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As Massey closed out its 50th anniversary of fueling innovation in cancer research, scientists at the center continued to conduct cutting-edge, laboratory-based basic, population, and clinical and translational-focused research to advance improved approaches to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. Continue reading to learn more about publications from Massey researchers in October, November and December 2024.

PUBLISHED RESEARCH

Clinical trial evaluates lymphedema risk associated with more convenient form of radiation therapy for breast cancer

Massey research members: Alfredo Urdaneta, M.D., Douglas Arthur, M.D., Todd Adams, M.D., and Nitai Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D.
Journal: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
Publication date: Oct. 1, 2024

Moderate hypofractionated radiation is a form of radiation therapy administered in higher doses over a shorter period than standard radiation therapy, offering more convenient and shorter treatment times for patients. However, the unknown risk of lymphedema—tissue swelling caused by the buildup of lymphatic fluid—associated with this form of treatment in lymph node-positive breast cancer has limited its universal clinical use. The phase 2 HeNRIetta Trial set out to evaluate this risk, and findings indicated that there is not sufficient evidence of increased lymphedema risk, endorsing this beneficial treatment option in the clinic for patients with node-positive breast cancer.

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Study suggests targeted combination treatment could be effective in multiple myeloma

Massey research member: Steven Grant, M.D.
Journal: British Journal of Haematology
Publication date: Oct. 8, 2024

The STAT3 transcription factor plays a key role in tumor development and drug resistance in diverse cancer cell types but appears to play a particularly critical role in the survival of multiple myeloma cells. Findings from a recent study suggest that an innovative combination treatment targeting STAT3 warrants attention as a new therapeutic strategy in multiple myeloma. 

VCU collaborators: Xiaoyun Hu, Ph.D., Lin Li, Maciej Kmieciak, Hashim Mann, M.D., Jewel Nkwocha and Liang Zhou

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Researchers develop digital intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening among Black men in Virginia

Massey research member: Maria Thomson, Ph.D., and Vanessa Sheppard, Ph.D.
Journal: JMIR Formative Research
Publication date: Oct. 10, 2024

Compared to males of all other races or ethnicities, Black men have the lowest rates of colorectal cancer screening participation, which contributes to later-stage diagnoses and greater mortality. In an effort to increase screening rates among Black men in Virginia, Massey research members were part of a team that translated an existing intervention into a digital, self-paced, tailored intervention in the form of a downloadable app, with links to local community clinics.

VCU collaborators: Sherrick Hill and Guleer Shahab, M.P.H.

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Design and synthesis of small molecule probes of MDA-9/Syntenin

Massey research members: Umesh Desai, Ph.D., Swadesh Das, Ph.D., and Paul B. Fisher, M.Ph., Ph.D.
Journal: Biomolecules
Publication date: Oct. 12, 2024

MDA-9/Syntenin, a key scaffolding protein and a molecular hub involved in a diverse range of cell signaling responses, has proved to be a challenging target for the design and discovery of small molecule probes. A recent paper reported on the design and synthesis of small molecule ligands of this key protein. The design and synthesis strategies could help guide the design of advanced probes of MDA-9/Syntenin, which could be beneficial for the development of novel anticancer drugs.

VCU collaborators: Nehru Viji Sankaranarayanan, Ph.D., Sarah Lewicki, Balaji Nagarajan, Ph.D., and Bharath Kumar Villuri

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Combination therapy effective against specific lung cancer mutations

Massey research members: Hisashi Harada, Ph.D., Sumitra Deb, Ph.D., Swati Deb, Ph.D., Jennifer Koblinski, Ph.D., and Senthil Radhakrishnan, Ph.D
Journal: Cancer Research Communications
Publication date: Oct. 15, 2024

Non-small cell lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death due, in part, to a lack of active therapies for advanced disease. Findings from a recent study demonstrate that using a proteasome inhibitor, BH3-mimetic, in combination with chemotherapy is an active precision treatment option in lung tumors expressing Onc-p53 alleles.

VCU collaborators: Bin Hu, Ph.D., Vianna Lam, Victoria Neely and Bradford Windle, Ph.D.

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Scientists conduct comprehensive analysis of genetic variations among breast cancer subtypes

Massey research members: Chuck Harrell, Ph.D., Mikhail Dozmorov, Ph.D., and Jennifer Koblinski, Ph.D.
Journal: Clinical and Translational Medicine
Publication date: Oct. 17, 2024

Breast cancer's complex transcriptional landscape requires an improved understanding of cellular diversity to identify effective treatments for disease. The study of genetic variations among breast cancer subtypes at single-cell resolution has the potential to deepen scientific insights into cancer progression. A new analysis and reference will facilitate informed decision-making in preclinical research and therapeutic development. 

VCU collaborators: Julia Altman, David Boyd, Ph.D., Nicole Hairr, Bin Hu, Ph.D., Rachel Myrick, Amy Olex, Ph.D., Madhavi Puchalapalli, M.S., Carson Walker and Emily Zboril

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Small molecule inhibitor affects breast cancer drug resistance

Massey research member: David Gewirtz, Ph.D.
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Publication date: Oct. 22, 2024

Triple-negative breast cancer is associated with poor outcomes because it's an aggressive disease that lacks targetable receptors and often develops a resistance to chemotherapy. A new study suggests that a small molecule inhibitor called AU1 can enhance sensitivity to certain cancer therapies by interfering with a key mechanism responsible for drug resistance. 

VCU collaborators: Melanie Sinanian, Ahmed Elshazly, Glen Kellogg, Ph.D., Balaji Nagarajan, Ph.D., Victoria Neely and Afshan Rahman

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Study findings lay groundwork for improving lung cancer disparities

Massey research member: Robert A. Winn, M.D.
Journal: Frontiers in Immunology
Publication date: Nov. 10, 2024

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and Black/African American populations, in particular, experience the highest incidence and mortality rates in the U.S. A study aimed to explore gene expression patterns linked to different lung cancer patients, with the goal of developing predictive models for prognosis. The findings from this research lay the groundwork for future studies designed to improve personalized treatment strategies and address disparities in lung cancer outcomes among different racial and ethnic groups. 

VCU collaborators: Bin Zhu, Ph.D., Ching-Yi Chen, Ph.D., Chu-Fang Chou, Ph.D., Stephanie McHale, Gregory Riddick, Michelle Van Scoyk and Pei-Ying Wu

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Sugar-powered enzymes could serve as therapeutic target in cancer

Massey research member: Can Senkal, Ph.D.
Journal: Journal of Lipid Research
Publication date: Nov. 26, 2024

Sphingolipids are a family of lipids that play key roles in membrane structure and cellular signaling. A recent study identified that the glycosylation—addition of sugar molecules—of the enzyme ceramide synthase 6 (CerS6) is necessary for the generation of ceramide and cellular signaling. Ceramide is a type of sphingolipid that plays a role in a number of fundamental cellular functions. These findings suggest that the process of glycosylation in CerS6 is a potential therapeutic target for the modulation of genetic signaling in cancer models.

VCU collaborators: Alexandra Straus and Grace Mavodza, M.B.A., Ph.D.

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Genetic code deploys cancer mafia, new targeted drug gives them an offer they can’t refuse

Massey research members: Rajan Gogna, Ph.D., Esha Madan, Ph.D., Tytus Bernas, Ph.D., Swadesh Das, Ph.D., Paul Fisher, Ph.D., Adam Hawkridge, Ph.D., Michael Idowu, MBBS, Jennifer Koblinski, Ph.D., Andrew Poklepovic, M.D., Arun Sanyal, M.D., Jose Trevino, M.D., David Turner, Ph.D., and Robert A. Winn, M.D.
Journal: Nature Biotechnology
Publication date: Dec. 9, 2024

A group of scientists at Massey has revealed a new genetic code that acts like a cancer ringleader, recruiting and deploying a gang of tumor cells to incite a biological turf war by invading healthy organs and overpowering the normal cells. This discovery could unveil an entirely different understanding of the origins of cancer within the body, as well as offer groundbreaking insight into new treatment strategies that could target the growth of tumors in their earliest stages. The study authors have also developed an intravenous therapy that empowers healthy cells to mount an immune response and build up a defensive resistance against these invading tumor cells.

VCU collaborators: Karthikeya Bhoopathi, Praveen Bhoopathi, Ph.D., Gaurav Bilolikar, Sahil Chaudhary, MBBS, David Chelmow, M.D., Keshav Gogna, Gaurav Gupta, M.D., Kartik Gupta, Ph.D., Katherine Klein, M.D., Sambhav Khurana, Amit Kumar, Ph.D., Amy Lu, Charles Lyons, Santanu Maji, Ph.D., Padmanabhan Mannangatti, Ph.D., Antonio Palma, Anjan Pradhan, Ph.D., Karanvir Prakash, M.D., Hope Richard, M.D., Ph.D., Arjun Rijal, M.S., Sadia Sayeed, M.D., Kumari Shree, Vignesh Vudatha, M.D., Kyoung Jae Won and Dongyu Zhang, M.D.

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PUBLISHED REVIEWS

Resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma: Clinical implications and potential strategies to overcome the resistance

Massey research member: Devanand Sarkar, Ph.D.
Journal: Cancers
Publication date: Nov. 25, 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer, accounts for approximately 90% of all liver cancers. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are often used as the first or second line of treatment for advanced liver cancer. This review paper addresses the potential molecular mechanisms by which resistance to TKIs develop and identifies potential strategies to overcome them thereby providing prolonged survival benefit to HCC patients.

VCU collaborator: Ali Gawi Ermi

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The anti-AGEing and RAGEing potential of isothiocyanates

Massey research member: David Turner, Ph.D.
Journal: Molecules
Publication date: Dec. 19, 2024

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are naturally occurring molecules found in edible plants that have been studied extensively to define their therapeutic potential for the treatment of chronic health conditions. This review summarizes the current evidence supporting the observation that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of ITCs mitigate the cancer-causing effects of a group of reactive metabolites called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). 

VCU collaborators: Bradley Krisanits, Ph.D., and Bhoomika Kaur

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Written by: Blake Belden