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Cancer Research
Hindering melanoma metastasis with an FDA-approved drug
A drug approved by the FDA 65 years ago for blood pressure control may aid in preventing cancer from spreading to distant organs. New research led by Serge Fuchs revealed that this drug disrupted formation of a fertile environment for metastasis by protecting healthy cells from harmful vesicles released by tumors.
Resistance to cancer treatment is a chain reaction
A study identifies a chain reaction in cells that enables cancer to resist treatments that target BRAF mutations.
Doctors can weigh in on brain tumors remotely
Brain tumor patients will now have access to Penn Medicine’s cancer expertise through the new telemedicine second opinion program for brain tumors.
CAR T cell therapy leads to lasting remissions
In an update to a global clinical trial stretching from Philadelphia to four continents, the chimeric antigen receptor CAR T cell therapy Kymriah® led to long-lasting remissions in patients with non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
FDA approves new targeted drug for leukemia
The drug is the first to target common mutations associated with relapse and short survival in acute myeloid leukemia.
A link between anti-malaria drugs and cancer treatments, explained
The Abramson Cancer Center study is the first to identify what drugs known as chloroquines are targeting when used for cancer treatment.
The ‘immunorevolution’ has begun
Penn Medicine experts gathered for a panel discussion about their innovative new approach to harness the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.
Future fertility: Giving hope to men who received childhood cancer treatment
Researchers have discovered a way to grow human stem cells destined to become mature sperm in an effort to provide fertility options later in life to males who are diagnosed with cancer and undergo chemotherapy and radiation as children.
Abramson Cancer Center receives $10.7 million to study CAR T cells in solid tumors
A new program project grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) will fund research by the Translational Center of Excellence for Lung Cancer Immunology for experimental approaches in lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Skin cream use OK’d during radiation therapy
A new study challenges common advice given to patients about whether topical creams increase radiation dose during cancer treatment.
In the News
There’s still no standard test to detect pancreatic cancer early. Scientists are working to change that
A 2020 study from the Perelman School of Medicine found that a blood test to screen for certain biomarkers associated with pancreatic cancer was 92% accurate in its ability to detect disease.
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A new strategy to attack aggressive brain cancer shrank tumors in two early tests
A clinical trial led by Stephen Bagley of the Perelman School of Medicine suggests that targeting two associated proteins with CAR T cell therapy could be a viable strategy for shrinking brain tumors.
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UPenn scientists among those developing vaccines that arm the immune system to fight cancer
Penn Medicine researchers like Nobel laureate Drew Weissman are leading efforts to develop a vaccine that prevents cancer, with remarks from Susan Domchek of the Basser Center for BRCA and Robert H. Vonderheide of the Abramson Cancer Center.
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Penn’s BRCA cancer vaccine trial aims to prevent the disease in healthy people
A trial led by Susan Domchek of the Perelman School of Medicine could use a preventive vaccine to protect people with a BRCA gene mutation from cancer.
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AI detects cancers and immunotherapy biomarker
Daiwei Zhang and Mingyao Li of the Perelman School of Medicine and colleagues have developed an AI tool called iStar that can automatically spot tumors and types of cancer that are difficult for clinicians to see or identify and can predict candidates for immunotherapy.
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Penn started giving cancer patients free rides to appointments. It helped reduce no-shows and increase clinical trial enrollment
The Abramson Cancer Center is attempting to address one of the most common challenges cancer patients face: lack of transportation to critically important appointments. Robert Vonderheide and Carmen Guerra of the Perelman School of Medicine are quoted on the Ride Health initiative.
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