Rare Laryngeal Leiomyosarcoma Successfully Treated with Surgery and Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Rare Laryngeal Leiomyosarcoma Successfully Treated with Surgery and Adjuvant Chemotherapy

BUFFALO, NY – May 13, 2026 – A new #casereport was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on May 4, 2026, titled “Laryngeal leiomyosarcoma: A rare case report and literature review.” The study was led by first author Bolat Shalabaev and corresponding author Zhuldyz Kuanysh, both from the National Research Oncology Center, Astana, Kazakhstan. In this report, the authors describe a rare case of high-grade laryngeal leiomyosarcoma (LLMS) in a 64-year-old man who presented with progressive dyspnea and hoarseness caused by a large supraglottic mass. Laryngeal leiomyosarcoma is an exceptionally uncommon malignant tumor of smooth muscle origin, with fewer than 70 cases reported worldwide since it was first described in 1939. Because most laryngeal malignancies are epithelial tumors such as squamous cell carcinoma, diagnosis of LLMS can be particularly challenging and requires extensive histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation. Imaging studies revealed a heterogeneous laryngeal tumor causing near-complete obstruction of the airway. Histopathological analysis demonstrated high-grade spindle-cell proliferation with marked pleomorphism and pathological mitoses. Immunohistochemical testing showed strong expression of smooth muscle actin (SMA) and vimentin, while markers including CD34, myogenin, cytokeratins 5/6 and 7, and p40 were negative, supporting the diagnosis of high-grade pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma. The patient underwent extended laryngectomy with left neck dissection and formation of a permanent tracheostomy. Comprehensive staging with CT, MRI, and ultrasound showed no evidence of regional or distant metastases. Due to the tumor’s aggressive pathological features—including a Ki-67 proliferation index reaching 60%—the multidisciplinary tumor board recommended adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin and ifosfamide following surgery. “Complete surgical excision remains the cornerstone of therapy, while multidisciplinary-guided adjuvant treatment may benefit selected high-grade or high-risk patients.” Postoperative pathology confirmed a high-grade pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma classified as pT3N0M0 according to the AJCC 8th edition staging system. Importantly, surgical margins were negative, and no metastatic involvement was identified in the five examined lymph nodes. At the most recent follow-up, 12 months after surgery and completion of chemotherapy, the patient remained alive and free of recurrence or metastasis. The authors also reviewed recently published LLMS cases reported between 2021 and 2024. Their analysis confirmed persistent male predominance, frequent involvement of the glottic and supraglottic regions, and highly variable clinical outcomes ranging from long-term disease-free survival to rapid metastatic progression. The report further highlights the central role of immunohistochemistry in differentiating leiomyosarcoma from other spindle-cell neoplasms of the head and neck. Importantly, the study emphasizes that complete surgical resection with histologically negative margins remains the most important factor associated with favorable outcomes. While the role of chemotherapy in laryngeal leiomyosarcoma remains controversial, the authors note that individualized multidisciplinary treatment approaches may be particularly valuable in patients with high-grade or high-risk disease features. Overall, this report contributes important clinical insight into one of the rarest malignancies of the larynx. As the first documented case of laryngeal leiomyosarcoma reported from Central Asia, the study expands the limited global literature on this disease and underscores the importance of coordinated multidisciplinary care, detailed pathological evaluation, and long-term surveillance in optimizing patient outcomes. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28862 Correspondence to - Zhuldyz Kuanysh - zhuldyzkuanysh@icloud.com Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3AoqIXo3Ys

Agentic AI Systems May Transform Nutritional Care in Oncology

BUFFALO, NY – May 11, 2026 – A new #editorial was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on May 4, 2026, titled “Artificial intelligence in nutritional oncology: From isolated screening tools to agentic intervention systems.” The editorial was authored by first author Arnab Sarkar and corresponding author Yashbir Singh-Wolkenhauer, who is affiliated with the Mayo Clinic Department of Radiology. In this editorial, the authors examine how emerging forms of artificial intelligence may help address one of oncology’s most persistent yet underrecognized challenges: cancer-related malnutrition. Although nutritional complications affect a large proportion of cancer patients and are associated with poorer treatment tolerance, prolonged hospitalizations, and reduced survival, access to specialized nutritional care remains severely limited in many healthcare settings. The article focuses on the growing role of “agentic AI,” a new class of autonomous AI systems capable of reasoning across complex clinical information, using external tools, maintaining memory, and adapting to changing patient conditions over time. Unlike conventional AI tools that perform isolated tasks such as malnutrition screening or dietary counseling, agentic AI systems are designed to coordinate multiple functions simultaneously and support ongoing clinical decision-making throughout a patient’s treatment course. “Where a conventional model answers the question “Is this patient malnourished?”, an agentic system pursues the goal ‘Optimize this patient’s nutritional status throughout their treatment course,’ autonomously decomposing that objective into sensing, reasoning, and acting steps.” The authors outline a proposed multi-agent framework for nutritional oncology that includes specialized AI agents responsible for nutritional screening, dietary planning, treatment-nutrition interaction monitoring, and patient engagement. These agents would operate together under a centralized coordination system capable of integrating laboratory data, imaging findings, treatment-related side effects, food preferences, wearable device data, and electronic health records in real time. The proposed architecture is illustrated in Figure 1 of the paper (page 2), which depicts how multiple AI agents could coordinate patient-centered nutritional support across oncology workflows. Importantly, the editorial emphasizes that clinical oversight remains essential. The authors propose a graduated autonomy model in which lower-risk functions, such as recipe recommendations or symptom-triggered dietary advice, may operate with minimal supervision, while higher-risk decisions involving enteral or parenteral nutrition would continue to require direct clinician authorization. The article also highlights several major barriers that must be addressed before widespread clinical implementation becomes possible. These include AI hallucination risk, regulatory uncertainty, privacy concerns involving integrated patient data, and the potential for algorithmic bias when systems are trained predominantly on Western dietary and clinical datasets. The authors further note that no randomized controlled trials have yet evaluated AI-driven nutritional interventions against major oncologic outcomes such as survival or treatment completion. Overall, the editorial presents agentic AI as a potentially important next step in supportive cancer care. By integrating nutritional assessment, personalized dietary planning, and longitudinal patient monitoring into coordinated AI-driven systems, these technologies may help close longstanding gaps in oncology nutrition services while supporting more individualized and responsive patient care. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28874 Correspondence to - Yashbir Singh-Wolkenhauer - singh.yashbir@mayo.edu Introduction video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVKhRSr5xaY Website: https://www.oncotarget.com MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Rare Dual-Mutation GIST Responds to Targeted Therapy, Challenging Established Tumor Biology

BUFFALO, NY – May 6, 2026 – A new #casereport was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on May 4, 2026, titled “Small bowel GIST harboring concurrent KIT exon 9 duplication and SDHC mutation: A case report.” The study was led by first author Cameron B. Speyer from the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, and corresponding author Joseph G. Crompton, who holds appointments at both the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine and the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. In this report, the authors describe a rare and clinically informative case of a small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) harboring two genetic alterations that are typically considered mutually exclusive. GISTs are most commonly driven by activating mutations in the KIT or PDGFRA genes, which confer sensitivity to targeted therapies such as imatinib. In contrast, tumors associated with succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) deficiency represent a distinct subgroup that is generally resistant to these treatments. The patient, a 68-year-old man, presented with progressive abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation. Imaging studies revealed a large heterogeneous mass in the lower abdomen measuring up to 18 cm. A biopsy confirmed a spindle cell neoplasm consistent with GIST, with immunohistochemical staining positive for CD117 and DOG1. Genomic analysis identified both a KIT exon 9 duplication (A502_Y503) and a germline SDHC mutation (p.R50C)—a highly unusual combination. Despite the presence of the SDHC mutation, which is typically associated with resistance to therapy, the patient demonstrated a strong response to high-dose imatinib. After six months of neoadjuvant treatment, imaging showed a marked reduction in tumor size and metabolic activity, enabling successful surgical resection. “This case suggests that oncogenic KIT signaling may remain the dominant driver of GIST behavior despite the presence of a germline SDHC mutation and highlights the importance of integrated molecular interpretation in GIST management.” Pathologic examination of the resected tumor revealed significant treatment response, including extensive necrosis and reduced tumor viability. Notably, immunohistochemistry demonstrated retained SDHB expression, indicating preserved SDH complex function despite the identified germline mutation. The case highlights an important clinical insight: not all detected genetic alterations contribute equally to tumor behavior. While SDH-deficient GISTs are typically resistant to imatinib, this tumor behaved in a manner consistent with KIT-driven disease, underscoring the importance of interpreting molecular findings within their clinical and pathological context. Overall, this report emphasizes the need for integrated molecular analysis in cancer diagnosis and treatment. As next-generation sequencing becomes more widely used, clinicians may encounter tumors with multiple coexisting mutations. Determining the dominant oncogenic driver is essential for selecting the most effective therapy and improving patient outcomes. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28863 Correspondence to - Joseph G. Crompton - jcrompton@mednet.ucla.edu Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB_QG2vBNCE Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, GIST, KIT duplication, SDHC mutation, genetic testing, case report 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

Mapping the Hidden Structure of Glioma Research: What Are We Missing?

Glioma research has evolved rapidly over the past decade, driven by breakthroughs in molecular biology, imaging technologies, and computational tools. Today, clinicians can classify tumors with far greater precision than ever before, using genetic mutations, epigenetic markers, and advanced diagnostic frameworks. Yet, despite this progress, an important question remains: are we truly capturing the full picture of what shapes patient outcomes? Traditionally, glioma classification has focused on what can be measured in the tumor itself—its histology, molecular profile, and biological behavior. While these factors are undeniably critical, they may not fully explain why patients with similar tumors can experience very different clinical trajectories. Increasingly, researchers are beginning to recognize that broader influences—particularly social and environmental factors—may also play a role. Understanding how these different layers of information connect is becoming an important challenge in neuro-oncology. A review was published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on March 31, 2026, titled “Bibliometric mapping of glioma classification research through main path, key route, and K-core analyses.” The study was led by first and corresponding author Kayode Ahmed from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in collaboration with Juan E. Núñez-Ríos from Universidad Panamericana. Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/05/05/mapping-the-hidden-structure-of-glioma-research-what-are-we-missing/ Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28851 Correspondence to - Kayode Ahmed - kmahmed@mdanderson.org Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8h2z3eEMFM Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28851 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, glioma research, social network analysis, socio-clinical domains, web of science, networks 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

Targeted Therapies Drive Long-Term Decline in Multiple Myeloma Mortality in the U.S.

BUFFALO, NY – April 29, 2026 – A new #research paper was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on April 28, 2026, titled “Targeted therapeutics and U.S. population-level mortality trends in multiple myeloma: A SEER-based analysis from 1975 to 2023.” The study was led by first and corresponding author Navkirat Kahlon from the Mass General Cancer Center at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, in collaboration with researchers from multiple U.S. institutions. In this study, the researchers examined how mortality trends in multiple myeloma have changed in the United States over nearly five decades, using population-level data from the SEER database. Multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells, has historically been associated with poor survival outcomes, but treatment options have evolved dramatically over time. The analysis revealed a clear shift in mortality trends that closely parallels major therapeutic advances. Between 1975 and the mid-1990s, mortality rates steadily increased, reflecting the limited effectiveness of early treatments such as alkylating agents and corticosteroids. A turning point emerged in the 1990s with the introduction of autologous stem cell transplantation, which marked the first meaningful improvement in survival outcomes. Over the following years, the development of targeted therapies—including immunomodulatory drugs and proteasome inhibitors—was associated with a more pronounced decline in mortality. These treatments introduced new mechanisms of action, such as immune modulation and enhanced cancer cell apoptosis, significantly improving disease control. More recent years have seen further progress with the introduction of monoclonal antibodies, maintenance therapies, and combination treatment strategies. Notably, the steepest decline in mortality occurred between 2021 and 2023, coinciding with the clinical adoption of advanced immunotherapies such as CAR T-cell therapies and bispecific antibodies. These treatments have shown the ability to induce deep and durable responses, even in heavily pretreated patients. “Our findings highlight the real-world impact of targeted therapies on population-level outcomes and underscore the urgent need for care models that ensure accessibility, affordability, and long-term sustainability in the era of precision oncology.” Importantly, while these therapeutic advances have improved survival, they have also introduced new challenges. Many patients now require long-term treatment, which can be associated with cumulative toxicities and a significant financial burden. In addition, access to these therapies remains uneven, influenced by geographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare system factors. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive, real-world view of how advances in cancer treatment have translated into measurable improvements in survival at the population level. At the same time, it highlights the need to ensure that these benefits are both sustainable and accessible to all patients as the field continues to evolve. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28877 Correspondence to - Navkirat Kahlon - nkahlon@mgb.org; (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1115-2029) Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TNWkG9FyUo Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ 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