cancer
On-the-move cancer cells prefer a “comfort cruise,” follow predictable paths of least resistance
Sep. 13, 2019—New research from a group of Vanderbilt biomedical engineers reveals that while cancer cells metastasize quickly, they generally choose pathways that use the least amount of energy.
A “rheostat” for cancer signals
Aug. 27, 2019—Jason MacGurn and colleagues have characterized a “rheostat” that sets WNT pathway signaling in breast cancer cells.
Cancer susceptibility genes
Aug. 26, 2019—Gene variants associated with cancer risk appear to contribute to carcinogenesis by regulating target genes that in turn promote the generation of mutations.
Meet the alpacas that are helping researchers who study autism, Alzheimer’s and cancer
Aug. 13, 2019—Written by Heidi Hall Alpacas aren’t the typical animals that drivers spot as they wind their way through rural Tennessee, but there’s a happy herd of them outside Waverly, where they eat the finest pellets, walk up and down a scenic hill and potentially save lives. They’re owned by a team of Vanderbilt University researchers...
New window on fibrosis
Aug. 8, 2019—A previously unrecognized role for a cell surface receptor may open new therapeutic options for the treatment of fibrotic diseases.
Cellular soldiers designed to kill cancer cells that get loose during surgery, stop metastasis
Jul. 24, 2019—Cellular soldiers created using the body’s own defenses can track down and kill escaping cancer cells during surgeries, preventing metastasis and saving lives, a Vanderbilt University biomedical engineer has discovered, particularly in cases of triple negative breast cancer.
Mouth health and colorectal cancer
Jun. 6, 2019—Microbial species in the mouth could be playing a role in colorectal cancer development, according to new research from epidemiologists at VUMC.
Discovery aids search for cancer biomarkers
Apr. 12, 2019—A report by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center has shattered conventional wisdom about how cells, including cancer cells, shed DNA into the bloodstream.
Cancer’s SOS
Apr. 4, 2019—Stephen Fesik and colleagues have uncovered more details about how a crucial component of RAS proteins, which trigger about a third of all tumors, work. This finding will help advance the discovery of new cancer therapies.
Like racecars and geese, cancer cells draft their way to new tumor sites
Mar. 25, 2019—The finding gives a boost to the field of metabolomics, the next big thing in fighting cancer. It can complement immunotherapies, which use the body’s natural defenses to kill cancer cells.
Study finds patient messages help predict medication adherence
Jan. 31, 2019—Zhijun Yin and colleagues have found that breast cancer patients who message their doctors about certain topics are more likely to discontinue hormone therapy than others--which enables doctors to better predict which patients are at risk of stopping their treatment early.
Trans-institutional team documents potential new treatment path for breast cancer
Jan. 16, 2019—A team led by biomolecular engineer John Wilson and cancer biologist Rebecca Cook have found a way to trigger an immune response that targets breast cancer cells.