Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-10-30DOI: 10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152433
Pengpeng Su , Qianfeng Xu , Yan Wang , Wenjie Xie , Jundong Lin , Yangjia Zhuo , Jianheng Ye , Jianming Lu , Zhaodong Han , Fen Zou , Qishan Dai , Weide Zhong
Micron-sized (1 µm - 100 µm) and submicron-sized (100 nm–1 µm) silica particles are prevalent in both natural environments and areas influenced by human activities. Their environmental forms, origins, and pathways of human exposure differ markedly from those of nanoscale silica. Empirical studies have demonstrated that silica can induce cellular oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as inhibit the activity of key enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, such as isocitrate dehydrogenase. This inhibition can promote tumor cell proliferation and invasion. Furthermore, silica may activate the HIF-1α/mTOR signaling axis, leading to the upregulation of glucose transporter GLUT1 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA), thereby enhancing glycolytic metabolic flux. Concurrently, it may inhibit fatty acid β-oxidation, resulting in abnormal lipid accumulation and the promotion of pro-inflammatory mediator release. In summary, the accumulation of submicron silica within the bodies of cancer patients has the potential to induce metabolic disorders. Such metabolic reprogramming may influence the progression of prostate cancer (PCa) and adversely impact postoperative quality of life. In this study, we demonstrated that prolonged exposure of the lungs to submicron silica particles can induce alterations in lipid metabolism in PCa and significantly enhance the proliferation and invasive capacity of PCa cells. Consequently, elucidating the mechanisms underlying silica-induced metabolic imbalance holds substantial clinical significance for enhancing the prognosis of patients with tumors related to exposure.
{"title":"Submicron silica particles drives prostate cancer aggressiveness via lipid-metabolic reprogramming","authors":"Pengpeng Su , Qianfeng Xu , Yan Wang , Wenjie Xie , Jundong Lin , Yangjia Zhuo , Jianheng Ye , Jianming Lu , Zhaodong Han , Fen Zou , Qishan Dai , Weide Zhong","doi":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152433","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152433","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Micron-sized (1 µm - 100 µm) and submicron-sized (100 nm–1 µm) silica particles are prevalent in both natural environments and areas influenced by human activities. Their environmental forms, origins, and pathways of human exposure differ markedly from those of nanoscale silica. Empirical studies have demonstrated that silica can induce cellular oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, as well as inhibit the activity of key enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, such as isocitrate dehydrogenase. This inhibition can promote tumor cell proliferation and invasion. Furthermore, silica may activate the HIF-1α/mTOR signaling axis, leading to the upregulation of glucose transporter GLUT1 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA), thereby enhancing glycolytic metabolic flux. Concurrently, it may inhibit fatty acid β-oxidation, resulting in abnormal lipid accumulation and the promotion of pro-inflammatory mediator release. In summary, the accumulation of submicron silica within the bodies of cancer patients has the potential to induce metabolic disorders. Such metabolic reprogramming may influence the progression of prostate cancer (PCa) and adversely impact postoperative quality of life. In this study, we demonstrated that prolonged exposure of the lungs to submicron silica particles can induce alterations in lipid metabolism in PCa and significantly enhance the proliferation and invasive capacity of PCa cells. Consequently, elucidating the mechanisms underlying silica-induced metabolic imbalance holds substantial clinical significance for enhancing the prognosis of patients with tumors related to exposure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"53 1","pages":"Article 152433"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145669677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-11-08DOI: 10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152439
Lijun Zhang , Chengyuan Li , Jianing Zhou , Xiang Zhang , Haisheng Fang , Jingsheng Cai , Houchao Tong , Jianfei Wen , Heda Zhang , Meiping Shen , Yan Si
Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) exhibits aggressive behaviors such as tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis that critically influence prognosis, yet reliable predictors of invasiveness remain elusive. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms through which ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T (UBE2T) drives PTC progression. Bioinformatics analysis of TCGA/GEO datasets and validation with institutional clinical samples revealed UBE2T overexpression correlated with advanced clinicopathological features. Functional experiments demonstrated that UBE2T overexpression enhanced PTC cell invasiveness, while its knockdown suppressed malignant behaviors. Mechanistically, co-immunoprecipitation identified cytokine signaling suppressor 2 (SOCS2) as a key interactor mediating UBE2T's effects on JAK-STAT3 pathway activation. Rescue experiments and immunofluorescence confirmed UBE2T promotes oncogenesis by destabilizing SOCS2, thereby relieving its inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation. These findings establish UBE2T as a novel regulator of PTC progression through SOCS2/JAK-STAT3 axis manipulation, providing potential therapeutic targets to mitigate metastasis and recurrence in aggressive thyroid carcinomas.
{"title":"UBE2T promotes papillary thyroid carcinoma progression by activating the JAK/STAT3 pathway via negative regulation of SOCS2","authors":"Lijun Zhang , Chengyuan Li , Jianing Zhou , Xiang Zhang , Haisheng Fang , Jingsheng Cai , Houchao Tong , Jianfei Wen , Heda Zhang , Meiping Shen , Yan Si","doi":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152439","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152439","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) exhibits aggressive behaviors such as tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis that critically influence prognosis, yet reliable predictors of invasiveness remain elusive. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms through which ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2T (UBE2T) drives PTC progression. Bioinformatics analysis of TCGA/GEO datasets and validation with institutional clinical samples revealed UBE2T overexpression correlated with advanced clinicopathological features. Functional experiments demonstrated that UBE2T overexpression enhanced PTC cell invasiveness, while its knockdown suppressed malignant behaviors. Mechanistically, co-immunoprecipitation identified cytokine signaling suppressor 2 (SOCS2) as a key interactor mediating UBE2T's effects on JAK-STAT3 pathway activation. Rescue experiments and immunofluorescence confirmed UBE2T promotes oncogenesis by destabilizing SOCS2, thereby relieving its inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation. These findings establish UBE2T as a novel regulator of PTC progression through SOCS2/JAK-STAT3 axis manipulation, providing potential therapeutic targets to mitigate metastasis and recurrence in aggressive thyroid carcinomas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"53 1","pages":"Article 152439"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145661207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-11-04DOI: 10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152438
SuleimanIbrahim Mohammad , A.K. Kareem , Asokan Vasudevan , MM Rekha , Majid S. Jabir , PriyaPriyadarshini Nayak , Zahraa AlKhafaje , Vimal Arora , WesamR Kadhum , Kattela Chennakesavulu
The programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint is a primary mechanism by which tumors evade immune surveillance, limiting the efficacy of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Although immune checkpoint blockade therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, their efficacy is restricted by acquired resistance, T-cell exhaustion, and tumor heterogeneity. The advent of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing provides a precise and versatile approach to disrupt PD-1 or PD-L1, directly enhancing anti-tumor immune responses. Preclinical studies demonstrate that ex vivo PD-1 knockout in primary human T cells or TILs enhances proliferation, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity, resulting in improved tumor clearance in xenograft and humanized mouse models. In chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, CRISPR-mediated disruption of PD-1 improves effector function, persistence, and resistance to exhaustion, with universal and allogeneic CAR-T platforms benefiting from multiplex genome editing. Direct PD-L1 knockout in tumor cells, often facilitated via nanoparticle- or biomaterial-assisted delivery, reshapes the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, promotes T cell infiltration, and enhances the efficacy of adoptive cellular therapy. Combination approaches integrating PD-1 editing with viral antigen targeting, long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) modulation, or conventional checkpoint blockade demonstrate synergistic anti-tumor effects. Clinically, early-phase trials in non-small cell lung cancer, mesothelin-positive solid tumors, and hematological malignancies establish the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of PD-1-deficient T cells. Despite these promising outcomes, challenges such as off-target effects, delivery efficiency, immunogenicity, long-term persistence, and regulatory considerations remain. This review aims to comprehensively evaluate preclinical and clinical studies investigating CRISPR-mediated PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition across various cancers, summarize mechanistic insights, and highlight translational opportunities and challenges for clinical implementation.
{"title":"Genome editing of immune checkpoints: CRISPR-mediated PD-1 inhibition in cancer","authors":"SuleimanIbrahim Mohammad , A.K. Kareem , Asokan Vasudevan , MM Rekha , Majid S. Jabir , PriyaPriyadarshini Nayak , Zahraa AlKhafaje , Vimal Arora , WesamR Kadhum , Kattela Chennakesavulu","doi":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152438","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152438","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint is a primary mechanism by which tumors evade immune surveillance, limiting the efficacy of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Although immune checkpoint blockade therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, their efficacy is restricted by acquired resistance, T-cell exhaustion, and tumor heterogeneity. The advent of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing provides a precise and versatile approach to disrupt PD-1 or PD-L1, directly enhancing anti-tumor immune responses. Preclinical studies demonstrate that ex vivo PD-1 knockout in primary human T cells or TILs enhances proliferation, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity, resulting in improved tumor clearance in xenograft and humanized mouse models. In chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, CRISPR-mediated disruption of PD-1 improves effector function, persistence, and resistance to exhaustion, with universal and allogeneic CAR-T platforms benefiting from multiplex genome editing. Direct PD-L1 knockout in tumor cells, often facilitated via nanoparticle- or biomaterial-assisted delivery, reshapes the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, promotes T cell infiltration, and enhances the efficacy of adoptive cellular therapy. Combination approaches integrating PD-1 editing with viral antigen targeting, long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) modulation, or conventional checkpoint blockade demonstrate synergistic anti-tumor effects. Clinically, early-phase trials in non-small cell lung cancer, mesothelin-positive solid tumors, and hematological malignancies establish the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of PD-1-deficient T cells. Despite these promising outcomes, challenges such as off-target effects, delivery efficiency, immunogenicity, long-term persistence, and regulatory considerations remain. This review aims to comprehensively evaluate preclinical and clinical studies investigating CRISPR-mediated PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition across various cancers, summarize mechanistic insights, and highlight translational opportunities and challenges for clinical implementation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"53 1","pages":"Article 152438"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145614817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-10-24DOI: 10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152425
Dawid Sigorski , Anna Kasprzyk-Pawelec , Maciej Michalak , Roman Sosnowski , Michał M. Hryciuk , Aleksandra Sejda , Jacek Gulczyński , Joanna Kitlinska , Sergiusz Nawrocki , Ewa Iżycka-Świeszewska
Prostate cancer (PCa) constitutes an important health challenge worldwide. The nervous system, in a complex and multimodal manner, regulates prostate physiology and PCa development and affects the course of the disease. The phenomena of axonogenesis and neurogenesis, first described in PCa, were a breakthrough discovery that changed our understanding of cancer-nerve crosstalk. Different nerve types within the cancer stroma and tumor surroundings create complex interactions between the cancer microenvironment elements based on neurotransmission, affecting the hallmarks of cancer. The most common form of PCa and nerve interaction is the perineural invasion (PNI), which recently has been suggested as a driver of metastases. Additionally, many preclinical discoveries depict the molecular mechanisms of altered nerve activity, showing the pivotal role of sympathetic and parasympathetic signaling systems in localized and advanced PCa, axon-guidance molecules and neurotrophin. The neuroendocrine switch in advanced PCa is one of reasons of lethal, castration-resistant phase of the disease. Knowledge about the infiltration status of the periprostatic nerves present in radiological imaging is important for urologists in planning the treatment. Although some studies suggest that PNI and nerve density may be prognostic factors in PCa, it is necessary to evaluate these indicators better and apply them to practice. The neural-based therapeutic application in PCa is limited currently. Some studies showed that β blockers reduce PCa-specific mortality and neuroendocrine differentiation potential. This review provides a comprehensive, up-to date synthesis of PCa neurobiology, uniquely integrating both preclinial and clinical perspectives.
{"title":"The nervous system in prostate cancer: A basic science and clinical perspective","authors":"Dawid Sigorski , Anna Kasprzyk-Pawelec , Maciej Michalak , Roman Sosnowski , Michał M. Hryciuk , Aleksandra Sejda , Jacek Gulczyński , Joanna Kitlinska , Sergiusz Nawrocki , Ewa Iżycka-Świeszewska","doi":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152425","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152425","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prostate cancer (PCa) constitutes an important health challenge worldwide. The nervous system, in a complex and multimodal manner, regulates prostate physiology and PCa development and affects the course of the disease. The phenomena of axonogenesis and neurogenesis, first described in PCa, were a breakthrough discovery that changed our understanding of cancer-nerve crosstalk. Different nerve types within the cancer stroma and tumor surroundings create complex interactions between the cancer microenvironment elements based on neurotransmission, affecting the hallmarks of cancer. The most common form of PCa and nerve interaction is the perineural invasion (PNI), which recently has been suggested as a driver of metastases. Additionally, many preclinical discoveries depict the molecular mechanisms of altered nerve activity, showing the pivotal role of sympathetic and parasympathetic signaling systems in localized and advanced PCa, axon-guidance molecules and neurotrophin. The neuroendocrine switch in advanced PCa is one of reasons of lethal, castration-resistant phase of the disease. Knowledge about the infiltration status of the periprostatic nerves present in radiological imaging is important for urologists in planning the treatment. Although some studies suggest that PNI and nerve density may be prognostic factors in PCa, it is necessary to evaluate these indicators better and apply them to practice. The neural-based therapeutic application in PCa is limited currently. Some studies showed that β blockers reduce PCa-specific mortality and neuroendocrine differentiation potential. This review provides a comprehensive, up-to date synthesis of PCa neurobiology, uniquely integrating both preclinial and clinical perspectives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"53 1","pages":"Article 152425"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145365665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-11-03DOI: 10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152430
Shabana Sharif, Upma Sharma, Ashok Kumar Yadav
In the twenty-first century, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has transformed cancer immunotherapy by offering novel approaches and life-saving treatments for illnesses that were previously incurable. This method is currently being used in clinical trials for solid tumors like prostate cancer and glioblastoma, as well as viral and autoimmune illnesses. It has demonstrated impressive efficacy in treating a variety of hematological malignancies. Harvesting a patient's T cells, genetically modifying them using viral vectors to express CARs that target specific antigens, and then reintroducing the altered cells into the patient is the process of CAR-T cell therapy. These CAR-T cells detect and destroy target cells specifically, regardless of the presence of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen. The major turning points in the development of CAR-T cells, from their creation to their use in medicine, are highlighted in this overview. It describes how CAR-T cells were developed historically, highlights the significant advancements that have made them a ground-breaking treatment, and talks about the obstacles that still need to be overcome, such as the high cost of production, restricted availability, and toxicity problems like cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. The review also looks at the field's future developments with the goals of increasing therapeutic uses, minimizing toxicity, and maximizing efficacy. With safer and more efficient CAR T cell therapies being developed, we are optimistic that a larger group of cancer patients may soon benefit from this innovative treatment.
{"title":"CAR-T cell therapy: A therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment","authors":"Shabana Sharif, Upma Sharma, Ashok Kumar Yadav","doi":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152430","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152430","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the twenty-first century, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has transformed cancer immunotherapy by offering novel approaches and life-saving treatments for illnesses that were previously incurable. This method is currently being used in clinical trials for solid tumors like prostate cancer and glioblastoma, as well as viral and autoimmune illnesses. It has demonstrated impressive efficacy in treating a variety of hematological malignancies. Harvesting a patient's T cells, genetically modifying them using viral vectors to express CARs that target specific antigens, and then reintroducing the altered cells into the patient is the process of CAR-T cell therapy. These CAR-T cells detect and destroy target cells specifically, regardless of the presence of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen. The major turning points in the development of CAR-T cells, from their creation to their use in medicine, are highlighted in this overview. It describes how CAR-T cells were developed historically, highlights the significant advancements that have made them a ground-breaking treatment, and talks about the obstacles that still need to be overcome, such as the high cost of production, restricted availability, and toxicity problems like cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. The review also looks at the field's future developments with the goals of increasing therapeutic uses, minimizing toxicity, and maximizing efficacy. With safer and more efficient CAR T cell therapies being developed, we are optimistic that a larger group of cancer patients may soon benefit from this innovative treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"52 6","pages":"Article 152430"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145445690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-16DOI: 10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152410
Jitendra Gupta , Furqan N. Al-Khateeb , Ahmad Zwenal , Ali G. Alkhathami , Malathi H , Mayank Kundlas , Laxmidhar Maharana , Ashish Singh Chauhan , Yasser Fakri Mustafa , Mohammed Jawad Alnajar
Pancreatic cancer is caused by a complicated set of molecular changes that include genetic mutations and aberrant signaling pathways, which result in tumor growth, metastatic spread, and resistance to therapeutics. Of the various molecular changes, standard modifying processes, such as ubiquitination and deubiquitination, influence protein levels, cellular localization, and protein function. In this context, ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs), a primary class of deubiquitinases (DUBs), play a crucial role in regulating the ubiquitin-proteasome system, which controls protein degradation and activity in cells. These USPs can cause the removal of ubiquitin from target proteins, thereby reversing the ubiquitination process. They are key for maintaining cellular homeostasis by regulating the turnover of proteins, including those responsible for signal transduction, cellular processes (such as the cell cycle), and the response to stress events. At the same time, USPs (including USP21, USP13, USP51, and USP22) also affect multiple signaling pathways, including the Wnt, NF-κB, and TGF-β pathways, all of which are involved in the biology of pancreatic cancer. USPs will promote or inhibit cancer-associated pathways that drive proliferation, metastasis, immune evasion, and therapy resistance by stabilizing or destabilizing specific signaling molecules. This review will examine the mechanistic roles of USPs in pancreatic cancer, as well as the tumor behavior and therapeutic resistance that may result from the dysregulation of these proteins. Ultimately, by presenting an opportunity to develop targeted therapies against specific USPs, we hope to emphasize new therapeutic strategies that could positively impact the lives of patients suffering from this aggressive disease.
{"title":"Ubiquitin-specific proteases in pancreatic cancer: Molecular regulators of tumor progression and therapy resistance","authors":"Jitendra Gupta , Furqan N. Al-Khateeb , Ahmad Zwenal , Ali G. Alkhathami , Malathi H , Mayank Kundlas , Laxmidhar Maharana , Ashish Singh Chauhan , Yasser Fakri Mustafa , Mohammed Jawad Alnajar","doi":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152410","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152410","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pancreatic cancer is caused by a complicated set of molecular changes that include genetic mutations and aberrant signaling pathways, which result in tumor growth, metastatic spread, and resistance to therapeutics. Of the various molecular changes, standard modifying processes, such as ubiquitination and deubiquitination, influence protein levels, cellular localization, and protein function. In this context, ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs), a primary class of deubiquitinases (DUBs), play a crucial role in regulating the ubiquitin-proteasome system, which controls protein degradation and activity in cells. These USPs can cause the removal of ubiquitin from target proteins, thereby reversing the ubiquitination process. They are key for maintaining cellular homeostasis by regulating the turnover of proteins, including those responsible for signal transduction, cellular processes (such as the cell cycle), and the response to stress events. At the same time, USPs (including USP21, USP13, USP51, and USP22) also affect multiple signaling pathways, including the Wnt, NF-κB, and TGF-β pathways, all of which are involved in the biology of pancreatic cancer. USPs will promote or inhibit cancer-associated pathways that drive proliferation, metastasis, immune evasion, and therapy resistance by stabilizing or destabilizing specific signaling molecules. This review will examine the mechanistic roles of USPs in pancreatic cancer, as well as the tumor behavior and therapeutic resistance that may result from the dysregulation of these proteins. Ultimately, by presenting an opportunity to develop targeted therapies against specific USPs, we hope to emphasize new therapeutic strategies that could positively impact the lives of patients suffering from this aggressive disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"52 6","pages":"Article 152410"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145081472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-04DOI: 10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152411
Daniel A. Guirguis , Fariha Hasan , Natalie Morris , Andrew Alabd , Paula Mortada Shehata Tawfik , Kartick Pramanik , Manoj K Pandey
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has changed how we treat blood cancers but hasn't worked as well for solid tumors like pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), mainly because these tumors are very aggressive and resistant to regular treatments. This review critically examines peer-reviewed studies to chart the evolution of immunotherapy in PDAC, emphasizing the unique barriers to effective CAR T-cell treatment and emerging strategies to overcome them. CAR T-cells that focus on tumor-related markers like mesothelin, HER2, and MUC1 have shown promise in early research models. However, clinical translation is hampered by obstacles such as a dense desmoplastic stroma that restricts T-cell infiltration, antigenic heterogeneity that promotes immune escape, and adverse effects including cytokine release syndrome. Recent innovations include dual-antigen targeting CARs (eg, CEA/MSLN), metabolic reprogramming to enhance T-cell function in nutrient-deprived tumor microenvironments, and stromal-targeting approaches such as fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-specific CARs and heparanase overexpression. Safety enhancements - such as reversible CAR inhibition using Dasatinib and GM-CSF neutralization - are also being explored to mitigate toxicity. Collectively, these advances represent promising strides toward enhancing the efficacy and safety of CAR T-cell therapy for pancreatic cancer. Ongoing research continues to identify new strategies to further refine these therapies, including the exploration of combination treatments with checkpoint inhibitors and novel immunomodulatory agents. As our understanding of the tumor microenvironment deepens, the potential for personalized approaches to CAR T-cell therapy may unlock even greater therapeutic benefits for patients.
{"title":"Tumor tough, therapy smarter: Rethinking CAR-T for pancreatic cancer","authors":"Daniel A. Guirguis , Fariha Hasan , Natalie Morris , Andrew Alabd , Paula Mortada Shehata Tawfik , Kartick Pramanik , Manoj K Pandey","doi":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152411","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152411","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has changed how we treat blood cancers but hasn't worked as well for solid tumors like pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), mainly because these tumors are very aggressive and resistant to regular treatments. This review critically examines peer-reviewed studies to chart the evolution of immunotherapy in PDAC, emphasizing the unique barriers to effective CAR T-cell treatment and emerging strategies to overcome them. CAR T-cells that focus on tumor-related markers like mesothelin, HER2, and MUC1 have shown promise in early research models. However, clinical translation is hampered by obstacles such as a dense desmoplastic stroma that restricts T-cell infiltration, antigenic heterogeneity that promotes immune escape, and adverse effects including cytokine release syndrome. Recent innovations include dual-antigen targeting CARs (eg, CEA/MSLN), metabolic reprogramming to enhance T-cell function in nutrient-deprived tumor microenvironments, and stromal-targeting approaches such as fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-specific CARs and heparanase overexpression. Safety enhancements - such as reversible CAR inhibition using Dasatinib and GM-CSF neutralization - are also being explored to mitigate toxicity. Collectively, these advances represent promising strides toward enhancing the efficacy and safety of CAR T-cell therapy for pancreatic cancer. Ongoing research continues to identify new strategies to further refine these therapies, including the exploration of combination treatments with checkpoint inhibitors and novel immunomodulatory agents. As our understanding of the tumor microenvironment deepens, the potential for personalized approaches to CAR T-cell therapy may unlock even greater therapeutic benefits for patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"52 6","pages":"Article 152411"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144997589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-12DOI: 10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152413
Chou-Yi Hsu , Yasmeen Kateb Ahmed , Shaker mohammed , Mohammad A. Alghamdi , Hasan S. AL-Ghamdi , Jaafaru Sani Mohammed , Mohammed Abed Jawad , Salim B. Alsaadi
Melanoma is a particularly aggressive type of skin cancer due to its rapid growth and capacity to metastasize. There is substantial metabolic reprogramming in melanoma that is linked to its malignant characteristics, including therapeutic resistance. This review intended to provide a detailed overview of the central metabolic pathways reprogrammed in melanoma, including the Warburg effect and the complex interactions between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, which ultimately influence energy production, biosynthesis, and adaptation to the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss the molecular pathways that regulate these metabolic pathways and the effect these metabolic processes have on crucial elements of melanoma progression, including invasion, metastasis, and survival during nutrient deprivation and hypoxia. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of metabolism beyond glucose, including glutamine metabolism, changes in lipid metabolism, and alterations in one-carbon and nucleotide biosynthesis, as well as mechanisms critical for the proliferation and survival of melanoma cells. An emphasis is placed on the active metabolic crosstalk between melanoma cells and the immune system within the tumor microenvironment, where melanoma cells utilize nutrient competition and the production of immunosuppressive metabolites to alter and block the function of anti-tumor immune cells, thereby facilitating immune evasion and therapy resistance. Lastly, we critically assess developments targeting melanoma metabolism, including pharmacological inhibition of key metabolic enzymes and pathways, as well as metabolic modulation to enhance the efficacy of conventional and immunotherapies. Although promising, this area is complex and subject to contextual effects and metabolic heterogeneity, indicating that we still have a way to go in annotating robust and clinically relevant metabolic targets. We sought to consolidate current knowledge about melanoma metabolism and highlight the challenges, future directions, and complexity of a potential therapeutic vulnerability in the rapidly evolving field of cancer research.
{"title":"Metabolism at the core of melanoma: From bioenergetics to immune escape and beyond","authors":"Chou-Yi Hsu , Yasmeen Kateb Ahmed , Shaker mohammed , Mohammad A. Alghamdi , Hasan S. AL-Ghamdi , Jaafaru Sani Mohammed , Mohammed Abed Jawad , Salim B. Alsaadi","doi":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152413","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152413","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Melanoma is a particularly aggressive type of skin cancer due to its rapid growth and capacity to metastasize. There is substantial metabolic reprogramming in melanoma that is linked to its malignant characteristics, including therapeutic resistance. This review intended to provide a detailed overview of the central metabolic pathways reprogrammed in melanoma, including the Warburg effect and the complex interactions between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, which ultimately influence energy production, biosynthesis, and adaptation to the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss the molecular pathways that regulate these metabolic pathways and the effect these metabolic processes have on crucial elements of melanoma progression, including invasion, metastasis, and survival during nutrient deprivation and hypoxia. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of metabolism beyond glucose, including glutamine metabolism, changes in lipid metabolism, and alterations in one-carbon and nucleotide biosynthesis, as well as mechanisms critical for the proliferation and survival of melanoma cells. An emphasis is placed on the active metabolic crosstalk between melanoma cells and the immune system within the tumor microenvironment, where melanoma cells utilize nutrient competition and the production of immunosuppressive metabolites to alter and block the function of anti-tumor immune cells, thereby facilitating immune evasion and therapy resistance. Lastly, we critically assess developments targeting melanoma metabolism, including pharmacological inhibition of key metabolic enzymes and pathways, as well as metabolic modulation to enhance the efficacy of conventional and immunotherapies. Although promising, this area is complex and subject to contextual effects and metabolic heterogeneity, indicating that we still have a way to go in annotating robust and clinically relevant metabolic targets. We sought to consolidate current knowledge about melanoma metabolism and highlight the challenges, future directions, and complexity of a potential therapeutic vulnerability in the rapidly evolving field of cancer research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"52 6","pages":"Article 152413"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145046405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-11DOI: 10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152415
Qun Chen , Fengyuan Liu , Lingtao Yan , Xumin Huang , Jishu Wei , Feng Guo , Jianmin Chen , Zipeng Lu , Junli Wu , Jie Yin , Pengfei Wu , Kuirong Jiang
Pancreaticojejunostomy is a critical step in pancreaticoduodenectomy, and its failure often results in pancreatic fistula. Clinically relevant pancreatic fistula (CRPF) can cause severe complications. This study evaluates the safety and feasibility of single-layer continuous duct-to-mucosa (SCD) pancreaticojejunostomy in preventing CRPF. We prospectively collected baseline characteristics and perioperative data from patients who underwent SCD pancreaticojejunostomy at our center between January and December 2020. A total of 156 patients were included in this study. The mean pancreaticojejunostomy time was 6.5 min, and the mean operation time was 247.6 min. CRPF occurred in 31 patients (19.9%), severe complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥III) occurred in 27 patients (17.3%), the mean length of hospitalization was 17.2 days, and the 90-days mortality was 0.0%. SCD pancreaticojejunostomy is an efficient and straightforward technique. It is applicable to various pancreatic conditions and demonstrates favorable clinical outcomes.
{"title":"Application of single-layer continuous duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy in oncologic pancreaticoduodenectomy","authors":"Qun Chen , Fengyuan Liu , Lingtao Yan , Xumin Huang , Jishu Wei , Feng Guo , Jianmin Chen , Zipeng Lu , Junli Wu , Jie Yin , Pengfei Wu , Kuirong Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152415","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.seminoncol.2025.152415","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pancreaticojejunostomy is a critical step in pancreaticoduodenectomy, and its failure often results in pancreatic fistula. Clinically relevant pancreatic fistula (CRPF) can cause severe complications. This study evaluates the safety and feasibility of single-layer continuous duct-to-mucosa (SCD) pancreaticojejunostomy in preventing CRPF. We prospectively collected baseline characteristics and perioperative data from patients who underwent SCD pancreaticojejunostomy at our center between January and December 2020. A total of 156 patients were included in this study. The mean pancreaticojejunostomy time was 6.5 min, and the mean operation time was 247.6 min. CRPF occurred in 31 patients (19.9%), severe complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥III) occurred in 27 patients (17.3%), the mean length of hospitalization was 17.2 days, and the 90-days mortality was 0.0%. SCD pancreaticojejunostomy is an efficient and straightforward technique. It is applicable to various pancreatic conditions and demonstrates favorable clinical outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21750,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in oncology","volume":"52 6","pages":"Article 152415"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145046406","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}