Medulloblastomas (MBs) are the most common malignant brain tumors in pediatric patients. Among the different types of MBs, those driven by MYC amplification present the worst prognosis. In a recent study published in Nature Communications, scientists from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and collaborators investigated the molecular and genetic events triggering MYC amplification and malignant transformation in MBs, which remained previously unclear.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) with mutations in B-cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1) present poor outcomes and extensive dissemination. Missense mutations of BTG1 are specific to germinal center-derived B cell lymphomas, which suggests an oncogenic function that depends on the specific cellular context. In a recent study published in Science, researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and collaborators investigated how BTG1 mutations further contribute to the pathogenesis of these tumors.

In cancer cells that aberrantly express cystine transporter solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), high rates of cystine uptake and cystine reduction to cysteine occur. When combined with glucose starvation, this results in a massive accumulation of intracellular disulfide molecules and rapid cell death. However, the mechanisms underlying this type of cell death remain unclear.