Advancements in the Understanding of Small-Cell Neuroendocrine Cervical Cancer: Where We Stand and What Lies Ahead

Advances in cervical cancer: current insights and future directions

In alignment with the World Health Organization's strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, substantial progress has been made in the treatment of this malignancy. Cervical cancer, largely driven by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, is considered preventable and manageable because of its well-established etiology. Advancements in precision screening technologies, such as DNA methylation triage, HPV integration detection, liquid biopsies, and artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostics, have augmented traditional screening methods such as HPV nucleic acid testing and cytology. Therapeutic strategies aimed at eradicating HPV and reversing precancerous lesions have been refined as pivotal measures for disease prevention. The controversy surrounding surgery for early-stage cervical cancer revolves around identifying optimal candidates for minimally invasive and conservative procedures without compromising oncological outcomes. Recent clinical trials have yielded promising results for the development of systemic therapies for advanced cervical cancer. Immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and targeted therapy have demonstrated significant effectiveness, marking a substantial advancement in cervical cancer management. Various combination therapies have been validated, and ongoing trials aim to enhance outcomes through the development of novel drugs and optimized combination regimens. The prospect of eradicating cervical cancer as the first malignancy to be eliminated is now within reach. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the latest scientific insights, with a particular focus on precision managements for various stages of cervical disease, and explore future research directions in cervical cancer.

Single-cell RNA sequencing highlights the unique tumor microenvironment of small cell neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma

Small cell neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma is a highly aggressive tumor characterized by early metastasis, a high recurrence rate, and poor prognosis. This study represents the first instance of single-cell sequencing conducted on small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix worldwide. Analysis of gene expression regulatory networks revealed that the transcription factor TFF3 drived up-regulation of ELF3. Furthermore, our findings indicated that the neuroendocrine marker genes and gene regulatory networks associated with small cell neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma differed from those observed in lung, small intestine, and liver neuroendocrine carcinoma within the GEO database, suggesting tissue-specific origins for these malignancies. Overall, this study addresses a significant research in understanding small cell neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma in vivo and provides valuable insights for guiding radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.