11/15
Cancer Research
Drugs in development for cancer may also fight brain diseases, including ALS
Drugs in development for cancer may also fight brain diseases, including ALS
In a study done by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine and the School of Arts and Sciences, PARP inhibitors, which are used for fighting cancer, can be useful for the treatment and prevention of brain disorders such as ALS.
Cancer cells send out ‘drones’ to battle the immune system from afar
Cancer cells send out ‘drones’ to battle the immune system from afar
Checkpoint inhibitor therapies have made metastatic melanoma and other cancers a survivable condition, but only for some patients. Researchers uncovered a novel mechanism by which tumors suppress the immune system, raising the possibility that a straightforward blood test could predict which patients could respond to immunotherapy.
Therapy for rare cancers receives FDA approval
Therapy for rare cancers receives FDA approval
A trial led by researchers at the Abramson Cancer Center received first approval for AZEDRA, an anti-cancer drug for advanced pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma patients who are not candidates for surgery.
Study finds mutation driving deadly brain tumors, and a potential remedy
Study finds mutation driving deadly brain tumors, and a potential remedy
Researchers at Penn and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research discovered that a mutation in the epidermal growth receptor gene indicates a severe glioblastoma, and targeting this particular gene may further treatment.
Study reveals secrets of ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ pancreatic cancer tumors
Study reveals secrets of ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ pancreatic cancer tumors
Immune cell makeup of tumors, and their ability to metastasize, is controlled by factors specific to individual cancer cells themselves.
New DVM Meghan Ramos continues her dog scent detection research as a Penn Vet Working Dog Center fellow.
New DVM Meghan Ramos continues her dog scent detection research as a Penn Vet Working Dog Center fellow.
At Penn Vet's Working Dog Center, Ramos is leading research projects training dogs to detect infections using scent detection.
How baking soda may boost cancer therapy
How baking soda may boost cancer therapy
Researchers describe how acidity makes oxygen-starved cancer cells dormant and drug resistant, and efforts to reduce acidity may be the key to improved responses to immunotherapy.
Mathematical model explains why metastasis can occur even when cancer is caught early
Mathematical model explains why metastasis can occur even when cancer is caught early
Researchers are uncovering the unique nature of individual cancer "communities" and how they evolve, and applying math models to understand their growth.
Ovarian cancer drug shows promise in pancreatic cancer patients
Ovarian cancer drug shows promise in pancreatic cancer patients
Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine have isolated the specific mutations that respond to FDA-approved treatments for ovarian cancer, opening up treatment options for other cancer patients who harbor those mutations.
Different diseases elicit distinct sets of exhausted T cells
Different diseases elicit distinct sets of exhausted T cells
A new study by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine found that immune systems that are battling long-term infections or chronic diseases are left fatigued, and identified nine distinct varieties of exhausted T cells, or Tex.
In the News
Forbes
Carl June: 2024 will be seen as a breakthrough year for brain cancer
Carl June of the Perelman School of Medicine shares five insights on using CAR T cell therapy to combat cancer, featuring remarks from Bruce Levine.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Penn plans to build a proton center for cancer treatment at Presbyterian Medical Center
Penn Medicine will build its fourth proton beam center for cancer treatment at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in University City.
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PhillyVoice
Double mastectomies do not improve breast cancer survival likelihood for most women, study finds
Angela DeMichele of the Perelman School of Medicine says that chemotherapy and hormonal therapies are important for combating breast cancer because they’re designed to kill spreading cells.
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The New York Times
Breast cancer survival not boosted by double mastectomy, study says
Angela DeMichele of the Perelman School of Medicine comments on a study which found that breast cancer survival is not boosted by a double mastectomy.
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Today
How did Shannen Doherty die? What to know about ‘90210’ star’s cause of death
According to Penn Medicine, there is no known cure for metastatic breast cancer.
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Stat
New immunotherapy combination could ‘change the landscape’ of cancer treatment
A study by Andy Minn and postdoc Divij Mathew of the Perelman School of Medicine and colleagues found that a combination checkpoint inhibitor therapy benefited patients with lung cancer.
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