Oncology is the dynamic field dedicated to understanding and treating cancer, a complex group of diseases where cells grow uncontrollably. This area of study spans everything from identifying genetic mutations that drive tumor formation to developing new therapies and improving patient care strategies. Because cancer research moves at a rapid pace, staying updated with the very latest findings is essential for both experts and the curious public.

At Gist.Science, we curate the most recent preprints in oncology directly from medRxiv, ensuring you have immediate access to cutting-edge research before it undergoes formal peer review. We process every new submission in this category, transforming dense scientific manuscripts into both plain-language overviews and detailed technical summaries. This dual approach makes critical discoveries accessible to everyone, regardless of their background in medicine or biology.

Below are the latest oncology papers added from medRxiv, complete with our simplified explanations and full technical breakdowns to help you navigate the latest breakthroughs in cancer science.

🔬 oncology

End-user perspectives on design and implementation of a novel SkinScan3D (SS3D) device for monitoring Kaposi Sarcoma in East Africa: a qualitative study

This qualitative study involving patients, healthcare providers, and community representatives in Kenya and Uganda reveals that while end-users are generally receptive to the novel AI-enabled SkinScan3D device for monitoring Kaposi Sarcoma due to its perceived accuracy and efficiency, successful implementation requires targeted refinements addressing safety, data security, affordability, and workflow integration within the local sociocultural context.

Makanga, P. K., Adhiambo, H. F., Mangale, D., Nansereko, M., Nalubega, J. F., Knight, R., Geng, E., Mudhune, V., Bukusi (…)2026-08-14
🔬 oncology

Product mix and time since cessation among Korean former smokers using non-combusted nicotine products: a KNHANES analysis with implications for lung cancer risk comparisons

This KNHANES analysis reveals that Korean former smokers using non-combusted nicotine products are predominantly heated tobacco users who quit approximately a decade more recently than non-users, highlighting critical measurement gaps in product type and cessation duration that necessitate caution when interpreting lung cancer risk comparisons from NHIS cohort studies.

Cook, S. F., Cohen, G., Cummings, K. M.2026-08-13
🔬 oncology

Variation in uptake and dose reduction of CDK4/6 inhibitors for the treatment of breast cancer in England, 2019-2024: a descriptive observational study using OpenPrescribing Hospitals

This descriptive observational study utilizing the OpenPrescribing Hospitals platform reveals a more than three-fold increase in CDK4/6 inhibitor uptake across NHS hospitals in England between 2019 and 2024, highlighting significant regional variations in drug selection and a higher frequency of dose reductions than typically reported in clinical trials.

Fisher, L., Polwart, C., Wood, C., Goldacre, B., Anderson, L., Isherwood, J., Hindocha, S., MacKenna, B., Speed, V.2026-08-10
🔬 oncology

Prevalence of new onset diabetes mellitus among patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a population-based study

This population-based study from the Czech Republic reveals that approximately one-fifth of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cases in patients over 60 are preceded by new-onset diabetes mellitus within five years, highlighting the critical need for immediate diagnostic evaluation when new-onset diabetes is accompanied by significant weight loss.

Bures, J., Hejcmanova, K., Dianova, T., Ngo, O., Kohoutova, D., Pohnan, R., Skrha, J., Suchanek, S., Urbanek, P., Dusek (…)2026-08-10
🔬 oncology

Genomically Adjusted Radiation Dose Predicts Outcomes in Pediatric Brain Tumors and Supports Biologically Personalized Radiotherapy

This retrospective study demonstrates that the Genomically Adjusted Radiation Dose (GARD), which integrates tumor genomics with radiation dosage, significantly predicts survival outcomes in pediatric brain tumors, whereas physical radiation dose alone does not, thereby supporting a shift toward biologically personalized radiotherapy.

Joshi, N., Bergman, D., Nellore, S., Chen, P., Murphy, E., Sheikh, S., LaRiviere, M., Foster, J., Durkin, J., Ajao, A. (…)2026-08-10
🔬 oncology

Individualised but Specific Exercise Training Improves Physiologic Reserve and Reduces Frailty in Older Adults with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia: A 12-Week Pragmatic Randomised Controlled Trial.

This 12-week pragmatic randomised controlled trial demonstrates that a highly individualised exercise programme, whether delivered via remote support or full supervision, significantly improves frailty, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular strength in older adults with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Miles, E., Hulton, A. T., Jeary, C., Li, L., Fielding, B., Zaheer, U., Manders, R., Stratton, E., Walewska, R., Iyengar (…)2026-08-03
🔬 oncology

Germline NF2 variant position constrains somatic second hits and determines clinical severity in Neurofibromatosis Type 2-related schwannomatosis

This study demonstrates that in Neurofibromatosis Type 2-related schwannomatosis, the specific location of a germline *NF2* variant dictates clinical severity and constrains the nature of somatic second hits, revealing a compensatory mechanism where severe germline mutations are associated with milder somatic variants that partly explains the disease's variable expressivity.

Ravindra, N., Asuzu, D. T., Celano, E., Kumar, S., Chopra, A., Mandal, D., Mullaney, D., Bhatt, D., Laws, M. T., Hayes (…)2026-07-28
🔬 oncology

Intraoperative copy number profiling from ultra-low coverage long-read sequencing for molecular tumor assessment

The paper introduces CNVisor, a statistical framework that enables rapid, intraoperative genome-wide copy number variation profiling of CNS tumors using ultra-low coverage long-read sequencing within 20 minutes, thereby facilitating real-time, genomics-informed tumor classification and stratification.

Wang, G., Kubelt, C., Smicius, R., Zidane, K., Rohrandt, C., Brändl, B., Wong, D., Steiger, M., Lum, A., Evers, M., Sch (…)2026-07-23