Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-06-10DOI: 10.1016/j.cpt.2025.06.003
Wei Guan , Ketao Wang , Yangliu Shao , Lei Zhou , Nan Wang , Wei Zhou , Maoquan Wang , Lili Wang , Yu Jing , Yonghui Li , Daihong Liu , Li Yu
Background
Fusion genes play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study investigated the utility of targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of RNA for detecting rare and unknown fusion genes in patients with AML.
Methods
A total of 85 adult AML samples previously identified as fusion gene-negative by multiplex nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were subjected to NGS analysis.
Results
Fusion genes were detected in 21 of 72 (29.2%) patients. Among the 26 primary refractory patients, 11 (42.3%) exhibited fusion genes, whereas among the 18 relapsed patients, fusion genes were identified in five (27.8%). Notably, KMT2A and NUP98 rearrangements were enriched in refractory/relapsed patients. Additionally, recurrent fusion transcripts involving EIF4A1 were observed. The identification of additional fusion genes resulted in an approximate 20.8% (11/53) reclassification of medium-risk karyotypes to the high-risk category, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
Conclusions
Targeted NGS may complement conventional methods for identifying novel fusions in refractory/relapsed AML; however, its prognostic utility requires verification in controlled trials.
{"title":"Insights into the biological features and improved diagnostics of adult acute myeloid leukemia via fusion genes identified through targeted next-generation sequencing","authors":"Wei Guan , Ketao Wang , Yangliu Shao , Lei Zhou , Nan Wang , Wei Zhou , Maoquan Wang , Lili Wang , Yu Jing , Yonghui Li , Daihong Liu , Li Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.06.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.06.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Fusion genes play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study investigated the utility of targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of RNA for detecting rare and unknown fusion genes in patients with AML.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 85 adult AML samples previously identified as fusion gene-negative by multiplex nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were subjected to NGS analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Fusion genes were detected in 21 of 72 (29.2%) patients. Among the 26 primary refractory patients, 11 (42.3%) exhibited fusion genes, whereas among the 18 relapsed patients, fusion genes were identified in five (27.8%). Notably, <em>KMT2A</em> and <em>NUP98</em> rearrangements were enriched in refractory/relapsed patients. Additionally, recurrent fusion transcripts involving <em>EIF4A1</em> were observed. The identification of additional fusion genes resulted in an approximate 20.8% (11/53) reclassification of medium-risk karyotypes to the high-risk category, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Targeted NGS may complement conventional methods for identifying novel fusions in refractory/relapsed AML; however, its prognostic utility requires verification in controlled trials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":93920,"journal":{"name":"Cancer pathogenesis and therapy","volume":"4 1","pages":"Pages 64-71"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145684406","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-05-19DOI: 10.1016/j.cpt.2025.05.003
Jinsong Liu , Liuliu Quan , Die Sang , Xiao Guan , Min Dou , Jian Yue , Peng Yuan
{"title":"Trastuzumab deruxtecan in advanced breast cancer patients with brain metastases or leptomeningeal metastases","authors":"Jinsong Liu , Liuliu Quan , Die Sang , Xiao Guan , Min Dou , Jian Yue , Peng Yuan","doi":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.05.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.05.003","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":93920,"journal":{"name":"Cancer pathogenesis and therapy","volume":"4 1","pages":"Pages 72-74"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145736167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-04-17DOI: 10.1016/j.cpt.2025.04.004
Henry Sutanto , Galih Januar Adytia , Elisa Elisa , Ummi Maimunah
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, posing considerable challenges due to its complex progression and limited curative options. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a cornerstone treatment for intermediate-stage HCC, as outlined in widely accepted clinical guidelines, including the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) framework. Over the years, TACE has evolved through technological innovations and novel therapeutic combinations designed to enhance efficacy and improve patient outcomes. Recent advancements include refined imaging techniques, innovative embolic materials, and the integration of systemic therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors. These developments have not only broadened the applicability of TACE but also enhanced its effectiveness in controlling tumor progression and extending survival in patients with unresectable disease. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, including the optimization of treatment protocols, the management of complications, and the need for personalized therapy tailored to diverse patient populations. This review highlights the latest progress and current understanding of TACE as a therapeutic modality for HCC. It also explores emerging trends, ongoing challenges, and the potential for novel combinations to redefine the therapeutic landscape. By synthesizing the latest evidence, this article aims to provide valuable insights for clinicians and researchers striving to improve HCC management and patient outcomes.
{"title":"Advances in transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: Integration with systemic therapies and emerging treatment strategies","authors":"Henry Sutanto , Galih Januar Adytia , Elisa Elisa , Ummi Maimunah","doi":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.04.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.04.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, posing considerable challenges due to its complex progression and limited curative options. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a cornerstone treatment for intermediate-stage HCC, as outlined in widely accepted clinical guidelines, including the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) framework. Over the years, TACE has evolved through technological innovations and novel therapeutic combinations designed to enhance efficacy and improve patient outcomes. Recent advancements include refined imaging techniques, innovative embolic materials, and the integration of systemic therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors. These developments have not only broadened the applicability of TACE but also enhanced its effectiveness in controlling tumor progression and extending survival in patients with unresectable disease. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, including the optimization of treatment protocols, the management of complications, and the need for personalized therapy tailored to diverse patient populations. This review highlights the latest progress and current understanding of TACE as a therapeutic modality for HCC. It also explores emerging trends, ongoing challenges, and the potential for novel combinations to redefine the therapeutic landscape. By synthesizing the latest evidence, this article aims to provide valuable insights for clinicians and researchers striving to improve HCC management and patient outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":93920,"journal":{"name":"Cancer pathogenesis and therapy","volume":"4 1","pages":"Pages 1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145468726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01Epub Date: 2025-02-04DOI: 10.1016/j.cpt.2025.02.003
Xinyi Wang , Haixia Shen , Miao Wang , Baojia Qi , Zhen Zhang , Yang Yang , Min Fang , Jin Wang , Yongling Ji
Background
Synchronous oligometastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SOESCC), characterized by a limited number of metastases at diagnosis, represents a significant subset of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, the optimal treatment modality for the condition has not been determined. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of local consolidative radiotherapy (cRT) for the primary tumor combined with first-line chemoimmunotherapy (CIT).
Methods
This retrospective cohort study included 102 patients with SOESCC who underwent first-line CIT, either alone or in combination with cRT, between 2018 and 2022. We analyzed the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the two groups using propensity score matching (PSM). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors associated with PFS and OS. Failure patterns were compared between groups.
Results
Patients who received the additional cRT had longer PFS (median PFS, 11.5 vs. 8.3 months, P = 0.009) than did those who received CIT only; however, no significant difference was noted in OS (median OS, 20.0 vs. 17.0 months, P = 0.410) between the two groups. These results remained consistent after PSM and multivariate Cox regression analyses (PFS: hazard ratio [HR] 0.539, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.312–0.932, P = 0.027; OS: HR, 0.580, 95% CI, 0.307–1.095, P = 0.093). Notably, the pattern of failure in the CIT group was primarily characterized by locoregional failure, in contrast to the distant failure observed in the CIT + cRT group. Locoregional failure-free survival in the CIT + cRT group was significantly lower than that in the CIT group (P < 0.001). Moreover, no statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of treatment-related adverse events between the two groups.
Conclusions
In patients with SOESCC, the combination of local cRT and first-line CIT prolonged PFS without increasing treatment-related toxicity. In addition, cRT for primary tumor significantly reduced the incidence of locoregional failure. This synergistic approach appears to be a viable and potentially superior treatment strategy for the treatment of SOESCC.
背景：同步少转移性食管鳞状细胞癌（SOESCC）的特点是诊断时转移数量有限，是食管鳞状细胞癌的一个重要亚群。然而，这种情况的最佳治疗方式尚未确定。因此，我们旨在评估局部巩固放疗（cRT）联合一线化疗免疫治疗（CIT）对原发肿瘤的疗效。方法本回顾性队列研究纳入了2018年至2022年期间接受一线CIT治疗或联合cRT治疗的102例SOESCC患者。我们使用倾向评分匹配（PSM）分析两组患者的无进展生存期（PFS）和总生存期（OS）。进行单因素和多因素Cox回归分析以确定与PFS和OS相关的预后因素。组间比较失败模式。结果接受额外cRT治疗的患者比仅接受CIT治疗的患者有更长的PFS（中位PFS， 11.5个月对8.3个月，P = 0.009）；然而，两组之间的OS（中位OS， 20.0 vs. 17.0个月，P = 0.410）无显著差异。经PSM和多变量Cox回归分析后，这些结果保持一致（PFS：风险比[HR] 0.539, 95%可信区间[CI] 0.312-0.932, P = 0.027; OS: HR, 0.580, 95% CI, 0.307-1.095, P = 0.093）。值得注意的是，与CIT + cRT组观察到的远端失败相比，CIT组的失败模式主要以局部区域失败为特征。CIT + cRT组的局部无故障生存率显著低于CIT组（P < 0.001）。此外，两组治疗相关不良事件的发生率无统计学差异。结论在SOESCC患者中，局部cRT联合一线CIT可延长PFS，且未增加治疗相关毒性。此外，原发肿瘤的cRT治疗显著降低了局部失败的发生率。这种协同方法似乎是治疗SOESCC的可行和潜在的优越治疗策略。
{"title":"Efficacy of local consolidative radiotherapy with first-line chemoimmunotherapy in synchronous oligometastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma","authors":"Xinyi Wang , Haixia Shen , Miao Wang , Baojia Qi , Zhen Zhang , Yang Yang , Min Fang , Jin Wang , Yongling Ji","doi":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Synchronous oligometastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SOESCC), characterized by a limited number of metastases at diagnosis, represents a significant subset of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, the optimal treatment modality for the condition has not been determined. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of local consolidative radiotherapy (cRT) for the primary tumor combined with first-line chemoimmunotherapy (CIT).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This retrospective cohort study included 102 patients with SOESCC who underwent first-line CIT, either alone or in combination with cRT, between 2018 and 2022. We analyzed the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the two groups using propensity score matching (PSM). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors associated with PFS and OS. Failure patterns were compared between groups.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Patients who received the additional cRT had longer PFS (median PFS, 11.5 <em>vs.</em> 8.3 months, <em>P</em> = 0.009) than did those who received CIT only; however, no significant difference was noted in OS (median OS, 20.0 <em>vs.</em> 17.0 months, <em>P</em> = 0.410) between the two groups. These results remained consistent after PSM and multivariate Cox regression analyses (PFS: hazard ratio [HR] 0.539, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.312–0.932, <em>P</em> = 0.027; OS: HR, 0.580, 95% CI, 0.307–1.095, <em>P</em> = 0.093). Notably, the pattern of failure in the CIT group was primarily characterized by locoregional failure, in contrast to the distant failure observed in the CIT + cRT group. Locoregional failure-free survival in the CIT + cRT group was significantly lower than that in the CIT group (<em>P</em> < 0.001). Moreover, no statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of treatment-related adverse events between the two groups.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In patients with SOESCC, the combination of local cRT and first-line CIT prolonged PFS without increasing treatment-related toxicity. In addition, cRT for primary tumor significantly reduced the incidence of locoregional failure. This synergistic approach appears to be a viable and potentially superior treatment strategy for the treatment of SOESCC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":93920,"journal":{"name":"Cancer pathogenesis and therapy","volume":"3 6","pages":"Pages 522-530"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145335007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
<div><div>The human oral cavity harbors a diverse and dynamic microbial ecosystem, including bacteriophages (phages), which play a critical role in shaping the microbial community structure. Bacteriophages, viruses that specifically target and infect bacteria, have been increasingly recognized for their potential to influence both microbial balance and disease progression within the oral environment. Recent studies suggest that bacteriophages not only modulate the composition of the oral microbiome but also play an essential role in the pathogenesis and treatment of oral cancer. This review aims to explore the complex crosstalk between bacteriophages and oral health related to oral carcinogenesis, with a particular focus on their emerging roles in oral carcinogenesis and therapeutic interventions. Oral cancer, a major global health concern, is often associated with microbial dysbiosis and chronic inflammation, both of which contribute to tumor progression. <em>Fusobacterium nucleatum</em>, a key bacterial species implicated in oral carcinogenesis, has been shown to promote tumor growth, enhance immune evasion, and exacerbate inflammation within the tumor microenvironment. Bacteriophages offer a promising strategy to selectively target and eliminate such pathogenic bacteria such as <em>Fusobacterium nucleatum</em>, thereby restoring microbial balance and reducing the pro-tumorigenic effects of bacterial infections. Through the disruption of tumor-associated biofilms and modulation of cancer-promoting bacterial populations, phages may help mitigate the inflammatory responses that drive oral cancer progression. Additionally, phage therapy could complement existing treatments by sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Beyond their direct antibacterial effects, genetically engineered bacteriophages present novel opportunities for targeted cancer therapy. Advances in synthetic biology have enabled the development of phages capable of delivering therapeutic payloads, such as anti-cancer peptides, cytotoxic agents, and immune modulators. These engineered phages can be designed to selectively target bacterial species that influence tumor progression, offering a highly specific and precision-based approach to oncology. Moreover, phages can serve as vectors for cancer vaccines, facilitating antigen presentation and enhancing immune responses against tumor cells. In addition to therapeutic applications, bacteriophages hold promise in the field of cancer diagnostics. The ability of phages to selectively bind to specific bacterial biomarkers associated with oral cancer could be leveraged for early disease detection and non-invasive screening. Phage-based biosensors, for instance, have shown potential in identifying cancer-associated microbial signatures, paving the way for innovative diagnostic tools that could improve early intervention and patient outcomes. Despite their potential, several challenges must be addressed before phage-based s
{"title":"Bacteriophage-based therapies in oral cancer: A new frontier in oncology","authors":"Vishnu Priya Panneerselvam, Leela Kagithakara Vajravelu, Rahul Harikumar Lathakumari, Poornima Baskar Vimala, Dakshina M Nair, Jayaprakash Thulukanam","doi":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.03.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.03.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The human oral cavity harbors a diverse and dynamic microbial ecosystem, including bacteriophages (phages), which play a critical role in shaping the microbial community structure. Bacteriophages, viruses that specifically target and infect bacteria, have been increasingly recognized for their potential to influence both microbial balance and disease progression within the oral environment. Recent studies suggest that bacteriophages not only modulate the composition of the oral microbiome but also play an essential role in the pathogenesis and treatment of oral cancer. This review aims to explore the complex crosstalk between bacteriophages and oral health related to oral carcinogenesis, with a particular focus on their emerging roles in oral carcinogenesis and therapeutic interventions. Oral cancer, a major global health concern, is often associated with microbial dysbiosis and chronic inflammation, both of which contribute to tumor progression. <em>Fusobacterium nucleatum</em>, a key bacterial species implicated in oral carcinogenesis, has been shown to promote tumor growth, enhance immune evasion, and exacerbate inflammation within the tumor microenvironment. Bacteriophages offer a promising strategy to selectively target and eliminate such pathogenic bacteria such as <em>Fusobacterium nucleatum</em>, thereby restoring microbial balance and reducing the pro-tumorigenic effects of bacterial infections. Through the disruption of tumor-associated biofilms and modulation of cancer-promoting bacterial populations, phages may help mitigate the inflammatory responses that drive oral cancer progression. Additionally, phage therapy could complement existing treatments by sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Beyond their direct antibacterial effects, genetically engineered bacteriophages present novel opportunities for targeted cancer therapy. Advances in synthetic biology have enabled the development of phages capable of delivering therapeutic payloads, such as anti-cancer peptides, cytotoxic agents, and immune modulators. These engineered phages can be designed to selectively target bacterial species that influence tumor progression, offering a highly specific and precision-based approach to oncology. Moreover, phages can serve as vectors for cancer vaccines, facilitating antigen presentation and enhancing immune responses against tumor cells. In addition to therapeutic applications, bacteriophages hold promise in the field of cancer diagnostics. The ability of phages to selectively bind to specific bacterial biomarkers associated with oral cancer could be leveraged for early disease detection and non-invasive screening. Phage-based biosensors, for instance, have shown potential in identifying cancer-associated microbial signatures, paving the way for innovative diagnostic tools that could improve early intervention and patient outcomes. Despite their potential, several challenges must be addressed before phage-based s","PeriodicalId":93920,"journal":{"name":"Cancer pathogenesis and therapy","volume":"3 6","pages":"Pages 453-465"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145335073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01Epub Date: 2025-02-22DOI: 10.1016/j.cpt.2025.02.005
Aditya Upadhyay , Hem Chandra Jha , Dharm Pal , Awanish Kumar
Antibiotic resistance and the growing burden of bacteria-induced cancers highlight the urgent need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Drug repurposing, leveraging pre-approved antibiotics for novel applications, is a promising strategy to address this challenge. Antibiotics designed to combat bacterial infections can inhibit microbial activity and target cellular mechanisms associated with oncogenesis. Chronic bacterial infections, such as those caused by Salmonella typhi, Helicobacter pylori, and Escherichia coli, contribute significantly to gallbladder, gastric, kidney, and bladder cancers. These infections induce inflammation, DNA damage, and the disruption of cellular pathways, promoting the development of cancer. Antibiotics such as doxycycline, rifampicin, and azithromycin demonstrate anticancer properties by inhibiting angiogenesis, inducing apoptosis, and regulating key pathways including the interleukin (IL)-6 signaling pathway and autophagy-related pathways. This dual action enhances chemotherapeutic efficacy and addresses bacteria-induced oncogenesis, offering a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to traditional drug discovery. Herein, we review the intricate mechanisms by which bacteria-induced cancer arises and explore the groundbreaking potential of repurposing antibiotics as dual-action therapies in oncology. By elucidating the pivotal role of biofilms in persistent infections and highlighting untapped therapeutic opportunities in antibiotic repurposing, this review underscores a transformative approach to cancer treatment. This article explores the potential of repurposing antibiotic drugs for cancer treatment and highlights the prospects of drug repurposing strategies.
{"title":"Repurposing antibiotics: A dual-action approach against bacteria-induced cancer","authors":"Aditya Upadhyay , Hem Chandra Jha , Dharm Pal , Awanish Kumar","doi":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.02.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.02.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Antibiotic resistance and the growing burden of bacteria-induced cancers highlight the urgent need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Drug repurposing, leveraging pre-approved antibiotics for novel applications, is a promising strategy to address this challenge. Antibiotics designed to combat bacterial infections can inhibit microbial activity and target cellular mechanisms associated with oncogenesis. Chronic bacterial infections, such as those caused by <em>Salmonella typhi</em>, <em>Helicobacter pylori</em>, and <em>Escherichia coli</em>, contribute significantly to gallbladder, gastric, kidney, and bladder cancers. These infections induce inflammation, DNA damage, and the disruption of cellular pathways, promoting the development of cancer. Antibiotics such as doxycycline, rifampicin, and azithromycin demonstrate anticancer properties by inhibiting angiogenesis, inducing apoptosis, and regulating key pathways including the interleukin (IL)-6 signaling pathway and autophagy-related pathways. This dual action enhances chemotherapeutic efficacy and addresses bacteria-induced oncogenesis, offering a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to traditional drug discovery. Herein, we review the intricate mechanisms by which bacteria-induced cancer arises and explore the groundbreaking potential of repurposing antibiotics as dual-action therapies in oncology. By elucidating the pivotal role of biofilms in persistent infections and highlighting untapped therapeutic opportunities in antibiotic repurposing, this review underscores a transformative approach to cancer treatment. This article explores the potential of repurposing antibiotic drugs for cancer treatment and highlights the prospects of drug repurposing strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":93920,"journal":{"name":"Cancer pathogenesis and therapy","volume":"3 6","pages":"Pages 473-483"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145335075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and the fourth most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advances in immunotherapies and targeted treatments for HCC, chemotherapy remains a valuable first-line treatment. However, the efficacy of immunotherapy compared to that of chemotherapy is unknown. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effects of chemotherapy and immunotherapy on survival outcomes, response rates, and adverse effects.
Methods
A thorough literature search of multiple electronic databases, including MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted from each database’s inception to February 2024 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared first-line chemotherapy (doxorubicin, cisplatin, sorafenib, and fluorouracil) with immunotherapy (pembrolizumab nivolumab, and tislelizumab) for advanced HCC. Two reviewers independently identified the studies, obtained relevant information, and assessed the possibility of bias. The hazard ratios (HR) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were merged using random effects meta-analysis.
Results
Twenty studies with 1183 patients were examined. All studies had a high risk of bias. According to a meta-analysis, immunotherapy was linked to a significantly better PFS than chemotherapy (HR, 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–2.00, I2 = 32%). OS showed a similar trend, although the difference was not statistically significant (HR, 1.26, 95% CI, 0.96–1.66, I2 = 0%). Sensitivity analysis revealed that immunotherapy continued to improve PFS compared to chemotherapy while having no discernible effect on OS.
Conclusions
First-line immunotherapy may offer PFS advantages over chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced HCC. However, a high risk of bias limits definitive conclusions. Larger, higher-quality RCTs are needed to confirm the potential benefits of OS and minimize bias. Although chemotherapy remains a valuable option in resource-limited settings where access to targeted therapies is restricted, the widespread availability of immunotherapy makes it essential to compare both treatments to determine the most appropriate first-line option for advanced HCC.
背景：肝细胞癌（HCC）是最常见的原发性肝脏恶性肿瘤，也是全球第四大癌症相关死亡原因。尽管肝癌的免疫疗法和靶向治疗取得了进展，化疗仍然是一种有价值的一线治疗方法。然而，与化疗相比，免疫治疗的疗效尚不清楚。本研究旨在全面了解化疗和免疫治疗对生存结局、反应率和不良反应的影响。方法对多个电子数据库（包括MEDLINE （PubMed）、Embase、Web of Science、Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials和ClinicalTrials.gov）进行全面的文献检索，从每个数据库建立到2024年2月，以确定比较一线化疗（阿霉素、顺铂、索拉非尼和氟尿嘧啶）与免疫治疗（派姆单抗、纳武单抗和替利单抗）治疗晚期HCC的随机对照试验（rct）。两名审稿人独立确定了这些研究，获得了相关信息，并评估了偏倚的可能性。采用随机效应meta分析合并无进展生存期（PFS）和总生存期（OS）的风险比（HR）。结果共纳入20项研究，1183例患者。所有的研究都有较高的偏倚风险。根据一项荟萃分析，免疫治疗的PFS明显优于化疗（HR, 1.44, 95%可信区间[CI]， 1.04-2.00, I2 = 32%）。OS表现出类似的趋势，但差异无统计学意义（HR, 1.26, 95% CI, 0.96 ~ 1.66, I2 = 0%）。敏感性分析显示，与化疗相比，免疫治疗继续改善PFS，而对OS没有明显影响。结论一线免疫治疗在晚期肝癌的治疗中可能比化疗更有PFS优势。然而，高偏倚风险限制了明确的结论。需要更大、更高质量的随机对照试验来证实OS的潜在益处并将偏倚最小化。尽管在资源有限的环境中，化疗仍然是一种有价值的选择，在获得靶向治疗受到限制的情况下，免疫治疗的广泛可用性使得比较两种治疗方法以确定晚期HCC最合适的一线选择至关重要。
{"title":"Relative treatment effects of first-line chemotherapy and immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Janak Bahirwani , Suruchi Jai Kumar Ahuja , Madhav Changela , Het Patel , Nishit Patel , Maulik Kaneriya , Vishal Patel","doi":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.04.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.04.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and the fourth most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advances in immunotherapies and targeted treatments for HCC, chemotherapy remains a valuable first-line treatment. However, the efficacy of immunotherapy compared to that of chemotherapy is unknown. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effects of chemotherapy and immunotherapy on survival outcomes, response rates, and adverse effects.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A thorough literature search of multiple electronic databases, including MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and <span><span>ClinicalTrials.gov</span><svg><path></path></svg></span> was conducted from each database’s inception to February 2024 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared first-line chemotherapy (doxorubicin, cisplatin, sorafenib, and fluorouracil) with immunotherapy (pembrolizumab nivolumab, and tislelizumab) for advanced HCC. Two reviewers independently identified the studies, obtained relevant information, and assessed the possibility of bias. The hazard ratios (HR) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were merged using random effects meta-analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Twenty studies with 1183 patients were examined. All studies had a high risk of bias. According to a meta-analysis, immunotherapy was linked to a significantly better PFS than chemotherapy (HR, 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–2.00, <em>I</em><sup>2</sup> = 32%). OS showed a similar trend, although the difference was not statistically significant (HR, 1.26, 95% CI, 0.96–1.66, <em>I</em><sup>2</sup> = 0%). Sensitivity analysis revealed that immunotherapy continued to improve PFS compared to chemotherapy while having no discernible effect on OS.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>First-line immunotherapy may offer PFS advantages over chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced HCC. However, a high risk of bias limits definitive conclusions. Larger, higher-quality RCTs are needed to confirm the potential benefits of OS and minimize bias. Although chemotherapy remains a valuable option in resource-limited settings where access to targeted therapies is restricted, the widespread availability of immunotherapy makes it essential to compare both treatments to determine the most appropriate first-line option for advanced HCC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":93920,"journal":{"name":"Cancer pathogenesis and therapy","volume":"3 6","pages":"Pages 501-513"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145335077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01Epub Date: 2025-03-01DOI: 10.1016/j.cpt.2025.02.007
Yu Huang , Peng Ding , Ruiguang Zhang , Yongchang Zhang , Fan Tong , Shishi Cheng , Ling Peng , Xiaohua Jie , Jian Wang , Pian Liu , Sheng Zhang , Gang Wu , Nong Yang , Xiaorong Dong
Background
Several studies have demonstrated the synergistic effects of immunotherapy and radiotherapy for both local and abscopal tumor control. However, data regarding the use of first-line immunochemotherapy (ICT) combined with radiotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain limited. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of first-line immunochemotherapy combined with radiotherapy (ICRT) and those of ICT alone.
Methods
Patients with advanced NSCLC who received first-line anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) immunotherapy plus chemotherapy at Wuhan Union Hospital and Hunan Cancer Hospital between October 2017 and July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety associated with treatment were assessed. Survival outcomes were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method.
Results
A total of 194 patients were included: 92 were treated with ICRT and 102 were treated with ICT. The ORRs of the ICRT and ICT groups were 57.6% and 47.1%, respectively. Patients in the ICRT group had significantly longer PFS (median: 14.9 vs. 11.5 months; P = 0.035) and OS (median: 41.3 vs. 23.1 months; P = 0.047) than those of patients in the ICT group. Patients treated with thoracic radiotherapy, those treated with extrathoracic metastasis radiotherapy, and those treated without radiotherapy had median PFS of 21.5 months, 12.9 months, and 11.5 months (P = 0.031); and median OS was not reached, 41.3 months, and 23.1 months (P = 0.007), respectively. ICRT and ICT were generally well-tolerated, and the overall incidence of adverse events was similar between the groups. A total of 2.2% (2/92) of patients experienced grade 3 or grade 4 radiation-related adverse events.
Conclusions
Radiotherapy is safe and manageable when added to first-line anti-PD-1 immunotherapy and chemotherapy for patients with advanced NSCLC.
{"title":"Radiotherapy combined with first-line anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) immunotherapy and chemotherapy for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A bicentric retrospective study","authors":"Yu Huang , Peng Ding , Ruiguang Zhang , Yongchang Zhang , Fan Tong , Shishi Cheng , Ling Peng , Xiaohua Jie , Jian Wang , Pian Liu , Sheng Zhang , Gang Wu , Nong Yang , Xiaorong Dong","doi":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.02.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cpt.2025.02.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Several studies have demonstrated the synergistic effects of immunotherapy and radiotherapy for both local and abscopal tumor control. However, data regarding the use of first-line immunochemotherapy (ICT) combined with radiotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain limited. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of first-line immunochemotherapy combined with radiotherapy (ICRT) and those of ICT alone.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Patients with advanced NSCLC who received first-line anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) immunotherapy plus chemotherapy at Wuhan Union Hospital and Hunan Cancer Hospital between October 2017 and July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety associated with treatment were assessed. Survival outcomes were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 194 patients were included: 92 were treated with ICRT and 102 were treated with ICT. The ORRs of the ICRT and ICT groups were 57.6% and 47.1%, respectively. Patients in the ICRT group had significantly longer PFS (median: 14.9 <em>vs.</em> 11.5 months; <em>P</em> = 0.035) and OS (median: 41.3 <em>vs.</em> 23.1 months; <em>P</em> = 0.047) than those of patients in the ICT group. Patients treated with thoracic radiotherapy, those treated with extrathoracic metastasis radiotherapy, and those treated without radiotherapy had median PFS of 21.5 months, 12.9 months, and 11.5 months (<em>P</em> = 0.031); and median OS was not reached, 41.3 months, and 23.1 months (<em>P</em> = 0.007), respectively. ICRT and ICT were generally well-tolerated, and the overall incidence of adverse events was similar between the groups. A total of 2.2% (2/92) of patients experienced grade 3 or grade 4 radiation-related adverse events.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Radiotherapy is safe and manageable when added to first-line anti-PD-1 immunotherapy and chemotherapy for patients with advanced NSCLC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":93920,"journal":{"name":"Cancer pathogenesis and therapy","volume":"3 6","pages":"Pages 514-521"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145335078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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