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Katherine Unger Baillie
Senior Science News Officer
kbaillie@upenn.edu
Cancer Research
Mysterious ‘nuclear speckle’ cell structures may help block cancers
Mysterious ‘nuclear speckle’ cell structures may help block cancers
A new study out of Penn Medicine shows that the tumor-suppressor protein p53 brings speckles and DNA together to boost gene expression.
Cancer cell therapy pioneer Carl June receives the Sanford Lorraine Cross Award
Cancer cell therapy pioneer Carl June receives the Sanford Lorraine Cross Award
The Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy in the department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine and director of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center received the award for his work in developing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy.
Immune-stimulating drug before surgery shows promise in early-stage pancreatic cancer
Immune-stimulating drug before surgery shows promise in early-stage pancreatic cancer
Giving early-stage pancreatic cancer patients a CD40 immune-stimulating drug helped jumpstart a T cell attack to the notoriously stubborn tumor microenvironment before surgery and other treatments.
Penn Medicine cancer cell therapy pioneer Carl June named 2021 Dan David Prize Laureate
Penn Medicine cancer cell therapy pioneer Carl June named 2021 Dan David Prize Laureate
The Richard W. Vague professor in Immunotherapy in the department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine has been recognized in the “future” category for his contributions to molecular medicine.
Take-at-home tests boost colorectal cancer screening tenfold
Take-at-home tests boost colorectal cancer screening tenfold
By making it the default to send screening tests to patients’ homes unless they opted out via text message, screening rates increased by more than 1000%.
Patients in cancer remission at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness
Patients in cancer remission at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness
Patients with inactive cancer and not currently undergoing treatments also face a significantly higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, with Black cancer patients twice as likely to test positive for the virus.
Mutations commonly linked to breast cancer found to pose no increased risk
Mutations commonly linked to breast cancer found to pose no increased risk
Several genetic mutations previously linked to breast cancer and included on commercial genetic tests were found not to increase a woman’s risk of disease, according to a multi-institutional population study of more than 64,000 women.
Joe Biden’s longtime ties to Penn
Joe Biden’s longtime ties to Penn
As the nation prepares for its 46th president to take office Wednesday, Jan. 20, Penn Today reflects on the lasting impact he’s had at the University.
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.
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CBS News
Cancer Moonshot project launched by President Biden 5 years ago leading to many breakthroughs
Robert Vonderheide of Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center in the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the Cancer Moonshot project, which has led to major federal funding for cancer research and subsequently, new treatments for patients. “It’s new initiatives, new therapies, and new ways importantly to prevent cancer in the first place,” he said.
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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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