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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. Scientists at Massey 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 July, August and September 2026.

PUBLISHED RESEARCH

Reduced expression of receptor and calcium signaling genes in gray matter associated with cancer-related cognitive impairment

• Massey research members: Sarah Braun, Ph.D., and Oxana Palesh, Ph.D.
• Journal: Supportive Care in Cancer
• Publication date: July 6, 2026

Cognitive decline is common after cancer, but little is known regarding the causes of this adverse effect, especially in terms of molecular mechanisms. This study obtained brain imaging and cognitive testing from newly diagnosed women with primary breast cancer prior to any cancer treatment. The researchers found that gene expression involved in neurotransmission is disrupted in the brain among patients with breast cancer and may contribute to cognitive changes.

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Researchers examine how rural living relates to well-being among cancer survivors

• Massey research members: Bernard Fuemmeler, MPH, Ph.D., and Carrie Miller, Ph.D.
• Journal: Cancer Causes & Control
• Publication date: July 9, 2026

Rural cancer survivors consistently experience poorer health outcomes than urban survivors. This study examines how rural versus urban residence and neighborhood disadvantage relate to obesity, smoking and psychological well-being among cancer survivors.

VCU collaborators: Anita Kumar, Ph.D., D. Jeremy Barsell, MS, Joseph Boyle, Ph.D., and Reyna Han

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Antibody-drug conjugate found to promote tumor cell senescence

• Massey research member: David Gewirtz, Ph.D.
• Journal: Molecular Pharmacology
• Publication date: July 21, 2026

Newly published research highlights sacituzumab govitecan (SG), an antibody-drug conjugate approved for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer and HR-positive breast cancer. Their studies provide evidence for senescence in response to SG and found that one central component of the tumor cell response to SG is a transient senescence-associated growth arrest that can generate a pool of surviving tumor cells with the potential to contribute to disease recurrence.

VCU collaborators: Eesha Chakraborty, Ph.D., Melanie Sinanian, Ph.D., and Afshan Rahman

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Electronic nicotine use and weight-related intentions among high school students

• Massey research members: Caroline Cobb, Ph.D.
• Journal: Substance Use & Misuse
• Publication date: July 22, 2026

Electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use remains the most commonly used nicotine product among adolescents in the U.S. This study found that ENDS use was significantly associated with intentions to lose, gain and maintain weight among adolescents, and the authors suggest that prevention and intervention efforts should consider addressing weight-related motivations.

VCU collaborators: Gabrielle Maldonado and Catherine Wall, Ph.D.

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DNA methyltransferase inhibitors achieve tumor regression in models of triple-negative breast cancer

• Massey research members: Rebecca K. Martin, Ph.D., and Harry D. Bear, M.D., Ph.D.
• Journal: Cancers
• Publication date: Aug. 2, 2026

A recently published study found that adding DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) treatments can overcome treatment resistance in models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Their findings suggest that DNMTi may alter TNBC, making them more responsive to existing ICB treatments.

VCU collaborators: S. Jennifer Wang, Carolyn Haynes, M.D., Laura Graham, Akhila Kunuthuru, Gina Tuzzolo, Anaya Surve, Madison Isbell and Jian He

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Predicting markers of radiation toxicity in breast cancer

• Massey research members: Bridget Quinn, M.D., and Douglas Arthur, M.D.
• Journal: Frontiers in Oncology
• Publication date: Aug. 4, 2026

Radiation therapy is an essential tool in breast cancer management; however, variability in radiation-induced normal tissue damage remains a significant clinical challenge. This study identifies extracellular vesicle miRNAs as potential biomarkers of radiation-induced tissue toxicity. The findings support further investigation into their roles and clinical application in personalized radiation treatment.

VCU collaborators: Vasily Yakovlev, M.D., Ph.D., Mina McGinn and Christopher Rabender, Ph.D.

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Protein found to regulate cholesterol homeostasis to promote colorectal cancer progression and the cancer stem cell phenotype

• Massey research members: Bhaumik Patel, M.D.
• Journal: Molecular Cancer Research
• Publication date: Aug. 4, 2026

A new study conducted by researchers at VCU and Massey points to a specific protein, StarD5, and its role in colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer stem cell phenotypes. In the study, the research team found that StarD5 protein levels are significantly elevated in most human colorectal cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal mucosa. 

VCU collaborators: Daniel Rodriguez-Agudo, Ph.D., Rio S. Boothello, Ph.D., Shoja M. Haneefa, Ph.D., William M. Pandak, M.D., and Gregorio Gil, Ph.D.

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Depression and stress drive long-term fatigue for breast cancer survivors

• Massey research members: W. Gregory Hundley, M.D., Mary Helen Hackney, M.D., Jennifer Jordan, Ph.D., and Alexander Lucas, Ph.D.
• Journal: JAMA Network Open
• Publication date: Aug. 18, 2026

More than a third of women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer experience significant fatigue two years after starting their treatment. Researchers have long suspected this fatigue is linked to the cardiotoxic effects of chemotherapy that can damage the heart. However, new research suggests that depressive symptoms and stress provide a greater link to fatigue experienced by breast cancer survivors than changes in heart function.

VCU collaborators: Amy Ladd, Ph.D., Kristine Olson, Ph.D., Moriah Bellissimo, Ph.D., and F. Gerard Moeller, M.D.

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Researchers discover new strategy to target obesity and reduce the risk of cancer

• Massey research members: Christopher Green, Ph.D., Sarah Spiegel, Ph.D., and Katarzyna Tyc, Ph.D.
• Journal: Science Advances
• Publication date: Aug. 21, 2026

Obesity touches countless lives across the country and can lead to many other health complications. From August 2021-2023, the prevalence of obesity in adults in the U.S. was more than 40%. Recently published research found that targeting fat cells specifically with kinase 2 inhibitors could be a new strategy to combat obesity, and lower the risk of its comorbidities like cancer. 

VCU collaborators: Cynthia Weigel, Ph.D., Yadu Vijayan, Ph.D., and Christiane Carter

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Targeting glucosylceramide generation induces cancer cell death

• Massey research member: Can Senkal, Ph.D.
• Journal: Cell Death Discovery
• Publication date: Aug. 22, 2026

Higher expression of the sphingolipid metabolic enzyme glucosylceramide synthase (GCS), which converts ceramide to glucosylceramide (GlcCer), correlates with poor prognosis in cancer. This study demonstrates a previously unappreciated function for glucosylceramide and glycosphingolipids, probably independent of ceramide, in maintaining lysosome function and suggests that targeting GCS could be an effective strategy in the development of new cancer therapeutics.

VCU collaborators: Alexandra Straus, Ph.D., Sachin Kempelingaiah, MS, Stacey Nguyen and Sherina Premanandh

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Telehealth cognitive behavioral therapy shows promise for insomnia in adults with brain cancer

• Massey research members: Ashlee Loughan, Ph.D., Autumn Lanoye, Ph.D., and Nolan Wages, Ph.D.
• Journal: Neuro-Oncology Advances
• Publication date: Aug. 31, 2026

Sleep disturbance is common and undertreated in adults with primary brain tumors. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the first-line, non-pharmacological treatment, yet its benefit in neuro-oncology has not been evaluated. This feasibility study found that telehealth CBT-I is feasible, acceptable and shows a promising benefit in adults with primary brain tumors, particularly for improving insomnia.

VCU collaborators: Mary Bridgman, MS, Amber Fox,Youngdeok Kim and Christopher Kleva, Ph.D.

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Venetoclax-induced autophagy enhances treatment and overcomes resistance in leukemia

• Massey research members: Senthil Radhakrishnan, Ph.D., and Steven Grant, M.D.
• Journal: British Journal of Haematology
• Publication date: Sept. 2, 2026

Venetoclax is a cornerstone in the targeted treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). This research letter demonstrates how venetoclax-induced autophagy can enhance the efficacy of autophagy-targeting chimera technology in AML.

VCU collaborators: Ahmed Elshazly, BPharm, Nayyerehalsadat Hosseini, Ph.D., Xiaoyan Hu, Ph.D., and Janakiram Vangala

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Long-term comparative trajectories of health, behavioral and economic outcomes

• Massey research members: Oxana Palesh, Ph.D., and Susan Hong, M.D.
• Journal: PLOS One
• Publication date: Sept. 9, 2026

Although cancer survivorship involves interconnected changes in health, health behaviors, and economic well-being, few studies have comprehensively examined how these outcomes evolve before and after a cancer diagnosis within the same population over time. This study found that cancer diagnoses are associated with profound disruptions to many areas of life, from mental health and physical activity to employment and out-of-pocket medical spending.

VCU collaborators: Hui Cheng, Ph.D., and Aduse-Poku Livingstone, Ph.D., MPH

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Addressing death anxiety in caregivers of patients with malignant glioma

• Massey research member: Ashlee Loughan, Ph.D.
• Journal: Palliative & Supportive Care
• Publication date: Sept. 14, 2026

Results from a study suggest that Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) therapy may be beneficial for caregivers of patients with malignant glioma. CALM therapy was found to be highly relevant to the caregiving experience and may benefit caregivers emotionally, increase preparedness, improve their communication with the patient, and provide a unique opportunity to receive specialized care.

VCU collaborators: Lillia Thumma, Amber Fox, Morgan P. Reid, Ph.D., Bruce Rybarczyk, Ph.D., Suzanne E. Mazzeo, Ph.D., Jared W. Keeley, Ph.D.

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Therapy could effectively target multiple oncogenes in liver cancer

• Massey research members: Devanand Sarkar, MBBS, Ph.D., and Mikhail Dozomorov, Ph.D.
• Journal: Journal of Biological Chemistry
• Publication date: Sept. 18, 2026

The oncogenes MYC and TAF2 are frequently overexpressed and co-amplified in many cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma—the most common form of liver cancer. These findings suggest that liver cancer patients with overexpression of TAF2 and MYC might benefit from targeted treatment with MEK inhibitors.

VCU collaborators: Suchismita Raha, Devon Farrar, Samyukta Iyer, Rachel Mendoza, Kayla Rodriguez, Mark Subler, Ph.D., Jolene Windle, Ph.D., and Rabha Younis, Ph.D.

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Framework offers route to accelerated targeted drug discovery

• Massey research member: Matthew Hartman, Ph.D.
• Journal: ChemBioChem
• Publication date: Sept. 23, 2026

Fragment-based strategies have transformed the discovery of small molecule drugs, yet similar approaches for selecting noncanonical amino acids (ncAAs) in peptide drug discovery remain largely unexplored. This research introduces a screening workflow that, through mRNA display, identifies individual ncAAs as fragments to identify strategic chemical frameworks prior to building a drug library. These results could help to accelerate the identification of effective binding molecules for challenging protein targets.

VCU collaborators: Brian Fuglestad, Ph.D., Abdul Castillo, Ph.D., Alba Dutra, Clark Jones, Sandeep Lohan, Chelsea Makovsky, Bipasana Shakya, Ph.D., and Sara Walters, Ph.D.

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PUBLISHED REVIEWS

• Massey research member: Devanand Sarkar, MBBS, Ph.D.
• Journal: Cells
• Publication date: July 3, 2026

Liver cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. This review summarizes the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms through which AEG-1 regulates angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma, and highlights future opportunities for developing multi-targeted therapeutic strategies beyond conventional approaches.

VCU collaborators: Rabha Younis, Ph.D., and Kayla Rodriguez

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Written by: Blake Belden