Exploring CAFS covers all cores throughout the Preliminary and HSC Community and Family Studies course and two options from the HSC syllabus: Social Impact of Technology and Individuals and Work.

The inclusion of oncogene-driven reprogramming of energy metabolism within the list of cancer hallmarks (Hanahan and Weinberg, Cell 2000, 2011) has provided major impetus to further investigate the existence of a much wider metabolic rewiring in cancer cells, which not only includes deregulated cellular bioenergetics, but also encompasses multiple links with a more comprehensive network of altered biochemical pathways. This network is currently held responsible for redirecting carbon and phosphorus fluxes through the biosynthesis of nucleotides, amino acids, lipids and phospholipids and for the production of second messengers essential to cancer cells growth, survival and invasiveness in the hostile tumor environment. The capability to develop such a concerted rewiring of biochemical pathways is a versatile tool adopted by cancer cells to counteract the host defense and eventually resist the attack of anticancer treatments. Integrated efforts elucidating key mechanisms underlying this complex cancer metabolic reprogramming have led to the identification of new signatures of malignancy that are providing a strong foundation for improving cancer diagnosis and monitoring tumor response to therapy using appropriate molecular imaging approaches. In particular, the recent evolution of positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), spectroscopic imaging (MRSI), functional MR imaging (fMRI) and optical imaging technologies, combined with complementary cellular imaging approaches, have created new ways to explore and monitor the effects of metabolic reprogramming in cancer at clinical and preclinical levels. Thus, the progress of high-tech engineering and molecular imaging technologies, combined with new generation genomic, proteomic and phosphoproteomic methods, can significantly improve the clinical effectiveness of image-based interventions in cancer and provide novel insights to design and validate new targeted therapies. The Frontiers in Oncology Research Topic “Exploring Cancer Metabolic Reprogramming Through Molecular Imaging” focusses on current achievements, challenges and needs in the application of molecular imaging methods to explore cancer metabolic reprogramming, and evaluate its potential impact on clinical decisions and patient outcome. A series of reviews and perspective articles, along with original research contributions on humans and on preclinical models have been concertedly included in the Topic to build an open forum on perspectives, present needs and future challenges of this cutting-edge research area.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to enhance the understanding of bladder cancer and the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in its progression. We aim to identify CAF-specific biomarkers and develop a prognostic prediction model based on CAFs, thereby contributing to the advancement of treatment strategies and the identification of prognostic and predictive biomarkers for bladder cancer. Method: We employed single-cell RNA sequencing to detect biomarkers for CAFs in bladder cancer cells. Bladder cancer cohorts were categorized into low- and high-CAF groups using the ssGSEA algorithm. The study also explored the association between CAF-related scores, immune-related cells, and immune checkpoint-related genes. Furthermore, we performed GSVA analysis to understand the biological features of CAFs and their link to various cancer-related pathways. Result: Ten genes were identified as CAF markers in bladder cancer cells. A significant difference was found with 2712 differentially expressed genes between low-CAF and high-CAF tissues. The CAFs-based prognostic prediction model included nine genes (ALDH1L2, AL450384.2, EMP1, LINC02362, WFIKKN1, GOLGA8A, POU5F1, AL354919.2, PTPRR), which are potentially crucial in predicting bladder cancer prognosis. The GSVA analysis revealed the involvement of several cancer-related pathways, such as WNT, toll-like receptor, TGF-beta, MAPK, and MTOR signaling pathways, in the CAFs-based prognostic model. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant role of CAFs in the progression and prognosis of bladder cancer. The identified CAF biomarkers and the constructed prognostic model provide valuable insights for future research and potential therapeutic targets. CAF-dependent pathways are promising for the development of new treatments and improving the prognosis of bladder cancer patients.

According to the most recent projections of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there would be around 19.3 million new cases of cancer and 10 million cancer-related deaths globally in 2022. Cancer research has never halted. In particular, research into the cancer immunological microenvironment is gaining popularity.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. Effective treatment with acceptable outcomes is yet to be found, with chemo- and radioresistance comprising major impediments towards this goal. Although upfront surgery is the established therapeutic approach for resectable and borderline resectable disease, neoadjuvant treatment has recently monopolized the interest in clinical trials. This also applies to locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinomas that could potentially be rendered operable. Chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy are the most utilized therapeutic modalities in the neoadjuvant setting, while immunotherapy and targeting agents have been gaining significant attention. This critical review focuses on the clinical experience gained from retrospective and phase II/III randomized trials, reporting on the outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Moreover, the ongoing trials, including those that involve immunotherapy and targeting agents, are summarized.