Molecular tumor board provides useful assist in cancer precision medicine

A paper posted online by JCO Precision Oncology reports that a molecular tumor board program has largely fulfilled expectations, providing expert treatment guidance for more than 500 patients over the six-month evaluation period and identifying clinical trials appropriate for the majority of them. Overall, the team has reviewed test results for more than 2,700 patients to date. The findings suggest that the program can be a model for other cancer centers.

Unraveling the biology behind aggressive pediatric brain tumor reveals potential new treatment avenue

Researchers at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center have identified a novel treatment approach to an aggressive type of pediatric brain cancer, using therapies already approved to treat cancer. The team developed a mouse model of pediatric glioma with a histone mutation called H3.3-G34, which allowed them to study the tumor’s biology in the presence of a functional immune system, revealing a promising outlook for long-term survival.

Trailblazing scientists discuss exposome research, precision nutrition at Mayo Clinic’s Individualizing Medicine Conference  

The next frontier in individualized medicine is here. Mayo Clinic’s 11th annual Individualizing Medicine Conference on Nov. 2–3 will focus on “Exploring the Exposome” — the cumulative measure of environmental influences and associated biological responses throughout the life span of a person, and how those exposures relate to health and disease.  

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.