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Katherine Unger Baillie
Senior Science News Officer
kbaillie@upenn.edu
Cancer Research
The backlog in mammograms during the COVID-19 pandemic
The backlog in mammograms during the COVID-19 pandemic
The backlog of diagnostic mammograms is not expected to return to regular operations for nearly six months at best, and a lack of early detection will have health implications on cancer management for years to come.
Researchers unlock the door to tumor microenvironment for CAR T cells
Researchers unlock the door to tumor microenvironment for CAR T cells
A new study finds that combining CAR T thereapy with an enzyme-inhibitor drug allows the engineered cells to battle through jumbled blood vessels and attack tumors.
Donita Brady is ready for the next steps in cancer biology research
Donita Brady is ready for the next steps in cancer biology research
The Presidential Professor of cancer biology leads a team that is working to understand how cancer grows uncontrolled in cells and discovering novel ways to stop it.
Diagnostic imaging may increase risk of testicular cancer
Diagnostic imaging may increase risk of testicular cancer
New research shows a statistically significant increased risk of testicular cancer among those reporting at least three exposures to X-ray, including a colon X-ray, and CT below the waist.
Two key events that turn normal cells into cancer
Two key events that turn normal cells into cancer
The discovery of a unifying mechanism could inform new therapeutic approaches to prevent normal cells from transforming into any type of tumor.
‘Fast’ MRI detects breast cancers that 3-D mammograms may miss
‘Fast’ MRI detects breast cancers that 3-D mammograms may miss
Abbreviated MRI shortens the screening time and requires only three sequences, while traditional ultrasound’s limitations don’t detect cancer as reliably for women with higher breast density.
Priming the immune system to attack cancer
Priming the immune system to attack cancer
An international team, co-led by the School of Dental Medicine’s George Hajishengallis, showed how immune “training” transforms certain immune cells to target tumors.
Nudges and machine learning triples advanced care conversations
Nudges and machine learning triples advanced care conversations
During the pandemic, a Penn-developed algorithm helped sustain end-of-life care discussions with patients with cancer.
Anthony Fauci and Penn Medicine physicians on cancer care during pandemic
Anthony Fauci and Penn Medicine physicians on cancer care during pandemic
A virtual conference on cancer and COVID-19 discussed how medical professionals adapt to a rapidly changing environment and enforce protocols to deliver care safely, while individuals are choosing to skip cancer screenings or delay treatments.
Avery Posey’s cancer research takes high risks for big rewards
Avery Posey’s cancer research takes high risks for big rewards
The assistant professor of systems pharmacology and translational therapeutics, who studied with Carl June as a postdoctoral fellow, combines his two research passions—gene therapy and investigating ‘little known’ biology—in the pursuit of new knowledge.
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In the News
The Washington Post
For those at risk for cancer, weighing the risk of COVID-19 with delays in screening and treatment
Lawrence Shulman of the Perelman School of Medicine says declining numbers of new cancer diagnoses over the past four months don’t mean fewer people actually have cancer. “There are a lot of patients out there who have cancer but are not undergoing diagnosis and entry into the cancer care system,” he said.
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New Scientist
CRISPR cancer trial finds that gene-edited immune cells are safe
Edward Stadtmauer and Carl June of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about a clinical trial that found it safe to inject CRISPR gene-edited immune cells into people with advanced cancer.
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Science
Deciphering a cancer treatment’s dark side
Saar Gill of the Perelman School of Medicine said it would be easier to treat cancer using CAR-T cell therapy without the looming possibility of triggering cytokine release syndrome.
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Scientific American
Could immunotherapy treat diseases besides cancer?
Jonathan Epstein of the Perelman School of Medicine is quoted on how immunotherapy has transformed cancer care.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
The world’s first T-cell therapy for a solid tumor cancer is made in Philly
Carl June of the Perelman School of Medicine commented on news of Iovance Biotherapeutics’ new facilities in South Philadelphia. “Recent advances in the understanding of cancer and the immune system have made a compelling case that [tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte] therapy could be effective in diverse cancers beyond melanoma, such as lung cancer and cervical cancer,” he said. “The decision of Iovance to conduct commercial scale manufacturing in the Philadelphia Navy Yard is wonderful news.”
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U.S. News & World Report
Fertility after cancer
Christos Coutifaris and Clarisa Gracia of the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about patients’ fertility options after cancer treatment.
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