Oncotarget

BUFFALO, NY – August 25, 2026 – A new precision oncology paper was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on August 14, 2026, titled “Systematic methodological flaws in DNA contamination assessment of mRNA vaccines: A critical analysis of Achs et al. (2025).”

The article was led by first and corresponding author Kevin McKernan from Medicinal Genomics, Beverly, Massachusetts, along with co-authors David J. Speicher from Cyrus Scientific Inc, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and Jessica Rose from Brownstone Institute, Austin, Texas.

Rather than presenting a new experimental vaccine analysis, the paper critically examines the methodology used by Achs et al. in a 2025 study that reported no excessive residual DNA impurities in COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. McKernan and colleagues argue that several methodological choices in that study could systematically underestimate residual DNA and therefore limit its suitability for regulatory safety assessment.

One major concern involves how quantitative PCR results were converted from DNA copy numbers into mass. Achs et al. used full-length plasmid molecular weight in their calculations even though their own sequencing data suggested much shorter median DNA fragment sizes. The critique argues that this approach requires fragmentation-correction factors because random DNA breakage can disrupt qPCR target regions and reduce the number of detectable amplicons. Without such correction, the authors contend that residual DNA mass may be underestimated.

The paper also highlights the importance of primer and amplicon design. Achs et al. used qPCR targets with substantially different amplicon lengths, including shorter kanamycin-resistance targets and longer spike-encoding targets. Because the reported median DNA fragment sizes were approximately 130–201 base pairs, longer amplicons would be less likely to remain intact after fragmentation. The authors therefore argue that this design could preferentially reduce detection of spike-associated DNA relative to shorter plasmid regions.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28913

Correspondence to - Kevin McKernan - [email protected]

Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSWS3HDQUus

Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28913

Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/

Keywords - cancer, mRNA vaccines, DNA contamination, qPCR; plasmid DNA, RNA:DNA hybrids

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

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most difficult cancers to treat, in part because mutations in the KRAS gene are extraordinarily common in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). These mutations keep growth-promoting signals switched on, allowing cancer cells to proliferate and survive. Although drugs targeting certain KRAS mutations have emerged in recent years, they work against only a subset of mutant forms, leaving a need for strategies capable of targeting a broader range of KRAS-driven cancers.

A research paper published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget, titled “The anticancer effects of PCAIs in pancreatic cancer cells involve MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways hyperactivation,” investigated a class of experimental compounds known as polyisoprenylated cysteinyl amide inhibitors, or PCAIs. Rather than simply shutting down signaling pathways normally associated with cancer growth, the researchers uncovered a more unexpected effect: PCAIs pushed some of these pathways into unusually high activity while simultaneously promoting oxidative stress, disrupting cell structure, and triggering cancer cell death.

Full blog post - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/08/24/experimental-compounds-push-cancer-promoting-pathways-into-overdrive-in-pancreatic-cancer-cells/

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28879

Correspondence to - Nazarius S. Lamango - [email protected]

Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asbhjME7rFQ

Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28879

Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/

Keywords - cancer, PCAIs, PDAC, MAPK, PI3K/AKT, KRAS

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

BUFFALO, NY – August 10, 2026 – A new #research paper was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on August 7, 2026, titled “Delayed growth of SK-ES-1 Ewing sarcoma tumor xenografts is associated with reduced Trk and IGF1R pathway markers.”

The study was led by first author Bruna Almeida dos Santos and corresponding author Caroline Brunetto de Farias, primarily affiliated with the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and the National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology (INCT BioOncoPed), with de Farias also affiliated with the Children’s Cancer Institute (ICI) in Brazil. The research team investigated whether targeting tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) and related signaling pathways could interfere with Ewing sarcoma growth.

Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive cancer that primarily affects children and adolescents and can arise in bone or soft tissue. Although modern multimodal treatments have substantially improved outcomes for patients with localized disease, the prognosis remains considerably poorer for metastatic or relapsed Ewing sarcoma. This has driven efforts to identify molecular pathways that could provide additional therapeutic targets.

One potential target involves the Trk family of receptor tyrosine kinases. TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC are encoded by the NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3 genes, respectively, and regulate intracellular signaling pathways involved in cell survival, differentiation, and growth. Previous work from the research group showed that TrkA and TrkB are expressed in Ewing sarcoma and that blocking these receptors can reduce tumor-cell proliferation.

Full press release - https://www.oncotarget.com/news/pr/trk-and-igf1r-related-signaling-linked-to-delayed-ewing-sarcoma-growth/

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28911

Correspondence to - Caroline Brunetto de Farias - [email protected]

Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG-vhYfHjuw

Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28911

Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/

Keywords - cancer, Ewing sarcoma, K252a, Trk, NTRK, insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor

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

Colorectal cancer does not develop in isolation. Cancer cells exist within a complex tumor microenvironment made up of fibroblasts, immune cells, blood vessels, and extracellular matrix. Increasing evidence suggests that these surrounding cells and structures can influence whether tumors grow, regress, or evade the immune system.

A research paper published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget, titled “Microenvironmental CTHRC1 has a pro-tumorigenic role in colorectal cancer,” investigated the role of collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1), a secreted protein found in cancer-associated stroma.

Full blog post - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/08/10/cthrc1-in-the-tumor-microenvironment-drives-colorectal-cancer-growth-in-mouse-study/

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28878

Correspondence to: Sergey Ryzhov - [email protected]; Volkhard Lindner- [email protected]; Michaela R. Reagan - [email protected]

Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTbYy6vGd7E

Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28878

Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/

Keywords - cancer, Cthrc1, CRC, colorectal cancer, subcutaneous tumor model, immune analysis

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

Nutrition plays a critical role in cancer care, yet it is often overlooked. Many patients experience weight loss, muscle wasting, treatment-related side effects, and changes in appetite that can affect their ability to tolerate therapy and maintain quality of life. Although nutrition specialists can help manage these challenges, access to specialized nutritional care remains limited in many healthcare settings.

An editorial published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget, titled “Artificial intelligence in nutritional oncology: From isolated screening tools to agentic intervention systems,” explores how advances in artificial intelligence (AI) could help address this gap. The editorial was written by Arnab Sarkar and corresponding author Yashbir Singh-Wolkenhauer, who is affiliated with the Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Rather than presenting new clinical trial data, the authors outline a future vision in which AI systems move beyond isolated tasks to continuously support nutritional care throughout a patient’s cancer journey.

Full blog post - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/07/28/artificial-intelligence-could-transform-nutrition-care-for-cancer-patients/

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28874

Correspondence to - Yashbir Singh-Wolkenhauer - [email protected]

Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVKhRSr5xaY

Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28874

Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/

Keywords - cancer, artificial intelligence

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

BUFFALO, NY – July 22, 2026 – A new #PrecisionOncology paper was #Published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on July 21, 2026, titled “WIN-MTB-2024017 – WIN International Molecular Tumor Board: A 48-year-old female with multiple primary cancers.”

The study was led by Oncotarget Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Wafik S. El-Deiry, from the Worldwide Innovative Network (WIN) Association – WIN Consortium and Legorreta Cancer Center at Brown University.

Patients who develop multiple primary cancers face unique diagnostic and treatment challenges because each tumor may have distinct biological characteristics requiring different therapeutic approaches. Advances in genomic profiling and precision oncology now enable clinicians to better distinguish between independent tumors and recurrent disease while identifying molecular alterations that may guide individualized treatment strategies. This case report demonstrates how an international molecular tumor board integrated comprehensive genomic data with multidisciplinary expertise to develop personalized recommendations for a patient with an exceptionally complex cancer history.

The case describes the clinical journey of a 48-year-old woman carrying a germline BRCA1 mutation who developed multiple primary cancers over nearly two decades, including breast cancer, basal cell carcinoma of the skin, high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, colon cancer, and small bowel adenocarcinoma. During this time, she underwent multiple surgeries, chemotherapy regimens, targeted therapy with the PARP inhibitor niraparib, and extensive molecular testing to characterize each malignancy.

Full press release - https://www.oncotarget.com/news/pr/international-molecular-tumor-board-explores-personalized-treatment-strategies-for-a-patient-with-multiple-primary-cancers/

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28899

Correspondence to - Wafik S. El-Deiry - [email protected]

Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KIDbmq6ui8

Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28899

Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/

Keywords - cancer, precision oncology, molecular tumor board

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

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract. Although many GISTs can be effectively treated with targeted therapies, their response to treatment depends largely on the specific genetic alterations driving tumor growth. Advances in molecular testing have transformed the management of these tumors, allowing clinicians to tailor treatment based on each patient’s genetic profile.

A case report published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget, titled “Small bowel GIST harboring concurrent KIT exon 9 duplication and SDHC mutation: A case report,” describes an exceptionally rare case involving a patient whose tumor carried two genetic alterations that are traditionally considered mutually exclusive.

Full blog post - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/07/13/rare-genetic-combination-in-gastrointestinal-tumor-offers-new-insights-into-precision-cancer-care/

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28863

Correspondence to - Joseph G. Crompton - [email protected]

Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB_QG2vBNCE

Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28863

Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/

Keywords - cancer, GIST, KIT duplication, SDHC mutation, genetic testing, case report

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

BUFFALO, NY – July 6, 2026 – A new #casereport was #published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on July 2, 2026, titled “Renal oncocytoma: Α case report and literature review.”

The study was led by first and corresponding author Areti Kalfoutzou from the Second Propaedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, Attikon General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.

Renal oncocytoma is a rare benign tumor of the kidney that accounts for approximately 5–9% of renal epithelial tumors. Although it is considered benign, it often resembles kidney cancer on imaging studies, making accurate diagnosis challenging. Because treatment strategies differ substantially between benign oncocytoma and malignant renal tumors, establishing the correct diagnosis is essential to avoid unnecessary surgery while ensuring appropriate patient care.

In this report, the researchers describe the case of an 82-year-old woman who presented with two months of gross hematuria. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) identified a 55 × 34 mm exophytic lesion arising from the upper pole of the left kidney. Based on its imaging characteristics, the mass was initially classified as a Bosniak category IV renal lesion, raising strong suspicion for renal malignancy.

Full press release - https://www.oncotarget.net/2026/07/06/rare-benign-kidney-tumor-case-highlights-value-of-biopsy-and-minimally-invasive-treatment/

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28893

Correspondence to - Areti Kalfoutzou - [email protected]

Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7TBLT3tbfA

Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28893

Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/

Keywords - cancer, cryoablation, image-guided biopsy, kidney neoplasms, minimally invasive surgery, renal oncocytoma

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

Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer in the United States and has long been considered a difficult disease to treat. For decades, treatment options were limited, and survival remained poor. However, the therapeutic landscape has changed dramatically over the past several decades with the introduction of stem cell transplantation, targeted drugs, immunotherapies, and more recently, CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies.

A research paper titled “Targeted therapeutics and U.S. population-level mortality trends in multiple myeloma: A SEER-based analysis from 1975 to 2023” was published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget. In this study, the researchers examined how these major treatment advances have coincided with changes in multiple myeloma mortality across the United States over nearly five decades. The study was led by first and corresponding author Navkirat Kahlon from the Mass General Cancer Center at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, New Hampshire.

Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/06/29/targeted-therapies-have-coincided-with-a-dramatic-decline-in-multiple-myeloma-mortality-in-the-united-states/

Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28877

Correspondence to - Navkirat Kahlon - [email protected]; (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1115-2029)

Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TNWkG9FyUo

Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28877

Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/

Keywords - cancer, multiple myeloma, epidemiologic trends, mortality reduction, therapeutic advancements, SEER database

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

BUFFALO, NY – June 24, 2026 – A new research paper was published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on June 9, 2026, titled “TRAIL-R2 in the shadows: Epigenetic silencing and clinical implications in breast cancer.”

The study was led by first author Nuzhat Khursheed from the University of Kashmir and corresponding authors Asia Asiaf from the Central University of Kashmir and Showkat Ahmad Ganie from the University of Kashmir.

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. While advances in diagnosis and treatment have improved outcomes for many patients, researchers continue to investigate the molecular changes that enable tumor cells to survive, grow, and spread. One process receiving increasing attention is epigenetic regulation, in which genes are switched on or off without altering the underlying DNA sequence.

In this study, researchers examined TRAIL-R2, also known as death receptor 5 (DR5), a protein that plays an important role in triggering apoptosis, the programmed cell death process that helps eliminate damaged or abnormal cells. Loss of apoptotic signaling is a hallmark of cancer, but the clinical significance and epigenetic regulation of TRAIL-R2 in breast cancer have remained incompletely understood.

The investigators analyzed matched tumor and adjacent normal breast tissue samples from 67 patients. Using methylation-specific PCR, quantitative real-time PCR, and western blotting, they evaluated TRAIL-R2 promoter methylation as well as its gene and protein expression levels.

The analysis revealed that TRAIL-R2 was frequently silenced in breast tumors. More than half of tumor samples showed promoter hypermethylation, a chemical modification that can suppress gene activity. At the same time, both TRAIL-R2 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly lower in tumor tissues than in adjacent normal breast tissue.

Further analysis demonstrated that TRAIL-R2 hypermethylation was more common in invasive ductal carcinoma, the most common subtype of breast cancer, and in patients with a history of oral contraceptive use. Reduced TRAIL-R2 expression was also associated with advanced tumor stage and several clinicopathological features linked to more aggressive disease.

The researchers observed a strong inverse relationship between promoter methylation and TRAIL-R2 expression, suggesting that epigenetic silencing may contribute directly to loss of this important apoptotic receptor. Tumors with reduced TRAIL-R2 activity may become less susceptible to programmed cell death, potentially allowing cancer cells to survive and progress.

Full press release - https://www.oncotarget.net/2026/06/24/trail-r2-silencing-linked-to-more-aggressive-breast-cancer/

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28891

Correspondence to - Asia Asiaf - [email protected], and Showkat Ahmad Ganie - [email protected]

Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvhkOYLTJUY

Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28891

Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/

Keywords - cancer, TRAIL-R2/DR5, promoter methylation, breast cancer biomarkers, tumor suppressor gene, apoptotic signalling pathways

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