Sinapsos Podcast | Oncology

E10 - Breathprints for Breast Cancer Risk

E10   |  11 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link

• Podcast based on: Masilamani, A.P.; Hooper, J.K.; Rahman, M.H.; Philip, R.; Kaushik, P.; Graham, G.; Yockell-Lelievre, H.; Khomami Abadi, M.; Meterissian, S.H. Breathprints for Breast Cancer: Evaluating a Non-Invasive Approach to BI-RADS 4 Risk Stratification in a Preliminary Study. Cancers 2026, 18, 226. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18020226
  Type: Article  |  Publication date: 11 January 2026
  
  
• Summary: Breast cancer screening often identifies findings that are suspicious but uncertain, especially those labeled as BI-RADS 4. While doctors usually recommend a biopsy for these cases, most turn out to be benign, meaning many women go through an invasive procedure unnecessarily. This study explored whether a simple breath test could help better identify high-risk patients. By analyzing patterns of natural chemicals in exhaled breath, we trained a computer model to distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous findings. The model was able to correctly identify most cancers while also giving strong reassurance when no cancer was present. These results suggest that a breath test could be used alongside mammography to provide patients and doctors with clearer information. If confirmed in larger studies, this approach could spare many women from unnecessary biopsies, lower healthcare costs, and improve trust in breast cancer screening.
  
  
• Keywords: breast cancer; BI-RADS 4; breath analysis; volatile organic compounds (VOCs); digital olfaction (electronic nose); chemiresistive sensor array; machine learning; multi-modal fusion; autoencoder; risk stratification; rule-out diagnostics

 

Disclaimer:
This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

 

E9 - Radiation-Induced Mesothelioma

E9   |  10 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link

• Podcast based on: Fujita, N.; Fujita, K.; Osumi, H.; Takefuji, Y. The Diagnostic Trap in Radiation-Induced Mesothelioma: Kinetic-Morphological Decoupling Masks Molecular Aggression. Cancers 2026, 18, 221. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18020221
  Type: Article  |  Publication date: 09 January 2026
  
  
• Summary: Typically, the microscopic appearance of a tumor predicts its biological aggression. However, in malignant pleural mesothelioma caused by radiation, our analysis of 20 rare cases without asbestos exposure suggests that this rule can be clinically deceptive. In this cohort, the intensity of radiotherapy doses appears to shape how the cancer evolves: moderate doses were associated with gradual, age-dependent latent periods, while high doses were associated with rapid, aggressive onset. Paradoxically, these aggressive high-dose tumors retained an indolent-appearing morphology, presenting a potential diagnostic trap that masks their true nature. We propose that reviewing a patient’s radiotherapy history could help expose this discrepancy, potentially guiding risk-stratified precision therapy.
  
  
• Keywords: malignant pleural mesothelioma; radiation-induced cancer; kinetic-morphological decoupling; diagnostic trap; CDK4/6 inhibitors; ; chromothripsis; tumor suppressor genes; precision medicine; therapeutic stratification; CSU Beagle Study

 

Disclaimer:
This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

 

E8 - Autophagy in Cancer Cell Death

E8   |  14 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link

• Podcast based on: Matsushita, M.; Moriwaki, M. Autophagy Modulates Immunogenic Cell Death in Cancer. Cancers 2026, 18, 205. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18020205
  Type: Review  |  Publication date: 08 January 2026
  
  
• Summary: Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is a form of regulated cell death that could change a “cold” tumor into an immune-inflamed “hot” tumor by exposing and releasing damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Recent works indicate that autophagy can either facilitate or inhibit ICD, depending on the context and which step of the pathway is targeted. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the autophagy–ICD axis in various kinds of cancer, and we then focus on hematological malignancies, especially multiple myeloma, in which autophagy and ICD play important roles. We propose how the phase-specific modulation of autophagy could be exploited to design novel immunogenic chemotherapy combinations and improve cellular immunotherapies.
  
  
• Keywords: autophagy; immunogenic cell death; damage-associated molecular patterns; tumor microenvironment; multiple myeloma

 

Disclaimer:
This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

 

E7 - Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Surgery

E7   |  12 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link

• Podcast based on: Choi, M.; Kang, C.M. Minimally Invasive Pancreatoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Cancer: Current Perspectives and Future Directions. Cancers 2026, 18, 197. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18020197
  Type: Review  |  Publication date: 07 January 2026
  
  
• Summary: Minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy has emerged as a feasible option for pancreatic cancer in expert centers. Current evidence shows comparable safety and oncologic adequacy to open surgery in selected patients, while long-term PDAC-specific data and standardization remain needed.
  
  
• Keywords: minimally invasive surgery; pancreatoduodenectomy; pancreatic cancer; laparoscopy; robotic surgery

 

Disclaimer:
This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

 

E6 - Romiplostim in Lymphoma

E6   |  12 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link

• Podcast based on: Joffe, E.; Epstein-Peterson, Z.; Falchi, L.; Noy, A.; Zelenetz, A.D.; Owens, C.; Gilbert, L.; Salles, G.; Soff, G.A. Romiplostim for Prevention of Severe Chemotherapy-Induced Thrombocytopenia in Lymphoma Patients—Phase I Study. Cancers 2026, 18, 188. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18020188
  Type: Article  |  Publication date: 06 January 2026
  
  
• Summary: Lymphoma patients receiving intensive chemotherapy frequently develop severe chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, characterized by critically low platelets that increase bleeding risk, necessitate platelet transfusions, and often force treatment delays or dose reductions. While pharmacologic growth factors are routinely used to manage chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, thrombopoietic agents remain inadequately studied. This phase I study investigated whether secondary prophylaxis with weekly romiplostim administration could prevent recurrent severe thrombocytopenia in lymphoma patients undergoing chemotherapy who had already experienced profound platelet drops requiring transfusions in prior cycles. Nine patients were enrolled across three dose schedules to establish a recommended phase 2 dose schedule. Romiplostim effectively prevented grade 4 thrombocytopenia in nearly half of the chemotherapy cycles and substantially reduced platelet transfusion requirements in this high-risk population. The agent was well-tolerated without thromboembolic complications, enabling most patients to maintain their planned chemotherapy schedule at full dose intensity. These findings establish a dosing framework and suggest that secondary prophylaxis with romiplostim may represent a viable strategy to optimize chemotherapy delivery in lymphoma patients.
  
  
• Keywords: severe chemotherapy induced thrombocytopenia; lymphoma; romiplostim

 

Disclaimer:
This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

 

E5 - Glioblastoma Survival in Elderly

E5   |  10 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link

• Podcast based on: Ali, A.M.S.; Parmar, V.; Hannan, C.J.; Farah, J.O. Predictors of Survival in Patients Aged ≥70 with Glioblastoma: A Time-Dependent Multivariable Analysis. Cancers 2026, 18, 178. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18010178
  Type: Article  |  Publication date: 05 January 2026
  
  
• Summary: Glioblastoma is an aggressive brain tumour with a very poor outlook, particularly in older patients, and its incidence is expected to rise as the population ages. This study reviewed the outcomes of 124 patients aged 70 years or older who underwent surgery for glioblastoma at a single specialist neurosurgical centre between 2021 and 2025, with the aim of identifying factors linked to survival. Overall survival remained limited, with a median survival of around 8 months. Two factors were clearly associated with longer survival. Patients who received chemotherapy and radiotherapy after surgery lived longer than those who did not, with the benefit being strongest in the early months following surgery and gradually reducing over time. In addition, patients in whom all visible tumour could be removed during surgery tended to live longer than those who had only partial tumour removal. In contrast, age within this older group, general fitness before surgery, the presence of other medical conditions, tumour size, and molecular tumour features did not show a clear link with survival. Notably, a history of smoking was associated with poorer survival, even after accounting for other factors. Taken together, these findings suggest that selected patients aged 70 and over can still benefit from active, combined treatment approaches, and that early, coordinated decision-making around surgery and post-operative therapy is important to maximise potential survival benefits in this growing patient group.
  
  
• Keywords: glioblastoma; older patients; surgical resection; adjuvant chemoradiotherapy

 

Disclaimer:
This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

 

E4 - Imaging in Ovarian Cancer

E4   |  14 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link

• Podcast based on: D’Amario, A.; Ambrosini, R.; Gullino, A.; Grazioli, L. Role of Imaging Techniques in Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis: Current Approaches and Future Directions. Cancers 2026, 18, 173. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18010173
  Type: Review  |  Publication date: 04 January 2026
  
  
• Summary: Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of death among gynecological malignancies. Standard ultrasound scans may not be conclusive, especially when ovarian masses are difficult to classify. This review highlights recent advances aimed at reducing diagnostic uncertainty. Contrast-enhanced MRI has demonstrated high accuracy in differentiating benign from malignant lesions, and the O-RADS MRI scoring system provides structured risk assessment with strong sensitivity and specificity. New classification methods are also being developed to further support clinical decision-making. In addition, artificial intelligence (AI) approaches, including machine learning and deep learning, are being tested to improve diagnostic precision by analyzing complex imaging data. Overall, the integration of advanced imaging with AI has the potential to substantially improve the evaluation and management of women with suspected ovarian cancer.
  
  
• Keywords: ovarian cancer; Ultrasound (US); Computed Tomography (CT); Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); O-RADS MRI Score; Artificial Intelligence (AI); radiomics

 

Disclaimer:
This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

 

E3 - APOBEC3C in Prostate Cancer

E3   |  11 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link

• Podcast based on: Pang, Z.; Wang, J.; Xu, Y.; Ji, B.; Ren, M.; Ding, B. APOBEC3C Suppresses Prostate Cancer by Regulating Key Molecules Involved in Cellular Inflammation, Cell Cycle Arrest, and DNA Damage Response. Cancers 2026, 18, 170. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18010170
  Type: Article  |  Publication date: 03 January 2026
  
  
• Summary: Given the clinical challenge of advanced, therapy-resistant prostate cancer (PCa), this study aimed to identify novel molecular drivers. Using transcriptomic data from the TCGA and GEO databases, combined with WGCNA, differential expression analysis, and LASSO regression, APOBEC3C (A3C) was identified as a key candidate, whose downregulation in PCa tumors correlated with advanced T stage, higher Gleason scores, and poor survival. Bioinformatic analysis linked high A3C expression to an anti-tumor immune microenvironment (e.g., increased CD8+ T cell infiltration and reduced M2 macrophages). In vitro assays confirmed that A3C overexpression suppressed PCa cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while its knockdown promoted these malignant phenotypes. Mechanistically, A3C enhances the expression levels of STING1 and its downstream molecules, including Caspase1, IL-18, and IL-1β, upregulating DNA damage protective genes (GSTP1 and GPX3) and enhancing cell cycle regulator GAS1 expression. Collectively, this study establishes A3C as a PCa suppressor that impedes tumor progression via multiple key pathways.
  
  
• Keywords: APOBEC3C; prostate cancer; prognosis; immune microenvironment; inflammation

 

Disclaimer:
This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

 

E2 - Intracranial SRT Cost-Effectiveness

E2   |  12 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link

• Podcast based on: Zhang, Q.; Gao, L.; Das, N.; Squire, T.; Stoker, D.; Shakya, R.; Patel, D.; Joshi, A.; Xing, T. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of an Intracranial Stereotactic Radiotherapy Service for Brain Metastasis in a North Queensland Regional Cancer Centre. Cancers 2026, 18, 163. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18010163
  Type: Article  |  Publication date: 02 January 2026
  
  
• Summary: Rural and regional Australian patients, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, are faced with multifaceted challenges when receiving a referral to metropolitan centres for specialist medical care, which affects the uptake of recommended treatment and therefore negatively impacts the outcome. Being able to access specialist care closer to home improves the accessibility and timeliness of recommended treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the cost-effectiveness of the implementation of an intracranial SRS service at an Australian regional cancer centre. This study provides evidence to initiate further discussions on the identification of suitable cancer care models to deliver specialist care from funding and policy support perspectives.
  
  
• Keywords: stereotactic radiosurgery; brain metastasis; health economy; radiotherapy

 

Disclaimer:
This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.

 

E1 - Esophageal Cancer Neoadjuvant Comparison

E1   |  12 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link

• Podcast based on: Deng, S.; Yan, X.; Peng, Y.; Zhu, L.; Shen, Y.; Ying, W.; Xu, Y.; Fu, Z. Three-Year Outcomes of Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy vs. Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Resectable Esophageal Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Study. Cancers 2026, 18, 155. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18010155
  Type: Article  |  Publication date: 01 January 2026
  
  
• Summary: Evidence regarding neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (nCIT) or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for resectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-ESCC) remains controversial. This study (n = 225) investigated the long-term efficacy and safety of nCIT versus nCRT in patients with LA-ESCC. The results suggest that nCIT can improve the long-term survival of patients with resectable esophageal cancer, whereas nCRT may provide greater benefits in patients with node-positive (N+) or non-cT4-stage disease. This study demonstrates the clinical efficacy and safety of nCIT in patients with LA-ESCC.
  
  
• Keywords: locally advanced resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy; immunotherapy; survival

 

Disclaimer:
This podcast provides a synthetically generated voice summary and discussion of scientific publications. The views expressed do not represent the views of the original authors, journals, or publishers. This podcast uses AI-assisted summaries, so it may or may not introduce inaccuracies or omit important details. Listeners are strongly encouraged to consult the original publications or sources for full context and accuracy. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice, medical guidance, or recommendations. The creators of this podcast are not liable for any errors, omissions, or outcomes resulting from the use of the information provided.