 | Hungry for Answers
Nearly 100 years ago, Otto Warburg discovered that cancer cells metabolize sugar differently than healthy cells, increasing fermentation to fuel their rapid proliferation despite it being a less efficient way to extract energy from food. Today, as new cancer drugs targeting cell metabolism move into the clinic, understanding the mechanism behind this paradox remains as pressing as ever.
Research by the Vander Heiden Lab, published in Molecular Cell, shows how fermentation drives increased regeneration of a molecule known as NAD+, required to synthesize DNA and other cellular building blocks. Their findings offer a possible explanation for the metabolic mystery behind the Warburg Effect and could also explain why other fast-dividing cells turn to fermentation despite its relative inefficiency.
This work was funded in part by the Ludwig Center at MIT, the MIT Center for Precision Cancer Medicine and the Lustgarten Foundation. |
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Weinberg Wins Japan Prize
Three cheers to Daniel K. Ludwig Professor for Cancer Research Robert Weinberg, 2021 Japan Prize laureate in the field of Medical Science and Medicinal Science. He is honored jointly with Bert Vogelstein (Johns Hopkins Medicine) for their pioneering contributions to the development of a multi-step carcinogenesis model, its application and its impact on improving cancer treatment. The Japan Prize is awarded annually to scientists and engineers from around the world who have made significant contributions to the advancement of science and technology, thereby furthering the peace and prosperity of humankind. |
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Making Mammography-Based Risk Assessment More Robust Researchers led by Regina Barzilay and Constance Lehman (Mass General Hospital) developed a new risk-assessment algorithm to improve accuracy, consistency, and equity in breast cancer diagnosis. The Mirai system, published in Science Translational Medicine, incorporates the unique requirements of risk modeling into their AI-driven screening tools and works across diverse populations, leading to more equitable healthcare outcomes. |
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NCI, MIT Cancer Research Turn 50
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Institute, the history of which is intimately linked with that of cancer research at MIT. Following passage of the National Cancer Act of 1971, Professor Salvador Luria, the Nobel prize-winning head of MIT’s Department of Biology, applied for and won funding to open one of the first NCI-designated cancer centers. The MIT Center for Cancer Research, predecessor to the Koch Institute, set the standard for investigating the fundamental nature of cancer, making key biological discoveries that helped shape the field and advance new treatments. Efforts are underway to name the KI Auditorium in Luria’s honor.
Read about Luria’s science and mentorship here. |
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Disarming Cancer
Weinberg and Spranger Lab researchers are studying the biology behind two of cancer’s most deadly evolutions—metastasis and resistance to treatment. Previous work showed that quasi-mesenchymal cells cross-protect their epithelial neighbors in the same tumor and shield it from immune attack, keeping out cancer-destroying immune cells. In new work supported by the Ludwig Center at MIT and appearing in Cancer Discovery, researchers identified six quasi-mesenchymal molecules that help carry out this defense. Of the six, the enzyme CD73 proved most effective in making breast carcinoma cells more vulnerable to immunotherapy and reducing the severity of metastasis. |
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New Year, New Faces
A trio of new Koch Institute extramural faculty members hails from MIT’s Departments of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry. Katie Galloway connects basic research questions—in gene circuits, genome architecture, and cell-fate transitions—to tool development for biomedical applications. Laura Kiessling uses chemical biology to elucidate the biological roles of carbohydrates, with a focus on learning new mechanistic concepts. Ron Raines studies the chemical basis and biological purpose for protein structure and function. A hearty welcome to all! |
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For pTyr’s Sake
White Lab researchers have developed a new method for profiling tyrosine phosphorylation, a cell signaling process that is often dysregulated in cancer. The high-throughput array, described in Cancer Research and funded in part by the MIT Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, opens up new clinical avenues for personalized treatment based on cell signaling. |
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Personalized Vaccine Persists
A study published in Nature Medicine highlights the effectiveness of a personalized cancer vaccine developed by a Bridge Project team including Bradley Pentelute. Four years after melanoma patients were treated with a personalized vaccine, the resulting immune response remains intact and effective at controlling cancer cells. |
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Science Gets a Promotion
Like many at MIT, KI community members have long played key roles as scientific advisors and leaders at the national level. This year, the KI congratulates biologist Eric Lander, named Presidential Science Advisor, and Vice President of Research Maria Zuber—under whose purview the KI sits—now co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Beyond these well-deserved appointments, the KI celebrates the fact that, with the Presidential Science Advisor role elevated to a cabinet level position, science itself now has a seat at the table. |
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Belcher Shines Brighter
In a paper published in Advanced Materials, the Belcher Lab demonstrated recent advancements to their imaging system. First, they paired short-wave infrared organic dye molecules with gold nanorods to increase the brightness of their fluorescent probes. Then, collaborating with the Hammond and Irvine groups, they designed three different surface coatings to help target the fluorescent probes to tumors. In ovarian cancer mouse models, the researchers showed that the probes are not only brighter, but that all three coatings target efficiently to tumors, making them ideal for use in real-time imaging-guided surgery.
This work was funded in part by the Koch Institute Frontier Research Program through the Curt and Kathy Marble Cancer Research Fund. |
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Bhatia Tracks Treatment Response
Best known for applications in cancer diagnostics, the Bhatia Lab’s synthetic biosensor platform can also be used to monitor and understand treatment response. In partnership with Gilead, Bhatia’s startup, Glympse Bio, is using the technology in trials with NASH patients. |
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Expanding Options for Tissue Analysis
Combining tissue expansion and RNA sequencing techniques, Ed Boyden and collaborators developed an approach to mapping gene expression in tissue samples that can pinpoint an individual molecule of mRNA within a cell. In a study appearing in Science, researchers examined tumor and immune cells in breast cancer metastases, uncovering unique behaviors based on cell location. |
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