A newly approved National Cancer Institute-funded clinical trial aims to improve survival for head and neck cancer patients whose disease returns after radiation therapy – a setback that affects up to 40% of patients and is often associated with poor outcomes.

Scientists at Oregon State University have developed a new nanomaterial that triggers a pair of chemical reactions inside cancer cells, killing the cells via oxidative stress while leaving healthy tissues alone.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling in the tissue around oral cancers both increases nerve sensitivity and makes opioids less effective, according to new research published in Science Signaling.

The findings point to a shared mechanism underlying both oral cancer pain and opioid tolerance—and a possible new treatment strategy for both. 

Can you imagine anticipating the struggle between the immune system and a tumor using mathematical tools that understand each patient's uncertainty? Researchers at ESPOL developed an innovative model based on Type-3 Fuzzy Logic that simulates precisely that confrontation. Unlike traditional models, this proposal integrates individual biological variability and delays in the immune response, allowing highly accurate prediction of chaotic patterns and possible tumor relapses. In addition, the study generates clear and interpretable risk maps that facilitate the design of personalized and explainable therapies, aligning with the principles of Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) to support clinical decision-making.