First CRISPR-based platform to pinpoint leukemia drivers Image: Alena Butusava via Getty Images First CRISPR-based platform to pinpoint leukemia drivers The new toolkit, developed by Penn Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, allows researchers to test potential cancer targets directly in patient leukemia cells. 2 min. read
Cancer care for the mind and spirit Patients are 10 times more likely to engage in mental health services when the therapy is integrated in a medical clinic, says Rebecca Boswell, center, with therapists at the Psychosocial Oncology Clinic.(Image: Courtesy of Penn Medicine News) Cancer care for the mind and spirit A psychosocial oncology program is a part of a revolution in cancer care at Penn Medicine to address a wider range of cancer patients’ experiences, and includes specially-trained psychotherapists at no cost. 2 min. read
Low-dose radiation therapy helps relieve osteoarthritic pain Image: Mark Kostich via Getty Images Low-dose radiation therapy helps relieve osteoarthritic pain Penn Medicine clinicians are using a less intense form of radiation therapy typically used for cancer treatment to help bring patients relief from other conditions. 2 min. read
Investigational blood biomarker panel may improve detection of pancreatic cancer Image: Sebastian Kaulitzk/Science Photo Library via Getty Images Investigational blood biomarker panel may improve detection of pancreatic cancer A Penn Medicine study shows that a biomarker blood panel that incorporates four different proteins enhances the detection of pancreatic cancer compared to measuring CA19-9 levels alone. 2 min. read
New test could detect pancreatic cancer earlier Penn In the News The Independent New test could detect pancreatic cancer earlier Penn Medicine researchers have developed a blood test that could improve survival rates for pancreatic cancer, a disease frequently diagnosed at advanced stages. 20 breakthroughs of 2025 The Polyhedral Structures Laboratory is housed at the Pennovation Center and brings together designers, engineers, and computer scientists to reimagine the built world. Using graphic statics, a method where forces are mapped as lines, they design forms that balance compression and tension. These result in structures that use far fewer materials while remaining strong and efficient.(Image: Eric Sucar) 20 breakthroughs of 2025 From ancient tombs and tiny robots to personalized gene editing and AI weather models, Penn’s 2025 research portfolio showed how curiosity—paired with collaboration—moves knowledge into impact and stretches across disciplines and continents. 5 min. read Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest cancers. A new drug being tested at Penn is giving patients and doctors hope Penn In the News Philadelphia Inquirer Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest cancers. A new drug being tested at Penn is giving patients and doctors hope A new drug for pancreatic cancer is not considered a cure, but results from clinical trials at Penn Medicine and elsewhere point to a major advancement for a devastating cancer usually caught in late stages. Startup recognized for milestones in cancer care Marco Ruella, associate professor of medicine at PSOM and hematologist-oncologist at Penn Medicine, collaborates with his colleagues in the Ruella Lab.nocred Startup recognized for milestones in cancer care During the Penn Center for Innovation’s 10th annual Celebration of Innovation, viTToria Biotherapeutics was presented with the Startup of the Year Award for its remarkable progress in the development of promising treatment of T-cell lymphoma. 4 min. read Delayed toxicities after CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma are connected and potentially preventable Delayed toxicities after CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma are connected and potentially preventable A new analysis by Penn Medicine researchers shows CAR T immune-related adverse events are related to higher noncancer mortality. Identifying genes that keep cancer from spreading Histopathology tissue sections of the normal colon (left) showing highly organized cell-cell junctions (red) and proliferative zones (green) in colonic crypts. In contrast, a colon adenocarcinoma (right) is highly disorganized, with inconsistent cell junctions that can ultimately contribute to metastatic dissemination.(Image: Maggie Robertson) Identifying genes that keep cancer from spreading Using a novel approach, Penn Vet’s Chris Lengner and M. Andrés Blanco and colleagues have identified two genes that suppress colorectal cancer metastasis. 3 min. read Load More
20 breakthroughs of 2025 The Polyhedral Structures Laboratory is housed at the Pennovation Center and brings together designers, engineers, and computer scientists to reimagine the built world. Using graphic statics, a method where forces are mapped as lines, they design forms that balance compression and tension. These result in structures that use far fewer materials while remaining strong and efficient.(Image: Eric Sucar) 20 breakthroughs of 2025 From ancient tombs and tiny robots to personalized gene editing and AI weather models, Penn’s 2025 research portfolio showed how curiosity—paired with collaboration—moves knowledge into impact and stretches across disciplines and continents. 5 min. read
Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest cancers. A new drug being tested at Penn is giving patients and doctors hope Penn In the News Philadelphia Inquirer Pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest cancers. A new drug being tested at Penn is giving patients and doctors hope A new drug for pancreatic cancer is not considered a cure, but results from clinical trials at Penn Medicine and elsewhere point to a major advancement for a devastating cancer usually caught in late stages. Startup recognized for milestones in cancer care Marco Ruella, associate professor of medicine at PSOM and hematologist-oncologist at Penn Medicine, collaborates with his colleagues in the Ruella Lab.nocred Startup recognized for milestones in cancer care During the Penn Center for Innovation’s 10th annual Celebration of Innovation, viTToria Biotherapeutics was presented with the Startup of the Year Award for its remarkable progress in the development of promising treatment of T-cell lymphoma. 4 min. read Delayed toxicities after CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma are connected and potentially preventable Delayed toxicities after CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma are connected and potentially preventable A new analysis by Penn Medicine researchers shows CAR T immune-related adverse events are related to higher noncancer mortality. Identifying genes that keep cancer from spreading Histopathology tissue sections of the normal colon (left) showing highly organized cell-cell junctions (red) and proliferative zones (green) in colonic crypts. In contrast, a colon adenocarcinoma (right) is highly disorganized, with inconsistent cell junctions that can ultimately contribute to metastatic dissemination.(Image: Maggie Robertson) Identifying genes that keep cancer from spreading Using a novel approach, Penn Vet’s Chris Lengner and M. Andrés Blanco and colleagues have identified two genes that suppress colorectal cancer metastasis. 3 min. read
Startup recognized for milestones in cancer care Marco Ruella, associate professor of medicine at PSOM and hematologist-oncologist at Penn Medicine, collaborates with his colleagues in the Ruella Lab.nocred Startup recognized for milestones in cancer care During the Penn Center for Innovation’s 10th annual Celebration of Innovation, viTToria Biotherapeutics was presented with the Startup of the Year Award for its remarkable progress in the development of promising treatment of T-cell lymphoma. 4 min. read
Delayed toxicities after CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma are connected and potentially preventable Delayed toxicities after CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma are connected and potentially preventable A new analysis by Penn Medicine researchers shows CAR T immune-related adverse events are related to higher noncancer mortality.
Identifying genes that keep cancer from spreading Histopathology tissue sections of the normal colon (left) showing highly organized cell-cell junctions (red) and proliferative zones (green) in colonic crypts. In contrast, a colon adenocarcinoma (right) is highly disorganized, with inconsistent cell junctions that can ultimately contribute to metastatic dissemination.(Image: Maggie Robertson) Identifying genes that keep cancer from spreading Using a novel approach, Penn Vet’s Chris Lengner and M. Andrés Blanco and colleagues have identified two genes that suppress colorectal cancer metastasis. 3 min. read