Digital tools are increasingly used to support patient engagement in cancer clinical trials, particularly for recruitment, education, and electronic consent. As these tools become more integrated into clinical research workflows, there is growing recognition that they shape how patients perceive, interpret, and act on trial-related information as they navigate complex decisions under emotional and cognitive strain. Drawing on research in health communication, behavioral science, and patient-centered design, we provide a narrative mini review of current digital approaches such as websites, mobile applications, social media, patient portals, e-consent platforms, and emerging AI-driven tools to identify key challenges related to patients' access and experience. We offer a synthesis of evidence-based design strategies shown to support decision-making, reduce cognitive and emotional burdens, foster trust, and complement, rather than replace, human interaction. We also discuss considerations for implementation and evaluation studies, emphasizing the importance of assessing patient understanding, decisional confidence, retention, and equity alongside traditional enrollment metrics. We conclude by outlining future directions for theory-informed, co-designed digital communication strategies that support meaningful participation in cancer clinical research.

Immunotherapy has emerged as a major therapeutic strategy for cancer, and accumulating evidence indicates that the gut microbiota influences its effectiveness, highlighting the potential role of dietary fiber.

To evaluate the scientific evidence regarding the relationship between dietary fiber intake, immune modulation, and the response to immunotherapy in patients with cancer.

An integrative review was conducted using the MEDLINE, BVS, and EMBASE databases with the descriptors "Neoplasms," "Dietary Fiber," and "Immunomodulation." Original studies involving patients with cancer undergoing immunotherapy that evaluated dietary fiber intake through habitual diet, dietary intervention, or supplementation, as well as its association with immune response, gut microbiota, or clinical outcomes were included.

A total of 325 records were identified, of which three studies met the inclusion criteria.

Higher dietary fiber intake was associated with improved therapeutic responses and favorable changes in the gut microbiota. The included studies involved patients with melanoma receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors, predominantly anti-PD-1 therapy.

Dietary fiber plays a relevant role in gut microbiota modulation and may enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy.

Most oral malignant tumors are primary, and the incidence of oral metastatic tumors is low at 1%-2.4%. We report a rare case of mandibular metastatic lung cancer with multimodal imaging. A 67-year-old man presented with pain of the left side of mandible within 2 weeks. On clinical examination, swelling and redness of the gingiva of the left lower molar regions were found. Panoramic radiography revealed a mass like radiopacity on the left mandible, however, no destruction in the left mandible. CT showed metal artifact in the left mandible. On intraoral ultrasonography, the mass revealed clear boundary, hypoechoic echogenicity, homogeneous internal architecture, no vascular signals by color Doppler imaging and heterogeneous hard by strain elastography. Furthermore, MR imaging was performed. The lesion in the left mandible showed low-signal intensity and homogeneous enhancement on T1-weighted images. T2-weighted and STIR images showed high-signal intensity. diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the lesions revealed high-signal intensity, and the apparent diffusion coefficient values of the lesion was 1.08 × 10^- 3 mm²s^- 1. The radiological diagnosis in the mandibular lesion was malignant tumor. Histopathological diagnosis by incisional gingival biopsy was adenocarcinoma. Thereafter, ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT was performed, and revealed focal hypermetabolic area in the left side of mandible and right upper lobe of lung. Histopathological diagnosis by biopsy of the right upper lobe of lung was adenocarcinoma. Therefore, this case was diagnosed as mandibular metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. This case suggests that multimodal imaging could be effective for diagnoses of oral metastatic tumor.

It has been highly challenging to reliably detect various cancers at an early stage when tumors are just millimeters in size. To address this, we developed a tumor microenvironment (TME)-responsive nanoprobe, PR-KAd@CD-AuNC, enabling cross-validated cancer detection through in vivo second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescence imaging and in vitro colorimetric urinalysis. The nanoprobe consists of three integrated components: a renal-clearable signal-output segment (cyclodextrin-functionalized gold nanocluster, CD-AuNC), a tumor-targeting and size-controlling component (PR), and a matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2)-cleavable linker (KAd). PR, composed of 8-arm poly(ethylene glycol) for prolonged circulation and c(RGDfK) peptides for αvβ3 integrin targeting, directed selective tumor accumulation after intravenous injection of PR-KAd@CD-AuNC. The intrinsic emission of CD-AuNC above 1100 nm enabled high-resolution, real-time NIR-II fluorescence imaging with attenuated photon scattering, allowing precise tumor delineation. Within the TME, specifically overexpressed MMP2 cleaved the KAd linker, releasing ∼2 nm CD-AuNC fragments from the ∼10 nm parent nanoprobe. Being smaller than the ∼5.5 nm renal filtration threshold, these fragments were renally excreted. Concurrently, the peroxidase-like activity of CD-AuNC catalyzed tetramethylbenzidine oxidation to produce a visible blue signal, providing a simple and low-cost urinalysis method suitable for broad cancer screening applications. This dual-modality strategy effectively distinguished cancers from inflammation and other diseases, detecting small tumors for multiple cancer types with a sensitivity surpassing that of computed tomography (CT) imaging, which makes it a promising early detection approach. Furthermore, it was also employed to dynamically assess cancer therapeutic efficacy (i.e., immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgical resection), suggesting clinical value for guiding treatment decisions.

Secondary iliopsoas abscess arising from colorectal cancer is uncommon and diagnostically challenging. We report a woman in her 50s with locally recurrent sigmoid colon cancer who developed a massive gas-forming left iliopsoas abscess during capecitabine, oxaliplatin and bevacizumab. The acute presentation was severe, with altered consciousness reported before ambulance transfer, marked inflammatory response and need for urgent CT-guided drainage and intensive monitoring. Previous Escherichia coli bacteraemia, bilateral ureteral stents, polymicrobial anaerobic abscess flora and bevacizumab exposure created several plausible infection mechanisms. Abscess culture supported an enteric source whereas urine culture yielded discordant organisms. She improved after source control, broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy with subsequent de-escalation and prolonged drainage, and was discharged after resuming systemic therapy without bevacizumab. This case emphasises early CT, multidisciplinary decision-making and cautious attribution of causality in oncology patients with flank pain and systemic inflammation.

Cancer-associated mesothelial cells (CAMCs) are key modulators of the ovarian tumor microenvironment, contributing to tumor growth and immune evasion. Mesothelial cells (MCs) maintain peritoneal homeostasis and immune surveillance and represent the first point of contact during abdominal dissemination of ovarian cancers. Yet, their role in ovarian tumor immunity remains poorly understood.

Lineage tracing, 3D models, and spatial transcriptomic profiling were used to characterize CAMC origin, localization, and phenotypic transitions during ovarian cancer progression. Multiplex cytokine panels were used to define the cytokine profiles associated with MC transformation into CAMCs. Functional studies were conducted in syngeneic ovarian cancer mouse models to assess the impact of CAMCs on tumor growth and response to immunotherapy. In parallel, CAMC-driven changes in immune cell phenotype and functional state within the tumor microenvironment were characterized.

We demonstrate that CAMCs originate from peritoneal MCs, populate the tumor surface, and progressively infiltrate the tumor core while undergoing a phenotypic transition toward a fibroblast-like phenotype. We characterize the function of an unrecognized CAMC signature marked by SERPINB2⁺ expression and a combination of markers absent in normal MCs. CAMC^Serpinb2+ cells have reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15) and increased expression of IL-10, TGFβ1, and CCL17 compared with normal MCs. Functionally, the presence of CAMC^Serpinb2+ cells correlates with accelerated tumor growth, reduced CD4⁺ T and B cell infiltration, an expanded Treg population, and ultimately resistance to combination immunotherapy in a syngeneic mouse model of ovarian cancer.

These findings identify CAMCs as central regulators of immune suppression in ovarian cancer and reveal a distinct SERPINB2⁺ immunosuppressive CAMC state associated with tumor progression and immunotherapy resistance. Targeting CAMCs may represent a promising therapeutic strategy to restore antitumor immunity and improve responses to current ovarian cancer treatments and immunotherapies.

Circulating tumor antigens (ctA; tumor markers) are blood-based proteins that can offer prognostic value in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and may serve as potential early surrogates for survival. Given the significantly reduced testing time and cost of ctA compared with circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), we further explored the utility of ctA using samples collected from over 2,300 patients participating in five clinical trials (IMpower130, 131, 132, 150, and 110).

We analyzed a panel of six ctA (CA125 (cancer antigen 125), CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen), Cyfra21-1 (cytokeratin 19 fragment 21-1; CYFRA), NSE (neuron-specific enolase), SCC (squamous cell carcinoma antigen), and ProGRP (progastrin-releasing peptide)) and CRP (C-reactive protein) from the serum of patients with metastatic NSCLC in these trials, which investigated combinations of atezolizumab (anti-programmed death-ligand 1)±bevacizumab±chemotherapy. Previous work showed that an optimized cut-off using two ctA or a machine learning (ML) model of ctDNA features, both taken at 6 weeks, can stratify patients with stable disease (SD) for survival risk in IMpower150. Building on this approach, we applied an ML model combining ctA features at baseline and at 6 weeks, trained across a much larger aggregate dataset from multiple clinical studies.

Previous findings from ctA analysis of IMpower150 were confirmed and found to be applicable to several other trials analyzed in this study. We found that ML model predictions provided similar prognostic performance (c-index of 0.73 and 0.71 in squamous and non-squamous test datasets, respectively), with CYFRA being the top feature for both histologies.

While ctA demonstrated limited potential in differentiating treatment effects to inform early drug development, deriving an optimal prediction cut-off for 1-year overall survival (OS) showed that ctA model predictions could effectively stratify patients by radiographic response with 61% sensitivity and 78% specificity, adding significant prognostic value to radiographic imaging. Patients with partial response (PR), progressive disease (PD), or stable disease (SD) at either 6 weeks of treatment or best confirmed overall response could be separated into low-risk or high-risk groups for OS.

The dural venous sinus system (DVSS) plays a central role in cerebral venous drainage and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reabsorption. Compromise of the DVSS is traditionally thought to predispose patients to elevated intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus. However, research evaluating this relationship is often scarce.

To determine whether compromise of the DVSS system, especially the superior sagittal sinus, is associated with an increased risk of hydrocephalus in pediatric and young adult patients.

We performed a retrospective cohort study (n = 62) of pediatric and young adult patients (≤23 years of age) with radiologically confirmed dural venous sinus compromise (sinus thrombosis or stenosis) who were treated within the Montefiore Hospital system from 2016 to 2025. DVSS compromise etiologies included infection, congenital malformations, hypercoagulability/neoplasm, and other causes. Patients were categorized based on the presence or absence of hydrocephalus. Baseline demographics, DVSS sinus involvement, etiology, and clinical outcomes including herniation were analyzed. Group comparisons were performed using appropriate univariate tests. A multivariable logistic regression model evaluated predictors of hydrocephalus, adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, etiology, number of compromised sinus categories, specific sinus involvement, and herniation.

Sixty-two patients with radiologically confirmed dural venous sinus compromise were identified, of whom 8 (13%) developed hydrocephalus. Patients who developed hydrocephalus were significantly younger than those who did not (mean age 7 vs. 13 years, P = 0.024) and were more frequently male (88% vs. 41%, P = 0.036). There were no significant differences between groups in the distribution of specific sinus involvement (P = 0.418), number of compromised sinus categories (P = 0.520), pattern of sinus involvement (P = 0.454), or etiology (P = 0.966). Herniation occurred more frequently in patients who developed hydrocephalus (38% vs. 9%), though this did not reach statistical significance on univariate analysis (P = 0.097). On multivariable logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, and herniation, only herniation was independently associated with hydrocephalus OR 18.22 (95% CI 1.61-374.76; P = 0.029). Age demonstrated a protective trend OR 0.99 (95% CI 0.97-1.00; P = 0.073), while male sex was not independently associated with hydrocephalus OR 5.77 (95% CI 0.67-129.3; P = 0.155).

In this cohort, hydrocephalus development was not independently associated with compromise of any dural venous sinus, nor was it associated with the total number of affected dural venous sinuses. Instead, the presence of brain herniation was the only predictor associated with hydrocephalus. Patients with younger age and male sex were associated with hydrocephalus on univariate analysis but did not remain independently significant after adjustment. These findings suggest that compensatory venous and CSF drainage pathways may mitigate the impact of dural venous sinus compromise on hydrocephalus formation in children and young adults. Further, important clinical factors such as age, sex, and brain herniation may play a more critical role in the surgical management of these patients than previously considered. These findings suggest that further investigation with larger studies should be performed to further evaluate the relationship between DVSS compromise and hydrocephalus development.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms with variable clinical behavior, ranging from indolent to aggressive. Immunohistochemical data regarding p16 and ß-catenin are conflicting, a direct comparative analysis of both makers has not been carried out and a correlation with the Demicco grading system is missing. A cohort of 30 surgically resected SFTs was analyzed by 11 immunohistochemical markers (p16, p53, Ki-67, PHH3, Cyclin E1, STAT6, ß-catenin, CD34, Vimentin, BCL2, CD99). Results (with a focus on p16 and ß-catenin) were statistically compared with the Demicco grading and available clinicopathological parameters. Three immunophenotypic subgroups were identified: p16+/ β-catenin- (12/30, 40%), p16-/ β-catenin+ (10/30, 33.3%) and double-negative (8/30, 26.7%); co-expression was not observed. The p16+ subtype showed higher Demicco scores, heterogeneous but often increased proliferative activity, frequent p53 alterations and the highest rate of metastases. In contrast, the β-catenin+ subtype occurred exclusively in pleuropulmonary SFTs and was associated with intermediate Demicco scores. Double-negative tumors clustered within the low-risk Demicco category and showed uniformly low proliferation indices. Overall, the three subtypes correlated significantly with Demicco risk classification (p = 0.0088). We identified three SFT subgroups based on p16 and β-catenin expression, which correlate with established Demicco risk categories and tumor localization. These markers may complement existing risk stratification and highlight biologically distinct subsets of SFT. Further studies are warranted to validate their clinical utility, particularly given their reproducibility and ease of implementation in routine diagnostic practice.

Patients undergoing cancer-related scans often experience scan-associated anxiety, which can significantly impact their mental well-being. So far, this so-called scanxiety has not been clearly defined, even though it has gained more attention. This study investigated features of scanxiety in cancer patients.

Two nominal group technique (NGT) sessions were conducted with curatively treated and advanced cancer patients. In the first round, participants took turns sharing features of scanxiety, followed by a group discussion to clarify unclear or overlapping features. Finally, participants rated the extent to which they thought features applied to scanxiety. Additional to the NGT sessions, interviews were conducted with patients and healthcare professionals to provide further insights. Findings from the NGT sessions and interviews were collated and reviewed by the research team using a qualitative content analysis.

A total of 16 patients (9 men and 7 women) participated in the NGT sessions and an additional 14 people were interviewed (3 patients and 11 healthcare professionals). The NGT sessions and interviews initially generated 72 and 67 features, respectively. After merging and removing duplicates, the final list of features included 63 features. Following discussions in the multidisciplinary research team informed by predefined decision rules, 23 features were identified as unique to scanxiety. These features reflect emotional, cognitive, behavioural, physiological and physical reactions, social and interpersonal characteristics, and care- and process-related characteristics associated with scanxiety.

This study provides a first comprehensive characterisation of scanxiety by identifying features that are unique to anxiety associated with cancer-related scans and lays the groundwork for improved assessment and targeted support in cancer care.