Noncommunicable diseases disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries, which are projected to account for 75% of global cancer deaths by 2030. Latin America faces unique challenges, including fragmented health systems, limited infrastructure, and significant inequities in access to screening and innovative therapies. This special series in JCO Global Oncology highlights context-specific research from Latin American experts designed to bridge evidence gaps and strengthen regional oncology practice. Key Themes and Findings: Digital Innovation: Studies explore telehealth to expand supportive care in remote areas and online platforms to address the shortage of geriatric oncology specialists. Precision Medicine: Research emphasizes the need for region-specific genomic data, noting that hereditary cancer patterns in Latin America differ from those in the Global North. While molecular profiling (eg, for "EGFR" and "ALK" in lung cancer) significantly improves survival, access to testing remains a major barrier. Health Economics: A budget impact analysis suggests that prioritizing cost-effective surgical castration over medical alternatives could save over $600 million US dollars, allowing for reinvestment in advanced therapies. Real-World Evidence: Data on genitourinary cancers and rare soft tissue sarcomas reveal persistent disparities in treatment patterns and emphasize the necessity of multidisciplinary care. Moving forward, the region must transition from retrospective data to prospective, interventional studies. Addressing the "implementation gap"-where diagnostics exist without matching treatment access-is vital. Sustained progress requires locally adapted guidelines, improved registries, and increased research funding to ensure equitable, high-quality cancer care across Latin America.

Sarcopenia is prevalent among older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The phase angle (PhA), derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), is a potential marker for sarcopenia. This study aimed to explore the relationship between PhA and sarcopenia in older patients with T2DM and determine the PhA threshold for predicting sarcopenia.

We conducted a cross-sectional study with 263 older patients with T2DM hospitalized at a Chinese tertiary referral center. Participants were categorized into sarcopenia (T2DM-SP) and non-sarcopenia (T2DM-NSP) groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the PhA as an independent predictor of sarcopenia after adjusting for confounding factors. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of PhA in sarcopenia.

PhA was significantly lower in the T2DM-SP group vs the T2DM-NSP group (4.523±0.627° vs 4.995±0.711°; p<0.001). Moreover, the PhA was significantly related to sarcopenia, even after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and other covariates, PhA remained independently associated with sarcopenia (OR, 0.112; p=0.001), low HGS (OR, 0.220; p=0.007), and low ASMI (OR, 0.083; p<0.001). ROC curve analysis determined the optimal PhA cutoff values for diagnosing sarcopenia as 5.35° for men (AUC, 0.717; p<0.001) and 4.55° for women (AUC, 0.745; p<0.001).

The study identified a significant relationship between sarcopenia and PhA among older patients with T2DM, which may serve as a valuable marker for predicting sarcopenia in this population. Further prospective studies are required to confirm these findings and clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Background and objectives Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the chances of negative consequences for both the mother and the foetus. It shares genetic and physiological characteristics with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), particularly insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion. While gene variants involved in glucose metabolism, such as those in glucokinase receptor (GCKR) and GLI similar 3 (GLIS3), have been linked to diabetes risk, their association with GDM in South Indian populations remains underexplored. Methods This study comprised 195 patients with GDM and 195 normoglycemic pregnant women of South Indian ethnicity. GDM diagnosis was recognised using an oral glucose tolerance test. Genotyping of GCKR (rs780094) and GLIS3 (rs701847, rs7020673, rs10814916) were performed using Tetra-ARMS PCR and validated through Sanger sequencing. Associations between genotypes and the risk of GDM were assessed using logistic regression. Results Women with GDM exhibited significantly higher age, body mass index, blood pressure, and adverse metabolic profiles. There was a strong genotype-specific correlation between GDM and the GCKR rs780094 CT genotype. When dominant models and the AG genotype were used, rs701847 exhibited the strongest correlation with GLIS3. rs10814916 was linked through the AC genotype, whereas rs7020673 only demonstrated a connection under the recessive model. In women with GDM, HOMA-IR was significantly higher (P<0.001). Interpretation and conclusion This study highlights significant associations between GCKR and GLIS3 polymorphisms and the risk of GDM in South Indian women, supporting the role of ethnicity-specific genetic screening in predicting GDM risk.

A reduction in exercise capacity (EC) can be observed in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) on cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). However, CPET is a costly maximal exercise test, limiting its routine use. This study aimed to analyze the criterion validity, convergent validity, and test-retest reliability of the Modified Incremental Step Test (MIST), a simple, inexpensive, and portable submaximal exercise test, for assessing EC in individuals with T2D.

Fifty individuals with T2D (56.9 ± 11.4 years old, 50% male) attended two visits within a 2- to 10-day interval. On the first visit, participants underwent a CPET. On the second visit, two repetitions of the submaximal exercise tests, the MIST and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), were conducted in a random order. Criterion validity was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient between the number of steps climbed in the best-performed MIST and peak oxygen consumption (peak VO₂) from CPET. Convergent validity was evaluated by the Pearson correlation coefficient between the best MIST performance and the distance covered in the best 6MWT. Test-retest reliability was determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between two MIST repetitions.

Convergent validity was supported by a moderate correlation between the number of steps climbed in the best-performed MIST and the distance covered in the best 6MWT (r = 0.65; p < 0.001; n = 50). In contrast, criterion validity (r = 0.53; p = 0.023; n = 18) and test-retest reliability (ICC [95% CI] = 0.64 [0.44-0.78]) did not meet the criteria for adequate measurement properties.

This multicenter methodological study, conducted in accordance with COSMIN recommendations, contributes to the literature by evaluating the psychometric properties of the MIST for assessing EC in individuals with T2D. Although the findings do not support the MIST as a substitute for CPET, its convergent validity may support its use when 6MWT execution is not possible.

Diabetic foot (DF) is a common and serious complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), especially in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of DF and associated conditions in DM patients receiving RRT at a tertiary care hospital in Argentina.

We conducted a cross-sectional observational study between December 2022 and September 2024. A total of 54 patients with type 1 or type 2 DM undergoing either hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) were included. History of DF, active or pre-ulcerative lesions, neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, and associated risk factors were evaluated through physical examination and medical record review.

DF was present in 40.7% of patients, with a higher proportion in HD (48.6%) compared to PD (26.3%). Pre-ulcerative lesions were found in 61.1%, and active ulcers in 9.3%. A history of amputation was reported in 31.4% of cases. Diabetic neuropathy (87%) and peripheral vascular disease (81.5%), both closely related to DF development, were key findings. Significant differences were observed in smoking (42.1% PD vs. 11.4% HD, p=0.016), which may impair microcirculation, and obesity (63.2% PD vs. 25.7% HD, p=0.016), which increases plantar pressure and contributes to foot deformities.

DM patients on RRT have a high prevalence of DF and related risk factors. Early detection and multidisciplinary follow-up are essential to prevent complications such as ulcers and amputations.

Diabetic foot (DF) is a common and serious complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), especially in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of DF and associated conditions in DM patients receiving RRT at a tertiary care hospital in Argentina.

We conducted a cross-sectional observational study between December 2022 and September 2024. A total of 54 patients with type 1 or type 2 DM undergoing either hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) were included. History of DF, active or pre-ulcerative lesions, neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, and associated risk factors were evaluated through physical examination and medical record review.

DF was present in 40.7% of patients, with a higher proportion in HD (48.6%) compared to PD (26.3%). Pre-ulcerative lesions were found in 61.1%, and active ulcers in 9.3%. A history of amputation was reported in 31.4% of cases. Diabetic neuropathy (87%) and peripheral vascular disease (81.5%), both closely related to DF development, were key findings. Significant differences were observed in smoking (42.1% PD vs. 11.4% HD, p=0.016), which may impair microcirculation, and obesity (63.2% PD vs. 25.7% HD, p=0.016), which increases plantar pressure and contributes to foot deformities.

DM patients on RRT have a high prevalence of DF and related risk factors. Early detection and multidisciplinary follow-up are essential to prevent complications such as ulcers and amputations.