Oncotarget

Researchers Question Editorial Bias in COVID-19 Vaccine Debate

BUFFALO, NY – February 16, 2026 – A new #commentary was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on February 6, 2026, titled “Censorship in science: How publishing decisions could have shaped the perceived “general consensus” on COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy.” In this commentary, led by Panagis Polykretis of the “Allineare Sanità e Salute” Foundation and the Independent Medical Scientific Commission (CMSi) in Milan, along with colleagues, the authors document a two-year effort to publish a case report and literature review that raised concerns about possible links between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and rare blood cancers. They argue that editorial decisions, rather than scientific merit, prevented the paper from being published, raising broader questions about transparency and bias in scientific publishing. The commentary outlines the submission history of a previously written case report describing a woman who developed acute lymphoblastic leukemia shortly after receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Alongside the case, the original paper reviewed existing studies and regulatory findings related to hematological malignancies. Despite relying on published evidence and maintaining a cautious tone, the manuscript was rejected 16 times before eventually appearing in Oncotarget. According to the authors, most journals rejected the manuscript without external peer review. Three journals allowed it to proceed through peer review, and one journal accepted the paper twice before withdrawing its decision both times. The authors argue that such cancelations, particularly after positive peer review, suggest a pattern of editorial censorship that prioritizes conformity over open scientific debate. The commentary highlights examples of reviewer feedback and editorial statements that, according to the authors, misrepresented the content of the original case report. One rejection asserted that mRNA vaccines cannot cause cancer because they do not integrate into human DNA. The authors respond that this position is overly narrow and overlooks the complex, multifactorial nature of cancer development. They also cite peer-reviewed evidence of DNA contamination in vaccine samples and call for a more balanced and open discussion of these findings. Rather than claiming definitive proof of vaccine-related harm, the authors emphasize the importance of allowing controversial topics to be examined and discussed based on evidence. They argue that suppressing disagreement, even when grounded in published science, can influence public understanding and create the appearance of scientific consensus where meaningful disagreement exists. “This case raises serious concerns: if scientifically sound dissenting research faces systematic exclusion, the resulting literature becomes selectively curated, artificially constructing ‘consensus’ while marginalizing legitimate scientific discourse.” The events described in the commentary raise concerns not only about a single case report but also about broader trends in academic publishing. If journal decisions are influenced by public health messaging rather than scientific reasoning, the authors argue that the scientific literature risks becoming selectively curated. They conclude by calling for institutional reform to ensure that editorial processes remain fair, evidence-based, and open to legitimate scientific debate. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28829 Correspondence to - Panagis Polykretis - panagis.polykretis@gmail.com Introduction video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=255yn3sgx-0 To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com. MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Case Report Explores Potential Link Between mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines and Cancer

BUFFALO, NY – February 11, 2026 – A new #casereport was published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on February 6, 2026, titled “Exploring the potential link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations and cancer: A case report with a review of haematopoietic malignancies with insights into pathogenic mechanisms.” In this report, led by first author Patrizia Gentilini along with corresponding author Panagis Polykretis from the “Allineare Sanità e Salute” Foundation and Independent Medical Scientific Commission (CMSi), Milano, an international team of researchers presented a detailed case involving a healthy, athletic woman who developed acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma shortly after receiving her second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. The authors reviewed existing literature and discussed possible immune-related mechanisms that could connect mRNA vaccines to blood cancers, calling attention to the need for further investigation. The case report focuses on a 38-year-old woman who began experiencing immune-related symptoms the day after her second COVID-19 mRNA vaccine dose. Within months, she was diagnosed with an aggressive blood cancer affecting early-stage lymphocytes. While she initially achieved complete remission through chemotherapy, she later experienced a central nervous system relapse and underwent a stem cell transplant. The sequence of events raises questions about whether the vaccine-induced immune response may have contributed to disease onset or progression. To provide broader context, the authors reviewed several other reports describing similar cancer cases after COVID-19 vaccination. These included lymphomas, leukemias, and other haematopoietic disorders. In many cases, symptoms appeared shortly after vaccination. While these instances remain rare, the authors argue that the patterns merit closer study. They also discuss potential mechanisms, including immune suppression, increased inflammation, and vaccine-related interference with key cancer-protective proteins such as p53. One concern highlighted in the report involves lipid nanoparticles used to deliver the vaccine, which may circulate beyond the injection site and reach organs such as the bone marrow. The authors note that changes in immune signaling, antibody responses, and genetic material could, under certain conditions, create conditions favorable to cancer development in susceptible individuals. However, they emphasize that a definitive cause-and-effect relationship has not been established. “The carcinogenic risk associated with these technologies, which has long been known within the gene therapy field, represents an area of research that cannot be ignored, given the fundamental principle of medicine “primum non nocere” (first, do no harm).” Although the case does not prove that vaccination caused the cancer, it adds to a small body of evidence suggesting that immune disturbances from mRNA vaccines should be studied further. The authors emphasize the importance of continuing long-term safety monitoring as mRNA vaccine technologies are expanded to other uses. Understanding potential rare risks is essential for ensuring informed public health decisions while maintaining trust in vaccine programs. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28827 Correspondence to - Panagis Polykretis - panagis.polykretis@gmail.com Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO-wewH7mEY To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget/ X - https://twitter.com/oncotarget Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OncotargetJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Oncotarget/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0gRwT6BqYWJzxzmjPJwtVh MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

How HPV and COVID-19 Spike Proteins May Interact to Impact Cancer Suppression

The p53 protein plays a central role in preventing cancer by responding to cellular stress and DNA damage. When activated, it can repair damaged DNA or trigger cell death, preventing the survival of potentially malignant cells. Loss of p53 function is a hallmark of many cancers. HPV is well known to inactivate p53 through its E6 protein, which promotes p53 degradation. This mechanism contributes to HPV-associated cancers, including cervical, anal, and head and neck cancers. SARS-CoV-2, while not traditionally classified as an oncogenic virus, has been shown to interfere with immune function and, in some cases, with cellular pathways that involve p53. A recent article by Dr. Wafik El-Deiry of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, published in Oncotarget, proposes a scientific hypothesis suggesting that proteins from HPV and SARS-CoV-2 may both interfere with the body’s tumor-suppressing mechanisms, potentially compounding their effects on cancer-related pathways. The Hypothesis: HPV E6 and SARS-CoV-2 Spike Proteins May Cooperatively Suppress p53 In the paper, titled “Hypothesis: HPV E6 and COVID spike proteins cooperate in targeting tumor suppression by p53,” Dr. El-Deiry proposes that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, whether introduced via infection or mRNA vaccination, may suppress p53 activity in a manner that complements the effects of HPV E6. In individuals with persistent HPV infection, this combined interference could further reduce p53 function, weakening tumor suppression mechanisms. Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/02/09/how-hpv-and-covid-19-spike-proteins-may-interact-to-impact-cancer-suppression/ Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28823 Correspondence to - Wafik S. El-Deiry - wafik@brown.edu Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GJVmpG4fPk Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28823 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, HPV, COVID, p53, spike To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us on social media: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget/ X - https://twitter.com/oncotarget Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OncotargetJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Oncotarget/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0gRwT6BqYWJzxzmjPJwtVh MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Exploring Possible Links Between COVID-19 Vaccination, Infection, and Cancer

A growing number of post-pandemic reports have described cancer diagnoses, recurrence, or progression following COVID-19 vaccination or SARS-CoV-2 infection. While no causal relationship has been established, these observations raise important questions that warrant careful, hypothesis-driven investigation. The rapid development and global distribution of mRNA and viral vector vaccines during the pandemic was a landmark achievement in public health, essential in reducing severe COVID-19 cases and mortality. However, the novelty of these vaccines and the absence of long-term carcinogenicity or genotoxicity testing have led some researchers to ask whether rare but biologically plausible interactions with cancer pathways might exist. At the same time, pandemic-related disruptions in routine cancer screening and treatment were anticipated to influence diagnosis patterns. Yet, some reports have described unexpected phenomena, such as rapid disease progression in previously stable cancers or tumor appearance near injection sites, that are not easily explained by delayed care alone. The Review: Examining 69 Studies on Cancer Diagnoses After COVID-19 Vaccination or Infection In a review published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget, titled “COVID vaccination and post-infection cancer signals: Evaluating patterns and potential biological mechanisms,” Charlotte Kuperwasser (Tufts University) and Oncotarget Editor-in-Chief Wafik S. El-Deiry (The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University) examined 69 peer-reviewed publications spanning January 2020 to October 2025. Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/01/26/exploring-possible-links-between-covid-19-vaccination-infection-and-cancer/ Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28824 Correspondence to - Charlotte Kuperwasser - charlotte.kuperwasser@tufts.edu, and Wafik S. El-Deiry - wafik@brown.edu Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_-AaojOoR8 Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28824 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, COVID, vaccine, infection, lymphoma, leukemia, sarcoma, carcinoma To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget/ X - https://twitter.com/oncotarget Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OncotargetJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Oncotarget/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0gRwT6BqYWJzxzmjPJwtVh MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Overcoming Aromatase Inhibitor Resistance in Breast Cancer: A New Therapeutic Strategy

Most breast cancers depend on estrogen to grow. This dependence explains why hormone-based treatments, such as aromatase inhibitors, are among the most effective therapies for estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer. Despite their success, these treatments do not work indefinitely for all patients. Over time, many tumors adapt to estrogen deprivation and continue to survive, grow, and spread. This process, known as aromatase inhibitor resistance, represents a major clinical challenge and is often associated with more aggressive disease and poorer outcomes. One reason resistant breast tumors are difficult to treat is that cancer cells adapt their internal signaling systems. Instead of relying on estrogen, they activate alternative growth pathways, including the MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways. These pathways promote cell survival, movement, and resistance to therapy and are frequently driven by proteins such as KRAS and related G-proteins, which have historically been difficult to target. A recent study published in Oncotarget suggests now that a new class of compounds may offer a way to overcome this resistance. Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/01/13/overcoming-aromatase-inhibitor-resistance-in-breast-cancer-a-new-therapeutic-strategy/ Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28759 Correspondence to - Nazarius S. Lamango - nazarius.lamango@famu.edu Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xQEilloO9Q Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28759 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, PCAIs, ROS, MAPK, PI3K/AKT, LTLT-Ca cells To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget/ X - https://twitter.com/oncotarget Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OncotargetJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Oncotarget/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0gRwT6BqYWJzxzmjPJwtVh MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM