Cancer Research

A chart showing the intersection of a cell as it changes from pre-cancer to cancer stage one and two.

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

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.

A banner hanging outside in a small town in Lebanon.

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.

Doctor in lab pointing to ultrasound images of a uterus.

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.

Five ways Gov. Josh Shapiro can boost Pennsylvania’s innovation economy

Carl June of the Perelman School of Medicine is noted as an example of how innovative research can create business ecosystems.

Penn Medicine is going all in on proton therapy, a costly treatment that is unproven for most common cancers

A profile examines Penn Medicine’s commitment to the advancement of proton therapy, a new radiation cancer treatment, with remarks from James Metz and Justin E. Bekelman of the Perelman School of Medicine.

For breast cancer patients, Penn researchers are comparing costly proton therapy with standard radiation

The Perelman School of Medicine’s Justin E. Bekelman is leading a $12 million study to compare the effects of proton therapy and standard radiation treatment on breast cancer.

The race to supercharge cancer-fighting T cells

Carl June and Avery Posey of the Perelman School of Medicine discuss the progression and expansion of CAR-T cell therapies.

Doctor at desk in discussion with patient.

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.

Microscopic rendering of t cells targeting a tumor cell with a target symbol.

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.

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