Yang Wu^1,#,*, Dong Xu^1,#, Run Shi¹, Mingwei Zhan², Shaohui Xu³, Xin Wang⁴, Jianpeng Zhang⁵, Zhaokai Zhou⁶, Weizhuo Wang⁷, Yongjie Wang⁸, Minglun Li⁹, Zihao Xu^10,*, Kaifeng Su^11,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.073265 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality in men, largely due to therapy resistance and metastatic progression. Increasing evidence highlights the tumor microenvironment (TME), particularly cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as a critical determinant of disease behavior. CAFs constitute a heterogeneous population originating from fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial cells, epithelial cells undergoing epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and adipose tissue. Through dynamic crosstalk with tumor, immune, endothelial, and adipocyte compartments, CAFs orchestrate oncogenic processes including tumor proliferation, invasion, immune evasion, extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis, and metabolic reprogramming. This review comprehensively summarizes the cellular origins, phenotypic More >

Xinyang Li^1,2,3,#, Luyuan Ma^1,2,3,#, Chuan Shen^1,2,3, Ruolan Gu^1,2,3, Shilong Dong^1,2,3, Mingjie Liu^1,2,3, Ying Xiao^1,2,3, Wenpeng Liu^1,2,3, Yuexia Liu^1,2,3, Caiyan Zhao^1,2,3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.073179 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive and lethal malignancy. Metabolic reprogramming dynamically remodels the tumor microenvironment (TME) and drives HCC progression. This study investigated the mechanism through which metabolic reprogramming remodels the TME in HCC. Methods: HCC patient transcriptome data were subjected to bioinformatics analysis to identify differentially expressed genes and immune infiltration status. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A (SDHA) expression and M2 macrophage infiltration. SDHA-knockdown or SDHA-overexpressing HCC cells were used for in vitro experiments, including co-culturing, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blotting… More >

Bu Zou^1,#, Yi-En Xu^2,#, Hui-Chan He³, Zu-Lu Ye², Da-Lei Zhou², Cai-Yun He^2,*, Chan Huang^4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069453 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Objectives: Gastric cancer (GC) remains a major global health concern, and Phosphoinositide-3-Kinase Regulatory Subunit 1 (PIK3R1), a regulatory subunit of the PI3K signaling pathway, may play a critical yet underexplored role in GC progression. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of PIK3R1 in GC and its association with the tumor immune microenvironment. Methods: PIK3R1 expression and its clinical relevance were analyzed using datasets from GC patients who underwent gastrectomy, including cohorts from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC). Prognostic models integrating PIK3R1 expression with clinical parameters… More >

Dongchi Cai^1,2,#, Jialin Ji^3,#, Chunhui Yang^1,*, Hong Cai^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.071152 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Metabolic reprogramming involving branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)—leucine, isoleucine, and valine—is increasingly recognized as pivotal in cancer progression, metastasis, and immune modulation. This review comprehensively explores how cancer cells rewire BCAA metabolism to enhance proliferation, survival, and therapy resistance. Tumors manipulate BCAA uptake and catabolism via high expression of transporters like L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) and enzymes including branched chain amino acid transaminase 1(BCAT1), branched chain amino acid transaminase 2 (BCAT2), branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH), and branched chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK). These alterations sustain energy production, biosynthesis, redox homeostasis, and oncogenic… More >

Shenghui Su, Yu Zeng, Jiaxin Chen, Xieping Dong^*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070558 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Background: Recent studies have shown glycerolipid metabolism played an essential role in multiple tumors, however, its function in osteosarcoma is unclear. This study aimed to explore the role of glycerolipid metabolism in osteosarcoma. Methods: We conducted bioinformatics analysis using data from the Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) database and single-cell RNA sequencing. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression was used to identify the Glycerolipid metabolism-related genes associated with the clinical outcome of osteosarcoma. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and their interactions with immune cells were examined through single-cell analysis and co-culture experiments.… More >

Kai Gui^1,#, Tianyi Yang^1,#, Chengying Xiong¹, Yue Wang¹, Zhiqiang He¹, Wuxian Li^2,3,*, Min Tang^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070143 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Objectives: The mechanism by which specific tumor subsets in colorectal cancer (CRC) use alternative metabolic pathways, particularly those modulated by hypoxia and fructose, to alter the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unclear. This study aimed to identify these malignant subpopulations and characterize their intercellular signaling networks and spatial organization through an integrative multi-omics approach. Methods: Leveraging bulk datasets, single-cell RNA sequencing, and integrative spatial transcriptomics, we developed a prognostic model based on hypoxia-and fructose metabolism-related genes (HFGs) to delineate tumor cell subpopulations and their intercellular signaling networks. Results: We identified a specific subset of stanniocalcin-2 positive (STC2+)… More > Graphic Abstract

Boxuan Han^1,2,#, Shaokun Liu^3,#, Ridhima Das³, Shiqian Liu⁴, Yang Zhang^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 3633-3656, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.071296 - 27 November 2025

Abstract Organoid technology, characterized by high fidelity in mimicking the in vivo microenvironment, preservation of tumor heterogeneity, and capacity for high-throughput operations, has emerged as a critical tool in head and neck cancer research. To address clinical challenges in head and neck cancer management—including marked tumor heterogeneity, therapeutic resistance, and significant prognostic variability—this review focuses on four key translational applications of organoid technology: In mechanistic studies, organoid models provide a reliable platform for investigating tumorigenesis, progression, and drug resistance mechanisms. In personalized therapy, organoid-based drug sensitivity testing enables data-driven clinical decision-making. For biomarker discovery, organoids facilitate the More >

Chenglu Lu^1,#, Huiting Zhang^2,#, Ujjal K. Bhawal^3,4, Lei Wang¹, Jingwu Li¹, Pangzhou Chen^5,*, Lewei Zhu^6,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 3657-3678, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069703 - 27 November 2025

Abstract The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex network composed of non-tumor cells, extracellular matrix, blood vessels, and various molecular signals that surround and profoundly influence tumor progression. As one of the key immune effector cells within the TME, mast cells (MCs) exhibit functional complexity, and their specific roles remain widely debated. Depending on the cancer type, spatial distribution, and interactions with other TME components, MCs can demonstrate dual regulatory capabilities—either promoting or inhibiting tumor growth. This characteristic has made them an important focus in current tumor immunology research. This review aims to systematically review the More >

Zhujiang Dai^1,2,#, Xiaoyong Ge^1,2,#, Wenbo Tang^1,2, Chen-Ying Liu^1,2, Yun Liu^1,2,*, Zhongchuan Wang^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 4113-4143, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.068473 - 27 November 2025

Abstract Objective: The plastic role of regulatory factor X1 (RFX1) in colon cancer progression and its impact on the tumor microenvironment remain poorly understood. The study aimed to clarify the molecular and clinical role of RFX1 in colon cancer. Methods: We classified colon cancers into subgroups with high and low RFX1 expression and characterized their immune profiles, mutational profiles, cancer immunotherapy and drug sensitivity. By combining RFX1 expression with persistent tumor mutational burden, we proposed a novel nomogram clinical prediction model and validated its predictive performance, and the correlation between high expression and poor prognosis. Results: Compared… More > Graphic Abstract

Yi Feng^1,#, Haoxin Yang², Guicai Liang¹, Jun Chen³, Tao Li¹, Yingjuan Wang⁴, Jilin Chang¹, Yan Li³, Meng Yang¹, Xilong Zhou¹, Zhiqiang Wang^5,*, Chunlei Ge^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 3801-3836, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.067824 - 27 November 2025

Abstract Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) has limited efficacy in the treatment of immune “cold” tumors. Due to insufficient T cell infiltration and heterogeneous programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, the ORR is only 5%–8% compared with 30%–40% of “hot” tumors. This article reviews the synergistic mechanism, clinical efficacy and optimization strategy of oncolytic virus (OVs) combined with ICIs in the treatment of refractory malignant tumors. Systematic analysis of mechanistic interactions across tumor types and clinical trial data demonstrates that OVs transform the immunosuppressive microenvironment by inducing immunogenic cell death and activating innate immunity. Concurrently, ICIs enhance… More >