This study shows estradiol suppresses microglial immunity and promotes breast cancer brain metastasis, with E2 suppression enhancing anti-tumor responses and synergizing with radiotherapy.

Neuro-Oncology · Jul 28, 2026Peer-reviewedCancer Biology

Targeting wild type NTRK decreases brain metastases of lung cancers non-driven by NTRK fusions

Maria Jose Contreras-Zarate, Jenny A. Jaramillo-Gómez, Ricaurte Alejandro Marquez-Ortíz, Trinh C. Pham, Stella N. Koliavas, David Ryan Ormond, Andre Navarro, Raphael A. Nemenoff, D. Ross Camidge, Diana M. Cittelly

This study shows that NTRK inhibitors can reduce brain metastases in lung cancers with wild-type NTRK, even without NTRK fusions.

Cancer Research Communications · Jul 21, 2026Peer-reviewedCancer Biology

Brain FGF2 and NCAM1 contribute to FGFR1-dependent progression of ER+ breast cancer brain metastases in young and aged hosts

Morgan S. Fox, Jenny A. Jaramillo-Gómez, Ricaurte Alejandro Marquez-Ortíz, Karen L.F. Alvarez-Eraso, Maria Jose Contreras-Zarate, Trinh C. Pham, Elaina N. Barela, Stella N. Koliavas, Peter Kabos, Natalie J. Serkova, Carol A. Sartorius, Elizabeth A. Wellberg, Diana M. Cittelly

This study shows FGFR1 amplification drives ER+ breast cancer brain metastasis in young and aged mice via FGF2 and NCAM1 interactions, with FGFR inhibitors effective in early stages.

Nature Communications · May 28, 2026Peer-reviewedCancer Biology

Advanced models of lobular breast cancer metastasis capture clinical organ tropism, endocrine response, and bone remodeling

Joseph L. Sottnik, Mary Elizabeth Buchanan, Maria Jose Contreras-Zarate, Trinh C. Pham, Maggie Musick, Thu Ha Truong, Diana M. Cittelly, Julie Hanson Ostrander, Matthew J. Sikora

This study develops a metastatic ILC mouse model to study organ tropism, endocrine response, and bone remodeling in mILC.

bioRxiv · Mar 14, 2026 · PreprintCancer Biology