The landscape of multiple myeloma (MM) treatment has been revolutionized by the emergence of quadruplet therapies and T-cell-redirecting immunotherapies. Although these advancements offer unprecedented responses and lengths of remission, they simultaneously create a profound state of immune compromise. Infection is a leading cause of death and a significant cause of morbidity in patients living with MM.

This article explores the complex landscape of infection in patients with MM, highlighting nurse responsibilities in early detection and management. Through targeted prevention and treatment strategies, nurses improve the longevity and the daily lived experiences of their patients.

This article is a narrative review of risk factors for infection and current practices for the prevention and management of infections in patients with MM, highlighting updated guidelines for nurses.

Risk factors for infection in MM include MM-related immune system dysfunction, disease-related factors such as renal failure, comorbid conditions, and treatment-related immunosuppression or cytopenias. By fostering competence through education, supporting autonomy through structured transitions of care, and maintaining relatedness through the patient-nurse relationship, oncology nurses can mitigate the infection risks associated with modern MM therapy.

Background and objectives Despite substantial research on immunotherapy, its efficacy and safety in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without identifiable driver mutations remain unclear. The objective of this review was to examine the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy, used as monotherapy or alongside chemotherapy, vs. chemotherapy alone in patients with advanced driver mutation-negative NSCLC. Methods A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and CENTRAL databases was conducted until December 2024. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024585050). Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy, either as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy, compared with chemotherapy alone, were included. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE framework. Results Twenty-three RCTs (n=14605 participants) were included. Immunotherapy (± chemotherapy) significantly improved overall survival [22 RCTs; 14,375 participants, hazard ratio (HR): 0.77; 95% Confidence interval (CI): 0.72-0.83] and progression-free survival (22 RCTs; 14,003 participants, HR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.58-0.76) compared with chemotherapy alone. The objective response rate was also higher with immunotherapy (23 RCTs; 12,967 participants, RR 1.38, 95% CI: 1.24-1.54). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of overall adverse event rates. Interpretation and conclusions Immunotherapy, whether administered alone or in combination with chemotherapy, provides significant survival benefits in patients with advanced driver mutation-negative NSCLC.

In Ghana, traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) are often the first point of contact for women with breast health concerns. However, they operate independently of formal healthcare services. While their embeddedness within communities grants them cultural legitimacy, their perceptions of breast cancer remain underexplored. Understanding TMPs' explanatory models, recognition of signs, and diagnostic practices is crucial for improving early detection of breast cancer and reducing delays in accessing treatment that lead to poor outcomes.

We conducted a qualitative exploratory descriptive study using semi-structured interviews with 14 non-formally trained TMPs involved in breast care services in Ghana. Interviews were transcribed, translated, and thematically analyzed to understand how they recognize and interpret symptoms, their beliefs about the causes and risks of breast cancer, and how they diagnose and treat breast-related problems.

Our analysis generated four major themes: sources of knowledge, multi-dimensional explanations of breast cancer causation, cardinal signs defining breast cancer recognition, and experiential and practice-based approaches to diagnosis. TMPs relied on inherited ancestral traditions but also sought to improve their skills through workshops, professional associations, and occasional biomedical collaborations, showing a willingness to learn and adapt to new information. However, significant misconceptions remained, including beliefs that spiritual or social disharmony and reproductive and lifestyle factors cause breast cancer. While TMPs identified key signs such as lumps, nipple changes, and skin alterations, their dependence on experiential and intuitive diagnostic practices risked both over- and under-diagnosis.

TMPs are central actors in Ghana's breast cancer pathway, representing both opportunities for early recognition and risks of misinformation. Correcting misconceptions and embedding TMPs into structured training and referral systems could reduce diagnostic delays, enhance early detection, and support Ghana's National Cancer Control Plan and Sustainable Development Goal 3.

This study examined whether theory-based education increases cervical cancer screening among underserved women.

Seven databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) were systematically searched for studies published between January 2005 and November 2025. A total of 1,200 records were identified; after duplicate removal, 900 titles and abstracts were screened, and 200 full-text articles were assessed. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis, and 12 trials contributed extractable binary outcome data for meta-analysis, including one study with two distinct intervention arms. The primary outcome was screening uptake (Pap smear, visual inspection with acetic acid [VIA], or human papillomavirus [HPV] testing). Data extraction and quality appraisal followed PRISMA 2020 and Joanna Briggs Institute guidance. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using DerSimonian-Laird random-effects models with Hartung-Knapp adjustment, and heterogeneity, prediction intervals, small-study effects, and certainty of evidence (GRADE) were evaluated.

Structured educational interventions significantly increased screening uptake compared with usual care or minimal information (OR = 4.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.21-8.80). Subgroup analyses showed substantial effects in both high-income (OR = 3.46; 95% CI: 1.43-8.36) and middle-income settings (OR = 6.55; 95% CI: 2.74-15.63). Interventions frequently incorporated behavioral frameworks, such as the Health Belief Model, Protection Motivation Theory, and BASNEF model, and were often culturally tailored or delivered through community-embedded formats.

Integrating such interventions into national and local screening programs represents an effective and equitable strategy to reduce disparities in cervical cancer prevention.

Dostarlimab in combination with carboplatin-paclitaxel was approved for primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer (pA/rEC). The first interim analysis (IA1) of RUBY Part 1 (NCT03981796) showed no significant exposure-response (ER) relationship for progression-free survival or for the five most common dostarlimab-related adverse events (AEs), except rash. Herein, we report the ER relationship between dostarlimab exposure and overall survival (OS) and between dostarlimab exposure and dostarlimab-related AEs. Population pharmacokinetic model was based on IA1, and the predicted exposure metrics from Cycle 1 were used to perform ER analysis at the second interim analysis (IA2). AE analysis was completed for three periods: Cycles 1-6 (chemotherapy phase), Cycle 7 and beyond (monotherapy phase), and all cycles. Included in the OS analysis were 232 patients treated with dostarlimab + carboplatin-paclitaxel. Cox regression of OS showed no significant ER relationship based on dostarlimab Cycle 1 exposure, except for rash and arthralgia. The increase in predicted probabilities for rash and arthralgia for patients with high versus low exposure was limited, ranging from 5.6% to 10.4% for rash and 4.3% to 17.7% for arthralgia (deemed not clinically relevant). These data support the risk/benefit profile at the selected dose of dostarlimab + carboplatin-paclitaxel as standard of care in patients with pA/rEC.

Migrants in Australia experience persistent cancer-equity gaps, with later-stage diagnoses linked to low screening participation. This study aimed to co-design cancer screening interventions with migrant and refugee communities to promote equitable participation and reduce disparities in bowel, cervical and breast cancer screening in New South Wales, Australia.

Using stratified convenience sampling, 90 first-generation Middle Eastern and Sub-Saharan African migrants across five NSW regions participated in 10 face-to-face nominal group technique sessions to elicit and rank intervention priorities.

Participants identified 24 priority actions for bowel cancer screening, 11 for breast, and eight for cervical cancer, grouped into intervention domains. Bowel cancer drew the broadest response, spanning cancer literacy, policy reform, community action, and monitoring and evaluation. Breast cancer priorities centred on literacy and policy, while cervical cancer input focused on literacy and behavioural confidence. Increasing cancer literacy, shifting behaviours and enacting supportive policy reform emerged as consistent priorities across all three cancers.

Improving migrant and refugee participation across all three screening programs requires culturally grounded interventions that build cancer literacy and leverage trusted networks including peers, community champions and frontline health workers. Settlement programs, community organisations and schools provide critical infrastructure for sustained screening education, while policy reforms including age threshold reductions, incentive mechanisms and improved access support are essential to achieving equitable outcomes.

Migrants with lived experience, cancer caregivers and community champions played a central role in setting priorities and co-designing intervention options.

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin), derived from salicylic acid in willow bark, is known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet properties. Beyond cardiovascular protection, increasing evidence suggests that ASA may reduce the risk of various cancers, including colorectal and prostate cancer. In this study, the effect of ASA-treated prostate epithelial cells (RWPE-1) on the proliferation and migration of prostate cancer cells was investigated. RWPE-1 cells were exposed to different ASA concentrations, and non-toxic concentrations were selected. Conditioned media (CM) from untreated and ASA-treated RWPE-1 cells were applied to PC-3 prostate cancer cells. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, while migration was evaluated using the wound-healing assay, and colony formation was also assessed. ASA at 50 μM showed no cytotoxic effect on RWPE-1 cells, while CM1 (ASA 50 μM) reduced PC-3 cell viability to 60%. Moreover, CM1 (ASA 50 μM) and CM2 (ASA 25 μM) significantly inhibited PC-3 cell migration. Comparing CM groups revealed that ASA exposure alters the secretome of prostate epithelial cells, thereby reducing cancer cell viability and motility. These findings suggest that ASA may serve as a promising chemopreventive and therapeutic agent for prostate cancer.

Single-port robot-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy (SPRNSM) has emerged as an innovative minimally invasive alternative to conventional and multi-port robotic techniques, aiming to improve cosmetic outcomes while maintaining oncologic safety. This systematic review evaluates the feasibility, safety, and current evidence supporting SPRNSM. A systematic search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted from database inception to July 4, 2026. Studies involving adult women undergoing SPRNSM for therapeutic or prophylactic indications were included. Both clinical and cadaveric studies reporting relevant outcomes were eligible. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. Risk of bias was appraised using the ROBINS-I tool. Due to heterogeneity, results were synthesized narratively. Sixteen studies were included, comprising seven retrospective studies, one prospective study, five case reports, two case series, and one cadaveric study. SPRNSM was technically feasible across all studies, with no reported conversions to conventional surgery. Operative times were significantly longer than conventional nipple-sparing mastectomy (mean differences of 54-70 min) but comparable to multi-port robotic approaches. Grade III or higher complications ranged from 1.8% to 20%, with reoperation rates from 1.4% to 7.5%. Nipple-areolar complex necrosis rates were consistently low (1.2%-2.5%) and patient-reported satisfaction and sensory preservation were favorable. Short-term oncological outcomes appeared comparable to conventional techniques, although follow-up was limited to a maximum of 36 months. Overall risk of bias was serious for 80% of clinical studies. Current evidence suggests that SPRNSM is a feasible and safe procedure with potential cosmetic and functional advantages. However, the evidence base is limited by predominantly retrospective designs, small sample sizes, selection bias toward high-volume centers, and short follow-up, preventing definitive conclusions regarding long-term oncologic safety. SPRNSM represents a promising evolution in minimally invasive breast surgery; however, until long-term oncologic data become available, its use should remain limited to controlled settings and prospective trials. Ongoing randomized trials are expected to provide higher-level evidence in the coming years.

For more than a decade after the ToGA trial, trastuzumab plus platinum-fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy remained the only established first-line HER2-targeted standard for unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. The treatment landscape is now changing rapidly through pembrolizumab-based chemoimmunotherapy, zanidatamab-based therapy, and antibody-drug conjugate strategies.

This narrative review summarizes pivotal and emerging evidence for first-line HER2-positive advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. PubMed/MEDLINE was searched through June 2026 using combinations of the terms HER2, gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction, first-line treatment, trastuzumab, pembrolizumab, zanidatamab, tislelizumab, and trastuzumab deruxtecan. Priority was given to phase III trials, peer-reviewed reports, major conference updates, and guideline documents relevant to clinical practice.

ToGA established trastuzumab plus chemotherapy as a first-line standard, but subsequent attempts to improve outcomes by adding or substituting HER2-directed agents, including lapatinib, high-dose trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and trastuzumab emtansine, did not displace trastuzumab-based therapy. KEYNOTE-811 demonstrated that pembrolizumab added to trastuzumab and chemotherapy improves response, progression-free survival, and overall survival, particularly in PD-L1-positive disease. The phase III HERIZON-GEA-01 trial has now shown that zanidatamab plus chemotherapy, with or without tislelizumab, improves progression-free survival compared with trastuzumab plus chemotherapy, and that zanidatamab plus tislelizumab and chemotherapy improves overall survival. Trastuzumab deruxtecan is also moving from later-line therapy into first-line development through platinum-free combinations with fluoropyrimidine and immune checkpoint blockade.

First-line treatment of HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer is entering a second transformation. The central clinical question is shifting from whether HER2 blockade should be combined with chemotherapy to which HER2-targeted platform should anchor first-line therapy, how immune checkpoint inhibition should be integrated, and how HER2 heterogeneity and biomarker evolution should guide treatment sequencing.

Clonal expansions in large granular lymphocytic leukemia (LGLL) may arise in response to immune dysregulation in the context of other hematologic malignancies. This study aimed to investigate the co-occurrence of LGLL and plasma cell dyscrasias (PCDs) to assess its prevalence, features, and potential underlying mechanisms. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 2064 PCD cases and 534 LGLL cases. Of the 534 LGLL cases, 20% co-occurred with PCD, while LGLL was present in 2% of the 2064 PCD cases. Among 117 patients with both conditions, PCDs were predominantly associated with IgM M-protein, while LGLL patients had increased NK-cell proliferation and fewer mutations in STAT3/5B. The co-occurrence was linked to a higher incidence of autoimmune conditions, B-cell neoplasms, and more severe immune-mediated cytopenias. In symptomatic PCD/LGLL patients with low plasma-cell infiltration, B-cell-targeted therapies outperformed immunosuppression, suggesting humoral involvement. Correlation with biological parameters revealed elevated interleukin-6 and inhibitory effects of sera of symptomatic PCD/LGLL patients on hematopoietic cells. Our findings suggest an association between PCD and LGLL, characterized by distinct features that may have significant implications for clinical management. These results highlight the importance of considering hematologic co-occurrences in clinical practice and warrant further investigation into the molecular mechanisms linking these conditions.