A US study of 20 years of health data found that hormone therapy initiated during peri- or early postmenopause reduces cardiovascular disease risk by 22% compared to those who did not use hormone therapy. The protective effect was strongest among Black women and those who initiated therapy within 10 years of menopause onset.
Researchers found that IVMT-Rx-4 selectively blocks the function of the MDA-9/Syntenin protein, limiting tumor growth and eliminating therapy resistance in preclinical cancer models. The study suggests a new targeted treatment option for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center awarded $2.7M K12 grant to support multidisciplinary cancer research and mentor early-stage clinical investigators. The grant aims to optimize participation by high-risk individuals in Virginia.
Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University have uncovered a protein, TRNAU1AP, that helps glioblastoma cells survive and multiply. Targeting this protein could make cancer cells more vulnerable to treatment, potentially leading to improved survival rates.
Baskin is the first female and first Black woman to be named director of a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, leading Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. She champions the community-to-bench model, prioritizing rural areas and underserved groups in cancer prevention and treatment research.
A study found that cancer care providers are more likely to be aware of the risks of cannabis use, but less comfortable discussing it with patients. In contrast, survivors feel more comfortable discussing cannabis with their care team and hold more positive attitudes towards its use.
Researchers have developed an innovative combination treatment strategy that uses cells' waste removal functions to effectively dismantle multiple myeloma. The experimental targeted protein degrader enhances the destruction of a specific cancer cell survival protein and works in tandem with existing drugs, while showing limited toxicity.
A recent study found that CD38, a protein associated with inflammation and aging, plays a key role in rapidly advancing periodontitis and peri-implantitis. This discovery could lead to new treatment approaches and provide insights into other inflammatory conditions, including cancer.
Researchers analyzed data from 3 million US cancer survivors to understand patterns of subsequent primary cancers (SPCs), finding risks varied by cancer type, sex, and generation. The study emphasizes the importance of long-term monitoring and informs prevention strategies for cancer survivors.
Researchers at VCU have developed a technique to control the spins of electrons in diamond qubits using tiny nanomagnets. This approach could enable scalable quantum computing and lead to significant energy savings.
A nationwide study has compared two surgical approaches for treating Chiari malformation and syringomyelia, finding no difference in complication rates and clinical outcomes. Patients who underwent the more invasive procedure had greater improvement in their syringomyelia symptoms.
A retrospective cohort study examining over 840,000 breast cancer patients found a potential link between GLP-1 RA use and improved outcomes among obese or diabetic patients. GLP-1 RAs were associated with lower risk of death and recurrence over a 10-year follow-up period.
A new study from VCU found that rates of transgender identity persistence and desistance can range from zero to 100% depending on data interpretation. The research challenges the narrative that most transgender youth desist from their identity, supporting gender-affirming care for minors.
The VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center has completed the inaugural funding cycle of its collaborative drug discovery program with the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. Two projects have received $50,000 each to advance innovative cancer drug discovery efforts.
Researchers at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center developed a targeted therapy that effectively prevents prostate tumors from spreading to the bone. The small molecule inhibitor IVMT-Rx-4 blocks the function of MDA-9/Syntenin, preventing tumor growth and improving survival in models with bone metastasis.
A phase III clinical trial established a new treatment standard for patients with stage III colon cancer and deficient DNA mismatch repair. Immunotherapy drug atezolizumab showed significant benefits when added to chemotherapy, lowering the risk of cancer recurrence by 50%.
The study provides a breakthrough understanding of the immunoregulatory nature of human tissues, revealing that fibroblasts serve as core regulators of structural immunity in the mouth. The findings lay the groundwork for targeted modulation of fibroblast activity to improve health outcomes in fibrosis, cancer, and autoimmunity.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that neighborhoods with high housing costs and crowded households are associated with shorter breast cancer survival among women. The research team identified four specific variables that drive this relationship, including financial toxicity and stress.
A new study led by Dr. Jeffrey Green found that nostalgia and feelings of social connection boost gratitude levels. Engaging in nostalgic experiences can strengthen social ties, promoting a sense of gratitude for life and experience.
A team of researchers at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center has discovered an innovative way to use a drug already approved in treating irregular heartbeat to selectively target specific functions of enzymes in lymphoma, effectively killing cancer cells and reducing tumor growth with little to no toxicity. The study found that RBF4...
Researchers at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine are developing a novel therapy using engineered immune cells to target advanced prostate cancer. The therapy, which uses genetically modified natural killer cells producing the IL-24S 'Superkine', has shown promise in early-stage studies.
Researchers identified a targeted drug that blocks a specific genetic pathway to reverse tumor-driving cellular interactions, potentially restoring DNA function and benefiting patients with synovial sarcoma. The study's findings endorse a promising strategy to improve outcomes for this rare but deadly cancer.
A new study by VCU researchers found that almost all participants perceived a suspect as being in custody after only a short period of time, even though they had not been formally arrested. The research used virtual reality headsets to examine how people perceive police custody from 'inside' the interrogation room.
The VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, along with 61 other NCI-Designated Cancer Centers, has endorsed a joint statement urging healthcare systems and the public to prioritize HPV vaccination for cancer prevention. HPV vaccination is safe and effective in preventing six types of cancers caused by HPV infection.
Researchers developed Vesalius to interpret complex data on cancer cell interactions, leading to potential discoveries in treating hard-to-treat cancers. The tool analyzes whole tissue architecture to identify predictive biomarkers and inform treatment options based on individual disease types.
VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is the first US site to enroll patients in a global Phase 2a clinical trial of PTX-100, a small molecule inhibitor for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PTX-100 in patients with relapsed or refractory disease.
A global research team developed an AI model that can predict the death risk of hospitalized liver patients with cirrhosis, outperforming older methods. The model uses advanced machine learning tools to identify key risk factors, allowing healthcare providers to intensify care and make informed decisions.
A new molecule called the 'Fusion Superkine' has been created to target and kill glioblastoma cells while stimulating an immune response to prevent recurrence. The treatment, developed by VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers, uses a combination of immunotherapy and targeted delivery to overcome the blood-brain barrier and...
Researchers have discovered that TAF2 plays a pivotal role in the growth of liver cancer and can help promote tumor formation. The study's findings suggest that targeting TAF2 could lead to more effective treatments for liver cancer.
Researchers at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified AEG-1 as the active regulator of inflammation responsible for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Eliminating AEG-1 using targeted therapies could provide a critical strategy for managing CIPN in cancer patients.
Research led by VCU and Rutgers University found that romantic partners' substance use habits, personality traits, and mental health status can enhance or diminish a person's genetic predisposition to binge drinking. The study suggests that couple-based interventions could be more effective when addressing environmental influences.
A VCU-led study suggests that semaglutide, a medication approved for weight loss and blood sugar control, may also reverse liver damage in patients with non-cirrhotic non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (MASH). Researchers found that nearly 90% of participants remained on the medication after 72 weeks without significant side effects.
A research team has identified a key protein suspected to be involved in benzodiazepine-related inflammation, which could inform strategies to improve benzodiazepine drug design and treat inflammation-related conditions. The findings may lead to new treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.
Researchers Mohamed Gad-el-Hak and James J. Riley from VCU and the University of Washington found that Van Gogh's painting does not adhere to Kolmogorov's theory of turbulent flow. Instead, they argue that the swirling patterns in 'The Starry Night' are a result of its abstract nature.
A VCU researcher found that emergency management and homeland security professionals are more hesitant to act when faced with an AI threat, especially a strategic AI-based one. Those who believed AI could replace them acted recklessly.
New VCU research suggests that employer neurodiversity training, coupled with candidates' disclosure of their autism diagnosis during the hiring process, can help level the playing field for autistic job seekers. The study found that such training persisted in improving hiring outcomes even two months after the training.
Scientists at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered a powerful combination therapy that leverages sotorasib and FGTI-2734 to tackle drug resistance in lung cancer. The treatment targets the KRAS G12C mutation, which is responsible for about 14% of non-small cell lung cancers.
A study by VCU researcher Baobao Song finds that celebrity endorsements from groups like BTS can shape the behavior of their devoted fans. The researchers identified three factors that drive fan advocacy: interdependence between fans and the celebrity, individual identification within the fandom, and fandom norms.
Researchers at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified an innovative combination treatment strategy that collaborates to kill AML cells. The new approach targets the SRC gene and MCL-1 protein, leading to increased cell death in leukemia cells. This discovery offers a promising new direction for leukemia treatment.
According to a new study by Virginia Commonwealth University researchers, school salad bars increased elementary school students' fruit intake but had no impact on vegetable consumption. Students in 'salad bar' schools selected a greater variety of fruits and vegetables, potentially leading to a greater range of nutrient intake.
New research from VCU and Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU shows a decline in infant mortality rates by 24.2% between 1999 and 2022. However, Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) mortality rates have risen significantly, with the highest rates among Black, Native Hawaiian, and Native American infants.
VCU is establishing a pioneering Cancer Control Equity Research Center to enhance cancer prevention services for low-income families in the Greater Richmond region and Hampton Roads. The center will develop evidence-based methods to reduce cancer rates among vulnerable populations.
Scientists at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered a new genetic code that recruits and deploys tumor cells to invade healthy organs. This breakthrough could offer groundbreaking insight into new treatment strategies targeting tumor growth in its earliest stages.
Researchers at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center are exploring a new approach to treating liver cancer using immunotherapy and a newly developed drug that inhibits the MYC gene. The four-year grant aims to identify effective treatment combinations for hepatocellular carcinoma, improving patient survival rates.
A new treatment targeting two tumor-feeding genes is being tested to treat non-small cell lung cancer. The therapy, called PEPD-G278D, breaks down genetic mutations that contribute to drug resistance, showing strong suppression of NSCLC cell function and tumors.
Researchers discovered a previously unknown biological process through which breast tumor cells develop resistance to standard treatment. The study found that targeting the degradation of both HER2 and EGFR receptors can overcome drug resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer models.
A recent VCU study reveals that Black and Native American youth are dying at significantly higher rates than white youth due to injuries. The gap in pediatric mortality rates is widening, with disparities seen in death rates from diseases like asthma and pneumonia.
Researchers from VCU School of Medicine and Richmond VA Medical Center discover that replacing meat with plant-based proteins for one meal reduces harmful ammonia levels in people with advanced liver disease. The study found significant differences in blood and urine samples, revealing lower amino acids associated with ammonia production.
Long-term childhood cancer survivors face a significantly higher risk of death from heart-related events compared to the general public. Dyslipidemia and hypertension are key risk factors that should be treated earlier, with statins potentially providing increased protection.
Three Virginia health systems are part of a new NIH research network studying emerging cancer screening technologies, aiming to reduce cancer-related illnesses and deaths. The network will evaluate the benefits and harms of multi-cancer detection tests, which screen for multiple types of cancers simultaneously.