Oncotarget

Oncotarget Podcast

Oncotarget is a primarily oncology-focused, peer-reviewed, open access journal. Papers are published continuously within yearly volumes in their final and complete form and then quickly released to Pubmed. Oncotarget is now indexed by MEDLINE, PubMed and PMC/PubMed. Read about the Oncotarget Scientific Integrity Process: https://www.oncotarget.com/scientific_integrity/

  1. The SCD1 Inhibitor Aramchol, Regorafenib, and Metformin Combine to Kill Uveal Melanoma Cells

    12H AGO

    The SCD1 Inhibitor Aramchol, Regorafenib, and Metformin Combine to Kill Uveal Melanoma Cells

    BUFFALO, NY – March 31, 2026 – A new #research paper was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on March 27, 2026, titled “The SCD1 inhibitor aramchol interacts with regorafenib and metformin to kill tumor cells.” Led by Michael R. Booth, Laurence Booth, and Jane L. Roberts from Virginia Commonwealth University, with corresponding author Paul Dent from the same institution and John M. Kirkwood from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, the study examines how aramchol interacts with regorafenib and metformin to kill tumor cells, particularly patient-derived uveal melanoma (UM) cells and cholangiocarcinoma cells. The authors report that aramchol, regorafenib, and metformin interact to enhance tumor cell killing, with the strongest effects seen when metformin is added to aramchol plus regorafenib. In patient-derived UM cells and LD-1 cholangiocarcinoma cells, the three-drug combination increased autophagosome formation and autophagic flux, while knockdown of Beclin1, ATG5, or LAMP2 reduced autophagosome and autolysosome formation and lowered cell killing. The study also found that BID contributes to the lethal response, supporting a multifactorial mechanism involving macroautophagy and death-receptor signaling. “Our data demonstrates that UM cells are killed by treatment with aramchol plus regorafenib plus metformin via enhanced autophagic flux and that this combination may have the potential to control UM tumors that have metastasized to the liver.” The authors also note that while SCD1 knockdown increased baseline tumor cell death, it did not replicate the full anticancer effects of aramchol, suggesting additional molecular targets contribute to its activity. They emphasize the need for further in vivo studies to evaluate the therapeutic potential of this combination in metastatic uveal melanoma, particularly in liver-targeted disease. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28861 Correspondence to - Paul Dent - paul.dent@vcuhealth.org Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmX_c2e_-HY Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28861 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, macroautophagy, ER stress, aramchol, regorafenib, BID 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

    2 min
  2. Predicting Colorectal Cancer Survival: How Machine Learning Combines Clinical and Biological Clues

    6D AGO

    Predicting Colorectal Cancer Survival: How Machine Learning Combines Clinical and Biological Clues

    Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the most common and lethal cancers worldwide, accounting for approximately 10% of all cancer diagnoses. While advances in prevention and treatment have improved outcomes, predicting which patients will survive remains a complex challenge—one that depends on an intricate interplay between molecular biology and clinical factors. A research paper, titled “Machine learning-based survival prediction in colorectal cancer combining clinical and biological features” was published in Volume 16 of Oncotarget by an international team of researchers, demonstrating how machine learning can integrate these two domains to achieve highly accurate survival predictions. The team’s investigation demonstrates that combining clinical features—such as pathological stage, age, and lymph node status—with biological markers—including the E2F8 gene and hsa-miR-495-3p—can significantly improve the ability to predict patient survival. Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/03/25/predicting-colorectal-cancer-survival-how-machine-learning-combines-clinical-and-biological-clues/ Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28783 Correspondence to - Lucas M. Vieira - lvieira@health.ucsd.edu Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy7UL5ZUKuI Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28783 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, colorectal cancer, machine learning, feature selection, non-coding RNAs, genes To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us on social media: 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

    9 min
  3. CREB5 Linked to Stem Cell-Like Programs That Promote Prostate Cancer Progression

    MAR 24

    CREB5 Linked to Stem Cell-Like Programs That Promote Prostate Cancer Progression

    BUFFALO, NY – March 24, 2026 – A new #research paper was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on March 17, 2026, titled “CREB5 regulates stem cell-like transcriptional programs to enhance tumor progression in prostate cancer.” Led by corresponding authors Emmanuel S. Antonarakis and Justin Hwang from the Department of Medicine and the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, the study examines how CREB5 shapes basal-like and stem cell-like transcriptional states in prostate cancer. The authors note that about 30–40% of advanced prostate cancers harbor basal-like transcriptional programs, and that stem cell-like tumors are a major mechanism of resistance to androgen receptor-targeted therapies. Using transcriptomic analyses of primary prostate cancer and castration-resistant prostate cancer cohorts (n = 493 and 208), the authors found that CREB5 expression strongly correlates with basal-like gene signatures and stem cell-like transcriptional programs. CREB5 was also shown to interact with AP-1 transcription factors and bind regulatory elements of AP-1 genes, suggesting a mechanistic role in promoting these aggressive tumor states. Functional experiments demonstrated that CREB5 overexpression enhances colony formation and tumor growth, supporting its role in tumor progression. “Taken together, this study indicates that CREB5 enhances PC tumor progression through genes that are associated with SCL traits.” Mechanistically, the study shows that CREB5 regulates transcriptional programs linked to tumor progression and stem cell-like features, positioning it as a central driver of aggressive prostate cancer phenotypes. The findings also suggest that CREB5 activity may already be present in primary tumors, potentially contributing to later therapy resistance and disease progression. The authors conclude that targeting CREB5-regulated transcriptional programs could represent a future strategy for addressing androgen receptor-independent prostate cancer. Further studies are needed to determine how disrupting CREB5 or its downstream pathways may improve therapeutic responses in advanced disease. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28826 Correspondence to - Emmanuel S. Antonarakis - anton401@umn.edu, Justin Hwang - jhwang@umn.edu Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zywrj5hV4ho Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28826 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, prostate cancer, CREB5, basal-like, stem cell-like, AP-1 transcription factors To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us on social media: 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

    3 min
  4. Impact Journals to Participate at AACR Annual Meeting 2026 in San Diego

    MAR 16

    Impact Journals to Participate at AACR Annual Meeting 2026 in San Diego

    BUFFALO, NY – March 16, 2025 – Impact Journals (publisher of Aging-US, Oncotarget, Oncoscience, and Genes & Cancer), is pleased to announce its participation as an exhibitor at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026. The meeting will take place April 17–22, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA. Conference attendees are warmly invited to visit Booth 3641 to meet members of the Impact Journals team, discover notable recent publications, and discuss opportunities for collaboration. The mission of Impact Journals is to maximize research impact through insightful peer review, eliminate borders between specialties by linking different fields of oncology and biomedical science, and foster the application of both basic and clinical science. This mission is grounded in a strong commitment to ethical standards and scientific integrity. At Impact Journals, evolving digital technologies, tools, and ideas are continually integrated into a robust scientific integrity process. The AACR Annual Meeting serves as a focal point for the global cancer research community, bringing together scientists, clinicians, healthcare professionals, survivors, patients, and advocates to share the latest advances in cancer science and medicine. From population science and prevention to cancer biology, translational and clinical studies, survivorship, and advocacy, the AACR Annual Meeting highlights the work of leading researchers from institutions around the world. To learn more about Impact Journals, please visit impactjournals.com. For media inquiries, email media@impactjournals.com.

    2 min
  5. CAR-T Cell Therapy: A Revolutionary Approach to Cancer Treatment

    MAR 10

    CAR-T Cell Therapy: A Revolutionary Approach to Cancer Treatment

    Cancer treatment has long been a battle of attrition—surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy have saved countless lives, but for patients with advanced or refractory malignancies, the options remain limited. In recent years, however, a new approach has emerged that harnesses the power of the patient’s own immune system to seek and destroy cancer cells with unprecedented precision. An editorial perspective, titled “CAR-T therapy: Trailblazing CAR(ing) in cancer treatment.” published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget by researchers Uzma Saqib, Monika Pandey, and Krishnan Hajela from the School of Life Sciences, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore, India, provides an overview of this revolutionary therapeutic strategy. The paper presents the current state of CAR-T therapy, its clinical successes, and the formidable challenges that remain before it can fulfill its transformative potential. Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/03/10/car-t-cell-therapy-a-revolutionary-approach-to-cancer-treatment/ Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28836 Correspondence to - Krishnan Hajela - hajelak@gmail.com Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4hbwPToVKI Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28836 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, CAR-T therapy, therapeutic approaches 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

    7 min
  6. mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination and Cancer Risk: A Case-Based Review

    FEB 27

    mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination and Cancer Risk: A Case-Based Review

    The rapid development and global deployment of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 represented a landmark achievement in public health. However, the novel mechanism of these “genetic vaccines”—technically pro-drug gene therapies encased in lipid nanoparticles—has prompted ongoing scientific inquiry into their potential long-term effects. A comprehensive case report and review, titled “Exploring the potential link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccinations and cancer: A case report with a review of haematopoietic malignancies with insights into pathogenic mechanisms” published in Oncotarget by an international team of researchers investigates a consequential scientific question: whether there could be a link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and the development of haematopoietic cancers. Led by first author Patrizia Gentilini, along with corresponding author Panagis Polykretis of the “Allineare Sanità e Salute” Foundation and Independent Medical Scientific Commission (CMSi), Milano, the paper presents a detailed case study alongside a systematic review of existing literature. It does not claim to have proven a causal link, but instead argues that the convergence of clinical observations and proposed biological mechanisms warrants deeper, more urgent investigation. Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/02/27/mrna-covid-19-vaccination-and-cancer-risk-a-case-based-review/ Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28827 Correspondence to - Panagis Polykretis - panagis.polykretis@gmail.com Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO-wewH7mEY Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28827 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - COVID-19 genetic vaccines, adverse effects, cancer, lymphoblastic leukaemia, lymphoblastic lymphoma 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

    9 min
  7. Next-Generation CAR-T Designs That Could Transform Cancer Treatment

    FEB 25

    Next-Generation CAR-T Designs That Could Transform Cancer Treatment

    BUFFALO, NY – February 25, 2026 – A new #editorial perspective was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on February 20, 2026, titled “CAR-T therapy: Trailblazing CAR(ing) in cancer treatment.” Led by Uzma Saqib — with corresponding author Krishnan Hajela from the School of Life Sciences, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya — the perspective reviews recent clinical and translational advances in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy and highlights both its promise and its remaining barriers. The piece synthesizes recent clinical advances in hematologic malignancies and emerging applications in solid tumors, while focusing attention on safety (for example, cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity), resistance, antigen specificity, and access disparities. The authors summarize the CAR-T workflow (leukapheresis → genetic modification and expansion → infusion) and note major recent clinical gains — including improved outcomes in leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma — that support wider adoption of cellular immunotherapy approaches. They emphasize that despite these advances, important clinical challenges remain, particularly for solid tumors, where antigen selection, tumor microenvironment, and T-cell trafficking limit efficacy. At the same time, the perspective highlights technological and clinical strategies under development to overcome these obstacles, including next-generation CAR designs and improved supportive-care protocols. “Despite its promise, CAR T-cell therapy faces several critical challenges.” The authors call out clear next steps for the field: (1) continued refinement of CAR constructs (dual-targeting, switchable/on-off systems, armored CARs) to improve specificity and reduce on-target/off-tumor toxicity; (2) improved management protocols and prophylactic measures to mitigate CRS and neurotoxicity; (3) expanded investigation of allogeneic or alternative CAR-T platforms to address manufacturing, cost, and access barriers; and (4) focused translational studies to improve T-cell trafficking and efficacy in solid tumors. They also highlight equity issues — socioeconomic and racial disparities that limit access to CAR-T — and urge that broad deployment plans include strategies to expand availability and affordability. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28836 Correspondence to - Krishnan Hajela - hajelak@gmail.com Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4hbwPToVKI Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28836 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, CAR-T therapy, therapeutic approaches 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

    3 min

  8. FEB 16

    Researchers Question Editorial Bias in COVID-19 Vaccine Debate

    BUFFALO, NY – February 16, 2026 – A new #commentary was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on February 6, 2026, titled “Censorship in science: How publishing decisions could have shaped the perceived “general consensus” on COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy.” In this commentary, led by Panagis Polykretis of the “Allineare Sanità e Salute” Foundation and the Independent Medical Scientific Commission (CMSi) in Milan, along with colleagues, the authors document a two-year effort to publish a case report and literature review that raised concerns about possible links between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and rare blood cancers. They argue that editorial decisions, rather than scientific merit, prevented the paper from being published, raising broader questions about transparency and bias in scientific publishing. The commentary outlines the submission history of a previously written case report describing a woman who developed acute lymphoblastic leukemia shortly after receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Alongside the case, the original paper reviewed existing studies and regulatory findings related to hematological malignancies. Despite relying on published evidence and maintaining a cautious tone, the manuscript was rejected 16 times before eventually appearing in Oncotarget. According to the authors, most journals rejected the manuscript without external peer review. Three journals allowed it to proceed through peer review, and one journal accepted the paper twice before withdrawing its decision both times. The authors argue that such cancelations, particularly after positive peer review, suggest a pattern of editorial censorship that prioritizes conformity over open scientific debate. The commentary highlights examples of reviewer feedback and editorial statements that, according to the authors, misrepresented the content of the original case report. One rejection asserted that mRNA vaccines cannot cause cancer because they do not integrate into human DNA. The authors respond that this position is overly narrow and overlooks the complex, multifactorial nature of cancer development. They also cite peer-reviewed evidence of DNA contamination in vaccine samples and call for a more balanced and open discussion of these findings. Rather than claiming definitive proof of vaccine-related harm, the authors emphasize the importance of allowing controversial topics to be examined and discussed based on evidence. They argue that suppressing disagreement, even when grounded in published science, can influence public understanding and create the appearance of scientific consensus where meaningful disagreement exists. “This case raises serious concerns: if scientifically sound dissenting research faces systematic exclusion, the resulting literature becomes selectively curated, artificially constructing ‘consensus’ while marginalizing legitimate scientific discourse.” The events described in the commentary raise concerns not only about a single case report but also about broader trends in academic publishing. If journal decisions are influenced by public health messaging rather than scientific reasoning, the authors argue that the scientific literature risks becoming selectively curated. They conclude by calling for institutional reform to ensure that editorial processes remain fair, evidence-based, and open to legitimate scientific debate. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28829 Correspondence to - Panagis Polykretis - panagis.polykretis@gmail.com Introduction video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=255yn3sgx-0 To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com. MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

    4 min
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Oncotarget is a primarily oncology-focused, peer-reviewed, open access journal. Papers are published continuously within yearly volumes in their final and complete form and then quickly released to Pubmed. Oncotarget is now indexed by MEDLINE, PubMed and PMC/PubMed. Read about the Oncotarget Scientific Integrity Process: https://www.oncotarget.com/scientific_integrity/

Information

  • Creator
    Oncotarget Podcast
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    504
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Oncotarget