Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, a world-renowned expert in cancer therapies, is honored by Columbia University with a gold medal for his outstanding accomplishments in clinical medicine. This recognition marks the 250th anniversary of P&S, one of the nation's most accomplished medical schools.
Recent studies by TGen and UNC Lineberger researchers provide insight into glioblastoma's evolution and how to combat this aggressive brain tumor. The studies reveal that mutations affect how cancer starts and evolves, while combining drugs targeting PI3K and MAPK pathways show promise as a therapeutic approach.
A new study by TGen and HonorHealth Research Institute found a very high rate of tumor shrinkage among patients with advanced pancreatic cancer when adding cisplatin to standard gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel treatment. The results showed statistically significant improvements in overall response and survival rates.
The Hope Through Hollis Fund at TGen will conduct a genomic study of the DIPG tumor that took the life of 7-year-old Hollis, aiming to develop new therapeutics for children with this rare and aggressive cancer. The fund will also support a collaborative strategy to 'move the needle' in developing fast advances in DIPG treatments.
Researchers found significant evidence that inhibiting protein TERT may aid in diagnosis and treatment of acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM). In laboratory experiments, over 75% of ALM cancer cells were affected by a drug that inhibits TERT.
Researchers at TGen have created the largest dataset to date of extracellular small RNAs, potential biomarkers for diagnosing medical conditions like concussions. The dataset was amassed from ASU student-athletes' biofluids and helmet sensor data, aiming to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
TGen researchers will test triptolide as a potential drug targeting SCCOHT, an aggressive form of ovarian cancer that affects mostly girls and young women. The grant aims to improve the understanding of ovarian cancer biology and potentially develop new treatments for this devastating disease.
Researchers at TGen identified a novel mutation in brain protein CASK that causes physical abnormalities and developmental delays in children. The study found a nearly 40% diagnosis rate among 440 sequenced genomes, offering insights into rare medical disorders.
Cachexia, a condition characterized by weight loss and muscle atrophy in cancer patients, is responsible for over 30% of deaths. Researchers aim to reverse this condition through novel treatments involving febuxostat, beta-blockers, and gut microbiome transplantation.
A study by TGen has identified aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) as a compound that can improve drug development against glioblastoma. ATA blocks the chemical cascade that allows glioblastoma cells to invade normal brain tissue and resist chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The NCI grant supports the Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop, a one-week boot camp for new oncologists taught by Dr. Daniel Von Hoff and leading experts. The program helps train clinical researchers to improve cancer clinical trial design, increasing the number of effective interventions available to patients worldwide.
The grant will help TGen accelerate the computer processing of transcriptomes from thousands of cells using a complex computational algorithm. This process will advance precision medicine by quickly informing doctors with the best options for attacking each individual patient's cancer.
Dr. Daniel Von Hoff has been recognized as a 'Giant of Cancer Care' for his pioneering work in gastrointestinal cancer and development of new treatments. He is being honored for his commitment to improving the lives of patients and families affected by cancer.
TGen researchers discovered that blocking nerve growth factor (NGF) signaling can reduce the potential of pancreatic cancer cells to invade surrounding nerves, leading to pain. The study found that NGF and its receptor TRKA are associated with perineural invasion, a key mechanism in the progression of pancreatic cancer.
Researchers at TGen and NAU used deep DNA sequencing to recreate the anthrax genome from Sverdlovsk, Russia victims, providing a precise examination of the anthrax strain used in Soviet biological weapons development. The study's findings put the strain into a global context, enabling forensic tracking and identification.
A new study validates a low-cost, rapid, and highly accurate screening tool, KlebSeq, for detecting healthcare-acquired infections. The test can identify multiple strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, including antibiotic-resistant strains, earlier than traditional methods.
The 6th annual Cycle for the Cure raised a record $248,725 for TGen cancer research, including $100,000 in donations from Guarantee Trust Life. The event supported groundbreaking research on 'liquid biopsies' and other life-changing projects.
A global study by TGen found six new species of Histoplasma fungus, linked to bat evolution, which causes histoplasmosis and poses a deadly risk to HIV and other immunocompromised patients. The disease is known for its high mortality rate in Latin America and is becoming more frequent globally.
SmartPractice has donated $50,000 to TGen to support the development of liquid biopsies, which can detect breast cancer earlier and more precisely. The donation aims to identify genetic biomarkers in blood that could help prevent cancer from spreading.
A study published in Cancer Cell identified a third class of ACC, associated genes, and potential treatment targets. The research aims to provide better treatments for this rare cancer with significant side effects from current therapies.
Researchers at TGen and ASU have discovered three microRNAs associated with the regeneration of tails in green anole lizards. These tiny RNA switches may play a role in regenerating muscles, cartilage, and spinal columns, potentially leading to new therapies for humans.
Dr. Murtaza and Dr. Antoni Ribas are awarded $200,000 to investigate whether microbiome analysis can predict patient response to immunotherapy in melanoma patients. Their study aims to analyze the relationship between microbial composition and immunotherapy outcomes.
Scientists at TGen tracked the likely origins and dispersal of Valley Fever using genomic analysis technologies, revealing a history spanning 2 million years. The study identifies two distinct species of the fungus Coccidioides and estimates their divergence dates, providing insights into future outbreak tracking.
The Rex Griswold Foundation has donated $50,000 to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) to investigate Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare nerve disorder affecting fewer than 5 in every 100,000 people. TGen's whole genome sequencing aims to uncover novel genetic associations with MSA.
Two drugs, Vismodegib and Sonidegib, target the Hedgehog pathway to treat basal cell carcinoma, a common skin cancer affecting nearly 2.8 million Americans annually. The FDA-approved treatments have shown promise in shrinking tumors and improving response rates.
The emm59 clone of group A Streptococcus has been identified as the cause of a deadly outbreak in Arizona and the Southwest. This hypervirulent strain is directly related to a previous Canadian outbreak, which evolved into the current southwestern US epidemic.
Researchers at TGen highlight the advantages of using RNA sequencing in disease detection and management, including its potential for non-invasive diagnosis and guiding treatment selection. The analysis reveals the promise of RNA-based measurements for broad application across diverse areas of human health.
Advanced genomic sequencing helped identify a potentially deadly fungus, Sarocladium kiliense, in tainted anti-nausea medication given to dozens of cancer patients in Chile and Colombia. The use of whole-genome sequence typing revealed nearly genetically indistinguishable isolates from patient samples and unopened medication vials.
A national review suggests studying cancer in dogs can inform new drug therapeutics and accelerate human treatment, saving time and costs. The study highlights the genetic similarities between canine and human cancers, offering new targets for improving treatments.
Researchers identified SGEF as a target for new brain cancer therapies in a study published by Molecular Cancer Research. The protein promotes the survival of glioblastoma tumor cells and helps the cancer invade brain tissue.
A $30,000 donation will support research into dogs and children with cancer at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), following an 8-year-old girl's battle with cancer. Brooke Hester's genomic analysis of canine cancer could help develop new therapies for children with cancer.
TGen and Barrow researchers identified rare genetic changes associated with stress-triggered heart disease, a condition previously referred to as 'broken heart syndrome.' The study's findings may help guide care and treatment before and after patients experience a life-threatening stressor.
A new study funded by The Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation has identified propentofylline as a potential drug that could help treat glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a deadly brain tumor. The research found that PPF can limit the spread of GBM and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy.
A team of top researchers, led by TGen's Dr. Daniel D. Von Hoff, aims to develop therapies that greatly improve patient survival. They will focus on reprogramming the 'super enhancers' in cancer cells to stop tumor growth and offer novel treatments for patients with pancreatic cancer.
Researchers found that analyzing circulating tumor DNA can track a patient's cancer evolution and identify the best treatments. The liquid biopsy test is less invasive and less costly than conventional tissue biopsies, providing up-to-date information on how a patient's cancer is changing.
Ahnna Parkhurst, a 15-year-old racing prodigy, is raising awareness and research dollars for the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) through Laurie's Fund. Her efforts have raised over $111,000 to support cancer research and treatments.
Researchers have discovered a protein in malaria that can bind to a sugar molecule found in many types of cancer. This binding enables anti-cancer drugs to be delivered precisely to tumors. The findings offer new potential for treating various cancers, including melanoma and lung cancer.
Researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute and TGen will analyze blood and CSF samples from 60 participants to identify peptide, protein, and RNA biomarkers indicative of ALS progression. The goal is to develop effective treatments for patients in clinical trials.
Scientists at TGen discovered 21 genes with increased methylation that could indicate metastatic breast cancer. A blood-based test using this signature may help improve treatment for women at risk of recurrence.
Researchers aim to identify exRNAs as biomarkers for severe hemorrhagic stroke and risk of subsequent traumatic brain injuries. The study could lead to new treatments and improved outcomes in patients with hemorrhagic stroke.
A first-of-its-kind study identified a potential gene target, FOX03, strongly associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-related liver damage due to miR-182 regulation. The study found suppressed FOX03 protein levels in damaged livers, suggesting its role in the initiation of liver disease.
A study found genes associated with improved survival after surgery for pancreatic cancer patients. Detection of circulating tumor DNA in the blood predicted clinical relapse and poor outcomes.
Dr. Candace Lewis, a TGen researcher, has received the 2015 Bisgrove Scholars award to investigate how stressful events in young children affect their DNA and RNA, and potentially influence their behavior later in life.
Scientists at TGen are developing an accurate diagnostic test for Lyme disease using targeted DNA sequencing, which can pinpoint the presence and severity of tick-borne Lyme disease. The new test aims to provide actionable information for physicians and improve treatment outcomes.
A study published in PLOS ONE has identified a genetic mutation associated with premature aging and severe loss of body fat in children. The mutation was found in the CAV1 gene and is linked to a syndrome characterized by severe premature aging, lipodystrophy, and other serious medical problems.
A genetic mutation in the TEAD1 gene has been identified as the first associated with Aicardi syndrome, a debilitating childhood neurological condition. The study found that children with this disorder experience severe symptoms, including seizures, retina damage, and brain abnormalities, and that boys may also be affected.
Researchers are working on a project to stabilize high-quality blood plasma proteins using special filter papers. The goal is to make it possible for patients to provide their own blood samples from home, reducing protein degradation and improving existing protocols with a simple and cost-effective method.
A Twin study led by TGen researchers found that a person's environment is more important than their genes in determining nasal bacteria. Some common nasal bacteria may even protect against MRSA colonization, according to the study published in Science Advances.
The TGen study identified over 50 rare disorders associated with muscle contractures and stiff joints in newborns. The researchers matched these conditions to specific genes on the X chromosome, offering potential therapies for diagnosis and treatment.
The study provides a comprehensive look at glioblastoma treatments, reviewing challenges faced by researchers and clinicians. It presents hope for better treatments through harnessing the power of the human genome.