Multi-omic data integration and exploiting metabolic models using systems biology approach increase precision in subtyping and early diagnosis of cancer
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 22-Jun-2026 12:16 ET (22-Jun-2026 16:16 GMT/UTC)
Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with early and accurate diagnosis being paramount for effective treatment. However, traditional diagnostic methods like biopsies are invasive and carry risks, while non-invasive approaches often struggle to identify reliable biomarkers due to tumor heterogeneity and the complexity of biological data. Integrating information across different molecular layers—genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics—holds promise but is technically challenging, particularly in capturing the dynamic metabolic state of tumors.
Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the most widely used cancer treatment modalities, applied in over half of all patients with cancer. In clinical oncology, positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) is widely used to noninvasively monitor tumor glucose metabolism and evaluate therapeutic responses, including those to RT. However, transient increases in 18F-FDG uptake—referred to as post-RT “metabolic flares”—are frequently observed in responding tumors and have traditionally been attributed to localized inflammatory reactions. Whether these flares reflect underlying immune cell dynamics, particularly tumor-infiltrating T cells, has remained poorly understood.
A new study led by City St George's, University of London provides hope that smarter timing of cancer treatments could improve cure rates.
The standard clinical approach is to wait and see if a tumour regrows before trying a different treatment. By this point, some tumour cells are likely to have gained mutations making them resistant to the second treatment, which then also fails.
Evolutionary theory suggests an alternative strategy. Instead of waiting, it might be better to switch to a second treatment while the tumour is still responding to the first one.
In proof-of-concept study, scientists at Cincinnati Children's discover a method to reduce heart damage risk for people with cancer taking immune checkpoint inhibitors.
A Japanese study of more than 7,400 patients has identified a genetic mismatch that sharply increases the risk of severe acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following umbilical cord blood transplantation. The specific donor–recipient human leukocyte antigen mismatch triples the likelihood of life-threatening immune complications, and severe acute GVHD itself is associated with significantly worse survival. These findings may help refine donor selection and improve the safety and long-term outcomes of stem cell transplantation.
A blood test could help doctors make more personalized decisions about whether starting intensive chemotherapy is worthwhile in young adults with germ cell tumors, particularly in what may be the patient’s final phase of life. A team led by scientists at the Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology studied blood samples from young adults treated at hospitals in Italy and Slovakia for fragments of circulating tumor DNA. They identified specific changes in the genetic material that came from cancer cells resistant to standard chemotherapy.