Cancer biology explores the complex ways cells grow out of control, investigating the genetic mutations and environmental factors that drive tumor formation. This field seeks to understand how healthy cells transform into malignant ones and how these rogue cells spread throughout the body. By decoding these fundamental mechanisms, researchers aim to develop more effective treatments that target the disease at its source while sparing healthy tissue.

At Gist.Science, we process every new preprint published in this category directly from bioRxiv to ensure you stay ahead of the curve. Our team provides both accessible plain-language overviews and detailed technical summaries for each study, bridging the gap between raw research data and practical understanding. Whether you are a specialist or a curious reader, our goal is to make these critical findings clear and actionable.

Below are the latest papers in cancer biology, offering fresh insights into the ongoing fight against this disease.

📄 cancer biology

Neoantigen-reactive CD8+ T cell engagement marks exceptional survivors of pancreatic cancer

This study identifies that rare, peripherally expanding, neoantigen-reactive CD8+ T cell clonotypes are the primary determinant of exceptional survival in pancreatic cancer patients receiving maintenance pembrolizumab and olaparib, while resistance is driven by T cell exclusion, specific stromal and tumor-intrinsic programs, and regulatory T cell expansion.

Hilmi, M., Schoenfeld, J. D., McKerrow, W., Elhanati, Y., O'Connor, C. A., Umeda, S., Lecomte, N., Melchor, J. P., Carde (…)2026-09-18
📄 cancer biology

Local Tumor Microenvironment Niches Correlate with Survival and Immunotherapy Response in Human Glioblastoma

This study utilizes spatial transcriptomics to identify six distinct tumor microenvironment niches in glioblastoma, demonstrating that specific niche compositions—particularly those enriched with mesenchymal-like cells and monocyte-derived macrophages—are significantly associated with patient survival and immunotherapy response, thereby suggesting their potential as biomarkers for risk stratification and treatment decisions.

Petitprez, F., Graham, N. C., Webb, S., Morrison, G., Merotto, L., Webb, J., Xie, Y., Guney, E., Weiss, W. A., Finotello (…)2026-09-17
📄 cancer biology

Na+/K+-ATPase Blockade Reversibly Attenuates Proliferation and Metabolic Function in K562 Human Myelogenous Leukemia Cells

This study demonstrates that pharmacological blockade of Na+/K+-ATPase with digoxin induces reversible, concentration-dependent attenuation of proliferation and metabolic function in K562 leukemia cells primarily through ion dyshomeostasis rather than scaffold-mediated signaling, as confirmed by potassium surmountability and the cells' resistance to canonical stress checkpoints.

Bowden, S. R., Colton, E. T., Norgaard, A. D., Haas, M. M., Dunnigan, E. R., Goven, C. J., Goven, G. O., Hinnenkamp, T. (…)2026-09-17
📄 cancer biology

Oncohistone inhibition reshapes tumor-microenvironment communication in Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG)

This study demonstrates that the H3K27M oncohistone is a critical driver of Diffuse Midline Glioma progression by reshaping the tumor microenvironment to enhance excitatory neuron-tumor coupling and immunosuppression, thereby validating its inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy.

Khairkhah, N., Ibrahim, M. M. H., Galban, S. L., Faunce, M., Rober, L., Baker, C., Doherty, R., Cartaxo, R., Koschmann (…)2026-09-16
📄 cancer biology

A therapeutic vulnerability linking MNK1/2 inhibition and G1/S cyclin-dependent kinase blockade in triple-negative breast cancer

This study demonstrates that inhibiting MNK1/2 kinases synergizes with G1/S cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK4/6) blockade to suppress triple-negative breast cancer growth by altering the translation of genes involved in mitotic checkpoint control and DNA repair, thereby revealing a new therapeutic vulnerability for this challenging disease subtype.

Deng, Q., Amiri, M., Moshari, A., Diddeniya, B., Akbarnia, P., Piric, A. A., Prando Munhoz, E., Bagherian, Y., Li, Z., B (…)2026-09-16
📄 cancer biology

Dynamics of circulating tumor cell subsets defined by PSMA and EpCAM predict survival in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with 177Lu-PSMA-617

This study demonstrates that dynamic changes in circulating tumor cell subsets defined by PSMA and EpCAM expression during 177Lu-PSMA-617 treatment hold prognostic value for overall survival in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients, warranting further investigation.

Lee, M. J., Yu, L., Zorko, N., Dehm, S., Hwang, J. H., Drake, J. M., Antonarakis, E. S., Arafa, A. T.2026-09-16
📄 cancer biology

Splicing of HPV16 E6 promotes aggressive invasion in oropharyngeal cancer via redistriburion of E-cadherin

This study demonstrates that the spliced HPV16 E6*I isoform drives aggressive invasion in oropharyngeal cancer by promoting E-cadherin internalization, establishing E6 splicing patterns and E-cadherin localization as valuable biomarkers for predicting poor clinical outcomes and potential therapeutic targets.

Lim, Y. X., Liu, M., Garb, B. F., Furgal, A., Li, S., Choi, J., Liu, Q., Kopera, H., Hilgarth, R., de Medeiros, M. C., G (…)2026-09-14
📄 cancer biology

Longitudinal single-cell and spatial transcriptomics reveals intratumor heterogeneity, therapeutic response, and comparative value of canine marginal zone lymphoma

This study utilizes longitudinal single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to characterize intratumoral heterogeneity and therapeutic responses in a canine marginal zone lymphoma case, revealing that while oncolytic VSV virotherapy successfully targeted B cells, the resulting cytotoxic immune response was primarily driven by T cells, thereby highlighting the need for improved subtyping and multidimensional treatment strategies.

Walker, G. E., Macchietto, M., Reid, K., Burt, L. E., Winter, A., Pracht, S., Buettner, M., Penza, V., Yung, C., Dicovit (…)2026-09-14
📄 cancer biology

Patient-derived IgG Amplifies Fcγ Receptor-Dependent Colonic Inflammation During Immune Checkpoint Blockade

This study demonstrates that patient-derived IgG antibodies, characterized by a specific autoantibody signature, amplify immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced colonic inflammation in a humanized Fcγ receptor-dependent manner, revealing pretreatment humoral immunity as a key determinant of severe immune-related colitis susceptibility.

Voloshyna, I., Patskovsky, Y., Sandigursky, S., Sreenivasaiah, C., Bayrakta, E. C., Tardio, E., Lopez, A. V., Idga, S. (…)2026-09-11