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January/February 2024: Published research at Massey
Mar 22, 2024
Massey member, Jennifer Koblinski, Ph.D. (left), is one of more than a dozen researchers and clinician-scientists with recently published science in early 2024.
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. Researchers at Massey conduct 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 January and February 2024.
PUBLISHED RESEARCH
LRP6 ablation in macrophages differentially obstructs lung injury-mediated inflammation and metastasis
Massey research members: Wook-Jin (Eddie) Chae, Ph.D., and Hisashi Harada, Ph.D.
Journal: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Publication date: Jan. 1, 2024
Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) is a receptor protein for Wnt ligands. Their role in immune cell regulation is largely unknown. This study demonstrated that genetic deletion of LRP6 in macrophages resulted in differential inhibition of inflammation in bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung injury models and B16F10 melanoma lung metastasis models. Findings from this study also show that the role of LRP6 in macrophages is differential depending on the inflammation microenvironment in the lung.
VCU collaborators: SuJeong Song, Min Hee Park and Lucianna Kelly
Scientists study effects of collagen fibers on cancer cell migration
Massey research members: Priscilla Hwang, Ph.D., and Paul Fisher, M.P.H., Ph.D.
Journal: PLOS One
Publication date: Jan. 2, 2024
Leader cells direct collective cellular migration through cues in their microenvironment to determine migration direction. A new study investigated the effect of collagen fibers on leader cell mechanics and offers new insights into two fundamental components of cancer development: invasion and metastasis.
VCU collaborators: Jessanne Lichtenberg, M.S., Swadesh Das, Ph.D., Christopher Lemmon, Ph.D., Corinne Leonard, Ella Ramamurthy, Trey Redman and Anna Young
Targeted approach could reduce racial disparities in lung cancer
Massey research members: Robert A. Winn, M.D., Jennifer Koblinski, Ph.D., Patrick Nana-Sinkam, M.D., and Jose Trevino, M.D.
Journal: iScience
Publication date: Jan. 10, 2024
A new study led by Massey scientists identified a unique role of the PRMT1/PRMT6 protein complex that drives lung cancer and likely contributes to cancer disparities in Black men. Targeting this complex could lead to the development of a new class of PRMT inhibitors in treating lung cancer to overcome the limitations of current drugs, thereby opening up new horizons for effective treatments that could help eliminate lung cancer health disparities.
VCU collaborators: Pei-Ying Wu, Michelle Van Scoyk, Ching-Yi Chen, Ph.D., Chu-Fang Chou, Ph.D., Kamran Farouq, Bin Hu, Ph.D., Vita Kraskauskiene, Charles Lyons, Stephanie McHale, Gregory Riddick, Arjun Rijal, Rachit Shah, M.D., Vignesh Vudatha, M.D., and Dongyu Zhang, M.D.
Certain breast cancer survivors may be at increased risk for high blood pressure
Massey research members: Arnethea Sutton, Ph.D., Wendy Bottinor, M.D., and Susan Hong, M.D.
Journal: Cancer Medicine
Publication date: Jan.12, 2024
Breast cancer survivors are at increased risk of cardiovascular issues following their diagnosis; however, high blood pressure has not been explored much in this context. Massey researchers conducted a retrospective study to examine the incidence of hypertension in breast cancer survivors and whether race is associated with risk. Their findings suggest that breast cancer survivors who are older, Black or live in non-urban areas may benefit from added surveillance and hypertension prevention strategies during treatment.
VCU collaborators: Anika Hines, Ph.D., M.P.H., Jian He, M.S., and Kristyn Mitchell
Long-term survivors of childhood cancer at higher risk of death following heart issues; threshold for treating risk factors should be lower
Massey research member: Wendy Bottinor, M.D.
Journal: Journal of American College of Cardiology
Publication date: Feb. 19, 2024
New research out of Massey and VCU Health Pauley Heart Center indicates that survivors of childhood cancer are at a significantly higher risk of death following a major cardiovascular event — including heart failure, heart attack or stroke — than the general public. The findings could fuel advocacy for a paradigm shift in clinical heart health guidelines to address cardiovascular risk factors at an earlier age in childhood cancer survivors.
“We found that the risk of death after a major cardiovascular event in a 50-year-old in the general population is equivalent to that of a 30-year-old who was previously treated for cancer as a child,” Bottinor said.
Scientists analyze combination treatment options and outcomes in AML
Massey research members: Keri Maher, D.O., Steven Grant, M.D., and Nolan Wages, Ph.D.
Journal: Medical Oncology
Publication date: Feb. 23, 2024
Relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with poor outcomes and resistance to therapy. A recent study analyzed the performance of venetoclax with decitabine or azacitidine in relapsed or refractory AML under the European LeukemiaNet 2022 guidelines and used an incremental survival computation method to effectively identify AML patients at an elevated risk of death. The novel findings highlight areas of refinement to improve survival in relapsed or refractory AML.
VCU collaborators: Yanal Alnimer, Josh Boron, Michael Doyel, Juhi Gor, M.D., Yiwei Hang, Thuy Ho, M.D., Graeme Murray, Tilak Patel, M.D., Valerie Tran, Chad Venn and Kyle Zacholski
PUBLISHED REVIEWS
HCC-related lncRNAs: Roles and mechanisms
Massey research member: Devanand Sarkar, MBBS, Ph.D.
Journal: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Publication date: Jan. 2, 2024
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a significant global health threat, particularly in regions endemic to hepatitis B and C viruses, and because of the ongoing pandemic of obesity causing metabolic-dysfunction-related fatty liver disease, a precursor to HCC. The ongoing studies on lncRNAs contribute to a deeper comprehension of HCC pathogenesis and offer promising routes for precision medicine, highlighting the utility of lncRNAs as early biomarkers, prognostic indicators and therapeutic targets.
VCU collaborator: Mimansha Shah
Biopterin metabolism and nitric oxide recoupling in cancer
Massey research member: Xiang-Yang (Shawn) Wang, Ph.D.
Journal: Frontiers in Oncology
Publication date: Feb. 25, 2024
Tetrahydrobiopterin is a cofactor necessary for the activity of several enzymes, the most studied of which is nitric oxide synthase. This review discusses the evidence for an underappreciated mechanism in different aspects of tumor progression and therapeutic responses. Furthermore, it highlights the preclinical evidence supporting a clinical role for tetrahydrobiopterin supplementation to enhance immunotherapy and radiotherapy for solid tumors and the potential safety concerns.
VCU collaborator: Gene (Chatman) Clark, Alan Lai and Zheng Liu, Ph.D.
Written by: Blake Belden
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