11/15
Cancer Research
Entering a new phase in cell therapy for glioblastoma
Entering a new phase in cell therapy for glioblastoma
Donald M. O’Rourke, director of the Glioblastoma Translational Center of Excellence at Penn Medicine, and others are exploring cellular immunotherapies as a potential better option for deadly brain cancer glioblastoma multiforme.
A new class of CAR T cells targets previously untargetable cancer drivers
A new class of CAR T cells targets previously untargetable cancer drivers
Focusing on neuroblastoma, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia have harnessed the immune system to destroy tumors.
Drugs designed for prostate cancer may treat melanoma in men
Drugs designed for prostate cancer may treat melanoma in men
A new Penn study finds that testosterone contributes to sex differences in melanoma via the activation of the zinc transporter ZIP9.
Black women face increased risk of triple negative breast cancers
Black women face increased risk of triple negative breast cancers
An analysis of nearly 200,000 patients highlights the heterogeneity of breast cancer risk factors for women of differing races, ages, and disease subtypes.
Penn Medicine and Wistar awarded $11.7 million melanoma research grant
Penn Medicine and Wistar awarded $11.7 million melanoma research grant
The Specialized Programs of Research Excellence, or SPORE, grant from the National Cancer Institute will fund three new melanoma research projects over five years.
Engineering CAR T cells to activate a bodily response to solid tumors
Engineering CAR T cells to activate a bodily response to solid tumors
A new Penn study shows that CAR T cells expressing RN7SL1, a naturally occurring RNA, can activate the body’s natural immune cells against difficult-to-treat cancers.
Breast cancer diagnosis in the ‘between’ year: Body mass index matters
Breast cancer diagnosis in the ‘between’ year: Body mass index matters
While breast density—a characteristic that can help tumors hide from mammography—has attracted a lot of attention from clinicians, a new study finds evidence that body mass index, or BMI, is also important, especially in the year between screenings.
The cancer fighters: John Glick and a legacy of a half century in oncology
The cancer fighters: John Glick and a legacy of a half century in oncology
A major figure in the fight against cancer, John Glick reflects on his career after decades of working with the Perelman School of Medicine and as director of Penn’s National Cancer Institute for more than 20 years, treating thousands of patients during his tenure.
New program inspires underrepresented young women to cancer research
New program inspires underrepresented young women to cancer research
The Abramson Cancer Center’s Summer Health Experience, or SHE, program introduces young women to careers in cancer research. Statistics show that Black and Latinx women are severely underrepresented in the health sciences.
Improving patient experiences in cancer clinical trials
Improving patient experiences in cancer clinical trials
Cancer clinical trials (CCTs) provide patients an opportunity to receive experimental drugs, tests, and/or procedures that can lead to remissions. For some, a CCT may seem like their only option. Yet little is known about the experiences of patient participants who withdraw from CCTs.
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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