A new clinical trial initiative aims to determine the best treatment strategies for older adults with acute myeloid leukemia, a life-threatening blood cancer. The five-year trial, led by Fred Hutch Cancer Center, will compare stem cell transplantation with non-transplant therapy for patients in remission.
Eight Fred Hutch researchers will receive funding for projects guiding pancreatic cancer treatment decisions, improving CAR-T effectiveness, and stopping acute myeloid leukemia development. The Evergreen Fund, an internal grant program, aims to accelerate translational discoveries to commercial viability.
The Fred Hutch Cancer Center has announced eight recipients of the Dr. Eddie Méndez Scholar Award, recognizing their innovative research in cancer, infectious diseases, and basic sciences. The awardees will present their work at a symposium on July 16, building their professional networks and advancing critical discoveries.
Researchers found substantial declines in outpatient clinic visits (7%) and hospitalizations (13%) compared to expected levels. Long-term disruptions persist, with 65% of regions experiencing non-rebound outpatient visits and 74% with reduced hospitalizations.
A phase 2 study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that a stem cell product called dilanubicel safely enabled umbilical cord blood transplants in 28 patients with leukemias and myelodysplastic syndrome, resulting in a 96% survival rate. The pooled stem cells provided essential early immune support, helping patients est...
The award recognizes the exceptional achievements of graduate students exploring topics like tumor metabolism and DNA replication. The recipients reflect the strength and promise of the next generation of scientific leaders.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center developed new genetically human monoclonal antibodies that prevent EBV from infecting immune cells. The study highlights one of the antibodies that successfully blocked infection in mice with human immune systems.
Fred Hutch experts will present CAR-T access expansion, new AML treatment strategies, and the impact of climate on cancer. Experts discuss optimizing maintenance therapy using MRD-directed approaches for high-risk AML patients and evaluating the safety & efficacy of combining PIVEK with FLAG-IDA for adults with untreated AML.
A study published in Nature found that autoantibodies can tilt the odds dramatically toward shrinking tumors and enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Certain autoantibodies linked to better clinical outcomes could reveal cancer's weak spots and point to new targets for treatment.
The Vanguard Study aims to understand the effectiveness and use of multi-cancer detection blood tests in detecting cancer at an early stage. Researchers will recruit adults aged 45-75 with no cancer diagnosis for five years, providing two blood samples and regular cancer screening.
The award honors outstanding research achievements in biological sciences, recognizing diversity and originality in thesis topics. The recipients represent national and international research institutions, including Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
A new phase 2 clinical trial demonstrates the safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in preventing acute graft-versus-host disease in patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplants. The study found that FMT helped restore microbial diversity and promote beneficial bacterial species, supporting a healthy immune system.
Patients with lower education levels and income are less likely to receive stem cell transplants, but accessing treatment equalizes benefits. The study found socioeconomic factors have a less pronounced impact on post-transplant outcomes.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center are addressing socioeconomic barriers to access to life-saving transplants for blood disorders. New leukemia treatment regimens have shown promise in clinical trials, while a prediction model highlights improved survivorship and quality of life outcomes for older patients after transplant.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have made a breakthrough in understanding how protective antibodies can target malaria parasites. By analyzing the structure of these antibodies and their interaction with the parasite's protein, the team has identified a weak spot that could be targeted by vaccines to prevent severe disease.
A recent study reveals that pharmaceutical industry sponsors dominate US cancer research, with a substantial increase in industry-sponsored clinical trials over the past decade. Federally funded studies have been underinvested and have missed opportunities for scientific advancements.
A recent review article highlights the importance of genetic testing for men carrying BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, which increase their risk of developing prostate, pancreatic, and breast cancers. The guidelines emphasize the need for personalized cancer screening to help identify high-risk individuals.
Researchers have developed a medicated foam that can deliver expensive gene therapies to cells, showing promise for treating cancers and autoimmune diseases. The foam outperformed liquid formulations in laboratory studies and showed no significant side effects when injected into mice.
Fred Hutch researchers present progress in treating metastatic cancer with novel therapies, including a Phase II study testing TNF-a inhibitors for castration-resistant prostate cancer. The center also explores improving hospice access and using machine learning with CAR T-cell therapy to enhance patient outcomes.
Researchers at Fred Hutch Cancer Center have made progress in laboratory studies using gene editing to eliminate herpes virus infections. The experimental therapy eliminated 90% of HSV-1 after facial infection and 97% after genital infection, reducing viral shedding.
A new lab assay developed by Fred Hutch Cancer Center researchers detects differences between types of lung cancer using patterns in cell-free tumor DNA. The blood-based test has the potential to classify clinical subtypes driven by transcriptional programs and expand treatment selection for patients with small-cell lung cancer.
A new study by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that 21.9% of people with cancer participate in some form of clinical research, including treatment trials and biorepository studies. Enrollment in treatment trials was particularly high at National Cancer Institute-designated centers.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that a specific subtype of Fusobacterium nucleatum is responsible for tumor growth in up to 50% of human colorectal cancers. The study identifies the exact bacterial lineage associated with colorectal cancer, offering opportunities for developing microbial cellular therapies.
A clinical study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a blood test can detect colorectal cancer in 83% of people confirmed to have the disease. The test, which analyzes circulating tumor DNA, offers an alternative to current screening options for patients who may decline traditional methods.
Neuroscientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have found that glial cells use different molecules to communicate with different neurons, enabling distinct 'conversations' with each neuron. This clustering of molecules ensures that the glial cell can influence how neurons respond to environmental cues like temperature and smell.
Researchers found a 19% annual increase in Medicaid-insured cancer patients participating in publicly funded clinical trials after the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion. The study shows that targeted policies can increase access to health care and cancer clinical trials for those with Medicaid insurance.
A new study led by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center identified a 64-protein pattern that predicted ovarian tumor responsiveness to treatment. This diagnostic could identify patients with types of ovarian cancers that would not benefit from standard therapies, allowing them to pursue clinical trials instead.
The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, shows robust T-cell responses in volunteers participating in a phase 1 clinical trial of a self-assembling nanoparticle HIV vaccine. The antigen used stimulates VRC01-class B cells, an immune response considered promising for boosting in further studies.
A large, prospective study led by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center recommends that cancer patients receive SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination three to four months after bone marrow transplant. The study found that early vaccination can provide crucial protection against severe COVID-19 in this vulnerable population.
A recent Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center study found that fibroids were associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer in both Black and white women, while hysterectomy modified this risk for white women but not Black women. The study highlights the need for further research into racial disparities in ovarian cancer risk.
Scientists have identified a new emergency brake mechanism that prevents bladder cells from becoming cancerous, even when cancer-promoting genes are active. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic targets for bladder cancer treatment.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that a protein secreted by cancer cells, angiopoietin-like-7, promotes tumor necrosis and metastasis in breast cancer. The study used a new rat model to investigate mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis and identified the protein as a potential target for treatment.
A comprehensive analysis of over 100,000 colorectal cancer cases identified 100 new genetic risk factors strongly linked with the disease. These findings could help clinicians determine who's at highest risk for early detection and potentially identify candidates for preventive treatments.
A meta-analysis of 122 COVID-19 clinical trials found significant underrepresentation of women and certain racial/ethnic groups in vaccine and treatment trials. Despite efforts to address these gaps, more progress is needed to achieve greater diversity among participants.
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center discovered that oral bacteria like Fusobacterium nucleatum can infiltrate tumors, influencing their growth and response to treatment. The findings suggest a link between oral health and cancer, highlighting the potential for microbiome-based therapies to combat cancer.
Scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have made encouraging progress in developing a vaccine against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is linked to various diseases. The new concept uses nanoparticles displaying dummy copies of gH/gL proteins, stimulating antibody production that can disrupt EBV's ability to infect healthy cells.
A team of scientists identified a subset of T cells that show up in great numbers in head and neck tumors but not in similar tissues, suggesting they are working to protect tumor cells. This discovery may help explain why immunotherapies are less effective against solid tumors, highlighting a potential target for future drugs.
Researchers found that DNA changes in patients with precancerous Barrett's esophagus that presage esophageal cancer can be spotted years before cancer develops. The characteristic changes include rearrangements of large chunks of DNA and damage to the tumor-suppressing gene TP53.
A new study reveals that zinc supports immunity by developing disease-fighting immune cells called T cells and regrowing the thymus, an immune organ. Zinc supplementation also promotes immune recovery after bone marrow transplant and works even better than the natural mineral in experimental compounds.
Immunocompromised individuals are at risk for prolonged viral shedding and the emergence of novel variants of concern. Healthcare providers must develop precise guidelines for monitoring and treating these patients.
A recent study found that 25% of cancer patients lacked adequate protective antibodies against measles virus and 38% lacked adequate antibodies against mumps virus. The study suggests that increasing immunity at the community level is crucial to protect vulnerable populations, particularly young adults and stem cell transplant recipients.
A new report highlights disparities in vaccine clinical trials, showing that certain racial/ethnic groups and older people are not adequately represented. The study emphasizes the need for increased diversity and inclusion to ensure equitable representation of all populations, particularly those disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming dairy foods did not directly affect blood sugar levels in people with metabolic syndrome. However, participants on a full-fat dairy diet gained weight and those on low-fat or full-fat diets experienced reduced insulin sensitivity.
Researchers have mapped the molecular structure of a potent COVID-19 antibody, CV30, which neutralizes the virus by interfering with its surface spikes and inducing critical pieces to break off. The antibody's unique shape allows it to overlap with the virus's target site on human cells, blunting its ability to infect.
Researchers discovered that iodide levels increase in people's and animals' blood during severe stress, such as trauma or hibernation. This finding could lead to new treatments for traumatic injuries and COVID-19 by harnessing the body's natural response to stress.
A clinical trial led by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found the iCanQuit app to be nearly 1.5 times more effective in helping adult smokers quit after 12 months compared to the National Cancer Institute's QuitGuide app. The study suggests that for every 100,000 smokers reached with iCanQuit, 28,000 would quit smoking.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center developed a gene editing approach to remove latent herpes simplex virus 1, achieving a 92% reduction in the virus's presence. The method targets infected cells and nerve pathways, showing promise for a potential cure for the infection.
Researchers from Fred Hutch and UW Medicine argue that treating COVID-19 early is crucial to preventing hospitalizations and deaths. They emphasize the importance of widely available home testing with nasal self-swabbing and rapid studies using viral-shedding metrics and symptoms.
Experts call for a coordinated approach to develop safe and effective vaccines, requiring creativity, cooperation, and commitment to save lives. Multiple successful vaccines are needed to meet the global need of immunizing billions.
Scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center discovered a mini-protein in scorpion venom that rapidly accumulates in joint cartilage, allowing it to deliver steroids and other drugs directly to the affected area. This approach may potentially improve the safety of arthritis treatment by reducing systemic side effects.