Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Next generation sequencing (NGS) has dramatically accelerated the discovery of disease-associated genetic variants. Also known as massively parallel sequencing, this technological tour de force can rapidly “read” a sequence of DNA bases (the “letters” in our genomes) in parallel, making genome sequencing feasible in the research lab. Vanderbilt researchers have developed a “catalog” of human [...]

Identifying the cellular origins of medulloblastoma – the most common malignant brain tumor in children – may help focus treatment on cell types responsible for tumor initiation. Previous research has linked Sonic hedgehog signaling in neuronal cell precursors within the developing cerebellum to medulloblastoma. Now, Chin Chiang, Ph.D., and colleagues demonstrate that “turning on” Sonic [...]

A breast cancer patient who has enrolled in two clinical research trials at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center was the only presenter to receive a standing ovation during a recent Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) news briefing at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in Chicago. Jeanette Daniel, 51, a metastatic breast cancer patient, [...]

From left, Kelly Boyd, DVM, Ph.D., James Crowe Jr., M.D., William Pao, M.D., Ph.D., Mary Zutter, M.D., and Yu Shyr, Ph.D., share a laugh at last week’s grand opening of the Translational Pathology Shared Resource (TPSR) laboratory in Medical Center North. The TPSR is Vanderbilt’s “pathology powerhouse” and is designed to translate basic science discoveries [...]

A study led by Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center investigators has identified a gene expression pattern that may explain why chemotherapy prior to surgery isn’t effective against some tumors and suggests new therapy options for patients with specific subtypes of breast cancer. The study by lead author Justin Balko, Pharm.D., Ph.D., was published online June 10, 2012 [...]

Justin Balko, Pharm.D., Ph.D., was named Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center’s Postdoctoral Fellow of the Year. He describes some of his breast cancer research pertaining to drug resistance and targeted therapeutics. He also notes the exceptional translational research environment that Vanderbilt provides. Balko is a researcher in the Carlos Arteaga lab.

Carlos Arteaga, M.D., professor of Medicine and Cancer Biology, associate director of Clinical Research and director of the Breast Cancer Program of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, has been awarded a five-year Clinical Research Professorship grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS). The $400,000 award is a renewal of a previous grant to Arteaga in 2007 [...]

The annual Songs from the Heart concert, which showcases original song lyrics written by cancer patients, survivors and families, will be held Friday, June 15. The reception and a silent auction will start at 5 p.m. and the free concert begins at 6:30 p.m. This year’s event will be held in a new location at [...]

The Stanley Cohen Award for Research Bridging Diverse Disciplines, such as Chemistry or Physics, to Solve Biology’s Most Important Fundamental Questions — Vito Quaranta, M.D., professor of Cancer Biology. Quaranta earned his medical degree from the University of Bari School of Medicine in Bari, Italy, in 1974 and passed the USA ECFMG Board in 1976. [...]

Jacek Hawiger Award for Teaching Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows in the Classroom, Lecture or Small Group Setting — Yu Shyr, Ph.D., Ingram Professor of Cancer Research, professor of Biostatistics, Biomedical Informatics, Cancer Biology and Preventive Medicine. Shyr earned his bachelor’s degree in statistics from Tamkang University, Taiwan, in 1985, and his doctorate in biostatistics [...]