A new study by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research has uncovered a hidden mechanism explaining why breast cancer can return many years after successful treatment. Published in Nature Communications, the research revealed rogue cells that change their programming to allow them to divide at a remarkably slow pace, meaning they could form microscopic tumours that silently tick away in distant organs, evading detection for decades.

A fluid that women with advanced ovarian cancer know all too well — ascites, the buildup of liquid in the belly — may be doing more than causing discomfort. A federally funded Duke University School of Medicine study finds this fluid helps cancer cells survive and spread – and that a decades-old cholesterol drug may be able to disrupt that protection.

Alterations in the bacterial composition in various anatomical sites of the human body have been associated with tumorigenesis and the progression of multiple cancers; however, divergent results regarding enriched bacteria have been reported across studies of the same disease, indicating cohort-dependent bacterial compositional variance. To move beyond this inconsistency, a research team led by Professor Na Liu from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center proposes a fundamental shift in perspective. The team argues that it is the functional repertoire of bacterial communities, rather than their taxonomic identity, that serves as the core driver of tumor progression. The team proposes the unified nomenclature of bacterial functional constituents as “tumor-associated bacterial effectors” (TABEs), categorizing them into six functional classes according to their chemical nature, conserved structural features, and analogous mechanisms of action in regulating host cells. The researchers believe that exploring the mechanisms of TABEs in cancer represents a critical step toward harnessing their biological potential in real-life clinical settings.

Tokyo, Japan – A team led by researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University, in collaboration with Tohoku University and Orbray Co., Ltd., using heteroepitaxial diamond materials developed by Orbray, have shown that lab-grown diamonds might realize a radiation dosimeter compatible with both medical diagnosis and radiation therapy. They demonstrated that a diamond-based dosimeter could accurately measure doses in the same energy range as diagnostic X-rays, with far better sensitivity per volume than conventional detectors. Using the same device for dosimetry during both diagnosis and therapies could enable improved consistency.

Liver organoids, three-dimensional structures derived from stem cells or hepatic progenitors, have emerged as a transformative technology. Unlike traditional two-dimensional cultures or animal models, organoids faithfully recapitulate the complex architecture and functionality of native liver tissue. This review summarizes recent advancements in liver organoid technology, detailing their development, classification, and key applications.

New research from MUSC Hollings Cancer Center highlights a promising new approach to smoking cessation by targeting the brain’s executive control system. In a randomized clinical trial led by Hollings researcher Xingbao Li, M.D., noninvasive brain stimulation aimed at the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex helped participants reduce smoking and suppress cravings more effectively than other targeting approaches.

The findings suggest that strengthening brain regions involved in decision-making and self-control may help people to better manage the urge to smoke. The work adds to growing efforts at Hollings to expand evidence-based tobacco treatment options and better understand the brain mechanisms underlying addiction.