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.

10 min | Latest | RadOnc | Publication Source

• Podcast based on: Alerasool P, Zhou S, Miller E, Anker J, Tsao B, Kyprianou N, Tsao C-K. A Personalized Approach for Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer: Current Understanding and Future Directions. Cancers. 2025; 17(1):147. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17010147 Type: Review | Publication date: Jan 5, 2025
• Summary: This research review examines oligometastatic prostate cancer (OMPC), an intermediate stage between localised and widespread disease offering potential for cure. The article explores diagnostic challenges, focusing on PSMA PET scans, and reviews current treatment strategies, including metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) and combinations of systemic therapies with prostate cytoreduction. Ongoing clinical trials investigating MDT and various systemic therapies are highlighted, alongside the potential of artificial intelligence for personalised treatment. The authors emphasise the need for clearer OMPC definitions and the development of predictive biomarkers to optimise treatment selection and improve patient outcomes. Future directions focus on improving diagnostic accuracy, developing novel therapies, and leveraging artificial intelligence to refine treatment strategies.
• Keywords: prostate cancer; oligometastatic disease; oligometastasis; stereotactic body radiotherapy; focal therapy; androgen deprivation therapy; metastasis-directed therapy; castration-resistant prostate cancer; PSMA PET scan; radical prostatectomy

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.