Your browser does not fully support modern features. Please upgrade for a smoother experience.
Subject:
All Disciplines Arts & Humanities Biology & Life Sciences Business & Economics Chemistry & Materials Science Computer Science & Mathematics Engineering Environmental & Earth Sciences Medicine & Pharmacology Physical Sciences Public Health & Healthcare Social Sciences
Sort by:
Most Viewed Latest Alphabetical (A-Z) Alphabetical (Z-A)
Filter:
All Topic Review Biography Peer Reviewed Entry Video Entry
Topic Review
Exploiting N803 for Effective Immunotherapy of Solid Malignancies
Identifying effective immunotherapies for solid tumors remains challenging despite the significant clinical responses observed in subsets of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a promising cytokine for the treatment of cancer as it stimulates NK and CD8+ lymphocytes. However, unfavorable pharmacokinetics and safety concerns render recombinant IL-15 (rIL-15) a less attractive modality. These shortcomings were addressed by the clinical development of heterodimeric IL-15 agonists, including N803.
  • 683
  • 03 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Fibroblast Growth Factor Inhibitors
Fibroblast Growth Factor Inhibitors (FGFRis) are used for cancer treatment.  Dysregulated activation of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling enhances tumor proliferation, survival, invasion, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. The recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of erdafitinib and the emergence of other potent and selective FGFR inhibitors have shifted the treatment paradigm for patients with a/m UBC harboring actionable FGFR2 or FGFR3 genomic alterations, who often have a minimal-to-modest response to ICIs. FGFRi–ICI combinations are therefore worth exploring, and their preliminary response rates and safety profiles are promising.
  • 682
  • 18 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Calcium Homeostasis of Resistant Breast Tumors
Cancer is one of the main health problems worldwide. Only in 2020, this disease caused more than 19 million new cases and almost 10 million deaths, with breast cancer being the most diagnosed worldwide. Studies highlighted the involvement of calcium in the proliferation or evasion of apoptosis in breast carcinoma cells.
  • 682
  • 07 Jun 2023
Topic Review
CAR NK Cell Therapy for Metastatic Melanoma
Melanoma is among the most lethal forms of cancer, accounting for 80% of deaths despite comprising just 5% of skin cancer cases. Treatment options remain limited due to the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms associated with melanoma heterogeneity that underlie the rapid development of secondary drug resistance. For this reason, the development of novel treatments remains paramount to the improvement of patient outcomes. Although the advent of chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T (CAR-T) cell immunotherapies has led to many clinical successes for hematological malignancies, these treatments are limited in their utility by their immune-induced side effects and a high risk of systemic toxicities. CAR natural killer (CAR-NK) cell immunotherapies are a particularly promising alternative to CAR-T cell immunotherapies, as they offer a more favorable safety profile and have the capacity for fine-tuned cytotoxic activity. 
  • 682
  • 06 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Scalp Cooling
Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA), a side effect with high impact, can be prevented by cooling the scalp during the administration of some cytotoxic drugs. Scalp cooling is a well-known method to try to prevent CIA during the administration of cytotoxic drugs for solid tumors. Using scalp cooling, liquid refrigerant is pumped as coolant through a cooling cap that is placed on the head of the patient. In general, scalp cooling is started 20–45 min prior to, during, and up to 20–150 min after the chemotherapy infusion.
  • 681
  • 20 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Vicious Cycle of Obesity, Inflammation, and Breast Cancer
Epidemiological studies refer to obesity-associated metabolic changes as a critical risk factor behind the progression of breast cancer. The plethora of signals arising due to obesity-induced changes in adipocytes present in breast tumor microenvironment, significantly affect the behavior of adjacent breast cells. Adipocytes from white adipose tissue are currently recognized as an active endocrine organ secreting different bioactive compounds. However, due to excess energy intake and increased fat accumulation, there are morphological followed by secretory changes in adipocytes, which make the breast microenvironment proinflammatory. This proinflammatory milieu not only increases the risk of breast cancer development through hormone conversion, but it also plays a role in breast cancer progression through the activation of effector proteins responsible for the biological phenomenon of metastasis.
  • 681
  • 08 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Parental Pesticide Exposure and Childhood Brain Cancer
There is an association between childhood brain tumors (CBT) and parental pesticides exposure before childbirth, after birth, and residential exposure. It is in line with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monograph evaluating the carcinogenicity of diazinon, glyphosate, malathion, parathion, and tetrachlorvinphos. 
  • 680
  • 10 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
The role of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), which can deliver high radiation doses to focal tumors, has greatly increased in not only early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but also in portal vein or inferior vena cava thrombi, thus expanding this therapy to pre-transplantation and the treatment of oligometastases from HCC in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). In early-stage HCC, many promising prospective results of SBRT have been reported, SBRT is not usually indicated as a first treatment potion in localized HCC according to several guidelines.
  • 680
  • 08 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Stroma in Photodynamic Therapy
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest solid malignancies, with a five-year survival of less than 10%. The resistance of the disease and the associated lack of therapeutic response is attributed primarily to its dense, fibrotic stroma, which acts as a barrier to drug perfusion and permits tumour survival and invasion. As clinical trials of chemotherapy (CT), radiotherapy (RT), and targeted agents have not been successful, improving the survival rate in unresectable PDAC remains an urgent clinical need. Photodynamic stromal depletion (PSD) is a recent approach that uses visible or near-infrared light to destroy the desmoplastic tissue. Preclinical evidence suggests this can resensitise tumour cells to subsequent therapies whilst averting the tumorigenic effects of tumour–stromal cell interactions. So far, the pre-clinical studies have suggested that photodynamic therapy (PDT) can successfully mediate the destruction of various stromal elements without increasing the aggressiveness of the tumour. 
  • 680
  • 01 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Immunotherapy in Bladder Cancer
Urinary bladder cancer is one of the most important cancers of the urinary-sex system, causing high morbidity and mortality in many patients. Various methods of treating this type of cancer have been developed over the years. The most popular is the highly effective method using Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, which has an effective effect on a large percentage of patients. However, due to the genetic instability of bladder cancer and the individual needs of patients, different methods of treatment are being sought. Immunological control points are molecules on the surface of the cell that affect the immune response and reduce the strength of the immune response. Among these checkpoints, PD-1 inhibitors (the protein that is programmed to kill cell-1) /PD-L1 (the ligand of the protein that is programmed to kill cell 1) are intended to block these molecules, resulting in activation of T cells, and bladder cancer have been described as the use of atezolizumab, awelumab, durwalumab, niwolumab and pembrolizumab. The inhibition of another key immunological control point, CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen), may result in mobilisation of the immune system against bladder cancer, and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies discussed the use of Ipilimumab and Tremelimumab. In addition, there are several different approaches to the effective treatment of bladder cancer, such as the use of ganciclovir kinase inhibitors and mTOR (mammalian rapamycin target), IL-12 (interleukin-12) and COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2). Genetic therapy and disruption of different signal paths are currently being studied. Studies suggest that combining several methods increases the efficacy of treatment and positive results in the patient. 
  • 679
  • 20 Jan 2021
Topic Review
ICI as High-Grade Gliomas Treatment
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant brain tumor in adults. Despite significant efforts, no therapies have demonstrated valuable survival benefit beyond the current standard of care. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment landscape and improved patient survival in many advanced malignancies. Unfortunately, these clinical successes have not been replicated in the neuro-oncology field so far.
  • 679
  • 02 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Treatment of BRAF-Mutant Melanoma
Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer. Melanoma is usually curable with surgery if detected early, however, treatment options for patients with metastatic melanoma are limited and the five-year survival rate for metastatic melanoma had been 15–20% before the advent of immunotherapy. Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors has increased long-term survival outcomes in patients with advanced melanoma to as high as 50% although individual response can vary greatly. A mutation within the MAPK pathway leads to uncontrollable growth and ultimately develops into cancer. The most common driver mutation that leads to this characteristic overactivation in the MAPK pathway is the B-RAF mutation. Current combinations of BRAF and MEK inhibitors that have demonstrated improved patient outcomes include dabrafenib with trametinib, vemurafenib with cobimetinib or encorafenib with binimetinib. Treatment with BRAF and MEK inhibitors has met challenges as patient responses began to drop due to the development of resistance to these inhibitors which paved the way for development of immunotherapies and other small molecule inhibitor approaches to address this. Resistance to these inhibitors continues to push the need to expand our understanding of novel mechanisms of resistance associated with treatment therapies.
  • 679
  • 21 Jun 2021
Topic Review
CDK4/CDK6/cyclin-D1 and Radiotherapy for Cancer
The expanding clinical application of CDK4- and CDK6-inhibiting drugs in the managements of breast cancer has raised a great interest in testing these drugs in other neoplasms. The potential of combining these drugs with other therapeutic approaches seems to be an interesting work-ground to explore. Even though a potential integration of CDK4 and CDK6 inhibitors with radiotherapy (RT) has been hypothesized, this kind of approach has not been sufficiently pursued, neither in preclinical nor in clinical studies. Similarly, the most recent discoveries focusing on autophagy, as a possible target pathway able to enhance the antitumor efficacy of CDK4 and CDK6 inhibitors is promising but needs more investigations. 
  • 679
  • 12 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Circulating Circular RNAs in Lung Cancer
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are single-stranded RNAs with a covalently closed-loop structure that increases their stability; thus, they are more advantageous to use as liquid biopsy markers than linear RNAs. circRNAs are thought to be generated by back-splicing of pre-mRNA transcripts, which can be facilitated by reverse complementary sequences in the flanking introns and trans-acting factors, such as splicing regulatory factors and RNA-binding factors. circRNAs function as miRNA sponges, interact with target proteins, regulate the stability and translatability of other mRNAs, regulate gene expression, and produce microproteins. circRNAs are also found in the body fluids of cancer patients, including plasma, saliva, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid, and these “circulating circRNAs” can be used as cancer biomarkers. In lung cancer, some circulating circRNAs have been reported to regulate cancer progression and drug resistance. Circulating circRNAs have significant diagnostic value and are associated with the prognosis of lung cancer patients. Owing to their functional versatility, heightened stability, and practical applicability, circulating circRNAs represent promising biomarkers for lung cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring.
  • 679
  • 22 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation for High-Risk Neuroblastoma
Curing high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB) is a challenging endeavor, which involves the optimal application of several therapeutic modalities.  High-dose therapy transformed clinical practice, legislation, and public health policy, and it drove a two-decade period of entrepreneurial oncology. However, no ASCT strategies remain for any solid tumor indication in adults. As with most solid malignancies, higher dosing of cytotoxic agents has not resulted in a clear benefit in survival for HR-NB patients, whereas the long-term toxicity has been well defined. Fortunately, novel approaches such as anti-GD2 immunotherapy have demonstrated a significant survival benefit with a much less adverse impact on the patient’s wellbeing. 
  • 679
  • 06 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Cancer Stem Cell Relationship with Pro-Tumoral Inflammatory Microenvironment
Cancer stem cells (CSCs)  are capable of altering their own properties in a variety of ways to preserve their stem cell phenotype, resist different therapies, and evade the immune system’s anti-tumor attack. Through immune escape mechanisms, they are not only able to hide themselves from the immune system but also to influence the anti-tumor immune elimination mechanisms in a way that is favorable to them. By manipulating their own capabilities, CSCs have the potential to develop entirely novel anti-cancer treatments and methods to prevent disease recurrence. It is clear that there is an intense and complex multi-level relationship between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and CSCs. CSCs are able to develop an inflammatory niche that allows them to persist and divide on their own. They maintain an intense relationship with the cellular elements of the TME, reprogramming them into cells for the survival and proliferation of CSCs. In turn, the reprogrammed TME cells enhance the survival and proliferation of CSCs and thereby facilitate their own survival and function.
  • 679
  • 20 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Mechanisms of Immune-Checkpoint Blockade Resistance and Cancer Epigenetics
Tumor evolution to evade immune surveillance is a hallmark of carcinogenesis, and the modulation of tumor immunogenicity has been a challenge to present therapeutic responses in immunotherapies alone for numerous cancers. By altering the cell phenotype and reshaping the tumor microenvironment, epigenetic modifications enable tumor cells to overcome immune surveillance as a mechanism of cancer progression and immunotherapy resistance. Immune-checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies targeting cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4/CD152), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1/CD279), and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) have presented unprecedented responses in significant percentages of cancer patients. Even then, efficacy and response rates vary according to cancer types and particular ICB regimens. Researchers have therefore since attempted to find ways to optimize immunotherapy and overcome immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance.
  • 679
  • 02 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Physical Activity and Cancer Care
Cancer treatments cause numerous side effects and have a negative impact on all body systems. Physical activity is important for cancer patients.
  • 677
  • 31 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Potassium Ion Channels in Malignant Central Nervous System
Potassium ion channels are a class of transmembrane proteins involved in maintaining the electrical microenvironment of cells. In cancers, these proteins are known to play a significant role in the development of cancer hallmarks like proliferation, invasion, and adaptive drug resistance. Malignant central nervous system (CNS) cancers are notoriously difficult to treat, with just one-third of patients surviving five years post-diagnosis. Their location within the brain and brainstem presents several challenges to successful treatment, including surgical inaccessibility and designing effective therapies that pass the brain’s protective barrier. Furthermore, high-grade CNS cancer is also prone to recurrence, and the secondary tumours that arise are highly resistant to treatment. 
  • 677
  • 08 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Glutathione S-Transferase Mu 5
Our previous study demonstrated that the glutathione S-transferase Mu 5 (GSTM5) gene is highly CpG-methylated in bladder cancer cells and that demethylation by 5-aza-dC activates GSTM5 gene expression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of GSTM5 in bladder cancer.
  • 676
  • 01 Apr 2021
  • Page
  • of
  • 129
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Reprints

>>
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
Encyclopedia of Engineering
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of Medieval Royal Iconography
Academic Video Service
Feedback