Researchers have discovered a protein which is critical for steering melanoma cancer cells as they spread throughout the body. The malignant cells become dependent on eIF2A to migrate, pointing to new strategies for impeding metastasis. Dependence only emerges after malignant transformation, suggesting a therapeutic window that might spare healthy tissues.

A new radioimmunotherapy approach has been shown to successfully eliminate cancer stem cells (CSCs) in preclinical models of ovarian cancer, outperforming the current gold standard. This research, published in the July issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, lays the foundation for further development of radionuclide therapies targeting CSCs, offering renewed hope for more effective treatment options and improved outcomes for patients.

A team led by researchers at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center developed an artificial intelligence tool that uses natural language processing to identify the original cancer type of patients with brain metastases by analyzing their doctors’ clinical notes. The model outperformed standard diagnostic codes, accurately determining the primary cancer type in over 90% of cases, which can improve research efforts and enable more precise care. The lightweight, scalable tool could streamline cancer care and research by unlocking critical insights buried in electronic health records.

A research team from Kumamoto University has made a groundbreaking discovery that reveals how the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) silently persists in the body, potentially laying the foundation for new therapeutic approaches. Their findings, published on May 13, 2025, in Nature Microbiology, identify a previously unknown genetic “silencer” element that keeps the virus in a dormant, undetectable state.

Salk Institute researchers launch machine learning framework ShortStop, which explores overlooked DNA regions in the "dark side" of the human genome in search of microproteins that may play roles in health or disease. They already used ShortStop to analyze a lung cancer dataset and find microproteins that may serve as biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

In the largest Nordic study to date concerning oesophageal cancer surgery, the researchers found clear evidence that decompression with a nasogastric tube is associated with less serious complications. Their results challenge a trend of declining use of the nasogastric tube after major surgical procedures. The study was led from Uppsala University and has now been published in Lancet Regional Health Europe.