Basic & Clinical Cancer Research

Exploring the Role of Neoflavonoids in Inducing Cell Cycle Arrest in Cancer Cells: In Silico study

Majid Jafari-Sabet — 2026-08-09

Background: Cancer remains a major global health problem, with 20 million newly diagnosed cases and an estimated 9.7 million cancer deaths in 2022. Cancer cell proliferation is closely related to the dysregulation of cell cycle progression, which is mainly mediated by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). In this study, neoflavonoids are investigated as novel therapeutic agents that target CDK4, a key regulator of cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase.

Method: We performed a pan-cancer analysis of CDK expression using several state-of-the-art databases and found high CDK4 levels in many cancers, and in several cancers higher CDK4 levels were associated with poorer patient survival. Molecular docking studies were performed on 26 neoflavonoid compounds to determine their binding affinity at the ATP binding site of CDK4 to the known inhibitors aemaciclib and flavopiridol.

Results: We found that several neoflavonoids bind with similar affinities to these established inhibitors and thus may be effective CDK4 inhibitors.

Conclusion: This research shows the therapeutic potential of neoflavonoids in the treatment of cancer and suggests that more preclinical studies are needed to confirm their effectiveness and clarify their mechanisms of action.

Exploring non-coding RNAs in Prostate Cancer: from Biomarkers to Therapeutic Strategies

Dharanidharan Dhanabalan — 2026-08-09

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most prevalent malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in males worldwide. Despite advancements in therapeutic strategies, such as radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), and chemotherapy, treatment outcomes for metastatic castration-resistant PCa (mCRPC) remain suboptimal. The androgen receptor (AR) and its downstream signaling pathways play a critical role in PCa progression, with genetic aberrations, including AR amplification, TP53 and PTEN deletions, and MYC oncogene activation contributing to disease advancement. Although prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based screening is widely used, its limitations in improving survival rates highlight the urgent need for more reliable biomarkers. Emerging evidence indicates that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs), act as key regulators of gene expression, influencing PCa cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis. Their differential expression across various stages of PCa underscores their potential as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets. This review summarizes recent advancements in ncRNA research in PCa, providing insights into their mechanistic roles, clinical applications, and future directions in precision oncology

Effect of mindfulness based interventions for sleep quality and stress reduction in breast cancer patients: A systematic review

Arman Ryahin — 2026-08-09

Introduction:Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer among women worldwide. While advancements in early diagnosis and treatment have improved survival rates, many breast cancer patients experience persistent sleep disturbances, anxiety, and stress, which negatively impact their quality of life. Pharmacological treatments for sleep disorders pose risks such as dependency and side effects, making non-pharmacological interventions like mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) increasingly relevant. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of MBIs, particularly Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), in improving sleep quality and reducing psychological distress in breast cancer patients.

Methods:Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, Cochrane Library, SID, Irandoc, and Noormags. Studies published up to November 5, 2024, were screened using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and Boolean operators. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies investigating MBIs' effects on sleep and psychological health in breast cancer patients. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist.

Results:Out of 207 initially identified studies, eight met the inclusion criteria. MBIs significantly improved sleep quality by reducing insomnia severity, sleep latency, and nighttime awakenings while enhancing sleep efficiency. Additionally, MBIs led to substantial reductions in anxiety and depression scores. Some studies reported improvements in emotional resilience and psychological well-being. However, variations in intervention duration, follow-up periods, and study designs influenced result consistency.

Discussion:The findings indicate that MBIs effectively enhance sleep quality and reduce psychological distress in breast cancer patients. Compared to pharmacological treatments, MBIs provide a safer, non-invasive alternative. The benefits are attributed to mindfulness-induced stress reduction and emotional regulation. Despite promising outcomes, variations in methodologies and limited long-term evaluations warrant further research.

Conclusion:MBIs are a valuable complementary approach to conventional breast cancer care, addressing sleep and psychological challenges. Further large-scale, high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm long-term efficacy and establish standardized protocols.

Connecting the Dots: A Narrative Exploration of Breast Cancer Risks in Sub-Saharan African

Emmanuel Chika Ugwu — 2026-08-09

Africa contribute significantly in the global burden of breast cancer. Crucial efforts have been made to understand the landscape of breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This article specifically examine the the existing evidence to better understand the risk factors that shape the epidemiology of breast cancer within the SSA region. This article sets off by discussing the epidemiology of breast cancer in SSA, with emphasis on how disparities occur in the region. The article explored the incidence rate across various countries in SSA. The article explored the various risk factors associated with breast cancer in SSA including genetic factors, relevant biomarkers, hormonal factors, reproductive factors, and some disparities in treatments amongst others. Genetics mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes were discussed, buttressing how they contribute to the occurrence of breast cancer in the region. Certain biomarkers were also identified as risk factors of breast cancer and deserving of mention is the kaiso biomarker. Hormonal and reproductive factors such as age, breastfeeding time, family history, and body hormones such as estrogen and progesterone amongst others were identified as common risk factors of breast cancer in SSA. The poor treatment strategies and regimens in breast cancer care in SSA is also associated with breast cancer outcome, leading to an overall impact on the epidemiology of breast cancer in SSA. Evidence-based recommendations were also made to improve breast cancer care in SSA. Recommended techniques to addressing breast cancer care rely on genetic insights primarily aimed at informing a technologically-inclined future progress and research.