New collaborative research from multiple departments at VCU—including VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center—points to a specific multifunctional protein, MDA-9, as a significant driver of head and neck tumors and a mediator of drug resistance. The findings of this study suggest that a new small molecule inhibitor, IVMT-Rx-4, could open the door for enhanced targeted treatment options for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

A comprehensive new review article highlights the growing importance of the MYH9 gene as a central player in both cancer biology and inherited genetic conditions, offering fresh perspectives on its potential as a therapeutic target.

A growing body of evidence is reshaping how cancer is understood, placing the spotlight on intra-tumoral microbiota as powerful yet previously overlooked players within the tumor microenvironment. Far from being sterile, tumors host complex communities of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that actively influence disease progression, immune responses, and treatment outcomes.

A comprehensive new review highlights the growing importance of FOXK2, a versatile transcription factor, in shaping cancer behavior and influencing clinical outcomes across a wide range of tumor types. The article brings together emerging knowledge to clarify how this gene functions in cancer and why it is attracting increasing attention as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker.