A medulloblastoma is a malignant tumor of the central nervous system, and one particular subtype, the sonic hedgegog medulloblastoma, or SHH, accounts for about 20% of pediatric brain tumors. Gene mutations are responsible for SHH, which typically occurs in pediatric patients who are younger than 4, or older than 16; also, pediatric SHH tumors have a different genetic makeup than SHH tumors in adults.

With an award from Velocity, Francesca Bartolini, PhD and co-investigator Robert Wechsler-Reya, PhD seek to discover the precise mechanisms that cause SHH. Despite the prevalence of this cancer, we still don’t know enough about its origins. Their work will focus on two particular proteins (INF2 and mDia), and how they interact; this new knowledge will lead the way to targeted treatment.

Acral lentiginous melanoma, or ALM, is a skin cancer that typically appears on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, or under the nails – dark spots develop, and these irregularly shaped black, gray, tan or brown marks often have irregular borders. It’s a cancer that particularly affects Black patients; those of Asian descent are also prone to this diagnosis.

Lead investigator Rolando Perez-Lorenzo, PhD, with two co-investigators – Hasan Abaci, PhD and Alejandro Gru, MD, both of the Department of Dermatology – will use their Velocity award to study the racial disparities in ALM diagnosis and progression. Their goal is two-fold: to develop new treatment targets for the disease, and to help reduce health disparities and outcomes in ALM and other cancers.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. People with lower socioeconomic status are at higher risk for lung cancer, and they often face challenges with adherence to treatment, and delays in treatment. Low health literacy often makes it harder for these patients to understand their treatment and communicate with their healthcare providers. Virtual reality (VR) could help improve patient education, treatment readiness, and communication. A new VR tool, called EveryBreathMatters, aims to support lung cancer patients with low health literacy by enhancing their understanding and preparation for treatment. This approach could help reduce disparities in lung cancer care, particularly in economically disadvantaged communities. It will be led Safa Elkefi, PhD, with colleagues from the School of Nursing and the College of Dental Medicine.

At first blush, the zebrafish, a member of the minnow family, might not seem like the most likely candidate to aid in cancer research in humans. But since 1965, cancer investigators have found zebrafish to be invaluable in learning more about the origin and expression of a wide variety of cancers, and with her award from Velocity, Xiao Zhao, MD, MS will use zebrafish cells to learn more about cholangiocarcinoma, or CCA, a group of aggressive bile duct cancers that are challenging to diagnose early and frequently have poor treatment outcomes. CCA has several different subtypes, and is often diagnosed in patients in underserved communities, factors which lead to less-than-optimal results. Dr. Zhao’s study will explore the differences between the CCA subtypes, how they progress and may become resistant to treatment; the goal is to diagnose earlier and to provide treatment plans optimized for each patient.