A comprehensive review led by researchers from Southern Medical University and Fudan University uncovers how the body’s circadian clock regulates tumor biology, immune function, and the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The study integrates molecular, cellular, and clinical findings to propose “chronotherapy” as a new strategy to optimize cancer immunotherapy outcomes through time-of-day–based dosing and tumor microenvironment modulation.

Researchers have systematically mapped approximately 260,000 cancer-specific small RNAs, called oncRNAs, across 32 cancer types, revealing distinctive molecular "barcodes" that can identify cancer type with over 90% accuracy and predict patient outcomes through simple blood tests. In a study published January 23 in Cell Reports Medicine, Arc Institute Core Investigator Hani Goodarzi and colleagues found that each cancer produces unique patterns of these orphan non-coding RNAs, with about 30% actively secreted into the bloodstream. In 192 breast cancer patients from the I-SPY 2 trial, those with high residual oncRNA levels after chemotherapy had nearly 4-fold worse overall survival. This finding required only 1 milliliter of serum and remained significant even when controlling for standard clinical measures. Because cancer cells actively secrete these RNAs rather than passively shedding DNA, oncRNA-based liquid biopsies could enable earlier detection of recurrence and real-time treatment monitoring, addressing a key challenge in cancers that don't shed much DNA into the bloodstream.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common subtype of primary liver cancer and continues to be a major cause of cancer-related mortality, particularly in regions of China with a high hepatitis B virus prevalence. Early-stage diagnosis remains challenging due to its asymptomatic onset and the limited sensitivity of conventional biomarkers, which together contribute to delayed detection, suboptimal therapeutic outcomes, and poor prognosis. These limitations underscore the urgent need for reliable, sensitive, and specific biomarkers to enable timely detection and targeted intervention. Protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II, an abnormal prothrombin variant generated under vitamin K deficiency or antagonism, has emerged as a promising candidate with diagnostic and therapeutic relevance in HCC. This review critically examines the molecular and biological characteristics of protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II, evaluates its clinical utility in HCC diagnosis and management, and delineates the current limitations hindering its broader application. Furthermore, future perspectives are proposed to guide translational research and clinical implementation. Collectively, this review aims to provide a comprehensive theoretical framework to advance precision diagnosis and individualized treatment strategies for HCC.

A research paper by scientists at Wenzhou Medical University developes a mannose-modified pH/glutathione (GSH) dual-responsive nano-delivery system (MPP@IKE-aPD-1/diABZI) that synergistically activates ferroptosis and immune responses to achieve efficient antitumor therapy.

The research paper, published on Jan. 9, 2026 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems.

Secondary lymphedema, a chronic condition caused by lymph node removal during cancer surgery, leads to swelling, pain, and reduced mobility with limited treatment options. In a recent study, researchers from Japan developed a centrifugal cell stacking technique to create artificial lymphatic tissues that can restore lymphatic flow. When transplanted into mice, CeLyTs form functional lymph node-like structures that reduce swelling and promote lymph flow, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for lymphedema.

This article summarizes metabolic reprogramming in prostate cancer (PCa). Early PCa relies more on glycolysis. castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) enhances glucose metabolism, shifts glutaminase isoform for efficient glutamine use, and upregulates lipid metabolism via androgen receptor. Targeting these pathways offers new therapeutic strategies for PCa, especially CRPC.