Why multidisciplinary tumor board review matters in cancer care, how fragmented care adds cost and delay, and questions to ask before treatment. ...
Most patients trust their cancer diagnosis. That trust is often warranted — but it probably shouldn't be unconditional, particularly when the initial findings are subtle, ambiguous, or delivered quickly in a busy clinical setting. A 2013 study in BMJ Quality & Safety estimated that roughly 12 million American adults experience a diagnostic error in outpatient care every year. In that same journal, a separate 2013 analysis found that cancer was the leading source of serious harm in diagnostic malpractice claims — not surgical errors, not medication mistakes, but diagnostic failures. According to the National Academy of Medicine's 2015 report Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, most Americans will experience at least one diagnostic error in their lifetime — and cancer sits at the severe end of that spectrum, where errors carry the heaviest consequences and the least margin for delay.
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CAR T therapy has been around for a while now, but the research has not slowed down. What started as a last-resort option for a narrow group of blood cancer patients has grown into something researchers are now testing in earlier treatment stages, in new cancer types, and in combination with other therapies. Here is a look at where things stand.
For years, CAR-T therapy was mostly reserved for patients who had already tried everything else and seen it fail. That is shifting. Recent phase 3 clinical trials — including ZUMA-7 and TRANSFORM — showed significant improvements in event-free survival when CAR T-cell therapy was used earlier as a second-line treatment rather than waiting until multiple prior therapies had failed. According to the NCI (National Cancer Institute), CAR T-cell therapies work by engineering a patient's own T-cells to recognize and attack cancer cells, and the FDA has now approved multiple CAR T products for several blood cancers — with clinical research continuing to expand both the indications and the timing of their use.
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First-line treatment options for HER2-positive gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) are rapidly evolving with new clinical evidence emerging to compare targeted therapies, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy across various patient populations. Given that a HER2-positive metastatic GEA designation does not by itself determine the appropriate first-line treatment for individual patients, a review of key clinical trials, biomarkers for molecularly targeted agents, disease-related characteristics, and patient-related factors is essential to help healthcare professionals evaluate available evidence and select optimal first-line regimens. According to the NCI (National Cancer Institute), HER2-positive gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinomas represent a distinct molecular subset for which targeted therapy has significantly changed the treatment landscape over the past decade, with ongoing clinical trials continuing to refine optimal combinations and sequencing strategies.
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A mesothelioma diagnosis can bring a lot of questions for patients and families, often before they have time to process what has happened. In 2025, new research continued to examine mesothelioma trends in the United States. The latest federal data reported 2,669 new cases in 2022, while a 2025 study found that 54,905 mesothelioma-related deaths occurred from 1999 through 2020. The same study found that 81.3% of those deaths involved people older than 65. For families in the United States, a diagnosis can raise practical concerns alongside medical ones. Treatment decisions, financial planning, workplace exposure history, and questions about potential legal options may all become part of the conversation. Reliable mesothelioma information and resources can help patients and loved ones better understand the condition, find support, and learn about important next steps. The sections ahead explore key considerations after diagnosis, from treatment and daily life to financial and legal matters.
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MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
[caption id="attachment_75956" align="alignleft" width="125"]
Dr. Shen Yiqiu[/caption]
Yiqiu Shen, PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology NYU Grossman School of Medicine
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Dr. Yanqi Xu[/caption]
Yanqi Xu, PhD NYU Center for Data Science
Brain tumours are abnormal growths of cells within or around the brain. Treatment depends on factors such as the tumour type, size, location, growth rate, and the patient's overall health. Brain tumours surgery Singapore may be considered when removing or reducing a tumour can help manage symptoms, obtain a diagnosis, or control tumour growth. Understanding the available approaches can help patients prepare for discussions with their neurosurgical team. According to the World Health Organization, brain tumours are classified by cell type and grade, with treatment decisions involving multidisciplinary teams that assess imaging, histology, and the patient's overall clinical status.
[caption id="attachment_75731" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko[/caption]
Asbestos exposure is often discussed as a workplace problem from another era. Yet its health effects continue to appear in patients today. That is largely because mesothelioma can develop many years after a person first inhaled asbestos fibers. Someone who worked around insulation, construction materials, industrial equipment, or older mechanical systems decades ago may only now be dealing with the medical consequences.
The disease remains rare, but it has not disappeared. According to CDC U.S. Cancer Statistics, 2,669 cases of malignant mesothelioma were reported in the United States in 2022, based on data highlighted in a September 2025 update. Most cases are associated with asbestos exposure. For workers and families trying to understand how an old job may relate to a recent diagnosis, medical records and employment history can become important. Some patients also consult Dallas asbestos attorneys to investigate whether occupational exposure may provide grounds for a claim. According to the CDC U.S. Cancer Statistics program, mesothelioma rates have remained relatively stable in recent years, though the disease's long latency means new cases from past exposures continue to emerge.
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Henry Daniell, PhD
Vice-Chair and W.D. Miller Professor
Department of Basic & Translational Sciences
School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA
Dr. Henry Daniell, Ph.D.[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What bacteria or viruses are associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas?
Dr. Daniell: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), anaerobic bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) correlate with worse survival of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In tumorigenic cells HPV genome integrates into the host cell genome causing genome instability and genic alteration which facilitate mutation and hyperproliferation. One third of males in the globe is HPV positive and one fifth are infected with high risk HPV16 strain. Pg is invasive and replicates within tumor cells and influences oncogenic signaling of HNSCC. Fn triggers cancer progression by upregulating several oncogenes responsible for inflammation, cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis. Therefore, it is important to control HPV, Pg, and Fn in the oral cavity to reduce initiation or advancement of oral cancer.
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Aidan Cole, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher, Aird Lab
The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia
Aidan Cole, PhD[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Cole: Our lab was interested in what happens in a tumor after chemotherapy treatment when some cells stop proliferating and growing the tumor but are not killed. These are called senescent cells, and they are of particular interest in ovarian cancer because of the prevalence of cancer recurrence and spread after initially responding to treatment.
The biggest finding is we learned how these senescent cells communicate with cancerous cells to get them to loosen their grip on the tumor and spread to other parts of the body. This communication occurs when senescent cells produce a sugar called fructose. For the first time, we've shown that a nutrient can be produced in these senescent cells and used by cancer cells in a way that worsens cancer spread. This builds on research previously covered on MedicalResearch.com exploring how senescence in ovarian cancer cells may contribute to chemotherapy resistance.
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Steven Quay, MD, PhD
Founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Atossa Therapeutics
Publications discussed: The rise of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) in breast cancer therapy: a promising horizon and (Z)-Endoxifen as a Potential Modulator of Utrophin Pathways in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Mechanistic and Transcriptomic Perspective
[caption id="attachment_75169" align="alignleft" width="240"] Dr. Steven C. Quay[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for these studies? What are the main findings of the reviews?
Dr. Quay: Breast cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosis and the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Around 70% of these cases are estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), meaning the tumor cells use the body's natural estrogen as fuel to multiply and grow. While traditional endocrine therapies like tamoxifen have saved countless lives, patients frequently face severe side effects or eventually develop resistance to the treatment.
To bridge this gap, these studies show the promise of next-generation selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), specifically (Z)-endoxifen. The main findings indicate that this active-form drug delivers more consistent, well-tolerated exposure to keep pace with a patient's unique biology. We are looking at the whole picture — from cancer prevention in high-risk patients to shrinking tumors before cases worsen. Ultimately, this approach builds on tamoxifen's legacy and blocks estrogen signaling to provide patients with more effective therapy options. For context on risk factors in breast cancer prevention, see this overview of breast cancer risk and dense breast tissue.
For many people with cancer, one of the hardest moments comes when a treatment that worked at first begins to fail. A tumor may shrink, symptoms may improve, and test results may look encouraging. Then, months or years later, the cancer starts growing again.
This does not always mean the treatment was ineffective from the beginning. More often, it killed most cancer cells but left behind a small group that could survive. Those cells continued to grow and eventually became the dominant population in the tumor. Understanding why these cells survive is a major focus of cancer research. For background on how CRISPR technology is being applied across medical research, see this overview of how CRISPR gene editing is opening new doors in disease research.
HyperPlan®, the hyperthermia treatment planning software developed by Dr. Sennewald Medizintechnik GmbH, has successfully completed the certification process under the Medical Device Regulation (MDR). This marks a significant milestone in modern, software-assisted hyperthermia treatment planning and confirms that the software innovation meets the essential safety and performance requirements for medical devices as defined by Regulation (EU) 2017/745. As the first certified treatment planning software for hyperthermia, HyperPlan® strengthens confidence among both patients and healthcare professionals while ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality.
According to the National Cancer Institute, hyperthermia is a type of treatment in which body tissue is exposed to high temperatures to damage and kill cancer cells or to make cancer cells more sensitive to radiation and certain anticancer drugs — a well-established principle that HyperPlan® is now helping to deliver with greater precision and traceability than ever before.
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Toshiro Shirakawa, MD, PhD
Dean and Professor
Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation, Kobe University
Prof. Shirakawa[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Shirakawa: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have significantly improved the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer, but many patients eventually develop resistance, leaving limited therapeutic options. We developed B440, a first-in-human oral cancer vaccine using genetically engineered Bifidobacterium longum expressing the WT1 tumor-associated antigen, with the goal of enhancing tumor-specific cellular immunity through the gut immune system.
In this phase I study, B440 demonstrated a favorable safety profile with no dose-limiting toxicities. WT1-specific cellular immune responses were detected in half of the patients, and these patients showed a trend toward longer progression-free survival. As this was a small, single-arm phase I study, these findings should be considered exploratory and hypothesis-generating. For context on how immune checkpoint inhibitors have reshaped the treatment landscape for metastatic urothelial cancer, see this earlier overview of immunotherapy in the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer.
Most people have moles. They're a normal part of having skin. Yet many people feel uncertain about whether their moles are concerning or just another benign spot. This uncertainty is exactly why systematic mole monitoring has become essential to skin cancer prevention.
Understanding what makes a mole risky, how to track changes over time and when to seek professional evaluation can literally save your life. Early detection of melanoma increases five-year survival rates to over 90 percent, compared to much lower rates when diagnosis happens at advanced stages.
The relationship between moles and melanoma is straightforward but often misunderstood. Not all moles become melanoma. Most moles remain benign throughout a person's lifetime. However, melanoma can arise from existing moles or appear as completely new lesions. This means your moles deserve regular attention and professional monitoring if you have risk factors. The good news is that systematic monitoring catches changes early when treatment is most effective. This article breaks down everything you need to know about monitoring moles, understanding your risk and getting the right screening.
Watch the Video
Stage 4 liver metastases used to signal a narrow set of options and a predictable clinical trajectory. For years, treatment meant systemic therapy alone, and outcomes depended almost entirely on how long those drugs could hold the disease in check. But over the past decade, liver-directed oncology has changed faster than almost any other area in metastatic care.
Techniques that were once reserved for rare cases — targeted radiation, image-guided ablation, selective internal radiotherapy — are now used routinely in major centers. So the previously unrealistic question is now being asked in a serious manner: is a functional cure possible for some patients with liver metastases?
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Early detection of prostate cancer improves outcomes, expands treatment options, and preserves quality of life. Learn why proactive screening and awareness can make a life-saving difference....
Editor's Note: Cannabis laws and regulations vary by country, state, and territory. This interview is for educational purposes only. Cannabis products discussed here are not endorsed by MedicalResearch.com. Patients should consult their oncologist or healthcare provider before using any cannabis or cannabinoid product, particularly during cancer treatment. Cannabis products should not be used while driving, by children, if pregnant, nursing or planning to become pregnant or mixed with other substances that can affect cognition. Cannabis products may also be contraindicated in other medical conditions or situations.
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Raphael E. Cuomo, PhD
Associate Professor
University of California, San Diego
Developer and Host, Cannabis and Cancer (Apple TV Documentary)
Dr. Avishek Kumar[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Avishek Kumar, MD
Board-Certified Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
Edison, NJ (NYC Metro)
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this announcement?
Response: Pancreatic cancer has been one of the hardest cancers to treat in all of oncology.
It is often found late. It spreads early. For decades, it has not had the kind of breakthroughs we have seen in lung cancer, melanoma, breast cancer, or other tumors.
In the majority of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, treatment has mostly meant chemotherapy. Regimens like FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel can help. They can extend life. They can shrink cancer. But the benefit is often limited, and the side effects can be tough.
Once the cancer grows after first-line treatment, the options get even more narrow. That is why the daraxonrasib data matter.
Daraxonrasib, also known as RMC-6236, is an investigational oral targeted drug. It is designed to block active RAS signaling. That is a big deal because pancreatic cancer is one of the most RAS-driven cancers we see. Most pancreatic cancers have a KRAS mutation or another alteration in that pathway.
For years, KRAS was considered "undruggable." We knew it was driving the cancer. We just did not have a good way to hit it.
This new data suggests that may be changing.
In previously treated advanced RAS-mutated pancreatic cancer, daraxonrasib appeared to improve median overall survival compared with standard chemotherapy. Reports have described survival of about 13.2 months versus 6.7 months. In pancreatic cancer, that is not a small finding. That is meaningful. Very meaningful.
Dr. Fuemmeler[/caption]
Bernard F. Fuemmeler, PhD, MPH
Professor and Gordon D. Ginder, MD Chair in Cancer Research
Associate Director of Population Science, Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
Director of Research, Family Medicine and Population Health
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Dr. Tatum[/caption]
Kristina L. Tatum, PsyD, MS
Instructor
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
School of Public Health
A large population-based analysis of more than 841,000 breast cancer patients across the United States examines whether GLP-1 receptor agonist use is associated with improved survival and lower recurrence risk — with findings that researchers describe as very promising.
Photo by www.kaboompics.com[/caption]
Living with cancer can affect both physical and emotional wellbeing. Many patients experience stress, mental exhaustion and emotional fatigue throughout treatment and recovery. A cancer care center (this is commonly referred to as ศุนย์ดูแลผู้ป่วยมะเร็ง in Thai) helps reduce emotional fatigue for patients by providing compassionate support, emotional guidance and wellness-focused care designed to improve comfort and quality of life.
Emotional fatigue can develop from ongoing treatments, uncertainty, disrupted routines and physical discomfort. Supportive care environments help patients feel calmer, more understood and emotionally supported during challenging periods.
Dr. Pathiyil[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Mythili Menon Pathiyil, MBBS
Gastroenterology Fellow
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Colorectal cancer mortality is currently the leading cause of cancer-related death in individuals below the age of 50 in the United States. A new analysis presented at DDW 2026 quantifies those patterns and identifies which populations are most at risk — with the goal of informing earlier recognition, targeted screening, and equity-focused prevention.
BTK inhibitors have become an important class of targeted therapies for several blood cancers, including CLL, mantle cell lymphoma, and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, with ongoing research expanding their potential role in hematology....
Dr. Yuval Malka, PhD[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com Interview with
Dr. Yuval Malka, PhD
Faculty of Medicine Hebrew University and
Founder & CEO of Modular Therapeutics BV and
Dr. William Faller PhD
University of Bristol
discussing their new study on RNA dicing — a fundamental mechanism that generates multiple functional protein outputs from a single mRNA molecule — and its implications for cancer biology and therapeutics.
Source[/caption]
Cancer research is entering a new phase. For years, scientists focused on how cancer cells grow and divide. That model still matters, but it is no longer enough. New research shows something deeper: cancer cells are not fixed. They can change their identity and shift how they behave based on internal signals.
One of the strongest of those signals is metabolism. Emerging research shows that metabolism does more than provide energy — it also controls how genes are turned on and off, which means it can shape what a cancer cell becomes. This is a major shift in thinking, and it changes how researchers approach treatment and discovery.
A new study published in Frontiers in Immunology identifies a biological mechanism linking COVID-19 lung injury to increased adenocarcinoma risk — with vaccination associated with reduced cancer risk and smoking significantly amplifying the effect....
Dr. Berico[/caption]
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Pietro Berico, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Postdoctoral research fellow
Hernando Lab
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
NYU Langone Health
New York, NY 1001
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: “Cutaneous melanoma arises under chronic UV irradiation, which selects for aggressive malignant clones. Paradoxically, its high mutational burden also promotes neoantigen formation and robust immune activation. Consequently, melanoma must establish immune evasion mechanisms from the earliest stages of tumor development. The lack of specific genetic mutational patterns linked to immune escape points toward non-mutational mechanisms, such as epigenetic reprogramming.
Illustration of colon polyps and early detection
Prof. Yeoh Khay Guan & Prof Patrick Tan[/caption]
Professor Patrick Tan, MD PhD
Dean, Duke-NUS Medical School;
Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Signature Research Programme,
Duke-NUS Medical School; and
Professor Yeoh Khay Guan, MBBS
Chief Executive, National University Health System;
Senior Consultant
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
National University Hospital.
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) is a precancerous condition that can arise in the stomach after long-term infection with Helicobacter pylori (a common stomach bacterium).
Clinically, IM is recognised as a risk state for gastric cancer (GC), as individuals with IM have 6-fold higher risk of eventually developing GC. However, not all IM patients will develop GC, and we lack an understanding of the biological processes operating within IM to transition to GC. Also, we don’t know if these processes are commonly found across the world, particularly since different countries have different rates of GC incidence.
In this study, we looked at DNA mutations and mutational signatures in IM samples collected from six countries with varying GC incidence (including accompanying blood-derived genetic variants). We wanted to understand potential risk factors for GC and how this information can be harnessed to improve the clinical management of IM patients and to reduce their GC risk.