Research

December 13, 2021

Oral microbes and gastric cancer

Studies in three large population cohorts that include Asian, African American and European American people support a role for the oral microbiota — the collection of microbial species in the mouth — in gastric cancer development.

By Leigh MacMillan

PHOTO: Members of the supermere discovery team include (front row from left) Qi Liu, PhD, Robert Coffey, MD, Qin Zhang, PhD, and (back row from left) James Higginbotham, PhD; Dennis Jeppesen, PhD; and Jeffrey Franklin, PhD. (hoto by Erin O. Smith)

December 10, 2021

“Supermeres” may carry clues to cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and COVID-19

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered a nanoparticle released from cells, called a “supermere,” which contains enzymes, proteins and RNA associated with multiple cancers, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and even COVID-19.

By Bill Snyder

December 9, 2021

Cell signaling targets in leukemia

Vanderbilt researchers identified a critical role for IL-1beta signaling in leukemia cells with a certain mutation, suggesting this pathway may be a good target for novel treatments.

By Leigh MacMillan

December 9, 2021

Prostate cancer treatment regret

Vanderbilt researchers suggest that to reduce treatment-related regret for men with localized prostate cancer, treatment preparation should focus on shared decision-making and aligning patient expectations with treatment toxicity.

By Leigh MacMillan

December 8, 2021

International study supports dupilumab for treatment of moderate-to-severe asthma in children

In a late-stage clinical trial, the biologic agent dupilumab reduced the rate of severe asthma attacks and improved lung function and asthma control for children ages 6 to 11 with moderate-to-severe asthma, offering a new option to these patients.