Michigan Researchers Uncover How a 'Frankenstein' Gene Fuels Aggressive Childhood Cancer

By Anastazia Hartman Researchers in the Parolia Lab at the University of Michigan have uncovered how a single genetic event can make Ewing sarcoma—a rare and aggressive bone and soft tissue cancer that primarily affects children and young adults—more dangerous. Their findings reveal that when a gene called STAG2 is lost, the core cancer-driving protein EWS-FLI1 is redirected toward powerful genetic “on switches” that dramatically boost tumor-promoting genes. Ewing sarcomas arise from a genetic accident causing a fusion between two independent genes, EWSR1 and FLI1. When parts of these genes

From Health Lab: Researchers identify new therapeutic target for neuroendocrine tumors in the gastrointestinal tract

By Anastazia Hartman Researchers identify new therapeutic target for neuroendocrine tumors in the gastrointestinal tract Targeting two separate pathways that control lipid synthesis led to longer survival in mouse models By Ananya Sen Neuroendocrine cells are unique in their ability to act both as nerve cells and hormone-making cells. They're scattered throughout the body, including the stomach, intestines, pancreas and lungs. Tumors that arise from these cells are called neuroendocrine tumors and are often rare and slow growing. Around 70% of all neuroendocrine tumors arise in the pancreas or