Yimin Liu^1,#, Bin Liu^2,3,4,#, Huabin Gao¹, Jinlong Wang⁵, Jingya Duan¹, Xiaolan Huang¹, Yuexi Liu¹, Ying Huang¹, Wenjing Liao¹, Ruonan Li^1,*, Hua Linghu^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069007 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Objectives: High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the most common subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), exhibits a mesenchymal phenotype characterized by fibrotic stroma and poor prognosis. Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), a key diagnostic biomarker for ovarian cancer, is involved in fibrotic processes in several non-malignant diseases. Given the clinical significance of stromal fibrosis in HGSOC and the potential link between HE4 and fibrosis, this study aimed to investigate the role of HE4 in the formation of stromal fibrosis in HGSOC. Methods: A total of 126 patients with gynecological conditions were included and divided into… More > Graphic Abstract

Bruno Špiljak^1,#, Bojan Poposki^2,#, Stjepanka Lešić^3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.11, pp. 3269-3292, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.068395 - 22 October 2025

Abstract Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive cancer with high recurrence rates and prevalent resistance to therapeutic interventions. Tumor behavior is largely dependent on the tumor microenvironment (TME) that includes immune cells, stromal components, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the extracellular matrix (ECM), and an associated cytokine network. In this review, we examine principal mechanisms of the tumorigenic transformation, encompassing immune checkpoint disruption, therapy resistance mediated through CAFs, the contribution of hypoxic niches, and several metabolic dependencies that hold potential as future targets. Novel therapeutics developed and/or repurposed, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs),… More >

Yuriy Mayasin¹, Maria Osinnikova¹, Daria Osadchaya¹, Victoria Dmitrienko¹, Anna Gorodilova¹, Chulpan Kharisova¹, Kristina Kitaeva¹, Ivan Filin¹, Valeria Solovyeva¹, Albert Rizvanov^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.9, pp. 2221-2242, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.064677 - 28 August 2025

Abstract Melanoma is a malignant neoplasm with a high propensity to metastasize, arising from melanocytes and contributing significantly to global morbidity and mortality. Despite the demonstrated efficacy of many immunotherapy approaches, these methods rely on direct destruction of tumor cells with minimal impact on the aggregate of nearby non-tumor cells, the extracellular matrix, and blood vessels that form the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME is known to be heterogeneous and dynamic, exerting both antitumor and pro-tumor effects depending on the specific features and stage of carcinogenesis. TME has been shown in several studies to promote… More >

Xiaoyue Feng^1,#, Yu Liu^2,#, Ying Kang¹, Juan Wei², Bei Yuan³, Kang Jiang⁴, Weijun Xu², Xinyi Xia⁵, Fangyu Wang^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.8, pp. 1505-1528, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.066504 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Objectives: A common side effect of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is intestinal fibrosis, which frequently leads to intestinal blockage and stricture formation. Although Thalidomide (THD) has shown anti-fibrotic benefits in hepatic and renal models, little is known about how it affects intestinal fibrosis and the underlying processes. The present research examines the molecular targets of THD and its potential as a treatment for intestinal fibrosis brought on by colitis. Methods: Clinical samples from Crohn’s disease (CD) patients with intestinal strictures treated with infliximab (IFX) and THD combined with IFX were collected. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)… More >

Yi Zhang¹, Hua Jin^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.8, pp. 1529-1543, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.066479 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Objectives: The present study investigated whether Tripartite Motif-Containing Protein 32 (TRIM32) contributes to the aberrant activation of keloid fibroblasts (KFs) via glycolysis. Methods: The expression levels of TRIM32, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1), hexokinase 2 (HK2), and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) in normal human skin fibroblasts (NFs) and KFs were analyzed using RT-qPCR analyses and western blotting. Cellular proliferation, invasion, and migration were evaluated using Transwell, wound healing, 5-ethynyl-2^′-deoxyuridine (EdU), and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assays. The extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) was measured using the XF96 Extracellular Flux Analyzer. Glucose uptake and ATP production were measured using… More >

HYEON JI KIM^1,#, BO KYUNG JOO^1,#, JIN-SEOK BYUN^2,3,*, DO-YEON KIM^1,3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.6, pp. 1271-1282, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.062207 - 29 May 2025

Abstract Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly aggressive and devastating disease arising primarily from the mucosal epithelium of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. HNSCC ranks as the sixth most common cancer worldwide, carrying significant morbidity and mortality. HPV-positive HNSCC can be partially prevented with the FDA-approved HPV vaccine and generally exhibits a more favorable prognosis compared to HPV-negative cases. However, effective screening and treatment approaches remain elusive for HPV-negative HNSCC. While precancerous lesions may precede invasive cancer in certain situations, most patients present with advanced disease without prior indication of precancerous More >

LIWEN FENG^1,2,#,*, YUTING CHEN^3,#, WENYI JIN⁴

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.5, pp. 1091-1103, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.054207 - 18 April 2025

Abstract Osteosarcoma (OS) is a prevalent primary bone malignancy with limited treatment options. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate and understand the mechanisms underlying OS pathogenesis. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are markedly abundant in tumor stromal cells and are essentially involved in the modulation of tumor occurrence and development. In recent years, CAFs have become a hotspot as researchers aim to elucidate CAF mechanisms that regulate tumor progression. However, most studies on CAFs are limited to a few common cancers, and their association with OS remains elusive. This review describes the role and current knowledge of CAFs More >

Kristina A. Kritskaya, Evgeniya I. Fedotova, Alexander D. Nadeev^*, Alexey V. Berezhnov^*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.3, pp. 451-464, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.061624 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Objective: Activation of mitophagy is a promising option to overcome the mitochondrial malfunction that accompanies many diseases. Herein, we investigate the mechanisms underlying the ability of sodium lactate and pyruvate to initiate mitophagy, from the perspective of action on mitochondrial network and expression levels. Methods: Fluorescent and confocal microscopy was used to assess key cell parameters characterizing the state of the mitochondrial network and the level of mitophagy in human fibroblasts carrying mutations in genes encoding LRRK2 and PINK1 after the combined application of lactate and pyruvate and after direct acidification. qRT-PCR was used to… More >

Juan Cheng^1,#, Zhiwei Zhao^2,#, Ling Wang¹, Jirui Wen¹, Yali Miao^3,*, Jiang Wu^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.2, pp. 335-348, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.059573 - 28 February 2025

Abstract Objectives: Recently, pre-/post-operative Local Estrogen Therapy (LET) has shown effectiveness in alleviating Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) symptoms in clinical therapy. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support these claims. Therefore, we aimed to explore the anti-senescence effects and mechanisms of 17β-estradiol (E2) on POP-derived fibroblasts. Methods: The primary fibroblast cells were isolated and cultured from the surgical samples of postmenopausal women clinically diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) at stages III-IV (quantified using the POP-Q system) and without any other treatment within 6 months. (n = 12, age 50–75). Colorimetric Cell Counting… More >

TAO SUN^1,2, QINGHUA SONG³, HUA LIU^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.1, pp. 133-148, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2024.054141 - 20 December 2024

Abstract Background: Lung cancer is a life-threatening disease that occurs worldwide, but is especially common in China. The crucial role of the tumour microenvironment (TME) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has attracted recent attention. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the main factors that contribute to the TME function, and CAF exosomes are closely linked to NSCLC. Methods: The expression levels of miR-3124-5p and Toll-interacting protein (TOLLIP) were analysed by bioinformatics prediction combined with RT-qPCR/Western Blot detection. Fibroblasts were isolated and identified from clinical NSCLC tissues. Transmission electron microscopy and Western Blot were used to identify exosomes… More >