Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), characterized by high aggressiveness and recurrence, poses a significant global health challenge. The interplay between the tumour microenvironment and exogenous exposures disrupts homeostasis, and tumour biological behaviours, then accelerating tumour progression. Sorafenib, a first-line targeted therapy, often faces resistance due to tumour heterogeneity and microenvironmental changes. Understanding the link between adverse exposures and drug resistance, identifying key molecules, and developing precise interventions are crucial for improving the management of advanced/drug-resistant HCC.

Chemotherapy exerts systemic effects that extend beyond direct tumor cell killing, according to a new study led by Tatiana Petrova, professor at the Faculty of Biology and Medicine at the University of Lausanne, and published in Nature Communications.

Why do some tumours spread while others remain localised? The mechanisms governing the metastatic potential of tumour cells remain largely unknown — yet understanding this is crucial for optimising patient care. Using cells from colon cancers, scientists at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) have pinpointed the criteria that influence the risk of metastasis, and identified gene expression signatures that can be used to assess its probability. The team then created an artificial intelligence tool (MangroveGS) capable of transforming these data into predictions for many cancers with unparalleled reliability. These results, published in Cell Reports, pave the way for more precise care and the discovery of new therapeutic targets.

A comprehensive review highlights significant advancements in the microbial biosynthesis of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), the vital sugars in breast milk that shape infant gut health and immunity. While key HMOs like 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) are now commercially available, researchers are overcoming technical hurdles to produce more complex HMOs at scale, including 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL) and sialyllactoses (SLs). These developments promise to enhance infant formula and open new doors for functional foods and potential therapeutic applications targeting gut health and immune disorders.

Medical researchers at Flinders University have uncovered an important clue that could help doctors better predict what happens next for people with advanced lung cancer when their first treatment fails.