Recent studies have revealed novel mechanisms and therapeutic targets underpinning cancer progression and treatment response. Advances include the development of a machine learning model predicting nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiosensitivity, the discovery of molecular drivers such as SPON2 in osteosarcoma and CircRFWD3 signaling in head and neck cancer metastasis, and the identification of IRP2 disruption enhancing breast cancer radiosensitivity. Innovative approaches also involve oncolytic virus therapies showing promise in pediatric brain tumors and AI-designed cancer-targeting immune proteins accelerating personalized treatment timelines.