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Cancer Research
More cancers may be treated with drugs than previously believed
More cancers may be treated with drugs than previously believed
Using a Penn-designed neural network called PocketMiner, a Penn Medicine research team has identified hidden protein pockets that can provide new opportunities for cancer drugs to bind to.
A potential strategy to improve T cell therapy in solid tumors
A potential strategy to improve T cell therapy in solid tumors
A new Penn Medicine preclinical study finds that a new simultaneous “knockout” of two inflammatory regulators boosted T cell expansion to attach solid tumors.
A moment for men’s health
A moment for men’s health
Since 2012, the Basser Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center has been advancing lifesaving therapies and raising awareness of the risks faced by individuals with BRCA gene mutations.
Can we intercept cancer?
Can we intercept cancer?
Penn researchers are developing new ways to detect and “intercept” cancer from every angle, including basic science to understand the molecular changes that lead to cancer and developing new methods for finding it.
New insights into the mechanisms of tumor growth
New insights into the mechanisms of tumor growth
A team of researchers led by the School of Arts & Science’s Wei Guo characterize the molecular pathways that play a major role in tumorigenesis, findings that could lead to better diagnostic tools for cancer and new targeted therapies.
From a small town in Lebanon to cancer research
From a small town in Lebanon to cancer research
When Mayassa Bou-Dargham, a postdoctoral fellow in Penn’s Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute received a pilot project grant, a banner was hung in her Lebanese hometown. Getting there took years of determination, self-confidence and, in small part, fate.
How one doctor-patient relationship could change how women are treated for gynecologic cancers
How one doctor-patient relationship could change how women are treated for gynecologic cancers
In appreciation for her cancer treatment team led by Neil Taunk, patient Dalia Jakas established a fund to empower Taunk’s research into how treatment can be improved for uterine cancers like the one she experienced.
Machine learning-triggered reminders improve end-of-life care for patients with cancer
Machine learning-triggered reminders improve end-of-life care for patients with cancer
The rates of advanced care planning conversations quadrupled, while potentially harmful therapy at end of life decreased by 25% in large randomized study.
CAR T cell therapy may eliminate tumor cells missed by surgery
CAR T cell therapy may eliminate tumor cells missed by surgery
The results of a study led by Penn Medicine’s Carl June greenlights preclinical trials for the application of CAR T therapy in gel form to surgical wounds following partial tumor removal to eliminate residual tumor cells.
The Jin Lab taps into a key cell for cancer research
The Jin Lab taps into a key cell for cancer research
The lab, led by Chengcheng Jin, an assistant professor of cancer biology and microbiology, is investigating how the immune system co-evolves with tumors during cancer progression.
In the News
CNN
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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Associated Press
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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Philadelphia Inquirer
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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Philadelphia Inquirer
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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Psychology Today
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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Philadelphia Inquirer
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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