LIUBOV HEORHIIVNA BUCHYNSKA.

Director of the R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Biological Sciences Professor Liubov Heorhiivna Buchynska celebrates her 75th anniversary   Liubov Heorhiivna Buchynska graduated from the Biological Department of the Taras Shevchenko State University in 1977 and has been working at the R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine since 1977. In 1996, she became the Scientific Secretary of the Institute, in 2001 - the Deputy Director, and in 2021 - Director of the Institute. In 1989, L. Buchynska  received her PhD degree and in 2012,  she defended her doctoral thesis "Endometrioid cancer: taxonomy of genetic alterations of cancer cells and their role in determining malignancy potential" and received her doctoral degree in specialty "oncology". Since 2003, she has headed the Laboratory of Oncogenetics (nowadays - the Department of Genetics of Cancer and Oncohematology). In 2020, L. Buchynska was given the title of Professor in Biology.  Prof. L. Buchynska is a well-known Ukrainian scientist in the field of oncogenetics and cytomorphology. Her long-term studies are characterized by a multidisciplinary approach to solving the problems of cancer biology and genetics. The innovation component occupies an important place in the fundamental studies by Prof. L. Buchynska aimed at implementing technologies for early and differential diagnosis of the precancerous and cancerous processes and assessing  the course of the disease in patients with malignancies of the organs of the female reproductive system. Prof. L. Buchynska has authored more than 250 scientific papers and 7 patents of Ukraine. She is a co-author of three monographs. She pays special attention to research-and-organizational and educational activities and training of young researchers. She has supervised five PhD theses. For the last 10 years, she has been collaborating with the Bogomolets National Medical University lecturing biology.  Prof. L. Buchynska is the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the "Experimental Oncology" and "Oncology" journals, a member of the Scientific Council on the Problems of Malignant Neoplasms, a member of the Board of the National Association of Ukrainian Oncologists and the Non-governmental Organization "Ukrainian Society for Cancer Research". Prof. L. Buchynska was awarded the Bogomolets Prize of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and a Certificate of Merit of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. She was decorated with the Medal of Honor of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine "For Scientific Achievements". Holding the helm of the Institute in difficult times for our country, Liubov Heorhiivna is doing her best for a noble goal - fighting cancer. The administration and staff of the Institute have a great pleasure to congratulate Liubov Heorhiivna on her 75th anniversary and wish her good health, creative inspiration, and new scientific achievements.   Administration and staff of the R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Editorial Board of Experimental Oncology.

Bringing the Genomic Revolution to Comparative Oncology: Human and Dog Cancers.

Dogs are humanity's oldest friend, the first species we domesticated 20,000-40,000 years ago. In this unequaled collaboration, dogs have inadvertently but serendipitously been molded into a potent human cancer model. Unlike many common model species, dogs are raised in the same environment as humans and present with spontaneous tumors with human-like comorbidities, immunocompetency, and heterogeneity. In breast, bladder, blood, and several pediatric cancers, in-depth profiling of dog and human tumors has established the benefits of the dog model. In addition to this clinical and molecular similarity, veterinary studies indicate that domestic dogs have relatively high tumor incidence rates. As a result, there are a plethora of data for analysis, the statistical power of which is bolstered by substantial breed-specific variability. As such, dog tumors provide a unique opportunity to interrogate the molecular factors underpinning cancer and facilitate the modeling of new therapeutic targets. This review discusses the emerging field of comparative oncology, how it complements human and rodent cancer studies, and where challenges remain, given the rapid proliferation of genomic resources. Increasingly, it appears that human's best friend is becoming an irreplaceable component of oncology research.

The impact of Black founding fathers on the specialty of gynecologic oncology.

INTRODUCTION: The formative period of the specialty of gynecologic oncology was from 1968 to 1972 and became a board-certified specialty in 1973. During this formation there were no Black physicians participating in this process. We chronicle and document the incorporation of the first three board-certified Black physicians in the specialty of gynecologic oncology here for historical purposes. METHODS: We highlight the hostile climate experienced by Black physicians before and during the formation of gynecologic oncology, review the acceptance and training of the first three Black physicians in the specialty and recognize their significant contributions to the field. RESULTS: The biographies and the narrative of these men describe their impact and contribution to medicine. We chronicle the historic presence of the first board-certified Black gynecologic oncologists and pelvic surgeons in the United States. CONCLUSION: These three men represent the Black Founding Fathers of gynecologic oncology. Their perseverance in the face of adversity and commitment to excellence have left an indelible impact on the institutions that they developed, the individuals that they trained, and the patients that they served.

The AANS/CNS Section on Tumors: a summary of 40 years of advocacy to advance the care of patients with brain and spine tumors.

The AANS/CNS Section on Tumors was founded 40 years ago in 1984 to assist in the education of neurosurgeons interested in neuro-oncology, and serves as a resource for other national organizations regarding the clinical treatment of nervous system tumors. The Section on Tumors was the first national physicians' professional organization dedicated to the study and treatment of patients with brain and spine tumors. Over the past 40 years, the Section on Tumors has built solid foundations, including establishing the tumor section satellite meetings, founding the Journal of Neuro-Oncology (the first medical journal dedicated to brain and spine surgical oncology), advancing surgical neuro-oncology education and research, promoting neurosurgical involvement in neuro-oncology clinical trials, and advocating for patients with brain and spine tumors. This review provides a synopsis of the Section on Tumors' history, its challenges, and its opportunities, drawing on the section's archives and input from the 17 section chairs who led it during its first 40 years.

Remembering Edmund Klein: the Father of Immunotherapy

Edmund Klein’s seminal research in oncology transformed medicine. He would now be 100 years old. This extraordinary physician–scientist has been dubbed the Father of Immunotherapy and was honored with the highest American recognition in medicine, the Lasker Award, often a prelude to the Nobel Prize (AU)

A Century of Fractionated Radiotherapy: How Mathematical Oncology Can Break the Rules.

Radiotherapy is involved in 50% of all cancer treatments and 40% of cancer cures. Most of these treatments are delivered in fractions of equal doses of radiation (Fractional Equivalent Dosing (FED)) in days to weeks. This treatment paradigm has remained unchanged in the past century and does not account for the development of radioresistance during treatment. Even if under-optimized, deviating from a century of successful therapy delivered in FED can be difficult. One way of exploring the infinite space of fraction size and scheduling to identify optimal fractionation schedules is through mathematical oncology simulations that allow for in silico evaluation. This review article explores the evidence that current fractionation promotes the development of radioresistance, summarizes mathematical solutions to account for radioresistance, both in the curative and non-curative setting, and reviews current clinical data investigating non-FED fractionated radiotherapy.

Introducing new group leaders: Leanne Li.

Leanne Li tells us about the research in her recently established group at the Francis Crick Institute in London, her search for a multidisciplinary institute, and how her own varied background came together to study the emerging field of cancer neuroscience. She shares advice for applying, her experience of remote hiring, and how diversity, both academically and culturally, stimulates creativity.

Introducing new group leaders: Christina Towers.

Christina Towers discusses her search for a collaborative institute and why she chose the Salk, San Diego, to establish her lab studying autophagy in cancer. She shares her advice for applying, the importance of identifying what you want, tackling the perceived requirement for geographic mobility, and her hope to hire people who share her curiosity and love of asking questions.

25-year perspective on prostate cancer: Conquering frontiers and understanding tumor biology.

Major changes in the field of prostate cancer over the last 25 years include the implementation of prostate specific antigen screening and the recognition that BRCA confers hereditary risk of prostate cancer. Quality of life and survivorship have driven risk stratification for localized prostate cancer, facilitated by molecular signatures and leading to increased acceptance of active surveillance as a mainstream treatment option. Advances in technology have improved efficacy and reduced toxicity in both radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer. Improved understanding of the androgen receptor has yielded substantially more effective therapies. Future growth areas include personalized treatment based on genomic and genetic information, theranostics radiopharmaceuticals, and more aggressive treatment of metastatic disease to include focal therapy. Multidisciplinary management between specialized urologists, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists remains central to maximizing patient outcomes.

Ernst von Leyden (1832-1910): a pioneer in making oncology a respected medical discipline.

PURPOSE: This article presents new research on the role of the renowned German physician Ernst von Leyden (1832-1910) in the emergence of oncology as a scientific discipline. METHODS: The article draws on archival sources from the archive of the German Society of Haematology and primary and secondary literature. RESULTS: Leyden initiated two important events in the early history of oncology: the first international cancer conference, which took place in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1906, and the founding of the first international association for cancer research (forerunner of today's UICC) in Berlin in 1908. Unfortunately, these facts are not mentioned in the most recent accounts. Both had a strong impact on the professionalization of oncology as a discipline in its own right. CONCLUSION: Although not of Jewish origin, von Leyden was considered by the National Socialists to be "Jewish tainted", which had a lasting effect on his perception at home and abroad.

A clinical approach to parasellar lesions in the transition age.

Many reviews have summarised the pathology and management of the parasellar region in adult patients, although an analysis of these aspects in the transition years, from puberty onset to the age of peak bone mass, has been lacking. A comprehensive search of English-language original articles, published from 2000 to 2020, was conducted in the MEDLINE database (December 2019 to March 2020). We selected all studies regarding epidemiology, diagnosis and management of the following parasellar lesions: germinoma, craniopharyngioma, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, optic glioma, hypothalamic hamartoma, tuber cinereum hamartoma, cranial chordoma, Rathke cleft cyst, hypophysitis and hypothalamitis during the transition age from childhood to adulthood. In the present review, we provide an overview of the principal parasellar lesions occurring in the transition age. Symptoms are usually a result of the mass effect of the lesions on nearby structures, as well as anterior pituitary deficits. Diabetes insipidus occurs frequently in these patients. In this age group, pubertal developmental disorders may be more evident compared to other stages of life. Parasellar lesions in the transition age mostly include neoplastic lesions such as germinomas, hamartomas, optic gliomas, craniopharyngiomas Langerhans cell histiocytosis and chordomas, and rarely inflammatory lesions (hypophysitis, hypothalamitis). There are limited data on the management of parasellar lesions in the transition age. Endocrine evaluation is crucial for identifying conditions that require hormonal treatment so that they can be treated early to improve the quality of life of the individual patient in this complex age range. The clinical approach to parasellar lesions involves a multidisciplinary effort.

Why so few Nobel Prizes for cancer researchers? An analysis of Nobel Prize nominations for German physicians with a focus on Ernst von Leyden and Karl Heinrich Bauer.

PURPOSE: To date, 11 scientists have received the Nobel Prize for discoveries directly related to cancer research. This article provides an overview of cancer researchers nominated for the Nobel Prize from 1901 to 1960 with a focus on Ernst von Leyden (1832-1910), the founder of this journal, and Karl Heinrich Bauer (1890-1978). METHODS: We collected nominations and evaluations in the archive of the Nobel committee of physiology or medicine in Sweden to identify research trends and to analyse oncology in a Nobel Prize context. RESULTS: We found a total of 54 nominations citing work on cancer as motivation for 11 candidates based in Germany from 1901 to 1953. In the 1930s, the US became the leading nation of cancer research in a Nobel context with nominees like Harvey Cushing (1869-1939) and George N. Papanicolaou (1883-1962). DISCUSSION: The will of Alfred Nobel stipulates that Nobel laureates should have "conferred the greatest benefit to mankind". Why were then so few cancer researchers recognized with the Nobel medal from 1901 to 1960? Our analysis of the Nobel dossiers points at multiple reasons: (1) Many of the proposed cancer researchers were surgeons, and surgery has a weak track record in a Nobel context; (2) several scholars were put forward for clinical work and not for basic research (historically, the Nobel committee has favoured basic researchers); (3) the scientists were usually not nominated for a single discovery, but rather for a wide range of different achievements.

Pathfinders in oncology from the time the causal relation between tobacco use and lung cancer was established to publication of the first Cancer Staging Manual by the American Joint Committee on Cancer.

During the period from 1962 to 1977, several antigens, notably carcinoembryonic antigen and prostate-specific antigen, were discovered and entered clinical use. Ultrasonography, positron emission tomography scanning, and magnetic resonance imaging were introduced, and adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy after limited surgery became routine procedures. Radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemistry techniques were standardized. The announcement in England and the United States that tobacco is a potent lung carcinogen was long delayed, important news. The US Cancer Act of 1971 made it possible to experiment with newly discovered drugs, transfer promising therapeutic agents from the laboratory to the clinic, and finance randomized clinical trials. Oncologists achieved a series of successes with combination chemotherapy in childhood cancers, adult lymphomas, and testis tumors. Clinical trials demonstrated that breast-conserving therapy is as effective as mastectomy. The discovery of retroviruses, reverse transcriptase, and vascular endothelial growth factor was coupled with learning about oncogenes. The 2-hit theory and the reciprocal translocation of chromosomes helped to solve some of the riddles of oncogenesis. The staging classification of cancers by the American Joint Committee on Cancer unified clinical and pathologic handling and prognostication of malignant tumors. The progress made in oncology between 1962 and 1977 came about through the dedicated work of many individuals. However, there were 9 pathfinders (3 medical oncologists, 2 surgeons, 1 medical nuclear physicist, 1 pediatrician geneticist, 1 hematologist geneticist, and 1 virologist) who, despite their diverse backgrounds, personalities, and interest, made extraordinary contributions to oncology.

Black in Cancer: An interview with founders Sigourney Bell and Henry J. Henderson.

We talk to Sigourney Bell and Henry J. Henderson about what motivated them to found Black in Cancer, the importance of community and representation, as well as the resources the organization provides, future directions, and how we and our readers can provide support.

Research trends for papillary thyroid carcinoma from 2010 to 2019: A systematic review and bibliometrics analysis.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid carcinoma comprises the fastest rising incidence of carcinomas over the past decade. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most predominant type of thyroid carcinoma. This study aimed to assess the research trends in the field of PTC. METHODS: Publications from January 2010 to December 2019 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database using Thompson Reuters. Searching strategies were determined according to Medical Subject Heading terms. Different kinds of bibliometrics software, such as HistCite and VOSviewer, and online bibliometrics analysis platforms were utilized to evaluate and visualize the results. RESULTS: A total of 8102 publications across 93 countries were identified, with the annual number of publications showing an increasing trend. The United States, China, and South Korea showed their dominant position in PTC publication outputs, H-index, total citations, and international collaborations. Thyroid was the most productive journal. Akira Miyauchi published the most articles, and the most productive institution was Yonsei University. The hotspots keywords proliferation, invasion and metastasis, diagnoses and prognoses, therapeutic resistance, recurrence, and microcarcinomas appeared earlier and were sustained over the last 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: This bibliometric study provides a comprehensive analysis delineating the scientific productivity, collaboration, and research hotspots within the PTC field, which will be very helpful when focusing on the direction of research over the next few years.

Fertility preservation in men and women: Where are we in 2021? Are we rising to the challenge?

Demand for fertility preservation in women for oncologic, nononcologic, and personal reasons has increased dramatically. Meeting that demand is a major challenge, and we are rising to the challenge. Mature oocyte cryopreservation after ovarian stimulation and ovarian tissue cryopreservation are both methods endorsed by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (formerly The American Fertility Society), and numerous papers confirmed their efficacy. In girls and women with leukemia or cancers who are at a high risk of ovarian metastasis and who may not be eligible for ovarian tissue transplantation, restoration of fertility can only be achieved by in vitro methods. Male fertility preservation has also become a pressing issue and is extensively reviewed in the present journal issue.