Sinapsos Podcast | Oncology

Sinapsos Podcast

Zero Fluff. Pure Insight. Get the latest scientific research without the small talk. We dive deep into new publications to give you clear, information-packed summaries—no filler, no chatter. Stay tuned. Stay informed.

  1. FEB 2

    E23 - Surgery for Mediastinal Paragangliomas 20-Year Review

    E23   |  16 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link Podcast based on: Rotolo, N.; Cerretani, G.; Casagrande, S.; Nardecchia, E.; Asteggiano, E.; Colombo, A.; Filipponi, L.; Piacentino, F.; Ilaria, S.; Fontana, F. Surgical Approaches and Perioperative Outcomes in Mediastinal Paragangliomas: A 20-Year Comprehensive Systematic Review. Cancers 2026, 18, 486. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18030486 Type: Systematic Review  |  Publication date: 01 February 2026 Summary: This study reviews the surgical management of a mediastinal paraganglioma, a rare type of tumor that is often located in the posterior mediastinum and can surround or involve the heart and major blood vessels. Often asymptomatic or with symptoms related to catecholamine secretion, the surgical approach is the treatment of choice, achieving local disease control and long-term outcomes. However, surgical removal poses a high risk of severe bleeding and perioperative complications. By analyzing literature from the last twenty years, we aim to establish a clearer and safer approach for diagnosis and surgery. The findings will help surgeons better plan these complex operations, potentially reducing complications and improving patient care for this uncommon but dangerous condition. Keywords: mediastinal paraganglioma; surgical resection; cardiopulmonary by-pass; post-operative complications; systematic review   Disclaimer: This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

    15 min
  2. FEB 2

    E22 - SLPI s Role in Prostate Cancer

    E22   |  11 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link Podcast based on: Rosini, D.; Cosi, I.; De Iaco, P.; Sebastianelli, A.; Di Stefano, G.; Serni, S.; Nesi, G.; Notaro, R.; De Angioletti, M. SLPI in Prostate Cancer. Cancers 2026, 18, 487. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18030487 Type: Review  |  Publication date: 01 February 2026 Summary: SLPI is a protein that usually acts as a protective shield for our body’s internal surfaces. Its main jobs are to prevent tissue damage, fight germs, and control inflammation. However, in the context of cancer, SLPI acts like a double-edged sword. While it normally keeps us healthy, many cancers—including lung and breast cancer—hijack this protein to grow and spread more easily. In these cases, high levels of SLPI often signal a more aggressive disease. Interestingly, the opposite happens in some cases, like liver cancer, where more SLPI can be a positive sign. Prostate cancer shows a unique pattern: SLPI protein levels are low in the early stages but rise sharply as the cancer becomes advanced and resistant to treatments. By studying these shifts, scientists can better understand how a tumor behaves, helping doctors predict the disease’s path and develop more effective, personalized treatments for patients. Keywords: androgen; androgen receptor; biomarker; ETS transcription factors; ETV1; ETV4; transgenic mouse model; prostate cancer; secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor; SLPI   Disclaimer: This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

    11 min
  3. FEB 2

    E21 - PBK Expression and Immune-Activated Colorectal Cancer

    E21   |  12 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link Podcast based on: Sawaguchi, H.; Uehara, T.; Iwaya, M.; Asaka, S.; Nakajima, T.; Komamura, S.; Imamura, S.; Iwaya, Y.; Sugenoya, S.; Kitazawa, M.; Soejima, Y.; Ota, H.; Nagaya, T. The Correlation of PBK Expression with an Immune-Activated Tumor Microenvironment and Outcome in Colorectal Cancer. Cancers 2026, 18, 482. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18030482 Type: Article  |  Publication date: 31 January 2026 Summary: Colorectal cancer shows large differences in patient outcomes, partly because tumors vary in their biological and immune characteristics. Identifying markers that reflect these differences is important for improving prognosis and treatment strategies. PDZ-binding kinase (PBK) is a protein involved in cell division and has been linked to cancer progression, but its clinical significance in colorectal cancer remains unclear. In this study, we examined PBK expression in tumor tissues from patients with colorectal cancer and analyzed its relationship with tumor features, immune cell infiltration, and patient survival. We found that tumors with high PBK expression were associated with a more active immune environment and better clinical outcomes. These findings suggest that PBK expression may help identify colorectal cancer patients with a favorable immune response and prognosis, providing useful information for future research and potential treatment stratification. Keywords: colorectal cancer; tumor microenvironment; prognosis; immune microenvironment   Disclaimer: This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

    12 min
  4. FEB 2

    E20 - Multi-Targeted TKIs for Advanced Ewing Sarcoma

    E20   |  11 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link Podcast based on: Michelon, I.; do Rêgo Castro, C.E.; Querino Belluco, A.P.; Dacoregio, M.I.; Priantti, J.; Witt, R.G.; Attia, S.; Vilbert, M.; Cavalcante, L. Multi-Targeted TKIs in Patients with Advanced Ewing Sarcoma: A Systematic Review and Single-Arm Meta-Analysis. Cancers 2026, 18, 465. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18030465 Type: Systematic Review  |  Publication date: 30 January 2026 Summary: Ewing sarcoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that often relapses after treatment. There is no clear standard therapy for patients whose disease progresses. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have recently shown promising results. We reviewed and pooled data from published clinical trials and real-world studies to better evaluate the efficacy and safety of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in relapsed Ewing sarcoma patients. In our pooled analyses of 14 studies, we found an objective response rate of 23% and a disease control rate of 61.1%. Cabozantinib and regorafenib showed the most consistent benefits among drugs available in Western countries. These findings suggest the potential of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of such a challenging population. Keywords: tyrosine kinase inhibitor; Ewing sarcoma; multiply refractory disease; TKI   Disclaimer: This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

    11 min
  5. FEB 2

    E19 - Endometrial Mixed Carcinomas Clinicopathologic Insights

    E19   |  13 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link Podcast based on: Bhardwaj, S.; Saleh, M.; Kinoshita, Y.; Brody, R.; Lukatskaya, O.; Blank, S.V.; Baskovich, B.; Kalir, T. Endometrial Mixed and Mixed-Feature Carcinomas: Small Cohort Clinicopathologic and Molecular Studies. Cancers 2026, 18, 440. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18030440 Type: Article  |  Publication date: 29 January 2026 Summary: Endometrial cancer is a prevalent disease worldwide. There are different kinds of endometrial cancers and their treatment is based on the specific type of cancer—termed the histologic type, and the extent of disease spread—termed stage. The pathology diagnosis of the specific type of endometrial cancer is improving because of our ability to identify specific gene mutations that are unique to the different histologic groups of endometrial cancer. Discovering more about these gene mutations will enable us to design better, more personalized treatment, and avoid having patients try medicines that may not be effective at eliminating their tumor cells. In this current research investigation, we studied a rare sub group of endometrial cancers called mixed carcinomas. There are currently no treatment guidelines for this particular group, and we wanted to learn more about their gene mutations in order to better guide future therapy. Keywords: mixed endometrial cancer; mixed-feature endometrial cancer; molecular genetics; endometrial cancer   Disclaimer: This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

    12 min
  6. FEB 2

    E18 - Multi-Target Radiotherapy Conformity Index

    E18   |  12 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link Podcast based on: Sang, Y.; Dang, J.; Wu, J.; Wu, Y.; Quan, E.; Dai, J. Generalization of the Conformity Index for Multi-Target Radiotherapy Plans. Cancers 2026, 18, 426. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18030426 Type: Article  |  Publication date: 28 January 2026 Summary: This study proposes a generalized method to calculate the Conformity Index (CI) for multi-target radiotherapy plans (e.g., breast or nasopharyngeal cancer). Standard CI formulas are often distorted in these complex scenarios because they erroneously include dose spillover from adjacent targets. To address this, we redefined the Target Volume (VTV) parameter to mathematically isolate the prescription dose region of each specific target. Validation on clinical plans demonstrated that the new formula effectively eliminates interference from neighboring targets, providing CI values that accurately reflect the true dose conformity. This improved calculation is recommended for the objective evaluation of multi-target radiotherapy plans. Keywords: radiotherapy planning; generalized conformity index; evaluation; multi-target plans   Disclaimer: This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

    11 min
  7. FEB 2

    E17 - Fragmented Care Doubles Sarcoma Recurrence Risk

    E17   |  10 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link Podcast based on: Schärer, M.; Heesen, P.; Studer, G.; Vogel, B.; Fuchs, B. Organizing Care Matters: Fragmented Pathways Double Early Local Recurrence Risk in Sarcoma. Cancers 2026, 18, 387. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18030387 Type: Article  |  Publication date: 27 January 2026 Summary: Sarcomas are rare malignancies in which outcomes strongly depend on early management according to established guidelines in specialized centers. Nevertheless, many patients receive initial treatment outside structured sarcoma care pathways, where diagnostic and surgical standards are often not fully met. In this study, we analyzed patients with local recurrence within the Swiss Sarcoma Network to assess how the initial care pathway influences the risk of early recurrence. We found that fragmented initial management was independently associated with a higher risk of early local recurrence, mainly due to unplanned surgery and incomplete tumor removal. This increased risk was not compensated for by adjuvant treatments. Our findings highlight the importance of early referral and coordinated, center-based care to improve outcomes in patients with musculoskeletal sarcoma. Keywords: sarcoma; local recurrence; care pathway; fragmented care; unplanned “whoops” excision; surgical margins; multidisciplinary care; real-world data   Disclaimer: This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

    9 min
  8. JAN 20

    E16 - Prostate Cancer Surveillance

    E16   |  12 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link Podcast based on: Sandhu, K.; Lophatananon, A.; Gnanapragasam, V.J. The Impact of Endpoint Definitions on Predictors of Progression in Active Surveillance for Early Prostate Cancer. Cancers 2026, 18, 292. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18020292 Type: Article  |  Publication date: 17 January 2026 Summary: Active surveillance (AS) is a critically important management strategy for men with favourable-prognosis prostate cancer. However, there is no standardised or internationally agreed-upon definition of a disease progression endpoint for when AS should stop. This has led to uncertainty regarding which baseline variables reliably predict progression. In the literature, there has also been a multitude of proposed biopsy and imaging metrics that are purported to predict AS progression. We utilised the STRATified CANcer Surveillance (STRATCANs) prospective AS database to assess the utility of different clinicopathological variables in predicting progression and against different contemporary AS endpoint definitions. In this study, we found that the AS endpoint definition appears to determine which variables predict progression. Neither the addition of biopsy nor imaging metrics added consistent incremental value in better predicting progression events. PSA density, in contrast, consistently predicted progression events across different endpoint definitions. Keywords: prostate cancer; active surveillance; STRATCANs; Cambridge prognostic group   Disclaimer: This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

    12 min

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Zero Fluff. Pure Insight. Get the latest scientific research without the small talk. We dive deep into new publications to give you clear, information-packed summaries—no filler, no chatter. Stay tuned. Stay informed.