cancer biology

May 6, 2015

Neurofibromin fine-tunes bone growth

The protein neurofibromin acts as a brake in a signaling pathway that is important in bone development, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.

By Leigh MacMillan
May 1, 2015

New player in neuronal communication

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered a novel mechanism for the development of dendritic spines – sites of nerve cell communication.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 19, 2015

‘Stretched’ cells promote cancer

Mechanical stress appears to be a critical factor in activating normal tissue-associated fibroblasts to generate cancer-associated fibroblasts.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 9, 2015

Gene profile predicts metastasis

A specific gene expression profile represents a novel, biologically relevant “signature” for identifying colon cancers with high risk of metastatic recurrence, Vanderbilt researchers have found.

By Yan Su
January 8, 2015

Enzyme affects tumor metastasis

A protein that degrades the “matrix” between cells participates in the development of lung metastases from primary breast cancer in mouse models and may be a good target for breast cancer treatment.

By Daren Diiorio
November 24, 2014

Twelve Vanderbilt faculty elected AAAS fellows

Twelve members of Vanderbilt’s faculty have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for their “scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications.”

By Bill Snyder
November 12, 2014

New insight on oral cancer culprits

A new mouse model offers insight into the signaling pathways that control oral cancers – and a platform for testing anticancer therapeutics.
By Elizabeth Conrad
November 11, 2014

Protein “pockets” help ID cancer genes

Vanderbilt investigators have used a computational biology approach to uncover new cancer drivers and biomarkers of anticancer drug response.
By Bill Snyder
November 6, 2014

Immune cell activity and melanoma

The activity of a certain factor in immune cells is essential for an anti-tumor response, emphasizing the need to consider the effects of anti-cancer therapies on immune cells.
By VUMC News and Communications
October 30, 2014

Potential therapy for postpartum breast cancer investigated

Nearly 25 percent of all breast cancers among premenopausal women occur within two to five years following a pregnancy.
By VUMC News and Communications
October 9, 2014

Long-range signaling to stem cells

The potential for long-range signaling factors – such as those identified in the current study – to regulate stem cell behaviors has implications in tumor progression and metastasis.
By Leigh MacMillan
September 18, 2014

VU study reveals shared pathways in psychiatric disorders

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder share common genetic underpinnings. Vanderbilt researchers combined high-resolution gene expression studies with gene association data to reveal signaling pathways linked to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
By Leigh MacMillan
September 11, 2014

Bone healing therapy for NF1 fractures

A combination treatment delivered to the site of fractures may improve bone healing in patients with the genetic disease neurofibromatosis type-1.
By VUMC News and Communications