Oncotarget

Cancer Care Often Overlooked in Humanitarian Crises

Cancer is increasingly recognized as a major global health challenge, yet for people living through war, displacement, and humanitarian crises, access to even basic oncology services can be difficult or impossible. While emergency responses typically focus on trauma care, infectious diseases, and immediate survival needs, cancer care remains largely absent from many humanitarian health programs. A review paper on this topic was published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget titled “Cancer without borders: Policy frameworks for oncology care in humanitarian and conflict settings.” The study was led by first and corresponding author Pragnesh Parmar, with Gunvanti Rathod as co-author, both from AIIMS Bibinagar, Telangana, India. Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/06/03/cancer-care-often-overlooked-in-humanitarian-crises/ Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28856 Correspondence to - Pragnesh Parmar - drprag@gmail.com; (ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-8402-8435) Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXlhIBZyJ6Q Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28856 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, cancer care, humanitarian crisis, tele-oncology, global health policy, oncology triage 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

Protein in Tumor Microenvironment Found to Promote Colorectal Cancer Growth and Immune Evasion

BUFFALO, NY – June 2, 2026 – A new #research paper was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on May 20, 2026, titled “Microenvironmental CTHRC1 has a pro-tumorigenic role in colorectal cancer.” The study was led by first author Haylee Duval from the Center for Molecular Medicine at the MaineHealth Institute for Research and the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering at the University of Maine. The study’s corresponding authors were Sergey Ryzhov, Volkhard Lindner, and Michaela R. Reagan, who are affiliated with the Center for Molecular Medicine at the MaineHealth Institute for Research, the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering at the University of Maine, and Tufts University School of Medicine. Colorectal cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While much research has focused on cancer cells themselves, growing evidence suggests that the tumor microenvironment—the network of surrounding stromal cells, immune cells, and extracellular components—plays a critical role in determining how tumors grow and spread. In this study, researchers investigated collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1), a secreted protein previously associated with poor outcomes in several cancer types. Although CTHRC1 is frequently detected in tumor-associated stroma, its precise role within the colorectal cancer microenvironment has remained unclear. To address this question, the team used a genetically engineered mouse model lacking CTHRC1 and compared tumor development with that of normal mice after colorectal cancer cells were introduced. The results consistently showed that the absence of host-derived CTHRC1 significantly reduced tumor growth. Across three independent experimental cohorts, mice lacking CTHRC1 developed substantially smaller tumors than their normal counterparts. In addition, survival improved markedly. The median survival of mice with normal CTHRC1 expression was 28 days after tumor inoculation, compared with 69 days in CTHRC1-deficient mice. The researchers also found evidence that CTHRC1 influences anti-tumor immunity. Mice lacking CTHRC1 had higher percentages of CD3-positive T cells in both tumors and spleens, suggesting a more active immune response against cancer. At the same time, they exhibited reduced levels of certain myeloid immune cells associated with immune suppression. Importantly, the investigators confirmed that the colorectal cancer cells themselves did not produce detectable CTHRC1. Instead, the protein was found primarily in fibroblasts and other stromal components surrounding the tumor. This finding indicates that the tumor-promoting effects originated from the tumor microenvironment rather than from the cancer cells directly. Histological analyses further revealed striking differences in tumor structure. Tumors from CTHRC1-deficient mice contained fewer cells and showed evidence of regression, while tumors in normal mice remained densely cellular and continued to expand. Full press release - https://www.oncotarget.com/news/pr/protein-in-tumor-microenvironment-found-to-promote-colorectal-cancer-growth-and-immune-evasion/ DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28878 Correspondence to: Sergey Ryzhov - Sergey.Ryzhov@mainehealth.org; Volkhard Lindner- Volkhard.Lindner@mainehealth.org; Michaela R. Reagan - Michaela.Reagan@mainehealth.org Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTbYy6vGd7E 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

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors May Improve Outcomes in High-Risk Solid Tumors

Cancer immunotherapy has transformed the treatment landscape for many advanced cancers over the past decade. Drugs targeting the PD-1 and PD-L1 pathways are now widely used across several tumor types, helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. However, researchers are still working to understand how beneficial these therapies may be when used earlier in the disease course, particularly after surgery in patients with high-risk solid tumors. A research paper on this topic was published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget titled “Efficacy and safety of PD-1/ PD-L1 inhibitors as adjuvants in the treatment of patients with solid cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/05/20/immune-checkpoint-inhibitors-may-improve-outcomes-in-high-risk-solid-tumors/ Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28855 Correspondence to - Dhai Almuteri - d.almuteri@qu.edu.sa Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ce07bHfjB4 Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28855 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, PD-1, PD-L1, adjuvant immunotherapy, solid tumor 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

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