Zongmeng Zhang^1,2,#, Cai Chen^3,#, Shaorui Rui³, Conghan Li³, Jiong Gu^3,*, Liang He^3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.073085 - 23 January 2026

Abstract Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks among the most prevalent malignant tumors globally. Metabolically associated fatty liver disease is a significant risk factor for HCC. Adiponectin, a key regulatory protein in glucolipid metabolism, presents potential as an anti-tumor target in HCC cells. The study focused on evaluating the anti-HCC properties of AdipoRon, an agonist of the adiponectin receptor. Method: Cell viability and proliferation were assessed using the cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays, respectively. AdipoRon’s effect on HCC cell damage was evaluated via flow cytometry, apoptosis, and (lactate dehydrogenase) LDH assays. Mitochondrial function was evaluated… More >

Zhitao Yang^1,#, Huanyu Cheng^1,#, Xinli Liu¹, Jie Li¹, Xin Ming¹, Beibei Li¹, Luyao Zhang¹, Chunqing MA¹, Yi Jiao¹, Shenjia Wu¹, Ibrar Muhammad Khan², Guanghua Xiong¹, Hongcheng Wang^1,*, Yong Liu^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.072736 - 23 January 2026

Abstract Objectives: Postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most common form of osteoporosis in clinical practice, affecting millions of postmenopausal women worldwide. Postmenopausal osteoporosis demands safe and effective therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of hederagenin (Hed) for treating osteoporosis and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms of action. Methods: The anti-osteoporotic potential of Hed was assessed by investigating its effects on ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss in mice and on receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation in RAW264.7 cells. Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking were employed to identify key targets, which were subsequently validated experimentally. Results:… More >

Yuerou Feng, Panpan Tong, Shuwen Fu, Xiaofan Lu, Liquan Zheng, Jielan Lai^*, Renchun Lai^*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.072563 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Background: The efficacy of standard 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy for colorectal cancer is limited by drug resistance and adverse effects, prompting research into esketamine, a potent ketamine variant with analgesic, antidepressant, and recently discovered anti-tumor properties, to determine if it can enhance 5-FU’s chemosensitivity. This study investigates whether esketamine synergizes with 5-FU to enhance therapeutic efficacy in colorectal adenocarcinoma cell models. Methods: We performed functional assays to evaluate proliferation (CCK-8), migration (wound healing), invasion (Transwell), and apoptosis (flow cytometry) in colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines treated with 5-FU alone or in combination with esketamine. Transcriptomic profiling was… More >

Xiaoyu Zhang^1,#, RenFei Zong^1,#, Yan Sun¹, Nan Chen², Kunyao Zhu¹, Hang Tong¹, Tinghao Li¹, Junlong Zhu¹, Zijia Qin¹, Linfeng Wu¹, Aimin Wang¹, Weiyang He^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.072084 - 19 January 2026

Abstract Objective: While cisplatin-based chemotherapy is pivotal for advanced bladder cancer, acquired resistance remains a major obstacle. This study investigates key molecular drivers of this resistance and potential reversal strategies. Methods: We established GC (Gemcitabine and Cisplatin)-resistant T24-R and UC3-R cell lines from T24 and UM-UC-3 (UC3) cells. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses identified differentially expressed molecules. Apoptosis and cell viability were assessed by flow cytometry and CCK-8 (Cell Counting Kit-8) assays, while RT-qPCR (Reverse Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) and Western blot analyzed gene and protein expression. Immunofluorescence evaluated FAK (Focal Adhesion Kinase) phosphorylation, and a… More >

Wen-Shou Tan^1,#, Hsuan Kuo^2,#, Chang-Ge Jiang¹, Mei-Han Lu¹, Yi-He Lu¹, Yung-Li Wang¹, Ching-Shuen Wang¹, Thi Thuy Tien Vo³, I-Ta Lee^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.070871 - 30 December 2025

Abstract This narrative review examines recent advances in salivary biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a major subtype of oral cancer with persistently low five-year survival rates due to delayed diagnosis. Saliva has emerged as a noninvasive diagnostic medium capable of reflecting both local tumor activity and systemic physiological changes. Various salivary biomarkers, including microRNAs, cytokines, proteins, metabolites, and exosomes, have been linked to oncogenic signaling pathways involved in tumor progression, immune modulation, and therapeutic resistance. Advances in quantitative polymerase chain reaction, mass spectrometry, and next-generation sequencing have enabled comprehensive biomarker profiling, while point-of-care detection More >

Wendong Jia^#, Ting Zhang^#, Ziying Zhang, Lingzhi Wu, Xihao Fu, Zhenxin Wang^*, Ni Yin^*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.068651 - 30 December 2025

Abstract Objectives: Chromobox 4 (CBX4), a polycomb protein family member linked to tumor pathogenesis via dysregulation, has an incompletely defined role in gastric cancer (GC). The study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of CBX4 in GC progression and evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target. Methods: CBX4 expression was assessed in GC tissues vs. adjacent non-cancerous tissues and in GC cell lines vs. normal gastric mucosal epithelial cells. Clinicopathological correlations were analyzed. Functional impacts of CBX4 were determined using knockdown and overexpression models in vitro (cell proliferation, migration, invasion) and in vivo (xenograft tumorigenesis in nude… More >

Ioannis A. Voutsadakis^1,2,3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 4073-4092, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.069230 - 27 November 2025

Abstract Background: E26 transformation-specific (ETS) family transcription factors have confirmed roles in several types of cancers. This study aimed to clarify the role of ETS family transcription factor alterations in gastric cancers. Methods: This study examines molecular alterations of ETS transcription factors in gastric adenocarcinomas based on an analysis of publicly available cohorts from the Protein Atlas and the Cancer Genome Atlas. The expression and relationships of members of the ETS transcription factor family with other important factors in the process of gastric carcinogenesis were evaluated using the same resources. Results: mRNA expression levels of ETS family… More >

Yizhen Zhang^1,2,#, Juan Li^1,3,#, Huanqing Liu^1,4,#, Hong Xia¹, Jian Su^1,5, Fang Liu¹, Bo Su^6,*, Qi Su^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 3869-3886, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.068689 - 27 November 2025

Abstract Objectives: Gastric cancer (GC) is often associated with high invasiveness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), highlighting the need for novel therapeutic targets. This study explored whether diallyl disulfide (DADS) upregulates retinoic acid-related orphan receptor alpha (ROR) to weaken the protein kinase C alpha (PKC)/RORα-mediated RORα/β-catenin pathway, thereby inhibiting GC cell invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and enhancing 5-FU sensitivity. Methods: Human GC cell lines MGC-803 and SGC7901 were treated with DADS, RORα agonist SR1078/antagonist T0901317, and PKCα agonist TPA/antagonist GO6976. Cell proliferation (MTT), migration (scratch assay), invasion (Transwell), protein expression (Western blot), protein… More >

Ranran Yang^1,2,3,#, Dan Yuan^2,#, Chaohan Liang^4,#, Siying Zhu⁴, Jie Huang², Yingqi Zhang⁴, Weiling He⁵, Qinghai Li^1,*, Hong Zhang^2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.12, pp. 3945-3971, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.064463 - 27 November 2025

Abstract Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a predominant contributor to global cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Oxaliplatin (OXP), a foundational chemotherapeutic agent for CRC, often exhibits limited efficacy due to the emergence of drug resistance. Although endothelin-1 (EDN1) has been implicated in tumor drug resistance, its role in oxaliplatin resistance in CRC remains poorly defined. This work aimed to define how EDN1 contributes to oxaliplatin resistance and to explore its potential as a therapeutic target. Methods: Public genomic datasets were analyzed to confirm EDN1 upregulation in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its association with poor prognosis. EDN1 expression was… More >

Yong Huang¹, Xiandeng Li¹, Qingling Jing¹, Qin Zhang¹, Chungui Huang^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.11, pp. 2195-2216, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.072716 - 24 November 2025

Abstract Objective: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are important cells in bone tissue engineering. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) effectively treats bone defects and nonunion. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether BMP-2 promotes bone formation and femoral fracture healing by inhibiting inflammation and promoting osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, in order to provide an experimental basis for developing more efficient fracture treatment strategies. Methods: Bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs) were isolated from rats and treated with OE-BMP-2, the 5^′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signal agonist 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR), and the inhibitor Compound C. Osteogenic differentiation was evaluated through… More >