Targeted Therapies Coincided With Dramatic Decline in Multiple Myeloma Mortality in the US

Targeted Therapies Coincided With Dramatic Decline in Multiple Myeloma Mortality in the US

Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer in the United States and has long been considered a difficult disease to treat. For decades, treatment options were limited, and survival remained poor. However, the therapeutic landscape has changed dramatically over the past several decades with the introduction of stem cell transplantation, targeted drugs, immunotherapies, and more recently, CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies. A research paper titled “Targeted therapeutics and U.S. population-level mortality trends in multiple myeloma: A SEER-based analysis from 1975 to 2023” was published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget. In this study, the researchers examined how these major treatment advances have coincided with changes in multiple myeloma mortality across the United States over nearly five decades. The study was led by first and corresponding author Navkirat Kahlon from the Mass General Cancer Center at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, New Hampshire. Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/06/29/targeted-therapies-have-coincided-with-a-dramatic-decline-in-multiple-myeloma-mortality-in-the-united-states/ Paper 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 Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28877 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, multiple myeloma, epidemiologic trends, mortality reduction, therapeutic advancements, SEER database 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

TRAIL-R2 Silencing Linked to More Aggressive Breast Cancer

BUFFALO, NY – June 24, 2026 – A new research paper was published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on June 9, 2026, titled “TRAIL-R2 in the shadows: Epigenetic silencing and clinical implications in breast cancer.” The study was led by first author Nuzhat Khursheed from the University of Kashmir and corresponding authors Asia Asiaf from the Central University of Kashmir and Showkat Ahmad Ganie from the University of Kashmir. Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. While advances in diagnosis and treatment have improved outcomes for many patients, researchers continue to investigate the molecular changes that enable tumor cells to survive, grow, and spread. One process receiving increasing attention is epigenetic regulation, in which genes are switched on or off without altering the underlying DNA sequence. In this study, researchers examined TRAIL-R2, also known as death receptor 5 (DR5), a protein that plays an important role in triggering apoptosis, the programmed cell death process that helps eliminate damaged or abnormal cells. Loss of apoptotic signaling is a hallmark of cancer, but the clinical significance and epigenetic regulation of TRAIL-R2 in breast cancer have remained incompletely understood. The investigators analyzed matched tumor and adjacent normal breast tissue samples from 67 patients. Using methylation-specific PCR, quantitative real-time PCR, and western blotting, they evaluated TRAIL-R2 promoter methylation as well as its gene and protein expression levels. The analysis revealed that TRAIL-R2 was frequently silenced in breast tumors. More than half of tumor samples showed promoter hypermethylation, a chemical modification that can suppress gene activity. At the same time, both TRAIL-R2 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly lower in tumor tissues than in adjacent normal breast tissue. Further analysis demonstrated that TRAIL-R2 hypermethylation was more common in invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common subtype of breast cancer, and in patients with a history of oral contraceptive use. Reduced TRAIL-R2 expression was also associated with advanced tumor stage and several clinicopathological features linked to more aggressive disease. The researchers observed a strong inverse relationship between promoter methylation and TRAIL-R2 expression, suggesting that epigenetic silencing may contribute directly to loss of this important apoptotic receptor. Tumors with reduced TRAIL-R2 activity may become less susceptible to programmed cell death, potentially allowing cancer cells to survive and progress. Full press release - https://www.oncotarget.net/2026/06/24/trail-r2-silencing-linked-to-more-aggressive-breast-cancer/ DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28891 Correspondence to - Asia Asiaf - asiaf29@cukashmir.ac.in, and Showkat Ahmad Ganie - showkatganie@kashmiruniversity.ac.in Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvhkOYLTJUY Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28891 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, TRAIL-R2/DR5, promoter methylation, breast cancer biomarkers, tumor suppressor gene, apoptotic signalling pathways 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

Protein Linked to Melanoma Growth May Suppress the Body’s Natural Anti-Tumor Immune Response

BUFFALO, NY – June 17, 2026 – A new #research paper was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on June 8, 2026, titled “DHHC3 interferes with antitumor immunity in melanoma cells.” The study was led by first author and corresponding author Chandan Sharma and corresponding author Martin E. Hemler from the Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer and is highly influenced by interactions between tumor cells and the immune system. Although modern immunotherapies have transformed treatment for many patients, researchers continue to search for molecular mechanisms that enable tumors to evade immune attack and continue growing. In this study, researchers investigated DHHC3, a protein acyltransferase that regulates protein palmitoylation and helps maintain cellular redox balance. Previous studies had linked elevated DHHC3 expression to poor outcomes in several cancers, but its role in melanoma and anti-tumor immunity remained unclear. To explore this question, the team used CRISPR gene editing to eliminate DHHC3 expression in B16F10 melanoma cells. Loss of DHHC3 caused a marked increase in oxidative stress and cellular senescence, as demonstrated by elevated TXNIP expression, increased reactive oxygen species levels, and enhanced expression of senescence-associated markers. Full press release - https://www.oncotarget.net/2026/06/17/protein-linked-to-melanoma-growth-may-suppress-the-bodys-natural-anti-tumor-immune-response/ DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28880 Correspondence to - Martin E. Hemler - martin_hemler@dfci.harvard.edu, and Chandan Sharma - csharma@mgh.harvard.edu Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQhP2VhzKSE Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28880 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, oxidative stress, DHHC3, anti-cancer immunity, palmitoylation, melanoma 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

PDX1 May Link Metabolic Dysfunction to Prostate Cancer Progression

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and remains a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. While age, family history, and genetics are well-established risk factors, researchers have increasingly focused on the role of metabolic health in prostate cancer progression. Obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and chronic inflammation have all been associated with more aggressive disease, but the molecular mechanisms connecting these conditions to prostate cancer remain incompletely understood. A research paper titled “Epigenetic dysregulation and biological function of PDX1 in prostate cancer” was published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget. In this study, the researchers investigated whether a gene best known for regulating pancreatic function may also play an important role in prostate tumor biology. The study was led by first author Tayo A. Adeyika and corresponding author Bernard Kwabi-Addo from Howard University, Washington, DC. Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/06/16/pdx1-may-link-metabolic-dysfunction-to-prostate-cancer-progression/ DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28854 Correspondence to - Bernard Kwabi-Addo - bkwabi-addo@howard.edu Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itYVsyXJJoE Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28854 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, PDX1, DNA methylation prostate cancer, shRNA knockdown, over-expression, glucose 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

HPV Vaccine Shows Safety but Uncertain Benefit in Preventing Head & Neck Cancer Recurrence

BUFFALO, NY – June 15, 2026 – A new #research paper was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on June 5, 2026, titled “A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled phase I/II clinical trial of a human papillomavirus therapeutic vaccine, PepCan, for reducing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma recurrence.” The study was led by first author Emily Bivens and corresponding author Mayumi Nakagawa from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a major clinical challenge. Even after surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy successfully eliminate detectable disease, many patients experience recurrence within the following years. Researchers have therefore been exploring whether immunotherapy-based approaches can help strengthen anti-tumor immune responses and reduce the risk of cancer returning. In this study, investigators evaluated PepCan, an experimental therapeutic vaccine designed to stimulate immune responses against human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16). Unlike preventive HPV vaccines that aim to stop infection before it occurs, therapeutic vaccines are intended to activate the immune system against existing HPV-related disease. PepCan contains four HPV 16 E6 peptides combined with a Candida-derived immune-stimulating adjuvant. Full press release - https://www.oncotarget.net/2026/06/15/hpv-therapeutic-vaccine-shows-safety-but-uncertain-benefit-in-preventing-head-and-neck-cancer-recurrence/ DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28892 Correspondence to - Mayumi Nakagawa - mnakagawa@uams.edu Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh0MNrrPGhw Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28892 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, human papillomavirus, head and neck cancer, therapeutic vaccine, adjuvant, clinical trial 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