Researchers used yeast to study genetic variation and trait inheritance at a molecular level, identifying 1,500 genes with complex patterns of inheritance. The study provides a roadmap for understanding genetic complexity in higher organisms, including humans.
Robert Eisenman, a leading oncogene expert, has made significant contributions to understanding how normal cells become cancerous and impacted studies of AIDS and other diseases. He will receive the award at the AACR annual meeting in San Francisco.
A recent study by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found that marrow transplantation using an unrelated donor can be as successful as transplants with related donors for treatment of children with acute leukemia, particularly those under age 10. The study showed a 70% leukemia-free survival rate for patients in their first remiss...
A recent large-scale study found a strong association between infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) and risk of vaginal cancer. Women with vaginal cancer were more likely to have been exposed to HPV-16, which causes genital warts.
A large family study identified a specific genetic marker on chromosome 4 associated with inherited pancreatic cancer. The discovery sheds light on the disease's development and may lead to new prevention and treatment strategies.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center discovered that single mismatches in DNA typing are well-tolerated by patients, increasing the chances of successful transplantation. This breakthrough enables patients to find suitable donors without a perfect match.
Scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have discovered a potential new treatment for cancer and sickle-cell anemia by inhibiting gene silencing. The compound, splitomicin, effectively blocks the silencing of genes critical for healthy growth and may also be effective against certain cancers.
A study by Dr. Jan Storek found that long-term bone-marrow and stem-cell transplant survivors can live normal lives without frequent infections, with immunity recovering to normal within 20 years. The researchers also discovered that transplanted hematopoietic cells remain functional for at least 20-30 years.
A two-step approach combining high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem-cell rescue with mini-transplantation from a sibling significantly reduces transplant-related complications and increases survival rates for patients with advanced-stage multiple myeloma. The procedure results in mild to moderate treatment-related toxicities and a...
Researchers aim to identify genetic differences that make people more susceptible to environmental hazards, with a focus on cancer development and birth defects. The consortium will use genomic approaches to monitor gene expression and predict individual risk based on genetic profile and environmental exposures.
A recent survey conducted by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found that nearly three-quarters of pediatric cancer patients in western Washington use alternative therapies. The most common types of alternative medicine used were herbal and high-dose vitamin supplements, which were reported to have substantial improvements in ...
A recent study found that women who worked the graveyard shift had a 60% increased risk of breast cancer compared to those who did not work nights. The risk also increased with each additional hour of graveyard shift work.
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has received a $2.5 million gift from the Avon Products Foundation to support innovative breast cancer research and clinical care initiatives, including immune response-based treatments and access to quality care for medically underserved women.
A new study suggests tamoxifen may decrease risk of first breast cancer but increase risk of estrogen-receptor negative, more difficult-to-treat contralateral tumors in the opposite breast.
Researchers found that patients with the lowest activity of a key folate-metabolizing enzyme suffered the highest degree of toxicity and treatment complications. Patients with the MTHFR variant had less than half the rate of folate-enzyme activity, resulting in increased oral mucositis symptoms and slower platelet recovery.
A study led by Dr. William Bensinger found that patients undergoing stem-cell transplantation lived longer than those receiving marrow transplants, especially for high-risk blood cancers. The study also showed lower rates of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease with stem cells.
A study by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that people who feel frustrated with dietary recommendations are more likely to eat a fat-laden diet. The study, which surveyed 1,751 adults in Washington state, also found evidence of 'nutrition backlash,' where negative feelings about diet messages lead to unhealthy ea...
A 15-year study by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that a social-influences approach to smoking prevention did not reduce smoking rates among youth. Despite rigorous design and implementation, the program failed to make a difference in the long-term smoking behavior of participants.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have shown promising results with a new antibody treatment, Nuvion, in patients with severe graft versus host disease. The study found that Nuvion was well-tolerated and achieved complete responses in six of nine patients who received a single dose.
A study at the American Society of Hematology Meeting found that patients with acute myeloid leukemia who achieve remission with Mylotarg have prolonged disease-free survival following stem cell transplantation. Researchers also observed fewer complications from bone marrow transplants compared to traditional treatment.
The Puget Sound Oncology Consortium is partnering with the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project to evaluate Herceptin therapy in women with early stage breast cancer. The trial, Protocol B-31, aims to assess the safety and efficacy of combining Herceptin with chemotherapy in treating node-positive breast cancer patients.
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is developing a new strategy for obtaining plants with desirable genetic mutations using the TILLING method. This approach allows for rapid and large-scale analysis of mutations without introducing genetically modified material.
Dr. Lee Hartwell has made significant contributions to our understanding of the cell cycle and its role in cancer development. His work with yeast has identified over 50 genes crucial for controlling cellular growth and division.
The project aims to catalog the HLA gene complex and explore its differences among populations worldwide. The goal is to create a searchable database linking multiple interacting genes with function, ethnicity, and disease.
Scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center developed a new diagnostic test for lupus using SR proteins as biomarkers. The color-coded test can identify 50-70% of undiagnosed lupus patients, promising to bridge the detection gap.
Hundreds of former bone marrow transplant survivors from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center will gather in Seattle for a reunion, sharing memories and hopes for the future. The event is part of the center's 25th anniversary celebration and includes activities such as presentations on latest research findings and workshops.
Dr. Edus H. Warren, an immunologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, is one of five recipients of a $1.2 million grant to support his research on understanding immune responses in leukemia patients. He aims to develop strategies for selectively enhancing the GVL effect without inducing GVHD.
Dusty Miller, PhD, received the National Hemophilia Foundation's 1999 Dr. Murray Thelin Researcher of the Year Award for his work on gene therapy, a potential treatment for hemophilia. His pioneering research has led to the development of retroviral gene-transfer kits and promising early-stage gene-therapy trials.
Researchers found a significant increase in lobular breast cancer among postmenopausal women taking combined hormone-replacement therapy. The study reported a 2.6-fold increase in incidence among those who took the therapy for six months or more.
Researchers used a mouse model to identify changes occurring in nerve cells before the onset of Huntington's disease. They identified several signaling molecules that could be targeted for future therapies.
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is proud to announce that five of its researchers have been selected as Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) investigators. Drs. David Baker, Philip Green, and Michael Shadlen from the University of Washington, and Drs. Leonid Kruglyak and Cecilia Moens from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Resear...
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have discovered a novel agent that can prevent transplant reactions and promote immunological tolerance. The treatment, using an anti-CD28 antibody, could lead to safer and more effective transplants, reducing the risk of graft-versus-host disease.
A study by Rebecca Rudolph and colleagues found that short-segment Barrett's esophagus is not a lower-risk factor for esophageal cancer. Instead, people with this condition are at a similar risk as those with long-segment Barrett's esophagus.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center discovered a protein, Rrn3, that regulates cell growth in both humans and yeast. The protein appears to be a key player in an as-yet-unidentified cell-signaling pathway, potentially making it a unique drug target for cancer treatment.
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center discovered a secondary retroviral receptor, dubbed FELIX, crucial for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection. This discovery may provide a window into the pathway of retroviruses like HIV and potentially lead to therapies that disable the virus.
Researchers aim to recruit at least 100 African-American families with a history of prostate cancer to participate in the PROGRESS study. The study seeks to identify genes linked to inherited prostate cancer, which may help diagnose, treat, and prevent the disease.
A new molecular engineering technique, inspired by centuries-old concept of principal axes of inertia, can help researchers identify functional regions on proteins crucial for drug delivery. This method may aid in developing molecular-modeling software to streamline the search process.
A new study found that eating three servings of vegetables daily can cut a man's risk of prostate cancer nearly in half. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage have the strongest effect, decreasing risk by 41% when consumed regularly.
A study of over 15,000 people found that residents of the South consumed the most produce daily, while those in the Northeast had the lowest intake. African Americans and college graduates also showed higher consumption rates, highlighting the need for tailored messages to promote behavior change.
A study using polymerase chain reaction detects MRD in long-term CML survivors, finding that approximately 25% of patients had evidence of disease at some time after transplant. The team aims to identify patients who appear cured but may still harbor disease and benefit from early therapeutic intervention.
Researchers found that stem cells provide a higher two-year survival rate (70%) compared to marrow transplants (45%) for certain high-risk blood cancer patients. The study suggests that stem cell transplants may offer fewer relapses with fewer complications.
Seattle researchers have described the structure of factor VIII, a key blood-clotting protein implicated in hemophilia A. The discovery provides a key to developing improved blood-thinning medications and clotting agents for hemophiliacs, as well as better treatments for those at risk of stroke and heart attack.
The genomic sequence of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has been completed, providing a vital tool for improved diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This information will enable researchers to understand the origin of many common diseases and identify positions of genes on this important segment of the human genome.
A large study by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found no association between vasectomy and increased prostate cancer risk. Additionally, dietary supplementation with vitamins C and E was linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer. Men who took zinc supplements also saw a significant reduction in risk.
The Pacific Ovarian Cancer Research Consortium aims to discover genes, develop a cancer vaccine, and improve treatment outcomes for ovarian cancer. The five-year study will involve researchers from several institutions and involve at least 3,500 women in its various studies.
Bruce Clurman, a researcher at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, has been awarded a $1 million grant to support his medical research. The award, part of the W.M. Keck Foundation's Distinguished Young Scholars in Medical Research Program, will enable Clurman to pursue new ideas and develop new treatments for diseases.
New research suggests that PSA testing alone cannot fully explain the decline in prostate cancer deaths since the early 1990s. Instead, other factors such as changing treatment patterns and misclassification of cause of death may be contributing to the trend.
A detailed map of the human genome will require locating at least half a million genetic markers to be useful for pharmaceutical research and development. According to Dr. Leonid Kruglyak, researchers need to locate more genetic markers to stay on track when chasing down genes that influence disease susceptibility and drug response.
Researchers developed CMA-676, an antibody-drug conjugate targeting AML cells while sparing normal blood cells. The treatment produces mild side effects and induces remission comparable to standard chemotherapy regimens.
Researchers found that vaccinated patients had a significantly lower chance of death and relapse compared to non-vaccinated patients. The THERATOPEO vaccine increased specific killing activity against cancer cells, leading to longer remission periods.