The development of ferroptosis-based nanotherapeutics is generally limited by poor penetration depth into tumors and potential systemic toxicity. 

In a recent issue of International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, Tu and coworkers from Southern Medical University addressed these challenges by proposing the design and fabrication of self-propelled ferroptosis nanoinducers, composed of only two endogenous proteins with natural bioactivity.

This work offers a strategy for constructing a biocompatible cancer treatment paradigm with enhanced diffusion to achieve deeper penetration into tumor tissues, centered around the concept of ferroptosis.

Organoids, lab-grown 3D miniatures derived from patient tumors, are shedding new light on why some esophageal cancers resist chemotherapy. Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) used these organoids to pinpoint the molecular drivers of resistance and identified fedratinib as a potential drug. Their findings offer fresh hope for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, one of the deadliest forms of cancer, by paving the way for more effective, personalized therapies.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University’s Gray Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences conducted a series of experiments using advanced technologies, focusing on the tumor microenvironment in advanced stages of breast cancer. They found that immune system cells called neutrophils are recruited by the tumor environment and support tumor progression in the later stages of the disease. The researchers stated: "In light of our findings, we believe that neutrophils, which are unique to the tumor environment, may serve as targets for the development of new drugs and as biomarkers for advanced-stage breast cancer."

Liver cancer is a lethal disease with limited treatment options for advanced stages. While risk factors such as viral hepatitis, alcohol use, and obesity increase the likelihood of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, the progression of liver cancer), scientists are racing to uncover the hidden biological mechanisms that fuel tumour growth. Recent research led by Professor Jiangwen ZHANG of the School of Biological Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has uncovered how a key genetic culprit, VPS72, drives the development of liver cancer by disrupting fat metabolism and manipulating gene activity. The team’s findings have been published in Advanced Science.

An interdisciplinary research team from the Department of Surgery and Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine at the LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), has demonstrated a durable and lasting response to a novel treatment – combined locoregional therapy and immunotherapy (LRT-IO) – for advanced liver cancer patients. The study marks the first investigation into the long-term outcomes for patients with locally advanced liver cancer receiving this treatment. The researchers identified key factors associated with a complete response, and found that this pioneering approach is safe, effective and sustainable. The findings were recently published in the journal JAMA Oncology.

Dr. Nikolaos Koundouros, a postdoctoral associate in the Department of Pharmacology at Weill Cornell Medicine, has been awarded a 2025 Tri-Institutional Breakout Award for Junior Investigators.