E9 | 12 min | Latest | Publication Source

• Podcast based on: Clay R, Li K, Jin L. Metabolic Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers. 2025; 17(1):155. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17010155 Type: Review | Publication date: Jan 6, 2025
• Summary: This review article examines metabolic signalling within the tumour microenvironment (TME), focusing on how cancer cells reprogram their metabolism to promote growth and suppress anti-tumour immunity. It explores the roles of key metabolites, such as lactate, glutamine, and adenosine, in intercellular communication and the creation of a hostile TME. The article details how these metabolites affect various cell types, including immune cells and stromal cells, influencing their function and contributing to cancer progression. Finally, it discusses potential therapeutic strategies targeting these metabolic pathways to improve cancer treatment outcomes.
• Keywords: cancer metabolism; tumor microenvironment; immune response; oncometabolite

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is a summary and discussion of the original publication and does not represent the views of the authors or journal. The information shared here is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice or recommendations. It also uses AI-assisted summaries of the original work and may or may not contain innacuracies so we encourage listeners to consult the original publication for complete details.

17 min | Latest | Publication Source

• Podcast based on: Mella C, Tsarouhas P, Brockwell M, Ball HC. The Role of Chronic Inflammation in Pediatric Cancer. Cancers. 2025; 17(1):154. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17010154 Type: Review | Publication date: Jan 6, 2025
• Summary: This research review examines the significant role of chronic inflammation in the development and progression of childhood cancers. It highlights key differences between adult and paediatric cancers, emphasising that adult cancer research findings are not directly transferable. The review focuses on how chronic inflammation contributes to genetic and epigenetic instability, shapes the tumour microenvironment, and impacts the immature immune response in children. Finally, it explores current and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting inflammatory processes to improve treatment outcomes in young cancer patients.
• Keywords: cancer; inflammation; epigenetics; therapeutics; immunology

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is a summary and discussion of the original publication and does not represent the views of the authors or journal. The information shared here is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice or recommendations. It also uses AI-assisted summaries of the original work and may or may not contain innacuracies so we encourage listeners to consult the original publication for complete details.

13 min | Latest | Publication Source

• Podcast based on: Hara T, Meng S, Arao Y, Saito Y, Inoue K, Alshammari AH, Hatakeyama H, di Luccio E, Vecchione A, Hirotsu T, et al. Non-Invasive Detection of Tumors by Volatile Organic Compounds in Urine. Biomedicines. 2025; 13(1):109. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13010109 Type: Review | Publication date: Jan 6, 2025
• Summary: This review article examines the potential of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in urine as non-invasive cancer biomarkers. It explores several detection methods, including mass spectrometry analysis of VOC profiles in various cancers, the use of trained organisms (dogs and nematodes) to detect cancer-specific odours, and the development of artificial sensors for VOC detection. The article highlights the advantages and limitations of each approach, focusing on improving diagnostic accuracy and identifying specific VOCs linked to different cancers for earlier diagnosis. Future research directions involve refining diagnostic models, understanding the mechanisms of odour detection in organisms, and enhancing the capabilities of artificial sensors.
• Keywords: cancer; biomarkers; diagnostics; volatile organic compounds; olfactory receptors

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is a summary and discussion of the original publication and does not represent the views of the authors or journal. The information shared here is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice or recommendations. It also uses AI-assisted summaries of the original work and may or may not contain innacuracies so we encourage listeners to consult the original publication for complete details.