Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy

Targeting PGE2-IL-1β axis to impact future treatments for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and its precursors
Camisa PR, Caronni N and Crippa S
Current and emerging treatment options for BRAFV600-mutant melanoma
Javaid A, Peres T, Pozas J, Thomas J and Larkin J
BRAF mutations are the most common driver mutation in cutaneous melanoma, present in 40% of cases. Rationally designed BRAF targeted therapy (TT) has been developed in response to this, and alongside immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), forms the backbone of systemic therapy options for BRAF-mutant melanoma. Various therapeutic approaches have been studied in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant and advanced settings, and there is a wealth of information to guide clinicians managing these patients. Despite this, certain challenges remain.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors plus taxane-based chemotherapy for patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC: a systematic review and meta-analysis across different PD-L1 expression levels
Abushanab AK, Mustafa MT, Mousa MT, Albanawi RF, Alkhalaileh RM, Alqudah GN, Abu Zaina RF, Abu Sitta ZA, Almasri IM and Abuquteish D
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are currently the primary approach for managing NSCLC. However, numerous combination therapies are currently under investigation. Our goal is to investigate the overall efficacy and safety of ICIs and taxane-based chemotherapy.
Girentuximab imaging in renal cancer: diamond in the rough or just ZIRCON?
Filippi L, Urso L, D'Angelillo RM and Evangelista L
Small renal masses (SRM), especially those under 7 cm pose significant diagnostic challenges when using conventional imaging (CT/MRI). PET/CT with [Zr]Zr-girentuximab offers a promising alternative in this setting by enabling molecular-level imaging. The ZIRCON trial, a phase 3 multicenter study, evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of [Zr]Zr-girentuximab PET/CT in detecting clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) in SRM. A total of 300 patients with indeterminate renal masses received a single intravenous dose of [Zr]Zr-girentuximab, followed by PET/CT imaging 5 days post-injection. Generally, sensitivity and specificity for ccRCC detection were 85.5% and 87.0%, respectively. However, smaller masses (maximum diameter: ≤4 cm) demonstrated strong diagnostic performance, with mean sensitivity and specificity of 85% and 89.5%, respectively. PET positivity was observed exclusively in malignant lesions. Nevertheless, both benign and malignant non-ccRCC tumors are 'cold' at [Zr]Zr-girentuximab, thus differential diagnosis remains an unresolved issue. Despite its strengths, the trial highlights limitations: restricted imaging scope to the abdomen, lack of a cost-effectiveness analysis, concerns over radiation exposure given zirconium-89's 78.4-h half-life, and the daily scheduling of the examination. Only further studies and time will reveal whether the ZIRCON trial's findings will shine like a diamond or remain akin to zircon - brilliant but constrained in value.
Anticancer properties of histone deacetylase inhibitors - what is their potential?
Kiełbowski K, Szwedkowicz A, Plewa P, Bakinowska E, Becht R and Pawlik A
Histone modifications are crucial epigenetic mechanisms for regulating gene expression. Histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases (HDACs) catalyze histone acetylation, a process that mediates transcription. Over recent decades, studies have demonstrated that targeting histone acetylation can be effective in cancer treatment, leading to the development and approval of several HDAC inhibitors.
Response: reevaluating the promise: is primary tumor surgery really the key to survival or just a misinterpretation in de novo stage IV breast cancer?
Chen D, Wang Y, Pan Y, Zhang B, Yao W, Peng Y, Zhang G and Wang X
Reevaluating the promise: is primary tumor surgery really the key to survival or just a misinterpretation in de novo stage IV breast cancer?
Franceschini G
Persisting challenges in the development of predictive biomarkers for immuno-oncology therapies for renal cell carcinoma
Kato R and Obara W
Immuno-oncology (IO) therapies have become integral to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) management, RCC remains a complex malignancy with diverse clinical behaviors and a heterogeneous tumor microenvironment, highlighting the need for predictive biomarkers to optimize therapy.
Surgery versus radiotherapy for older patients (aged≥65 years) with stage I-II laryngeal cancer: an investigational study from the SEER database
Zhong W, Jin X, Li T, Mao J, Yuan H and Feng J
Currently, the choice between radiotherapy and surgery for treating older patients with early laryngeal cancer remains unclear. The aim of this retrospective study is to investigate the therapeutic patterns and survival outcomes for a cohort of older patients with early laryngeal cancer who received radiation therapy (RT) or surgery.
Synergistic strategies: histone deacetylase inhibitors and platinum-based drugs in cancer therapy
Shirbhate E, Singh V, Kore R, Koch B, Veerasamy R, Tiwari AK and Rajak H
The synergistic combination of histone deacetylase inhibitors and platinum-based medicines represents a promising therapeutic strategy to efficacy and overcome drug resistance in cancer therapy, necessitating a comprehensive understanding on their molecular interactions and clinical potential.
Venetoclax and beyond: New Horizons in CLL and AML therapy
Molica M and Perrone S
The association between HALP score and survival in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Sahin TK, Guven DC, Durukan M, Baş O, Kaygusuz Y, Arik Z, Dizdar O, Erman M, Yalcin S and Aksoy S
The hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score could be a prognostic biomarker in patients with cancer as a reflector of nutritional and inflammatory status, although the data is limited in patients treated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Therefore, we sought to investigate the relationship between HALP score and survival in ICI-treated patients.
-mutated AML: Immune Evasion Through Exosome-Mediated Mechanisms and innovative combination therapies targeting Immune escape
Mohamed JS, K Abdulsahib W, Ashurova D, Sanghvi G, Ballal S, Sharma R, Kumar Pathak P, Aman S, Kumar A, Feez Sead F and Chaitanya M
Acute Myeloid Leukemia is a heterogeneous hematological malignancy characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal myeloid cells. Besides several other genetic abnormalities developed in AML, FLT3 mutations are significant due to their worse prognostic impacts and therapeutic resistance. As a result, these mutations enable AML cells to develop mechanisms for evading immune surveillance.
Role of locoregional therapy including liver transplantation in liver-only metastatic colorectal cancer: a review paper
Depauw L, Townsend A, Karapetis C, Roy A, Wigg A, Tebbutt NC, Chen J, Brooke-Smith M and Price T
Resection of primary tumor and liver metastases is the gold standard for colorectal cancer with liver-only metastases (CRLM). Although treatment options have expanded to enable conversion of unresectable to resectable CRLM, about 40% of patients will have definitively unresectable disease. Major advances in surgical techniques, immunosuppressive protocols and patient selection criteria for liver transplantation have resulted in improved outcomes.
Post-operative serum CEA predicts prognosis in HR-positive/HER2-negative early breast cancer
Kavgaci G, Sahin TK, Muderrisoglu T, Ileri S, Guven DC and Aksoy S
The prognostic role of preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in breast cancer is recognized, but the impact of postoperative CEA levels on survival in early breast cancer is uncertain.
Activation of ferritin light chain (FTL) by transcription factor salmonella pathogenicity island 1 modulates glycolysis to drive metastasis of ovarian cancer cells
Li C, Yang Y, Lin Y, Lian Y, Pan D, Lin L and Li L
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynecological cancer often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to a lack of effective biomarkers. Ferritin light chain (FTL) is implicated in the development of various cancers, but its impact on OC remains unknown.
Therapeutic patterns and outcomes in older patients (aged≥65 years) with stage III-IVB inoperable oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC): an investigational study from the SEER database
Zhong W, Yuan H, Li T, Mao J, Jin X and Wu D
The aim of this retrospective study is to explore therapeutic patterns and survival outcomes for a cohort of older patients with stage III-IVB inoperable oral squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) patients receiving radiation therapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy (CT).
The clinical potential of mechanistic models of individualized radiosensitivity
Thompson SJ and McMahon SJ
Emerging therapeutics in the management of tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT)
Wytiaz V, Siegel G and Chugh R
Tenosynovial giant cell tumors (TGCTs) are locally aggressive mesenchymal neoplasms that often occur in younger patients and cause long-term disability. Surgical management remains the standard of care, but with high risks of surgical morbidity, systemic treatment options are important to consider, particularly in diffuse disease. Improved understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of TGCTs has led to exciting developments in this arena.
An evaluation of talazoparib plus enzalutamide for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Serra R, Giunta EF, Schepisi G, Brighi N, Montanari D, Lolli C, Bleve S, Piras M, Palmieri G, Scartozzi M, Paliogiannis P and De Giorgi U
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer diagnosis among men worldwide, with poor prognosis in its advanced stage. Treatment strategies have evolved, including the use of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPis).
Practical insights into bispecific antibody therapy in multiple myeloma
Kawasaki Y, Winger S, Esteghamat N, Rosenberg A and Beechinor R
The rise of recent novel therapies teclistamab, elranatamab, and talquetamab for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) is a rapidly evolving area with significant clinical implications that require exploration and evaluation.