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Genetic analysis of people with African ancestry reveals lung cancer susceptibilities  

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A study led by researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center has discovered genetic susceptibilities that may shed light on why people of African ancestry are disproportionately affected by lung cancer.  

Prior research has shown that Americans of African ancestry have a higher risk of lung cancer compared to white Americans despite smoking fewer cigarettes, but the reasons for this difference are not fully understood, and studies that delve into genetic susceptibilities for lung cancer among this population group have been limited. New research published Aug. 18 in the American Journal of Human Genetics revealed a total of 10 genomic regions — four of which had never been previously reported — associated with lung cancer. 

The researchers performed genome-wide association studies on 6,490 people of African ancestry that included 2,390 with a diagnosis of lung cancer and a control group of 4,100 for comparison. 

The authors confirmed that a well-known genetic region on chromosome 15 plays a major role in lung cancer risk across populations. The authors also discovered four additional genetic regions (on chromosomes 3, 8, 14 and 18) that had not been linked to lung cancer before. When their findings were combined with results from European and Asian populations, a total of 17 genetic regions were associated with lung cancer risk. Several genes in these regions are involved in biological processes such as lung function, cell growth and DNA repair.  

“Our work provides a critical advance in lung cancer by improving our limited understanding of genetic susceptibility in African ancestry populations and offers insights that may guide future treatment efforts,” said the study’s corresponding author, Melinda Aldrich, PhD, MPH, professor of Medicine, Thoracic Surgery and Biomedical Informatics at Vanderbilt.  

Aldrich and Jacklyn Hellwege, PhD, research assistant professor of Medicine, are the study’s senior authors. 

“This work was uniquely positioned to make use of advances in statistical modeling and genetic ancestry information to ultimately make new insights into the genetic architecture of lung cancer in this at-risk population,” said Hellwege. 

VUMC researchers received support from National Institutes of Health grants (U01CA253560, U01CA202979, R01CA141769, R01ES006717, P30CA022453 and P30CA068485) for the study. 

Other VUMC authors on the study are Michael Betti, PhD, James Jaworski, MPH, Shilin Zhao, PhD, and Eric Gamazon, PhD, MS. 

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Grant supports development of head-mounted augmented reality system to guide tumor resection 

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In a collaboration between Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering, investigators have received a $2.5 million grant to develop a head-mounted augmented reality system that can guide surgeons in ensuring complete tumor removal in head and neck cancer surgery and potentially reduce the recurrence rate of tumors. 

The National Institutes of Health grant was awarded to primary investigator Jie Ying Wu, PhD, assistant professor of Computer Science, with secondary appointments in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering at Vanderbilt University. Wu also has an appointment in the Department of Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. 

Co-investigators include Michael Miga, PhD, director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering and the Harvie Branscomb Professor and chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, as well as Michael Topf, MD, associate professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and Matthew Weinger, MD, professor of Anesthesiology and Biomedical Informatics. 

“I am delighted to receive this award to transform surgical care for head and neck cancer,” said Wu. “This funding will allow us to build novel deformation models for heterogeneous tissue shrinkage and ensure the augmented reality software design is intuitive for surgeons and fits within the clinical workflow.” 

The development of the technology stems from a deficit Topf noticed in surgical oncology. While three-dimensional scanning has become part of the norm for other aspects of patient care, from same-day dental crowns to prosthetic limbs, Topf was troubled by the lack of application for 3D scanning in oncologic surgery. Topf implemented a protocol to create 3D models of resected cancers for surgeons, pathologists and oncologists to reference. 

“We came up with a way to 3D scan a surgical specimen in real time in less than 10 minutes prior to processing and not interfere with all the other important things that are going on in the pathology lab,” said Topf. “Encouragingly, this is a widely transferable practice and would be applicable to most cancer surgeries, from orthopaedic oncology to breast cancer.” 

Weinger, who is a faculty member of the Center for Research and Innovation in Systems Safety (CRISS) at VUMC, expressed the organization’s eagerness to support the research. 

“CRISS is excited to contribute to this important project, applying advanced engineering to ensure the user interface of this technology guides surgeons to safely and effectively treat cancer patients,” said Weinger, who holds the Norman Ty Smith Chair in Patient Safety and Medical Simulation. 

Safety and effectiveness are at the core of the research. As Miga explained, the 3D mapping technology will allow surgeons to rely less on a fallible mental construction of the resection plane, thereby reducing the risk of human error affecting the procedure. 

“When it comes to cancer surgery, surgeons often say, ‘We think we got it all,’” said Miga. “What many don’t realize is that every operation requires the surgeon to construct a mental spatial map, linking the visible surgical field to their internal understanding of the tumor’s extent. It’s an incredibly complex task, and sometimes, despite best efforts, reoperations are necessary. 

“Now imagine if, while the patient is still on the table, we could detect the margin in real time, and then, using a holographic overlay, highlight the precise region that needs further attention. Through our collaboration, that’s the kind of transformation we’re seeking to make commonplace with this research.” 

Collaboration has been consistent over the last few years between the Medical Center and the University, said Wu. She hopes research into the technology will eventually support a clinical trial, a sentiment shared by Eben Rosenthal, MD, Barry and Amy Baker Professor and chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 

“Improving surgical outcomes is of the utmost importance, especially when it comes to ensuring total tumor removal and reduced risk of recurrence for cancer patients,” said Rosenthal. “The research supported by this grant will help us perfect this technology as we seek practical applications for patient care, including clinical trials and, eventually, everyday use in the operating room.” 

This study is supported by NIH grant R01EB037685. 

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This study is Phase I/IIa First-in-Human Study of [212Pb]VMT--NET Targeted Alpha-Particle Therapy for Advanced SSTR2 Positive Neuroendocrine Tumors

Susan Morrow Legacy Foundation supports ovarian cancer research at Vanderbilt

Susan Morrow kept too busy to be bored, whether she was teaching deaf children to speak, starting new business ventures or confronting cancer.

Ovarian cancer crept into her life the way it most often does — unsuspected and without warning. The first symptom occurred in 2020 when she noticed herself gasping for breath during a trip to the North Carolina mountains and thought she might have COVID-19.

After receiving the cancer diagnosis, she met the challenges with heroic stamina and analytical reasoning. She sought emerging treatment options, volunteered to raise awareness about the disease, and chronicled her journey with meticulous emails.

Two years after her death, her story continues. The Susan Morrow Legacy Foundation has made a generous donation to support ovarian cancer research at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

“She was an incredibly driven, incredibly interesting person and the light of my life,” said her husband, Ron Morrow, who has filled the seat on the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Board of Advisors that she once held.

Vanderbilt-Ingram was where she received her initial treatment and surgery. The gift in her honor will support studies that are evaluating new microbubble imaging strategies and other molecular studies being developed by Todd Giorgio, PhD, professor of Biomedical Engineering and of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, to detect the earliest cancer or precancer lesions within the fallopian tubes.

Morrow’s tenacity and energy left an impression with Ronald Alvarez, MD, MBA, chair and clinical service chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology. This support will continue her legacy and help other women facing this disease.

“Past attempts to develop effective ovarian cancer screening strategies have been unsuccessful. The research we have asked the Morrow Foundation to support will hopefully provide preliminary evidence in preclinical models that this novel imaging strategy may be an effective ovarian cancer screening approach,” said Alvarez, the Betty and Lonnie S. Burnett Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Ben Ho Park, MD, PhD, director of Vanderbilt-Ingram, said Susan Morrow was an engaged and energetic member of the Board of Advisors.

“Beyond this generous gift, Ron and Susan Morrow have both been valuable to our mission by volunteering to serve on our board,” said Park, the Benjamin F. Byrd Jr. Professor of Oncology and professor of Medicine. “We appreciate the leadership that Susan provided and the continuing commitment from Ron to advance cancer care and research.”

The daughter of a U.S. Army colonel, Susan Morrow spent her early years wherever her father was stationed, but she grew up in El Paso, Texas, following his retirement. After graduating from the University of Texas and then receiving a Master of Education from Harvard University, she taught speech to children with profound deafness, worked in the investment business and then transitioned into an entrepreneurial career, establishing an executive search firm as well as direct sales company for women’s clothing. When she moved to Park City, Utah, she met Ron Morrow, and the couple married in 2006.

He changed the name of the family’s charitable foundation to honor her following her death on Sept. 28, 2022.

“Medical issues became extremely important, and we made ovarian cancer a focus because often a woman doesn’t know she has it until it’s Stage 3 or maybe Stage 4,” Morrow said. “That was certainly the case with Susan. She had no cancer in her family at all, ever.”

Awareness about ovarian cancer and improving early detection is a focus for the foundation, which will host the Susan Morrow Drive to Survive Golf Tournament at the Old Tabby Links course in Spring Island, South Carolina, on Oct. 6.

Morrow said she left him a gift of peace that he and his family would like to keep giving.

“When we were married, I didn’t think she was an extremely religious person,” he said. “She obviously believed in God, but we didn’t go to church every week. It was something that was in our life, but it didn’t encompass us. As she was dying, she had read a book called ‘Proof of Life.’ And as she was dying, I was holding her, and she looked off into the distance and looked up, then looked over to me and said, ‘It’ll be OK.”

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Photos and video from a memorable night: Stand Up to Cancer broadcast highlights Nashville talent, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Stand Up to Cancer, a one-hour, commercial-free special promoting the life-saving advances of cancer research, and to raise funds for new treatments and cures, was broadcast Friday Aug. 15 on more than 30 participating media platforms, including national TV networks ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX.

Viewers saw performances by host Sheryl Crow, as well as the Jonas Brothers, Noah Cyrus, Gavin DeGraw, Marcus King, Brothers Osborne, Jon Pardi, Jelly Roll, Dan + Shay and CeCe Winans (joined by Nashville Community Gospel Choir).

During the telecast, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) was highlighted and mentioned several times. During a segment on the role of artificial intelligence in cancer diagnosis and treatment, Ben Ho Park, MD, PhD, director of VICC, and Tae Hyun Hwang, PhD, professor of Surgery, both were among those featured. In addition, Brothers Osborne asked everyone from VICC who was in attendance to stand up for a round of applause, and, in a taped segment, Keith Urban mentioned VICC and Vanderbilt Health.

The full telecast is now available for viewing on YouTube at this link:

The one-hour broadcast special was taped at The Pinnacle in downtown Nashville on Aug. 9. Before taping the show, a pre-taping party was attended by approximately 1,000 VUMC and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center physicians, nurses and staff and their guests. Pictures from that event are here.

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Neoadjuvant REGN2810 (Cemiplimab) in Cutaneous Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Hyundai Hope on Wheels grant to advance research on long-term mental and cognitive health of pediatric cancer survivors

Kaille Meguiar, DO, MPH, an oncologist in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, has been awarded a $100,000 Hyundai Hope on Wheels Impact Award to research the psychosocial and neurocognitive outcomes of survivors of pediatric, adolescent and young adult cancers.

Hyundai Hope on Wheels, which includes funding from Hyundai Motor America and local dealerships, has awarded more than $2 million in funding to pediatric cancer researchers at Monroe Carell since 2007.

Every year, more than 15,000 children are diagnosed with cancer. Thanks to advancements in treatments, approximately 85% of these children now survive five years or longer. However, there is an increasing need to address the long-term challenges survivors face beyond physical health, including higher rates of anxiety and depression; impaired task efficiency and memory; and long-term problems with attention and executive functions.

With the latest grant award to Monroe Carell, Meguiar’s work will focus on understanding how cancer and its treatment impact survivors’ mental and cognitive well-being, as well as how to better support them and their caregivers.

After completing her DO degree and internal medicine and pediatric residencies at Corewell Health/Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Meguiar joined Monroe Carell as a Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellow. During her fellowship, she developed a research project to identify the risk factors for negative psychosocial outcomes in childhood cancer survivors. Her work earned a National Institutes of Health training grant. With the support of the Hyundai Impact Award, she will expand her research by creating a cohort to study neurocognitive outcomes and develop interventions to improve survivors’ quality of life.

“I am honored to receive this award, which will allow me to continue my work focused on improving the lives of childhood cancer survivors and their families,” said Meguiar, who joined the Vanderbilt faculty in July 2025. “I look forward to advancing our understanding of these challenges and finding ways to make a meaningful difference. Thank you to Hyundai and the local dealerships for supporting this important work to enhance the comprehensive long-term care for childhood cancer survivors.”

Officials with Vanderbilt and Hyundai Motor America and at this week’s Hope on Wheels event. (photo by Susan Urmy)
Officials with Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and Hyundai Motor America at this week’s Hope on Wheels event. (photo by Susan Urmy)

Representatives from Hyundai and local dealerships presented a check and an honorary lab coat to Meguiar during a special celebration at Monroe Carell. The event also included patient Greta Ford, 4, and her dad, Adam, and mom, Rachel Modhal, who shared their daughter’s cancer journey with leukemia and described Meguiar as their “rock” through it all.

The event was followed by a “handprint” ceremony where cancer patients dipped their hands in paint and put their handprints on a white Hyundai Palisade, with each handprint representing their personal stories of hope and courage.

Greta Ford places her handprint on the Hyundai Palisade vehicle as part of the Hyundai Hope on Wheels event at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. (photo by Susan Urmy)
Greta Ford places her handprint on the Hyundai Palisade vehicle as part of the Hyundai Hope on Wheels event at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. (photo by Susan Urmy)

“This is about the families who inspire us every day — and the scientific pioneers, like those here today, who are leading innovative and lifesaving research,” said Scott Harrison, senior sales manager for Hyundai Motor America Southern region. “Their breakthroughs are pushing the boundaries of medicine and providing kids with treatments that were unthinkable five or 10 years ago. Because of this, more children are surviving this disease. More kids can play sports, make friends, graduate from high school, build a life for themselves and find their place in the world. More kids have a second chance at life. This is the beating heart of everything we do.”

In celebration of Hope on Wheels’ 27th anniversary, Hyundai will award $27 million in grants to institutions across the country, including Monroe Carell. HHOW has donated more than $277 million in grants since its inception in 1998.

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