Patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumors are likely to have better clinical outcomes than other patients. Recently, researchers from Yonsei University College of Medicine have proposed MSI-SEER, a novel AI model for accurate MSI prediction as well as immune checkpoint inhibitor responsiveness prediction. The innovative technology is expected to help battle gastric and colorectal cancers and further cancer research in general.

Researchers discovered that interleukin-6 (IL-6) in colorectal cancer triggers a STAT3-to-PI3K signaling switch in cancer stem cells (CSCs), enabling potent PD-L1 upregulation and immune evasion. While non-CSCs use the STAT3-FRA1 pathway for PD-L1 expression, CSCs activate the PI3K-AKT-ZEB1 axis, explaining why some tumors resist immunotherapy. In mouse models, triple therapy (PI3Ki + STAT3i + anti-PD-L1) synergistically shrank IL-6-high tumors by blocking both pathways and boosting T-cell infiltration. The study proposes IL-6/PD-L1 as biomarkers for patient stratification.

A joint research team led by Professor Eijiro Miyako of the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), in collaboration with Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. and University of Tsukuba, has developed a groundbreaking immune-independent bacterial cancer therapy using a novel microbial consortium called AUN.

Researchers from the Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics group at IGTP have published a study in Scientific Reports presenting a systematic analysis of 3D culture techniques to generate multicellular tumour spheroids (MCTS) for colorectal cancer research. The team compared different methods and matrices across eight cell lines, highlighting how culture conditions influence spheroid morphology and compactness. They also established a new compact model using the SW48 cell line, previously considered non-spheroid-forming, and demonstrated a cost-effective approach to spheroid generation. The study further enhances model relevance by incorporating colonic fibroblasts and reveals notable differences between isogenic lines, suggesting a role for transcriptional or epigenetic factors.

Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a groundbreaking carbon membrane that could revolutionise proton therapy for cancer patients, and advance technologies in medicine and other areas such as energy devices and flexible electronics.

This bibliometric study analyzed 1,261 publications on ovarian cancer care from 2000 to 2023, revealing key research clusters, international collaboration gaps, and emerging trends. The U.S. led in publications, with hotspots including quality of life, surgery, and paclitaxel therapy. Findings highlight the need for multidisciplinary approaches and stronger global cooperation to improve patient outcomes.

In chronic viral infection and cancer, CD8⁺ T killer cells often lapse into “exhausted cells” that no longer can stem disease. Researchers show that a transcriptional repressor called Gfi1, or growth factor independent-1, is a key regulator of the subset formation of exhausted CD8⁺ T cells and may offer a key to reducing exhaustion.

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers have developed a new “two-in-one” molecule that shows promise for treating hard-to-treat cancers. This molecule can shut down two major cancer-driving genes — KRAS and MYC — at the same time, while also delivering drugs directly to tumors with those gene mutations. Using a new form of RNA interference, the approach significantly improved the ability to stop cancer cell growth — up to 40 times more effective than targeting the genes individually.