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Annual Review of Biomedical Data Science Aug 2023Since the first publication a decade ago describing the use of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) in the context of cancer, over 200 datasets and thousands of... (Review)
Review
Since the first publication a decade ago describing the use of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) in the context of cancer, over 200 datasets and thousands of scRNA-seq studies have been published in cancer biology. scRNA-seq technologies have been applied across dozens of cancer types and a diverse array of study designs to improve our understanding of tumor biology, the tumor microenvironment, and therapeutic responses, and scRNA-seq is on the verge of being used to improve decision-making in the clinic. Computational methodologies and analytical pipelines are key in facilitating scRNA-seq research. Numerous computational methods utilizing the most advanced tools in data science have been developed to extract meaningful insights. Here, we review the advancements in cancer biology gained by scRNA-seq and discuss the computational challenges of the technology that are specific to cancer research.
Topics: Humans; Gene Expression Profiling; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Single-Cell Analysis; Neoplasms; Computational Biology; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37040737
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biodatasci-020722-091857 -
Oncology (Williston Park, N.Y.) Jul 2019The frequency of patients living after a cancer diagnosis continues to increase due to the rising incidence of cancer as well as the improved survival of cancer patients... (Review)
Review
The frequency of patients living after a cancer diagnosis continues to increase due to the rising incidence of cancer as well as the improved survival of cancer patients thanks to advances in cancer research and treatment. The risk of multiple primary cancers is also increasing due to increasing numbers of cancer survivors, long-term side effects of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, increased diagnostic sensitivity, and persisting effects of genetic and behavioral risk factors. Multiple primary cancers are defined as more than one synchronous or metachronous cancer in the same individual. Although several different definitions of multiple primaries have been proposed, the main definitions come from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program and the International Association of Cancer Registries and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IACR/IARC). Depending on the definition, overall reported frequency of multiple primary cancers varies between 2.4% and 17%. Underlying causes for multiple primary cancers may include host and lifestyle-related factors, environmental and genetic factors and treatment related factors. Significant temporal changes have been found in the prevalence of cancer risk factors (ie, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity) as well as advances in diagnostic sensitivity and improved screening programs that may affect the incidence of second or more cancers. In this review, the literature on multiple primary cancers is analyzed with a focus on clinical situations where a treating physician should take into consideration the possibility of multiple primaries.
Topics: Age Factors; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Registries; Risk Factors
PubMed: 31365752
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2020The advent of novel immunotherapies in the treatment of cancers has dramatically changed the landscape of the oncology field. Recent developments in checkpoint... (Review)
Review
The advent of novel immunotherapies in the treatment of cancers has dramatically changed the landscape of the oncology field. Recent developments in checkpoint inhibition therapies, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapies, chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies, and cancer vaccines have shown immense promise for significant advancements in cancer treatments. Immunotherapies act on distinct steps of immune response to augment the body's natural ability to recognize, target, and destroy cancerous cells. Combination treatments with immunotherapies and other modalities intend to activate immune response, decrease immunosuppression, and target signaling and resistance pathways to offer a more durable, long-lasting treatment compared to traditional therapies and immunotherapies as monotherapies for cancers. This review aims to briefly describe the rationale, mechanisms of action, and clinical efficacy of common immunotherapies and highlight promising combination strategies currently approved or under clinical development. Additionally, we will discuss the benefits and limitations of these immunotherapy approaches as monotherapies as well as in combination with other treatments.
Topics: Animals; Cancer Vaccines; Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Immunity; Immunotherapy; Neoplasms; Radioimmunotherapy; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 32679922
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21145009 -
Mutation Research. Reviews in Mutation... 2018An accurate understanding of the clonal origins of tumors is critical for designing effective strategies to treat or prevent cancer and for guiding the field of cancer... (Review)
Review
An accurate understanding of the clonal origins of tumors is critical for designing effective strategies to treat or prevent cancer and for guiding the field of cancer risk assessment. The intent of this review is to summarize evidence of multiclonal tumor origin and, thereby, contest the commonly held assumption of monoclonal tumor origin. This review describes relevant studies of X chromosome inactivation, analyses of tumor heterogeneity using other markers, single cell sequencing, and lineage tracing studies in aggregation chimeras and engineered rodent models. Methods for investigating tumor clonality have an inherent bias against detecting multiclonality. Despite this, multiclonality has been observed within all tumor stages and within 53 different types of tumors. For myeloid tumors, monoclonal tumor origin may be the predominant path to cancer and a monoclonal tumor origin cannot be ruled out for a fraction of other cancer types. Nevertheless, a large body of evidence supports the conclusion that most cancers are multiclonal in origin. Cooperation between different cell types and between clones of cells carrying different genetic and/or epigenetic lesions is discussed, along with how polyclonal tumor origin can be integrated with current perspectives on the genesis of tumors. In order to develop biologically sound and useful approaches to cancer risk assessment and precision medicine, mathematical models of carcinogenesis are needed, which incorporate multiclonal tumor origin and the contributions of spontaneous mutations in conjunction with the selective advantages conferred by particular mutations and combinations of mutations. Adherence to the idea that a growth must develop from a single progenitor cell to be considered neoplastic has outlived its usefulness. Moving forward, explicit examination of tumor clonality, using advanced tools, like lineage tracing models, will provide a strong foundation for future advances in clinical oncology and better training for the next generation of oncologists and pathologists.
Topics: Animals; Cell Lineage; Humans; Neoplasms; Single-Cell Analysis; X Chromosome Inactivation
PubMed: 30115427
DOI: 10.1016/j.mrrev.2018.05.001 -
American Society of Clinical Oncology... Apr 2022During the past decade, considerable strides have been made in the understanding and treatment of gynecologic cancers. The advent of PARP inhibitors, antiangiogenic...
During the past decade, considerable strides have been made in the understanding and treatment of gynecologic cancers. The advent of PARP inhibitors, antiangiogenic therapies, immunotherapy combinations, and targeted agents have altered the standard of care in ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers. However, continued advancement in the treatment of gynecologic cancers is critical. Fortunately, exciting work defining new therapeutic targets and novel treatment strategies is on the horizon. Here, we discuss emerging treatments for gynecologic cancers, including endometrial, cervical, ovarian, and rare gynecologic cancers. We highlight research that has deepened our understanding of the unique biology and molecular underpinnings of these cancers and is being translated into powerful new treatment approaches. We particularly highlight the advent of immunotherapy in endometrial cancer; radiosensitizers in cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers; targeted therapies in ovarian cancer; and molecularly driven approaches to treat rare gynecologic cancers. Continued basic, translational, and clinical research holds the promise to change the landscape of gynecologic cancer and improve the lives of all women impacted by these diseases.
Topics: Endometrial Neoplasms; Female; Genital Neoplasms, Female; Humans; Immunotherapy; Ovarian Neoplasms; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 35594502
DOI: 10.1200/EDBK_351294 -
Biomolecules May 2023Gastroesophageal cancers are a group of aggressive malignancies that are inherently heterogeneous with poor prognosis. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, esophageal... (Review)
Review
Gastroesophageal cancers are a group of aggressive malignancies that are inherently heterogeneous with poor prognosis. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, esophageal adenocarcinoma, gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, and gastric adenocarcinoma all have distinct underlying molecular biology, which can impact available targets and treatment response. Multimodality therapy is needed in the localized setting and treatment decisions require multidisciplinary discussions. Systemic therapies for treatment of advanced/metastatic disease should be biomarker-driven, when appropriate. Current FDA approved treatments include HER2-targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, novel therapeutic targets are under development and future treatments will be personalized based on molecular profiling. Herein, we review the current treatment approaches and discuss promising advances in targeted therapies for gastroesophageal cancers.
Topics: Humans; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Stomach Neoplasms; Adenocarcinoma
PubMed: 37238666
DOI: 10.3390/biom13050796 -
Journal of the National Comprehensive... Feb 2023Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy, with worldwide increasing incidence and disease-associated mortality. Although most patients with EC... (Review)
Review
Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy, with worldwide increasing incidence and disease-associated mortality. Although most patients with EC are diagnosed with early-stage disease, systemic treatment options for patients with advanced or recurrent EC have historically been limited. EC-focused clinical trials and the ensuing therapeutic landscape have expanded since The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) identified 4 distinct EC subgroups associated with differential survival. This endeavor revolutionized our understanding of the genomic characterization of EC as well as molecular drivers of this heterogeneous malignancy, leading to precision oncology approaches to therapeutics and advancement in treatment options. This review describes the current status of and recent advancements in therapeutic options for patients with advanced and recurrent EC. The NCCN Guidelines for Uterine Neoplasms provide detailed recommendations regarding the diagnosis, workup, and management of EC.
Topics: Humans; Female; Precision Medicine; Endometrial Neoplasms; Uterine Neoplasms; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Genital Neoplasms, Female
PubMed: 36791759
DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2022.7254 -
World Journal of Gastroenterology Aug 2021Colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), specifically computer aided... (Review)
Review
Colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), specifically computer aided detection and computer-aided diagnosis offer promising methods of increasing adenoma detection rates with the goal of removing more pre-cancerous polyps. Conversely, these methods also may allow for smaller non-cancerous lesions to be diagnosed and left in place, decreasing the risks that come with unnecessary polypectomies. This review will provide an overview of current advances in the use of AI in colonoscopy to aid in polyp detection and characterization as well as areas of developing research.
Topics: Adenoma; Artificial Intelligence; Colonic Polyps; Colonoscopy; Colorectal Neoplasms; Humans
PubMed: 34447227
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i29.4802 -
Techniques in Vascular and... Mar 2022Oncology patients, particularly those with breast, colorectal, prostate, renal and pancreatic cancers, are living longer due to advances in detection, and treatment....
Oncology patients, particularly those with breast, colorectal, prostate, renal and pancreatic cancers, are living longer due to advances in detection, and treatment. Unfortunately, this has come with a commensurate increase in the prevalence of osseous metastases and skeletal related events approaching 100,000 new patients each year. Patients are now experiencing serious morbidity and mortality due to pathologic fractures, altered structural mechanics, and cancer related bone pain. This patient population poses challenges for conventional open surgical and/or medical management often due to disease extent, location, and, in general, poor surgical candidacy. Percutaneous techniques may also be challenging under image guidance due to limited ability to use traditional orthopedic corridors, loss of cortical landmarks with destructive lesions, and need for live image guidance. Modern angiography suites with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and advanced imaging applications including needle guidance, 3D fusion, tumor segmentation, and angio-CT have facilitated the development of novel minimally invasive techniques for pain palliation and stabilization. The interventional radiologist is uniquely positioned to harness these advanced imaging applications and offer effective, safe, minimally invasive treatment options to patients with neoplastic disease within the axial, and appendicular skeletons. The focus of this article is to address the technical aspects of patient preparation, positioning, advanced imaging system capabilities, guidance strategies, and pitfalls during osteoplasty and fixation procedures.
Topics: Bone Neoplasms; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Humans; Neoplasms; Pain Management; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35248325
DOI: 10.1016/j.tvir.2022.100798 -
Radiation Oncology (London, England) Oct 2023Head and neck cancer is a kind of cancer which can be eradicated from radical radiation therapy. However, with best efforts, nearly 40% patients will experience... (Review)
Review
Head and neck cancer is a kind of cancer which can be eradicated from radical radiation therapy. However, with best efforts, nearly 40% patients will experience locoregional recurrence. Locoregional recurrence is the main cause of cancer-related death in head and neck cancers, so local treatments play a key role in improving progression free survival. In the last decades, radiation techniques have been tremendously developed, highly conformal radiation techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy, brachytherapy and proton or heavy ion radiation therapy have their unique radiobiological advances. Although reirradiation is widely used in clinical practice, but little is known when comparing the different techniques. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the role of reirradiation in recurrent head and neck cancers including radiation techniques, patient selection, overall clinical benefits, and toxicities.
Topics: Humans; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Radiotherapy, Conformal; Re-Irradiation; Radiosurgery; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; Radiotherapy Dosage
PubMed: 37803477
DOI: 10.1186/s13014-023-02342-0