Researchers in Japan have developed a predictive model that could improve treatment decisions for advanced pancreatic cancer patients. By combining tumor marker readings with patients' genetic information, their model predicts patient survival outcomes with greater accuracy and better identifies candidates who would benefit from surgery. The researchers found that specific genetic variations have a greater impact on tumor marker levels than the severity of the cancer. 

It is expected that the new model will be used as an indicator to determine if surgery is a good option for patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment. The study was published in the British Journal of Surgery. 

A recent review highlights the critical role of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) in human health, emphasizing their influence on disease development, drug metabolism, and therapeutic interventions. These enzymes are responsible for detoxifying harmful compounds, but their dysregulation is linked to severe conditions, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and chronic inflammatory diseases. Genetic variations in GSTs can lead to oxidative stress, DNA damage, and resistance to apoptosis, making them key players in disease pathogenesis.

This new review article published in Genes & Diseases sheds light on the pivotal role of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) in the complex landscape of cancer metabolism. Traditionally overshadowed by the widely recognized Warburg effect, FAO is now emerging as a crucial metabolic pathway that fuels tumor development, influences drug resistance, and presents promising therapeutic targets.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer, continues to pose a significant global health challenge due to its high mortality rate and limited treatment options. However, a new frontier in cancer therapy has emerged, focusing on neddylation modification, a crucial cellular process that influences cancer progression. The latest insights into this mechanism provide hope for targeted therapies that could revolutionize the treatment landscape for HCC.