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Cancer Research
Stress protein in fibroblasts may be a good target for future cancer drugs
A Penn study finds the ATF4 protein is overactive in many types of tumor cells and tumor-supporting fibroblasts to promote tumor survival, and may be a good target for future cancer treatments.
Promising results for chemo immunotherapy combination against pancreatic cancer
Penn Medicine researchers find a combination of chemotherapy with an immunotherapy meant to unleash the anticancer capacity of the immune system is effective against pancreatic cancer. The findings also include the identification of immune system biomarkers associated with better outcomes.
Illuminating lung cancer earlier, at the cellular level
A Penn Medicine study reveals that technology combined with an imaging agent can light up microscopic cancer cells, allowing physicians to see cancer cells not typically visible during a biopsy.
Frozen testicular tissue still viable after 20 years
Many pediatric cancer treatments, though lifesaving, can compromise future fertility. In a new study in rodents, researchers from the School of Veterinary Medicine showed that testicular tissue frozen for more than 20 years could give rise to sperm.
‘Keto’ molecule may be useful in preventing and treating colorectal cancer
A Penn study finds beta-hydroxybutyrate, an alternative-energy molecule produced by the body in response to starvation or low-carb diets, strongly suppresses the growth of colorectal tumors.
Regulating the regulators of the immune system
Research led by School of Veterinary Medicine scientists reveals a new layer of complexity with which the immune system finds a balance between controlling pathogens and protecting healthy tissue.
Key to detecting ovarian cancer early may be in the fallopian tubes
A lack of early detection or prevention strategies for ovarian cancer is a major cause of poor outcomes for patients, and most do not have a family history or inherited genetic risk, so there is a pressing need for the development of earlier detection methods.
CAR T cells suppress GI solid tumor cells without toxicity to healthy tissue
New research finds that CAR T cells can eliminate solid tumors, but do not damage healthy, normal tissues that also express a tumor antigen, because the tumor antigen is sequestered and hidden between the normal cells.
A new study finds genome refolding contributes to resistance to cancer therapy
While gene mutations can lead to drug resistance, researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine have identified an important, non-genetic adaptation that could also drive resistance to targeted therapy in T cell leukemia, a type of blood cell cancer.
Links between diet and cancer
Kathryn E. Wellen, an associate professor of Cancer Biology and principal investigator of the Wellen Lab, seeks answers to find the connections between metabolism and cancer biology.
In the News
Scientists create tiny anticancer weapons that make tumors destroy themselves
Xiaowei (George) Xu of the Perelman School of Medicine and colleagues have unveiled an innovative approach to cancer treatment that leverages tiny capsules known as small extracellular vesicles to target a specific receptor on tumor cells.
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Keto diet supplement could boost a cancer treatment's effectiveness
A study by Perelman School of Medicine student Puneeth Guruprasad and postdoc Shan Liu suggests that a component of the keto diet could boost CAR T cell therapy to help treat cancer.
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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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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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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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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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