To investigate the temporal relationship between the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) index, combining serum human satellite II (HSATII) RNA and miR-21-5p measurements, and pancreatic cancer diagnosis in a prospective population-based study.

We conducted a case-control study nested within the Japan Multi-institutional Collaborative Cohort (J-MICC) Study of over 92,000 participants. Serum samples were collected from 45 individuals who developed pancreatic cancer within 2 years of blood collection and 45 matched controls. We measured serum HSATII RNA and miR-21-5p levels using TRAP-ddPCR and calculated the PDAC index. Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, conditional logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazards models.

The PDAC index was significantly higher in pancreatic cancer cases compared to controls ( P =0.043), with the strongest difference observed in cases diagnosed within 0.3 years of blood collection ( P =0.046). A significant negative correlation between the PDAC index and time to diagnosis was observed in cases (R=-0.32, P =0.030). Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed a significant association between the PDAC index and time to pancreatic cancer diagnosis (HR=1.3, P =0.024). The AUC of PDAC index was 0.64 for cases diagnosed within 0.3 years.

The PDAC index showed a possible association with proximity of pancreatic cancer diagnosis, with higher values observed closer to clinical diagnosis. While these preliminary findings should be interpreted in light of the study limitations, they provide a rationale for further evaluation of the PDAC index in larger studies with longer follow-up periods.

Overcoming the immunosuppressive microenvironment of pancreatic cancer (PC) using oncolytic viruses appears to be a promising therapeutic approach. However, tumor cells are characterized by significant heterogeneity, including populations of resistant cells with high basal JAK/STAT signaling activity. One potential approach to overcoming this resistance is the use of JAK1/2 kinase inhibitors, such as ruxolitinib, the efficacy of which has already been demonstrated in several studies.

To study the effect of ruxolitinib (a JAK1/2 kinase inhibitor) on the replicative activity of certain oncolytic flaviviruses (YFV 17D) and alphaviruses (SINV K1487) in human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines AsPC-1, BxPC-3, and Capan-2, which are characterized by high resistance to viral oncolysis.

Human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines: AsPC-1, BxPC-3, and Capan-2 from the collection of Laboratory of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Chumakov FSC R&D IBP RAS (Institute of Poliomyelitis). Viruses: yellow fever virus strain 17D and Sindbis virus strain K1487 (GenBank AC № PZ244961.1). Virus quantification was performed using the plaque assay on Vero cell culture and real-time PCR.

In this study, we investigated the effect of ruxolitinib (a JAK1/2 kinase inhibitor) on the replicative activity of certain oncolytic flaviviruses (YFV 17D) and alphaviruses (SINV K1487) in virus-resistant human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines AsPC-1, BxPC-3, and Capan-2. A significant dose-dependent increase in infectious titers (by 2-3 orders of magnitude) of YFV 17D and SINV K1487 was demonstrated in the studied cultures in the presence of various concentrations of ruxolitinib (0.1 μM, 0.5 μM, 1.0 μM, and 5.0 μM).

Enhanced replication of oncolytic flaviviruses and alphaviruses in the presence of ruxolitinib could significantly improve the efficacy of therapy for resistant and highly immunosuppressive pancreatic cancer. This combined virotherapy approach can activate powerful immunomediated cell death mechanisms even without an overt cytopathic effect in culture.

Pediatric intramedullary low-grade gliomas (PIMLGGs) are rare neoplasms that present unique clinical and management challenges. Although surgery remains the primary tool for tissue diagnosis and decompression, complete gross-total resection is frequently unfeasible due to the infiltrative nature of these lesions. To define the role of chemotherapy, we conducted a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-based systematic review of 21 studies published between 2000 and 2025, comprising 98 patients who started chemotherapy at a median age of 3.9 years (ranging from 3 months to 17.7 years). In half of the cases, chemotherapy was used as primary therapy in cases of incomplete resection or biopsy, and half of the patients received salvage chemotherapy in cases of progressive tumor or recurrence. A platinum-based regimen was used in most of the patients. Complete response was achieved in 9% of cases, 9% had an incomplete response, and 42% had stable disease. Disease progression occurred in 26% of patients, and 15% died, most commonly due to disease progression. Median follow-up was 5 years (ranging from 3 months to 18 years).

Inflammatory cloacogenic polyps are rare and often discovered either during routine colorectal cancer screenings or in symptomatic patients presenting with hematochezia. In unusual cases, they can present as an adhesive obstruction with radiological and clinical findings suggestive of a suspicious recurrent colorectal malignancy lesion. Because these polyps can mimic cancer during endoscopy, a detailed tissue examination is crucial for making the correct diagnosis and planning treatment. In this report, we share a challenging case where a patient with a history of cancer presented with signs that strongly suggested a malignant recurrence, but the final diagnosis was an inflammatory cloacogenic polyp. This case highlights the critical role of regular endoscopic monitoring in managing such complex conditions.

Diaphragmatic mesothelial cysts are rare, benign congenital lesions of the diaphragm, presumed to originate from coelomic remnants. Typically identified in pediatric populations, adult presentations - though uncommon - can pose diagnostic challenges due to vague or non-specific symptoms. We present the case of a 30-year-old African male with no prior imaging history, experiencing persistent epigastric pain exacerbated by deep inspiration. An inconclusive ultrasound was followed by a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan, revealing a midline cystic lesion located adjacent to the posterior diaphragmatic pillar. This case highlights the importance of considering diaphragmatic mesothelial cysts in the differential diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain and details the characteristic imaging findings.

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is a rare hereditary disorder characterised by the development of multiple benign and malignant tumours across various organs. Caused by mutations in the VHL tumour suppressor gene, it presents a wide range of clinical manifestations, including retinal haemangioblastomas, central nervous system tumours, renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic lesions, and phaeochromocytomas. This report describes the case of a 35-year-old woman who presented with visual impairment and abdominal masses. Imaging revealed typical VHL manifestations, including bilateral renal lesions and pancreatic involvement. Genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis. The patient underwent staged partial nephrectomies, with histopathology confirming clear cell renal cell carcinoma in both kidneys. This case highlights the importance of recognising the variable clinical and radiological presentations of VHL syndrome. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. Increased awareness and regular surveillance are critical for timely detection and intervention in patients with VHL syndrome.

Constitutional trisomy 8 mosaicism (CT8M) is a rare chromosomal disorder with poorly characterized cancer risk. This systematic review aimed at summarizing reported cases of malignancy and associated clinical outcomes in individuals with CT8M.

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Ichushi, and Google Scholar up to January 30, 2026, without restrictions on language and publication date. Case reports and case series reporting individuals with confirmed CT8M and malignancies were included. JBI Critical Appraisal Checklists were used to evaluate the quality of included studies. Data synthesis involved a descriptive approach.

Thirty-seven studies describing 47 individuals with CT8M and tumors were identified. A female predominance was observed (25/45, 55.5%), and age at malignancy diagnosis ranged from 1 to 84 years, with most cases occurring in childhood or adolescence. Over half of the individuals had a normal appearance (52.3%), while approximately one third exhibited a typical CT8M phenotype (28.5%). Hematologic malignancies predominated (82.9%), particularly, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia. Importantly, 27.2% of individuals with MDS showed isolated trisomy 8 in bone marrow without additional cytogenetic abnormalities. Solid tumors were less frequent and were predominantly embryonal. Clinical outcomes were generally poor, and phenotypic severity or tissue-specific mosaic percentages did not appear to correlate with outcomes.

Our findings suggest a distinctive cancer profile characterized by a marked predominance of myeloid neoplasms, often with an onset several decades earlier than expected and in the absence of overt syndromic features. The observed pattern may reflect the biological consequences of increased gene dosage and transcriptional dysregulation associated with constitutional trisomy 8, although the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. Targeted evaluation for CT8M may be particularly relevant in (i) pediatric patients with MDS, (ii) individuals with persistent trisomy 8 in bone marrow or peripheral blood with planned therapeutic interventions, and (iii) patients with subtle dysmorphic features rather than through universal screening approaches.

Narrative review.

To summarize the epidemiology and oncologic patterns of metastatic and primary cervical spine tumors and evaluate the classification systems, instability assessments, cord compression frameworks, and prognostic tools used in their management.

Although relatively uncommon, cervical spine tumors carry disproportionate clinical consequences. Epidural spinal cord compression can cause quadriplegia and respiratory failure, while the region's distinctive anatomy and biomechanics complicate oncologic decision-making.

A narrative review of the literature was performed, focusing on the epidemiology, primary tumor origins, biologic behavior, classification, spinal instability, epidural spinal cord compression, and survival prediction relevant to metastatic and primary cervical spine tumors.

Metastatic neoplasms constitute most cervical spine tumors and most commonly arise from lung, breast, and prostate cancers. Primary cervical spine tumors account for ∼5-10% of spinal neoplasms and encompass diverse pathologies with distinct biologic behavior and management implications. Existing classification systems, instability assessments, cord compression frameworks, and prognostic scores support multidisciplinary decision-making but incompletely reflect cervical anatomic and biomechanical complexity. Furthermore, survival prediction models may underestimate prognosis in the era of modern systemic therapy and spinal stereotactic radiosurgery.

Cervical spine tumors require individualized, multidisciplinary evaluation that integrates tumor biology, neurologic status, mechanical stability, anatomic level, systemic disease burden, and anticipated survival. Current frameworks remain clinically useful adjuncts but should not replace comprehensive clinical judgment, particularly as oncologic and radiation treatments continue to improve.

EF24, a synthetic curcumin derivative, is effective against different forms of cancers but its derivatives are underdeveloped, particularly to improve cytotoxicity and drug-receptor interactions in colorectal cancer.

Nine N-benzoyl EF24 analogs were prepared and identified by Fourier transform infrared (FT IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR), and mass spectra. Cytotoxicity against the HT-29 cancer cell was screened by 3 (4,5 dimethylthiazol 2 yl) 2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay at 24 and 48 hours. Molecular docking on glyoxalase I compared binding interactions. Compounds 4, 5, 7, and 10 were significantly cytotoxic with compound 10 being more cytotoxic than EF24 and cisplatin. Compound 10 was found to have maximum binding affinity by docking with active-site residues.

The N-benzoyl EF24 analogs, especially compound 10, have shown encouraging cytotoxicity and favorable drug-receptor interaction, suggesting their clinical utility as agents against colorectal cancer. Pharmacokinetic and in vivo explorations are also needed to further advance the compounds for clinical application.

Castration-resistant prostate cancer relies on intratumoral androgen synthesis mediated by cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1). Treatment with the only clinically used CYP17A1 inhibitor, abiraterone, is limited by resistance and side effects, underscoring the urgent need for new CYP17A1 inhibitors with greater selectivity and improved safety profiles. In response to this challenge, we designed, synthesized, and biologically evaluated 30 novel piperidine derivatives. All compounds were initially screened in the H295R cell line to assess their inhibitory activity toward both CYP17A1 and off-target CYP21A2. Compounds were further evaluated in cell viability assays using prostate cancer cells and a normal prostate cell line. The most potent and selective compounds were subjected to further biological studies: IC₅₀ determination, steroid profiling, cell migration assay, aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C3 inhibition assays, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion prediction, and solubility testing. Several compounds emerged as the most active and selective leads, highlighting their potential for pharmaceutical development.