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Cancer Research
FDA approves ‘glowing tumor’ imaging drug to aid lung cancer surgery
FDA approves ‘glowing tumor’ imaging drug to aid lung cancer surgery
The injectable diagnostic, Cytalux, binds to cancerous tissue and glows, making it easier for surgeons to remove tumors completely while sparing healthy tissue.
Advances in cancer research
Advances in cancer research
Recent research shows promise in a novel CAR T therapy after cancer relapse, and a novel treatment for multiple myeloma.
How the perception of risks and benefits influence cancer clinical trial withdrawal outcomes
How the perception of risks and benefits influence cancer clinical trial withdrawal outcomes
A new study from the School of Nursing examines the association between patients’ perceived benefits and burdens of research participation and withdrawal.
Study shows promise of new anti-KRAS drug for pancreatic cancer
Study shows promise of new anti-KRAS drug for pancreatic cancer
A small molecule inhibitor that attacks the difficult cancer-causing gene mutation KRAS successfully shrunk tumors or stopped cancer growth in preclinical models of pancreatic cancer.
HPV-related cancers are on the rise in men
HPV-related cancers are on the rise in men
Recent CDC data show that roughly four of every 10 cases of HPV-induced cancer now occur in men. Penn Medicine research has found that differences in levels of a particular HPV protein may inform treatment.
CAR T cell therapy reaches beyond cancer
CAR T cell therapy reaches beyond cancer
Penn Medicine researchers laud the early results for CAR T therapy in lupus patients, which point to broader horizons for the use of personalized cellular therapies.
Home health care—a crucial edge for the future of medicine
Home health care—a crucial edge for the future of medicine
Home care has long been a part of health care, but it was the COVID-19 pandemic that led Penn Medicine to rethink who needed to be in the hospital.
Why cancers caused by BRCA mutations recur
Why cancers caused by BRCA mutations recur
Findings from Penn Medicine uncover possible drivers of recurrent breast and ovarian cancers among women carrying high-risk genetic mutations, pointing to methods to more effectively treat disease.
A FLASH of radiation may pave the way toward new cancer care for people and pets alike
A FLASH of radiation may pave the way toward new cancer care for people and pets alike
Led by the Perelman School of Medicine’s Keith Cengel and the School of Veterinary Medicine’s Brian Flesner, a new study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of treating oral cancer in dogs with a palliative radiation in just two clinic visits.
NIH-funded canine immunotherapy data center charts a path toward transformative therapies
NIH-funded canine immunotherapy data center charts a path toward transformative therapies
With support recently granted for five more years, Nicola Mason of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Qi Long of the Perelman School of Medicine hope their work leads to new insights in cancer care for people as well as pets.
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
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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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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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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