Enhanced CAR T cell therapy offers new strategy for lymphoma Image: iStock/Naeblys Enhanced CAR T cell therapy offers new strategy for lymphoma A new study from Penn Medicine marks a significant development in the ongoing evolution of CAR T cell therapy, as a novel cytokine-enhanced CAR T that has been tested in patients with blood cancer shows robust response rates. 2 min. read
First new subtype of Castleman disease discovered in 45 years David Fajgenbaum is an assistant professor of medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and associate director of patient impact in the Penn Orphan Disease Center. He also leads the Castleman Disease Research Program.(Image: Courtesy of Penn Medicine) First new subtype of Castleman disease discovered in 45 years A new study co-authored by Penn Medicine’s David Fajgenbaum expands the spectrum of the rare disorder, which will help diagnose and treat patients caught between existing classification systems. 2 min. read
2025 Projects for Progress recipients announced nocred 2025 Projects for Progress recipients announced The fifth cohort of Penn P4P teams will receive up to $100,000 each to support education, health, and urban agriculture, respectively, in Philadelphia. 3 min. read
New Medicare program could dramatically improve affordability for cancer drugs–if patients enroll New Medicare program could dramatically improve affordability for cancer drugs–if patients enroll An analysis by experts at Penn Medicine finds the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan could help patients avoid large out-of-pocket payments for their first oral cancer prescription. 2 min. read
Study suggests parents of preterm infants miss more postpartum care Study suggests parents of preterm infants miss more postpartum care Researchers from the Leonard Davis Institute have investigated whether the intensive focus on neonatal care for preterm infants may come at the expense of critical maternal follow-up, and recommend integrating maternal health care into the NICU. 2 min. read
New AI technique can uncover antiviral compounds using limited data Image: Jianing Bai New AI technique can uncover antiviral compounds using limited data AI algorithms, when combined with traditional laboratory methods, can uncover promising drug leads against human enterovirus 71. 1 min. read
National Academy of Sciences elects four from Penn Four faculty have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences in recognition of their innovative contributions to original scientific research. The newly honored scholars are Mark Devlin (top left) from the School of Arts & Sciences and Katalin Karikó (top right), Virginia M.Y. Lee (bottom left), and E. John Wherry III (bottom right) from the Perelman School of Medicine.nocred National Academy of Sciences elects four from Penn The newly elected members, recognized for their innovative contributions to original research, are Mark Devlin of the School of Arts & Sciences and Katalin Karikó, Virginia Lee, and E. John Wherry III of the Perelman School of Medicine. 3 min. read
Children face elevated kidney, heart, and gut risks for years after COVID infection Children face elevated kidney, heart, and gut risks for years after COVID infection Findings from researchers at Penn Medicine show elevated risks for chronic organ disease among children, and reveal some racial differences in long COVID risks. 2 min. read
Nourish to Flourish Fourth-years (from left) Inaya Zaman, Rashmi Acharya, and Imani Nkrumah Ardayfio created Nourish to Flourish, winner of a 2025 President’s Engagement Prize. The trio will work with community partners at the Benjamin B. Comegys School in West Philadelphia and use behavioral economics principals to encourage healthier food choices.nocred Nourish to Flourish Fourth-years Rashmi Acharya, Imani Nkrumah Ardayfio and Inaya Zaman created Nourish to Flourish, winner of a 2025 President’s Engagement Prize. The trio will work with community partners at the Benjamin B. Comegys School in West Philadelphia to encourage healthier food choices. 7 min. read
The reimagineers of Penn Medicine Raina Merchant (right) is an emergency physician and Penn Medicine’s chief transformation officer.(Image: Courtesy of Penn Medicine News) The reimagineers of Penn Medicine Penn Medicine is harnessing innovation and cutting-edge technology to health care, from developing new treatments to streamlining management and improving leadership. 2 min. read