News Center

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 2025.

PUBLISHED RESEARCH

Defective astrocyte maturation drives cerebellar neuroinflammation and degeneration

Massey research member: Tomasz Kordula, Ph.D.
Journal: The FASEB Journal
Publication date: July 11, 2025

While persistent neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration are hallmarks of many diseases, the exact biological mechanisms triggering neurodegeneration are not fully established. These findings highlight the critical role of the transcription factor YY1 in sustaining cerebellar astrocyte functions, and they suggest that dysfunction of astrocytes has widespread consequences for cerebellar integrity and function, leading to neurodegeneration.

VCU collaborators: Karli Mockenhaupt,  Lauren Dain, Alexandra K. Gonsiewski, Ph.D., Avani Hariprashad, M.P.H., Sandeep K. Singh, Ph.D., Johannes Verheijen and Masoumeh Zarei-Kheirabadi, Ph.D.

Read more

Scientists identify promising agent for breast cancer treatment

Massey research members: Nicholas Farrell, Ph.D., and Jennifer Koblinski, Ph.D.
Journal: Nucleic Acids Research
Publication date: July 16, 2025

Platinum-based drugs remain a critical component in the treatment of many solid tumors, dramatically improving mortality rates and revolutionizing cancer treatment, but they are also associated with toxicity and resistance. In an attempt to overcome resistance, there has been a major push toward the discovery and therapeutic application of polynuclear platinum compounds. Through a new study, scientists identified a trinuclear platinum complex known as N3-TriplatinNC as a promising chemotherapeutic agent for treating triple-negative breast cancer. 

VCU collaborators: Bin Hu, Ph.D., and Erica Peterson

Read more

Researchers analyze breast cancer survivors' perceptions of their cardiovascular care

Massey research members: Arnethea Sutton, Ph.D., Wendy Bottinor, M.D., and Susan Hong, M.D.
Journal: Cancer Medicine
Publication date: Aug. 6, 2025

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality among breast cancer survivors, and disparities exist between Black and white women. A recent study assessed breast cancer survivors' perceptions of heart health resources and the communication they received during active treatment with potentially cardiotoxic therapies. The findings suggest that enhanced health care communication is needed, with a particular focus on culturally different populations. 

VCU collaborators: Paulette Omeaku, MSPH, Ashley Turner, Victoria Williams and America Vijil

Read more

Scientists uncover kinase that could play an important role in the immune response to cancer

Massey research member: Yue Sun, Ph.D.
Journal: Journal of Biological Chemistry
Publication date: Aug. 8, 2025

Dysfunction associated with the Hippo/YAP signaling cellular pathway has been linked to several diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders and cardiovascular conditions. However, little is known about the underlying molecular factors that regulate this pathway. New research suggests that the kinase PIPKIγi5 plays a significant role in the suppression of the Hippo/YAP pathway, and could play an important role in the immune response to disease. 

VCU collaborators: Chinmoy Ghosh, Ph.D., Matthew Bavuso, Ruchi Kakar and Huizhi Wang, M.D., M.S.

Read more

RSF1 facilitates esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by promoting tumor proliferation, migration and invasion

Massey research member: Hengbin Wang, Ph.D.
Journal: Cells
Publication date: Aug. 15, 2025

A team of researchers conducted a study on RSF1, a chromatin-remodeling protein, which has shown tumor-promoting function in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). By selectively eliminating RSF1, the research team observed significantly suppressed cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion capabilities. Although RSF1 had been tested in breast and ovarian cancers, the findings of this study provide evidence of its oncogenic role in ESCC.

Read more

Vesalius cell-mapping tool provides insightful multi-layered view of cancer behavior

Massey research members: Rajan Gogna, Ph.D., Paul Fisher, Ph.D., Esha Madan, Ph.D., and Robert A. Winn, M.D.
Journal: Nature Communications
Publication date: Aug. 21, 2025

Researchers at Massey have developed a new computational tool called Vesalius, which could help clinicians understand the complex relationships between cancer cells and their surrounding cells, leading to potential discoveries regarding the development of hard-to-treat cancers. Findings from a new study could help guide the identification of predictive biomarkers for multiple cancers and better inform the effectiveness of different treatment options based on individuals’ specific type of disease.

VCU collaborator: Arturo Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D.

Read more

B3GNT5 could be an important target in cancer therapy

Massey research member: Santiago Lima, Ph.D.
Journal: BMC Cancer
Publication date: Aug. 22, 2025

Glycosphingolipids (GSL) are essential components of the plasma membrane that are known to play key roles that influence molecular processes involved in cancer, as well as contribute to chemoresistance. B3GNT5 — a gene that regulates GSL function — is frequently altered in human cancers and correlates with adverse clinical outcomes. A recent study supports B3GNT5 as an important target for therapeutic intervention in cancer. 

VCU collaborators: Laura Clark, Katherine Hylton Rorie and Amanda Dickinson, Ph.D.

Read more

New platform for biomarker detection could benefit cancer diagnosis

Massey research members: Soma Dhakal, Ph.D., and Chuck Harrell, Ph.D.
Journal: Analytical Chemistry
Publication date: Aug. 23, 2025

Biomarkers have gained significant attention in recent years, as they offer reliable detection of diseases such as cancers and other health conditions. Through new research, scientists developed an effective platform for the simultaneous detection of multiple nucleic acid biomarkers. This simple and sensitive detection platform can improve clinical diagnosis by offering early detection of diseases, including cancers. 

VCU collaborators: Srishty Sethi, Md Monirul Islam and Kalani Wijesinghe

Read more

Massey leads study on cancer service line benchmarking

Massey research member: Paula M. Fracasso, M.D., Ph.D.
Journal: JCO Oncology Practice
Publication date: Sept. 24, 2025

AACI’s Physician Clinical Leadership Initiative (PCLI) recently published findings from its Cancer Service Line (CSL) survey, marking a major milestone in efforts to better understand how cancer centers structure and manage their CSL. The article highlights national survey results on CSL governance, leadership, organizational structure, financial operations within health systems, and challenges faced by CSL leaders, providing a foundation for future collaboration and best practice sharing. This publication is the first survey of CSLs in U.S. cancer centers, providing a framework for benchmarking, strategic planning, and funding to aid cancer centers in building and optimizing a CSL structure that aligns clinical and academic missions within their evolving health care systems.

Read more

Written by: Blake Belden