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

Marker-based CRISPR screens identify POU2F1 as a regulator of DLL3 and neuroendocrine identity in small cell lung cancer

Through CRISPR screening and epigenomic analysis, this study identifies POU2F1 as a critical, context-specific transcriptional activator of DLL3 and neuroendocrine identity in small cell lung cancer, operating via a tandem cis-regulatory code with ASCL1.

Cunniff, P., Fitzpatrick, C., Bauer, J., Skopelitis, D., Klingbeil, O., Yoshimoto, T., Joshua-Tor, L., Vakoc, C. R.2026-04-10
📄 cancer biology

The HPV E7 oncoprotein promotes LIM and SH3 Domain Protein 1 (LASP1) transcription via the Rb/E2F1 signalling pathway in HPV-positive cervical cancer cells

This study reveals that the HPV E7 oncoprotein drives LASP1 transcription in HPV-positive cervical cancer cells by degrading Rb to activate E2F1, which directly binds to and promotes the LASP1 promoter, thereby establishing an additional mechanism alongside miR-203 downregulation that underscores LASP1's critical role in cancer progression.

Wang, M., Li, Y., Patterson, M. R., Scarth, J. A., Morgan, E. L., Macdonald, A.2026-04-10
📄 cancer biology

Brief report on the development of patient-derived lung cancer organoids with keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma morphology

This study demonstrates that patient-derived lung cancer organoids successfully replicate the unique histological features, including keratin pearl structures and specific tumor markers, of their parent keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas, establishing them as high-fidelity 3D models for advancing preclinical drug testing and understanding tumor biology.

O'Sullivan, E., Cahill, C., O'Brien, R. M., Elgenaidi, I. S., McManus, G., Mc Cormack, W., Hurley, S., Staunton, L. M. (…)2026-04-10
📄 cancer biology

A SIRT5-induced metabolic switch underlies chemoresistance and ATR checkpoint dependence in triple-negative breast cancer

This study identifies that SIRT5 overexpression in triple-negative breast cancer drives chemoresistance by orchestrating a metabolic switch that enhances nucleotide production and oxidative phosphorylation, while simultaneously creating a therapeutic vulnerability to ATR inhibition due to induced replication stress.

Ren, Z., Bernasocchi, T., Kurmi, K., Guo, C., Jiang, K., Zaniewski, E., Lam, G., Islam, K. N., Joshi, S., Li, X., Smidt (…)2026-04-09
📄 cancer biology

Myeloma and therapy reshape the bone marrow niche to durably constrain immune reconstitution and vaccine responsiveness

This study reveals that multiple myeloma and its treatments, including autologous stem cell transplant, durably reshape the bone marrow niche to impair immune reconstitution and vaccine responses, a defect that can be overcome by lipid nanoparticle-adjuvanted mRNA vaccines.

Chander, A., Rachid Zaim, S., Dillon, M. A., Genge, P. C., Moss, N., McGrath, P. I., Kopp, M. S., Lee, K. J., Kuan, E. L (…)2026-04-09
📄 cancer biology

Ex Vivo Assay for Organ-Specific Cancer Cell Invasion

This study presents a scalable ex vivo platform using decellularized mouse organ scaffolds that preserves native tissue-specific matrix cues to accurately recapitulate organ-selective cancer cell invasion patterns, offering a cost-effective alternative to in vivo models for studying metastasis and testing therapies.

Tyckaert, F., Göddertz, P. F., Reichhold, M., Sarg, B., Faserl, K., Paton Gonzalez, P., Eichin, F., Villunger, A., Orma (…)2026-04-08
📄 cancer biology

Single-section multiplexed imaging enables comprehensive lung cancer diagnosis

This study demonstrates that a single-section multiplexed imaging approach using a clinically informed antibody panel enables comprehensive, accurate, and tissue-efficient lung cancer diagnosis by simultaneously integrating tumor classification, biomarker assessment, and immune profiling while overcoming the limitations of traditional sequential testing.

Ben-uri, R., Keidar Haran, T., Bussi, Y., Vainer, G., Arnon, J., Pillar, N., Sourikh, H., Fuchs, I., Elhanani, O., Neuma (…)2026-04-08
📄 cancer biology

Early Epigenetic and Metabolic Responses to the Adipocyte Secretome Reveal Stress-Adaptive States in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

This study demonstrates that adipocyte-derived signals reprogram triple-negative breast cancer cells by coupling metabolic rewiring with selective chromatin opening to activate stress-adaptive gene programs, thereby enhancing their ability to buffer oxidative stress and survive.

Townsel, A., Jaffe, M., He, S., Wu, Y., Ingram, A., Tipton, M., Kemp, M. L., Henry, C. J., Haynes, K. A.2026-04-08
📄 cancer biology

Integrating Fas-mediated apoptosis with IFNγ signaling to drive tumor regression in mRNA cancer therapeutics

This study demonstrates that intratumoral delivery of lipid nanoparticle-formulated mRNA encoding a membrane-bound IFNγ-FasICD fusion protein effectively drives tumor regression by simultaneously inducing direct Fas-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells and remodeling the tumor microenvironment to enhance systemic anti-tumor immunity.

Shin, H.-s., Kwon, S.-G., Lee, H., Lee, J.-O.2026-04-08