Oncotarget

BUFFALO, NY - June 13, 2025 – A new #review was #published in Volume 16 of Oncotarget on June 4, 2025, titled “Applying the unattainable triangle in cardio-oncology care: Balancing cost, quality, and time.” In this review, first author John Hoverson, corresponding author Stella Pak, and colleagues from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio explore how the “unattainable triangle”—a business concept describing the trade-offs between cost, quality, and time—can help improve healthcare delivery in cardio-oncology. As cancer treatments become more complex and often affect the heart, this model highlights the challenge of providing care that is fast, effective, and affordable. Cardio-oncology is an emerging field focused on preventing and managing heart problems caused by cancer therapies. The review explains that high-quality cancer care often requires advanced diagnostics and close collaboration between oncologists and cardiologists, which can drive up costs and time demands. Understanding how to balance these pressures is essential for delivering better outcomes for patients. Many cancer survivors face long-term cardiovascular complications due to their treatment. Early monitoring and intervention can reduce these risks. However, these improvements often come with financial burdens, especially when key tests are not covered by insurance. Meanwhile, both patients and clinicians must manage the burden of tight appointment schedules, long clinic visits, and increasing demands on their time. To improve care quality, the authors emphasize the need for interdisciplinary teamwork and ongoing education. Surveys show that many clinicians are still unfamiliar with cardio-oncology guidelines, which can compromise care. The review also highlights the potential for artificial intelligence and digital tools to streamline care delivery, reduce wait times, and support both patients and providers. Importantly, the authors point out that improving one area—such as quality—can come at the expense of others, like cost or time. They encourage healthcare systems to take a balanced approach, setting clear goals and using integrated care models that consider all three elements of the triangle together. “While a perfect model for managing the unattainable triangle may be simply that, ‘unattainable’, investments in research, patient-centered care, data-driven decision-making, and financial alignment with payers will be crucial to the long-term success of both patient outcomes and the organization’s profitability.” While achieving perfect balance may be difficult, the review suggests that using the unattainable triangle as a guiding framework can help hospitals and clinicians make smarter, more sustainable decisions. As cardio-oncology continues to expand in response to the growing number of cancer survivors with cardiovascular needs, this approach could help improve patient outcomes and strengthen healthcare systems. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28738 Correspondence to - Stella Pak - stellacpak@outlook.com Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65-5eUuVyyk Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28738 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, cardio-oncology, quality improvement, cardiology, oncology To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget/ X - https://twitter.com/oncotarget Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OncotargetJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Oncotarget/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0gRwT6BqYWJzxzmjPJwtVh MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

BUFFALO, NY - June 11, 2025 – A new #research paper was #published in Volume 16 of Oncotarget on May 29, 2025, titled “Durable complete response in leptomeningeal disease of EGFR mutated non-small cell lung cancer to amivantamab, an EGFR-MET receptor bispecific antibody, after progressing on osimertinib.” A team led by first author Jinah Kim, from the University of Vermont Medical Center, and corresponding author Young Kwang Chae, from the Feinberg School of Medicine, reports a clinical case in which a patient with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) carrying rare EGFR mutations responded remarkably to amivantamab after other treatments had failed. The patient experienced a complete resolution of brain and spinal fluid metastases, suggesting that amivantamab may be a viable option for patients with uncommon genetic profiles and limited therapy options. Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Patients with NSCLC who have rare mutations in the EGFR gene often face limited treatment options and poor outcomes, especially when the disease spreads to the brain or spinal fluid. This case involved a 67-year-old man diagnosed with NSCLC who had two rare EGFR mutations—G719A and A289V. After disease progression on osimertinib and other therapies, the patient began amivantamab monotherapy. Within six weeks, his lung tumor shrank by over 30 percent. By six months, imaging confirmed the disappearance of brain metastases and leptomeningeal disease, a serious condition affecting the membranes of the brain and spinal cord. Blood tests showed no detectable cancer-related mutations, and the patient, previously wheelchair-bound, regained the ability to walk and perform daily activities. This response has been sustained for more than 19 months. “Treatment produced a durable response over 19 months, including a 32.2% reduction in tumor size at six weeks, and complete resolution of brain metastases and LMD by six months.” Amivantamab is a bispecific antibody that targets EGFR and MET, two key drivers of tumor growth. While it is approved in combination regimens for common EGFR mutations, its effectiveness as a single agent in rare mutations or in treating brain metastases remains largely unproven. This case challenges the assumption that large antibody drugs cannot cross the blood-brain barrier and suggests that amivantamab may have potential in managing central nervous system involvement. Further research is needed to clarify how the drug achieves these effects and to explore its broader use in patients with rare EGFR mutations and limited treatment options. This case highlights three key findings: amivantamab may be effective against rare EGFR mutations, can be used as monotherapy, and may overcome the challenges of the blood-brain barrier. Although based on a single patient, the results provide encouraging evidence to support further investigation of amivantamab in treating difficult-to-manage forms of NSCLC. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28730 Correspondence to - Young Kwang Chae - young.chae@northwestern.edu Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJX3rmtH7h8 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, amivantamab, monotherapy, rare EGFR mutation, NSCLC, leptomeningeal disease To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget/ X - https://twitter.com/oncotarget Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OncotargetJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Oncotarget/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0gRwT6BqYWJzxzmjPJwtVh MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

BUFFALO, NY — June 10, 2025 — The Ride for Roswell, one of the USA’s largest cycling events supporting cancer research, returns to Buffalo on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Hosted annually by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, this community-wide event brings together riders, volunteers, and supporters to raise funds for cancer research, celebrate survivors, and honor those lost to the disease. Among the returning participants is the Open Access Team, led by team captain Sergei Kurenov. This year, the team is once again proudly sponsored by Impact Journals, the publisher of open access journals Oncotarget, Aging, Genes & Cancer, and Oncoscience. “For the last 10 years, I have continuously participated in the Ride for Roswell in honor of those who have bravely fought cancer,” said Kurenov. “This journey is deeply personal for me. My father battled cancer, and some of my closest friends have fought through prostate and lung cancer with incredible strength.” This year, the Open Access Team rides in honor of Dr. Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny, a visionary scientist who dedicated his career to advancing cancer and aging research. As the founding Editor-in-Chief of Oncotarget, Aging, and Oncoscience, Dr. Blagosklonny was a pioneer of open-access publishing. His groundbreaking work on mTOR signaling and rapamycin transformed our understanding of cancer biology and healthy lifespan extension. The 2025 Ride for Roswell features nine route options, ranging from 4 to 100 miles, all beginning at the University at Buffalo North Campus. Riders from across the USA and beyond are invited to participate and make a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer. This ride is more than just a journey on two wheels—it’s a commitment to building a future where no one has to fear a cancer diagnosis. There is still time to support the Open Open Access Team in the 2025 Ride for Roswell. Whether by donating, joining the team, or sharing their story, every action brings us closer to better treatments, deeper understanding, and, ultimately, a cure. Visit the Open Access Team page - https://give.roswellpark.org/site/TR/SpecialEvents/General?team_id=23320&pg=team&fr_id=2020 About Oncotarget Oncotarget (a primarily oncology-focused, peer-reviewed, open access journal) aims to maximize research impact through insightful peer-review; eliminate borders between specialties by linking different fields of oncology, cancer research and biomedical sciences; and foster application of basic and clinical science. Oncotarget is indexed and archived by PubMed/Medline, PubMed Central, Scopus, EMBASE, META (Chan Zuckerberg Initiative) (2018-2022), and Dimensions (Digital Science). To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget/ X - https://twitter.com/oncotarget Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OncotargetJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Oncotarget/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0gRwT6BqYWJzxzmjPJwtVh MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

BUFFALO, NY – June 9, 2025 – A new #research paper was #published in Volume 16 of Oncotarget on May 20, 2025, titled “Cigarette smoke and decreased DNA repair by Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group C use a double hit mechanism for epithelial cell lung carcinogenesis.” In this study, led by first author Nawar Al Nasralla and corresponding author Catherine R. Sears, from the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Indianapolis and the Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, researchers investigated how cigarette smoke and reduced DNA repair capacity contribute together to the development of lung cancer. They found that when a critical DNA repair protein called XPC is decreased and lung cells are exposed to cigarette smoke, the combination causes extensive damage and significantly increases cancer risk. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) develops through both genetic and environmental factors. This study focused on how cigarette smoke affects the body’s natural ability to repair DNA. The researchers studied the role of XPC, a protein essential for recognizing and repairing harmful DNA changes caused by tobacco smoke. They found that low levels of XPC — commonly seen in lung cancer patients — made lung cells less capable of repairing DNA. This made the cells unstable and more likely to become cancerous. These changes were most pronounced in normal lung cells, suggesting that the earliest stages of disease occur before cancer is even detected. The findings support a “double hit” model, where both cigarette smoke and reduced DNA repair work together to drive cancer development. In laboratory experiments, normal lung cells with low XPC levels showed more damage and cell death after cigarette smoke exposure. By contrast, lung cancer cells were more resistant to smoke damage, even when XPC was low, indicating that critical changes had likely occurred earlier in the disease process. “Our study suggests that cigarette smoke exposure leads to decreased XPC mRNA expression, exacerbates total and oxidative DNA damage, hinders NER, and may contribute to lung cancer development.” The study also showed that DNA repair ability declined significantly in healthy cells after smoke exposure, but this effect was not seen in cancer cells. In addition, the researchers confirmed that XPC gene activity was lower in actual lung tumor tissue compared to nearby healthy lung tissue. This pattern was consistent across both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, the two main types of NSCLC. These results add to our understanding of how lung cancer begins at the molecular level. By showing how cigarette smoke and reduced DNA repair combine to create genetic instability, the research points toward new strategies for prevention. A better understanding of XPC’s role could help identify high-risk individuals and inform future efforts to stop lung cancer before it begins. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28724 Correspondence to - Catherine R. Sears - crufatto@iu.edu Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28724 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, DNA repair, DNA damage, lung adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group C (XPC) To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget/ X - https://twitter.com/oncotarget Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OncotargetJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Oncotarget/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0gRwT6BqYWJzxzmjPJwtVh MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Researchers at Brown University are exploring a groundbreaking triple therapy that enhances survival rates in mice with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. This innovative treatment combines new drugs called imipridones with radiation and chemotherapy, showcasing a promising method to tackle this difficult disease. Glioblastoma's rapid growth often results in poor patient outcomes, making this research crucial. The findings emphasize the potential for more effective therapies against a cancer that currently has limited treatment options.

Discover groundbreaking research that targets a crucial protein interaction in advanced prostate cancer. The study reveals how blocking the link between PCNA and the androgen receptor can significantly inhibit cancer cell growth. This innovative approach offers hope for patients who have become resistant to traditional hormone therapies. Researchers highlight a new peptide that mimics a key protein region, paving the way for potential alternative treatments. Tune in to learn more about this exciting advancement in cancer therapy!

Researchers have uncovered the role of the PRDX1 protein in stabilizing ATM, a key player in DNA repair during chemotherapy. Without PRDX1, cells struggle to fix DNA damage, increasing vulnerability to treatment. High PRDX1 levels in ovarian cancer patients correlate with worse outcomes, suggesting that targeting this protein could enhance chemotherapy effectiveness. The findings offer a promising new avenue for treating drug-resistant tumors, making a strong case for further research in cancer therapies.

Explore groundbreaking research on how patients with advanced liver cancer in Latin America respond to immunotherapy. Discover the intriguing findings on immune-related side effects and how they affect treatment outcomes. Despite some patients experiencing adverse events, the study reveals that these did not significantly impact overall survival. The emphasis is on the importance of early recognition and management of these side effects in clinical practice, shedding light on a crucial area in cancer care.

Researchers have developed innovative engineered proteins that target glioblastoma cells to prevent invasion into healthy tissue. This approach addresses the challenges posed by traditional treatments, which often fall short due to the aggressive nature of this brain cancer. The focus is on minimizing damage to surrounding cells while effectively inhibiting harmful enzymes involved in tumor progression. Promising advancements like these could reshape treatment options for one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer.

Explore the groundbreaking integration of radiation therapy and immunotherapy in bladder cancer treatment. Recent research highlights how this combination may enhance the immune response, potentially improving outcomes for patients unable to undergo surgery. Dive into the science behind how radiation triggers immune signals while immunotherapy boosts the body's ability to detect cancer. The podcast emphasizes the importance of these advancements, calling for continued research to optimize patient selection and treatment efficacy.