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As one of just two NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in Virginia, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is at the forefront of the nation’s cancer research efforts. As Massey celebrates 50 years of fueling innovation in cancer research, scientists at Massey continue 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 March and April 2024.

PUBLISHED RESEARCH

Combination therapy could be effective option for gynecologic tumors

Massey research members: Andrew Poklepovic, M.D., Paul Dent, Ph.D., and Dipankar Bandyopadhyay, Ph.D.
Journal: Anti-Cancer Drugs
Publication date: Mar. 8, 2024

A recent study set out to establish the recommended phase 2 dose for regorafenib in combination with sildenafil for patients with advanced solid tumors. The findings indicated that the combination treatment administered at the recommended phase 2 dose is safe and generally well tolerated and that disease control in patients with gynecologic tumors was especially encouraging. The study authors suggest that further evaluation of the combination of regorafenib and sildenafil in gynecologic malignancies is warranted.

VCU collaborators: Xiaoyan Deng, M.S., Sarah Gordon, D.O., Daniel Hudson, Maciej Kmieciak, Ph.D., Sejal Kothadia, M.D., William McGuire, M.D., Alison Ryan, ANP, Ellen Shrader, Steven Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Leroy Thacker, Ph.D., and Mary Beth Tombes, ACNP

Scientists identify key mechanism involved in breast tumor resistance to treatment

Massey research member: Yuesheng Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.
Journal: Drug Resistance Updates
Publication date: Mar. 13, 2024

This study unraveled a key mechanism by which cancer cells develop resistance to standard treatment and shows that a drug that targets the degradation of both HER2 and EGFR is highly effective in overcoming drug resistance in breast cancer. The findings provide new insights and innovations for advancing treatment of drug-resistant HER2-positive breast cancer that remains an unmet problem.

VCU collaborators: Lu Yang, Ph.D., Arup Bhattacharya, Ph.D., Yun Li, M.S., Darrell Peterson, Ph.D., and Valentina Robila, M.D., Ph.D.

Study suggests proteasome inhibitors could be effective in lung cancer

Massey research member: Larisa Litovchick, M.D., Ph.D.
Journal: Frontiers in Oncology
Publication date: Apr. 9, 2024

Despite therapeutic advances in recent years, new treatment strategies are needed to improve outcomes of lung cancer patients. Mutations in the p53 gene are prevalent in lung cancers, drive several hallmarks of cancer and are often predictors of a poorer prognosis. New findings suggest that proteasome inhibitors could have therapeutic implications in some subsets of non-small cell lung cancer with p53 mutations.

Study points to NRF1 as promising target in cancer treatment

Massey research member: Senthil Radhakrishnan, Ph.D.
Journal: Journal of Cell Biology
Publication date: Apr. 24, 2024

Cells exposed to proteotoxic stress — stress that disrupts the normal function of proteins — undergo adaptive responses aimed at restoring normal and balanced protein function. Recent study findings point to a significantly expanded role of the NRF1 gene in shaping the cellular response to proteotoxic stress. Additionally, they provide a stronger justification for targeting the NRF1 pathway to increase the efficacy of proteasome inhibitors in the treatment of certain types of cancer, including multiple myeloma.

VCU collaborators: Madison Ward, Holly Byers, Nayyerehalsadat Hosseini, Hatem Elif Kamber Kaya, Ph.D., and Janakiram Vangala

Scientists further understanding of liver biology that could inform new treatments for cancer

Massey research members: Devanand Sarkar, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., Jinze Liu, Ph.D., and Jolene Windle, Ph.D.
Journal: Journal of Biological Chemistry
Publication date: Apr. 25, 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer and poses a global health burden due to its increasing incidence and mortality rates. A new study determined that a specific genetic mutation exhibits zone-specific differential gene expression, which might contribute to the onset of HCC. These findings not only expand the scientific understanding of liver biology, but also provide specific insights into the molecular intricacies of liver cancer, which could potentially inform the development of new targeted therapies and personalized treatment strategies.

VCU collaborators: Xufeng Qu, M.S., Alissa Saverino, Ali Gawi Ermi, Debashri Manna, Ph.D., Rachel Mendoza, Suchismita Raha, and Mark Subler, Ph.D.

PUBLISHED EDITORIALS

Chief of breast surgery pens editorial on axillary dissection

Massey research member: Kandace McGuire, M.D.
Journal: New England Journal of Medicine
Publication date: Apr. 3, 2024

Kandace McGuire, M.D., authored an editorial on the use of axillary lymph node dissection in breast cancer treatment. The paper serves as an editorial accompaniment to findings from a clinical trial also published in the journal, which found no statistical advantage of using axillary-lymph-node dissection over sentinel-node biopsy in breast cancer patients.

"It is clear that the role of axillary dissection is rapidly disappearing," McGuire wrote. "However, axillary staging continues to be vital with regard to decisions about appropriate breast cancer therapy."

PUBLISHED COMMENTARIES

Top advances of the year: Cervical cancer

Massey research member: Leslie Randall, M.D.
Journal: Cancer
Publication date: Apr. 23, 2024

This article presents the exciting and practice-changing data presented in 2023 that will allow all patients with cervical cancer better progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), along with stable or improved quality of life. This paper also discusses the important efforts to improve ethnic and racial diversity in cervical cancer clinical research, while also recognizing there is more work to be done in this area.

Written by: Blake Belden