Research


Uncovering Repair Mechanisms to Fix DNA Double-Strand Breaks

July 21, 2021

Researchers at the Mays Cancer Center are studying the most toxic and carcinogenic kind of DNA damage — DNA double-stand break which can be caused by radiation used to kill cancer cells. Their findings can lead to new more effective treatments.




Groundbreaking Work on Connexins Leads to Potential Breast Cancer Drug

July 21, 2021

Jean Jiang, PhD, and her team of researchers are building on their innovative discoveries on connexin channels by developing custom antibodies to stimulate the opening of hemichannels in bone cells to protect skeletal tissue from the invasion of breast cancer cells.




Anti-Depressant Drug Offers Hope to Treat, Prevent Breast Cancer

July 21, 2021

A discovery in the research lab of Manjeet Rao, PhD, has led to a clinical trial — conducted by physician-scientist Virginia Kaklamani, MD, DSc — repurposing imipramine, a drug originally designed to treat depression, to determine if the drug not only treats but also prevents breast cancer.




Studying Cork Tree Extract and Exercise as Treatments for Prostate Cancer

July 21, 2021

Darpan Patel, PhD, and lead investigator A. Pratap Kumar, PhD, studied amurense, an extract from the bark of the Amur cork tree native to China, in mouse models to determine its potential as a therapeutic in treating prostate cancer. Research proved it is just as effective as exercise in preventing the progression.




2020 Discovery of the Year Awarded to Ricardo Aguiar, MD, PhD

July 20, 2021

The Mays Cancer Center presented the 2020 Discovery of the Year award to Ricardo Aguiar, MD, PhD, for his team’s breakthrough discovery in their basic biological research on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). a common and often fatal hematological malignancy.




Researchers Battle Therapy-Resistant Cancer Cells by Identifying Aggressive Gene Enhancers

July 20, 2021

New research at the Mays Cancer Center has revealed one reason breast cancer tumor cells are so notoriously resistant to treatment. The finding has important implications in the prospect of developing first-in-class therapies that target the mechanisms in which DNA is ready by the cancer cell.



World map showing attendees

San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Goes Virtual

July 20, 2021

For the first time in its 43-year history, the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium was held virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A record crowd from 92 countries participated in the world’s leading scientific conference on breast cancer research and treatment.



Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos book

Employing Research, Recommendations to Battle Expected 142 Percent Rise in Cancer

July 20, 2021

After gathering international cancer experts, Mays Cancer Center leaders published a book with innovative research and recommendations to reduce Latino cancer, the leading cause of death for this diverse population.




Conference Tackles Rising Disparities in Cancer Rates Among Latinos

July 20, 2021

The 2020 “Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos” conference brought together more than 300 researchers, clinicians and community policy makers to find ways to battle the predicted 142 percent rise in cancer rates in Latinos.



Accolades

CPRIT Awards $2 Million for Recruitment

July 20, 2021

A $2 million award from CPRIT funded the recruitment of a second scientist studying nonalcoholic liver disease (NASH). Xiaoli Sun, PhD, came from UC-San Diego where she developed unique mouse models to study NASH.



Accolades

Mary Kay Foundation Awards $100,000 Grant

July 20, 2021

The Mary Kay Foundation awarded $100,000 to Zhijie “Jason” Liu, PhD, who will leverage the grant to study estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), a biomarker of breast cancer.



Accolades

International Grant Funds Pediatric Cancer Research

July 20, 2021

Alexander Bishop, DPhil, and a colleague in Scotland were awarded a grant from the Stand Up To Cancer and Cancer Research UK’s Pediatric Cancer New Discoveries Challenge, which funds international teams studying hard-to-treat pediatric cancer. The scientists are teaming up to investigate a unique biological hallmark of Ewing sarcoma.