In this Review, Kennel and Greten highlight the role of immune cells in colorectal cancer (CRC) development, progression and metastasis as well as the impact of therapies on the immune microenvironment. They emphasize the need for novel strategies to enhance immunogenicity and CRC patient stratification to improve outcomes.

Neurotoxicity impacting the central and peripheral nervous systems is a considerable adverse effect of both conventional and novel cancer therapies. In this Review, Karschnia et al. outline what is currently known about the mechanisms that underlie the clinical symptoms of central nervous system injury and peripheral neuropathy and the ongoing development of interventions to treat and prevent this unmet medical need.

Nature Reviews Cancer, Published online: 24 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41568-025-00892-xMacropinocytosis enables cancer cells to absorb nutrients from their environment, supporting growth and therapy resistance. In this Review, Tang, Wang, Kroemer and Kang outline its regulatory mechanisms, implications for treatment strategies and potential as a target for enhancing therapeutic efficacy in oncology.

In this Journal Club, Basurto-Lozada and Robles-Espinoza discuss a study that challenges the prevailing view of a monoclonal origin of cancer by showing that early lesions in mouse models of colorectal cancer are polyclonal.

This Review by Imianowski et al. outlines the various contributions that regulatory T cells, present in the tumour microenvironment, make towards tumour progression and highlight the ways in which they represent attractive next-generation immunotherapeutic targets.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) influence cancer initiation, progression and metastasis through immunosuppressive mechanisms within the tumour microenvironment. In this Review, Shahzad et al. highlight our recent understanding of NET biology in cancer and emphasize both the translational data available and the need for further clinical trials evaluating NETs and NET-directed therapies.

Nature Reviews Cancer, Published online: 14 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41568-025-00895-8In this Journal Club, Basurto-Lozada and Robles-Espinoza discuss a study that challenges the prevailing view of a monoclonal origin of cancer by showing that early lesions in mouse models of colorectal cancer are polyclonal.

In this Perspective, de Magalhães explores the evolutionary relationship between cancer and ageing, proposing that the need to minimize cancer risk early in life may contribute to tissue degeneration later on, representing a trade-off that constrains the evolution of longer lifespans.

Nature Reviews Cancer, Published online: 12 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41568-025-00888-7Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) influence cancer initiation, progression and metastasis through immunosuppressive mechanisms within the tumour microenvironment. In this Review, Shahzad et al. highlight our recent understanding of NET biology in cancer and emphasize both the translational data available and the need for further clinical trials evaluating NETs and NET-directed therapies.

Transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms governing T cell exhaustion substantially impact immunotherapy effectiveness. In this Review, Kang et al. outline epigenetic regulatory programmes that influence T cell differentiation fates, proposing strategies to enhance clinical outcomes and immunotherapy durability in cancer through improved understanding of T cell biology.

In a recent study, Mohri et al. reveal how melanocyte stem cells integrate distinct genotoxic signals through niche-derived KITL to drive either hair greying or melanomagenesis.

Nature Reviews Cancer, Published online: 03 November 2025; doi:10.1038/s41568-025-00891-yIn a recent study, Mohri et al. reveal how melanocyte stem cells integrate distinct genotoxic signals through niche-derived KITL to drive either hair greying or melanomagenesis.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an independent risk factor for developing extra-hepatic cancers. Now, Li et al. uncover an exosome-driven metabolic connection between the steatotic liver and the breast that fosters cancer progression.

FLASH radiotherapy demonstrates reduced complications in healthy tissues while effectively targeting tumours. In this Perspective, Vozenin et al. review the clinical implications, mechanistic basis and provide novel hypotheses for FLASH efficacy.

Nature Reviews Cancer, Published online: 27 October 2025; doi:10.1038/s41568-025-00883-yTranscriptional and epigenetic mechanisms governing T cell exhaustion substantially impact immunotherapy effectiveness. In this Review, Kang et al. outline epigenetic regulatory programmes that influence T cell differentiation fates, proposing strategies to enhance clinical outcomes and immunotherapy durability in cancer through improved understanding of T cell biology.

Nature Reviews Cancer, Published online: 24 October 2025; doi:10.1038/s41568-025-00887-8Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an independent risk factor for developing extra-hepatic cancers. Now, Li et al. uncover an exosome-driven metabolic connection between the steatotic liver and the breast that fosters cancer progression.

Nature Reviews Cancer, Published online: 24 October 2025; doi:10.1038/s41568-025-00878-9FLASH radiotherapy demonstrates reduced complications in healthy tissues while effectively targeting tumours. In this Perspective, Vozenin et al. review the clinical implications, mechanistic basis and provide novel hypotheses for FLASH efficacy.

Large biobank projects such as FinnGen have enabled systematic searches for inherited factors that causally influence a wide range of human traits, including cancer risk and outcome. These explorations provide genetic insights for various aspects of cancer research, including improved risk prediction, enhanced biomarker and drug target discovery, and personalized medicine.

This Review by Imianowski et al. outlines the various contributions that regulatory T cells, present in the tumour microenvironment, make towards tumour progression and highlight the ways in which they represent attractive next-generation immunotherapeutic targets.

Understanding the complex relationship between ageing and cancer is crucial for cancer risk prediction. In this Comment, LaBarge and Binder explore how tissue-specific ageing biomarkers can enhance cancer risk stratification and highlight the need for tailored approaches in assessing susceptibility across different tissues.