed to increase clinical specificity and effective holistic long-term solutions that will foster a more compassionate and informed future of care for the cancer survivorship community.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Advancements in Health-Related Quality of Life Research in Cancer Survivorship)
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Open AccessSystematic Review
MRI for Differentiation between HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review
by
Linda L. Chen, Iris Lauwers, Gerda Verduijn, Marielle Philippens, Renske Gahrmann, Marta E. Capala and Steven Petit
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2105; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112105 - 31 May 2024
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important risk factor for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). HPV-positive (HPV+) cases are associated with a different pathophysiology, microstructure, and prognosis compared to HPV-negative (HPV−) cases. This review aimed to investigate the potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
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Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important risk factor for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). HPV-positive (HPV+) cases are associated with a different pathophysiology, microstructure, and prognosis compared to HPV-negative (HPV−) cases. This review aimed to investigate the potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to discriminate between HPV+ and HPV− tumours and predict HPV status in OPSCC patients. A systematic literature search was performed on 15 December 2022 on EMBASE, MEDLINE ALL, Web of Science, and Cochrane according to PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-eight studies (n = 2634 patients) were included. Five, nineteen, and seven studies investigated structural MRI (e.g., T1, T2-weighted), diffusion-weighted MRI, and other sequences, respectively. Three out of four studies found that HPV+ tumours were significantly smaller in size, and their lymph node metastases were more cystic in structure than HPV− ones. Eleven out of thirteen studies found that the mean apparent diffusion coefficient was significantly higher in HPV− than HPV+ primary tumours. Other sequences need further investigation. Fourteen studies used MRI to predict HPV status using clinical, radiological, and radiomics features. The reported areas under the curve (AUC) values ranged between 0.697 and 0.944. MRI can potentially be used to find differences between HPV+ and HPV− OPSCC patients and predict HPV status with reasonable accuracy. Larger studies with external model validation using independent datasets are needed before clinical implementation.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma)
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Open AccessReview
When DNA Mutations Interplay with Cellular Proliferation: A Narrative History of Theories of Carcinogenesis
by
Laura El Nachef, Audrey Bouchet, Michel Bourguignon and Nicolas Foray
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2104; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112104 - 31 May 2024
Abstract
While cancer is one of the most documented diseases, how normal cells become cancerous is still debated. To address this question, in the first part of this review, we investigated the long succession of theories of carcinogenesis since antiquity. Initiated by Hippocrates, Aristotle,
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While cancer is one of the most documented diseases, how normal cells become cancerous is still debated. To address this question, in the first part of this review, we investigated the long succession of theories of carcinogenesis since antiquity. Initiated by Hippocrates, Aristotle, and Galen, the humoral theory interpreted cancer as an excess of acid, the black bile. The discovery of the circulation of blood by Harvey in 1628 destroyed the basis of the humoral theory but revived the spontaneous generation hypothesis which was also promoted by Aristotle. In 1859, the theory of microbes promoted by Pasteur demonstrated the irrelevance of this last theory and contributed to the emergence of the germ cancer theory, opposed to the cellular theory of cancer, in which cancer was supposed to be caused by microbes or transformed cells, respectively. These theories were progressively refined by the notions of initiation, promotion, and progression thanks to advances in mutagenesis and cellular proliferation. In the second part of this review, recent discoveries and paradigms in carcinogenesis, notably the role of the protein ATM, a major actor of the stress response involved in both mutagenesis and cellular proliferation, were discussed to better understand the current state of the art of carcinogenesis.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Causes, Screening and Diagnosis)
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