Yale Cancer Center Study Shows Cognitive Impairment for Survivors of Many Pediatric Cancers

In a new study led by Yale Cancer Center, researchers report many survivors of childhood cancers receive systemic therapies associated with cognitive effects and chronic health conditions that may impact long-term cognitive outcomes with downstream effects on education, employment, and income. The results were published online today in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO).

Researchers Identify New Role for Immune-Boosting Protein “STING” in Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer

In a study by Yale Cancer Center, researchers report on the discovery of a new role for STimulator of INterferon Genes or STING. STING has traditionally been implicated in the immune response to DNA damage, however, in this study, the focus is on STING’s role in the tumor DNA damage response.

Researchers Discover Common Mechanism Causing Autoimmune Disease and Blood Cancers

In a study by Yale Cancer Center, researchers report on the discovery of a common mechanism that promotes both autoimmune diseases and blood cancers, including the blood diseases Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL).

Atlantic Health System Physicians Co-Author 5 Studies, Presented at American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting

Atlantic Health System Cancer Care physicians are co-authors of five original studies presented at this year’s AACR Annual Meeting, held virtually April 10-15 and May 17-21. The AACR meeting is one of the world’s premier scientific gatherings of cancer specialists and researchers.

CAP Opens PD-L1 Lung Tumor Testing Guideline for Public Comment

The College of American Pathologists (CAP), in collaboration with five other societies, developed a draft evidence-based clinical practice guideline that aims to optimize PD-L1 testing for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who are being considered for immunooncology therapy.

Yale Researchers Identify Tumor Reactive Immune-Cells to help fight against Advanced Melanoma

According to a new study led by Yale Cancer Center and Department of Neurology researchers, a simple blood draw may be the first step in helping to discover tumor reactive immune or T cells to treat advanced melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. The findings were published today in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

Maryam Lustberg Named Director of The Breast Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Chief of Breast Medical Oncology at Yale Cancer Center

Maryam Lustberg, MD, MPH, has been appointed Director of The Breast Center at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Chief of Breast Medical Oncology at Yale Cancer Center. She will also join the faculty at Yale Cancer Center as an Associate Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology).

Mount Sinai Health System Launches Center for Light and Health Research

The clinical research conducted through the Center will investigate how to use light to improve people’s lives by stabilizing their circadian rhythms, the natural internal clock that regulates the body’s sleep-wake cycle. Researchers will study how light, either from daylight or electric indoor light, affects circadian rhythms in various populations, from the very young to the very old, including patients with COVID-19, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and other illnesses. The goal is to help abate symptoms and improve their sleep, mental health, and cognition.

Researchers Discover Mechanism to Overcome Drug-Resistance in B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

In a new study led by Yale Cancer Center, researchers have discovered a novel metabolic gatekeeper mechanism for leukemia. This mechanism depends on a molecule called PON2, which could lead to a new treatment for the disease. The findings were published online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Rachel Greenup Appointed Chief of Breast Surgical Oncology at Yale

Rachel Adams Greenup, MD, MPH, FACS, has been appointed as Associate Professor of Surgery (Oncology) and Section Chief of Breast Surgery for the Department of Surgery at Yale School of Medicine. In her new role, Dr. Greenup will provide breast surgical oncology leadership across the Smilow Cancer Hospital Network and Care Centers.

Strange colon discovery explains racial disparities in colorectal cancer

The colons of African-Americans and people of European descent age differently, new research reveals, helping explain racial disparities in colorectal cancer – the cancer that killed beloved “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman.

Dynamic, personalized treatment approach may improve outcomes in gastroesophageal cancers

A phase 2 clinical trial providing personalized treatments based on the genetic profile of metastatic tumors in gastroesophageal cancers has found that using customized treatment approaches, and adapting them over time as tumors become resistant, led to higher rates of survival compared to historical controls.

Personalizing Cancer Care with Improved Tumor Models

While decades of research have resulted in substantial improvements in surviving cancer, a key challenge remains in identifying new drugs that improve outcomes for patients. In APL Bioengineering, researchers suggest a major hurdle is the paucity of models for cancer research that accurately represent patient tumors. They provide a perspective on strategies using models from individual patients and where the field needs to go in terms of research in animal systems and in culture systems.

Yale study leads to FDA approval of drug to treat non-small cell lung cancer

Based on results of a clinical trial led by Yale Cancer Center researchers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved osimertinib for the treatment of adults with early-stage, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR gene mutations, which occurs in about 10 percent of patients.

Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, Receives 2020 ACCC Clinical Research Award

Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, Chief of Medical Oncology and Associate Cancer Center Director for Translational Research at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital, has been selected as the 2020 Clinical Research Award recipient by the Association of Community Cancer Centers for significantly and positively impacting oncology patients, their families, and the broader oncology community.

Henry Ford Cancer Institute and United Outstanding Physicians Partner to Enhance Care, Experience for Cancer Patients

Henry Ford Cancer Institute and United Outstanding Physicians (UOP), a physician organization comprising nearly 1,000 independent private practice physicians across Southeast Michigan, have come together to enhance cancer care and make navigating the cancer journey easier for their patients.

Rutgers Researcher Receives $400K Grant to Reduce Racial Health Disparities in Cancer Care

Anita Kinney, professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health and associate director for Population Science and Community Outreach at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, is one of ten recipients across the nation of an American Cancer Society and Pfizer community grant of $399,892 to support investigation into reducing racial health disparities in cancer care through precision oncology and immunotherapy.

First Report Card on Biosimilars in Oncology

SUMMARY Researchers have developed the first report card on biosimilars for three blockbuster cancer drugs marketed by Genentech/Roche: Rituxan, Avastin and Herceptin. In a Policy Review in The Lancet Oncology, Y. Tony Yang, a professor at the George Washington University…

Yale Cancer Center Study Shows Regional Variation in Genomic Testing for Men with Prostate Cancer

In a new study by Yale Cancer Center, researchers found substantial regional variation in use of genomic testing for prostate cancer, raising questions about access and other factors that might promote rapid adoption of new cancer technologies.

University of Utah to speed process of bringing new therapeutics to patients

The Huntsman Cancer Institute, College of Pharmacy and PIVOT Center have partnered to establish the University of Utah Therapeutic Accelerator Hub. The new Accelerator will provide resources and expertise to researchers to support the process of translating research discoveries into innovative clinical applications.

Four MSK Researchers Receive 2020 Outstanding Investigator Award from the National Cancer Institute

Four MSK researchers out of 15 winners nationwide were named recipients of the prestigious award. They will each receive a grant of up to $600,000 per year for seven years to support their research in cancer.

Ingo Mellinghoff Named Chair of MSK’s Department of Neurology

Neuro-oncologist and renowned physician-scientist Ingo Mellinghoff will lead MSK’s distinguished Department of Neurology after previously serving as Acting Co-Chair.

Accelerating Access to Breakthrough Cancer Therapies Leads Morristown Medical Center to Expand Infusion Center

Atlantic Health System has announced the opening of Morristown Medical Center’s new state-of-the-art, patient-centered Infusion Center located in the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center. The first of three phases of expansion of New Jersey’s pre-eminent cancer center, the new unit was funded in large part by donations made by community members in support of the Foundation for Morristown Medical Center’s Growing Forward Campaign.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Awards and Appointments

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) announces its most recent awards and appointments for the institution’s physicians, scientists, nurses, and staff.

Offering a Pay-for-Performance Program to Oncology Practices Increases Prescriptions of Evidence-based Cancer Drugs

A pay-for performance program that offers enhanced reimbursement to oncology practices for prescribing high-quality, evidence-based cancer drugs increased use of these drugs without significantly changing total spending on care, Penn Medicine researchers report in a new study published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Computational Biologist Thomas Norman of Sloan Kettering Institute Honored with Distinguished NIH Director’s New Innovator Award

Computational biologist Thomas Norman, PhD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s (MSK) Sloan Kettering Institute (SKI) has been named one of 53 recipients of the prestigious 2020 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s New Innovator Award. As part of the award, Dr. Norman will receive $1.5 million in direct costs upfront in the first year of a five-year award.

New tools to improve care for cancer that has spread to the brain

The tools will help doctors and patients make better-informed treatment decisions, enhance the care of brain metastases, and enable hospitals to improve the coordination and effectiveness of their interdisciplinary treatment programs.

Study Reinforces Benefit Using Targeted Therapy for Early Stage NSCLC

According to updated findings led by researchers at Yale Cancer Center, treatment with the targeted therapy osimertinib following surgery continues to significantly improve disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with early-stage, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations.

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Nursing Staff Leads 10 Poster Presentations at Oncology Nursing Society Bridge Virtual Conference

Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), committed to delivering patient-centered, high-quality cancer care as the only NCCN-designated cancer center in Washington State, announced that members of its clinical nursing staff will participate in 10 poster presentations during the 2020 Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Bridge Virtual Conference. The meeting is being held September 8, 10, 15 and 17, 2020.

Jersey Shore University Medical Center Launches Cardio-Oncology Program

Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center recently launched a Cardio-Oncology Program providing cancer patients and survivors access to cardiology and oncology specialists and advanced imaging services. L. Steven Zukerman, M.D., FACC, serves as medical director of the program, designed to minimize the impact of cancer treatments on patients’ hearts and provide continuing cardiac care to cancer survivors.

New Treatment Developed by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Shows Success in High-Risk Solid Tumors

In a breakthrough study, researchers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have shown that an enhanced treatment developed in their lab leads to long-term remissions in 80% to 100% of mice with drug-resistant or high-risk solid tumors. The research, which could soon lead to clinical trials, is described in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

Non-invasive blood test can detect cancer four years before conventional diagnosis methods

An international team of researchers has developed a non-invasive blood test that can detect whether an individual has one of five common types of cancers, four years before the condition can be diagnosed with current methods. The test detects stomach, esophageal, colorectal, lung and liver cancer.

Called PanSeer, the test detected cancer in 91% of samples from individuals who had been asymptomatic when the samples were collected and were only diagnosed with cancer one to four years later.

Latest developments on Cytoreductive Surgery & Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (CRT/HIPEC)

Mercy Medical Center is the first institution in the United States to study the role of CRS/HIPEC for newly diagnosed with ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancers. Literature exists involving CRS/HIPEC in the role of recurrent disease and in the neoadjuvant setting; however, there is no published data on the role as a primary treatment option in the United States.