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University of Chicago Medical Center


Bugs as drugs: Engineered gut bacteria show promise against pancreatic cancer

Researchers at the University of Chicago report a promising new strategy using BifidoSumIL-2, an engineered bacterial strain, to deliver an immune-stimulating therapy directly into pancreatic tumors. The treatment selectively activates cancer-fighting T cells and slows tumor growth, even when combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2026

Nonprofit hospitals spend billions on management consultants with no clear effect

A new study found that nonprofit hospitals spent at least $7.8 billion on management consulting services between 2010-2022, but saw no significant changes in finances, staffing, operations, or patient outcomes. The study suggests greater transparency and public accountability for how hospitals use tax-subsidized dollars.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJAMA·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 4, 2026

Opioid use stigma may underlie clinician biases towards patients with sickle cell disease

Research at UChicago Medicine found that clinicians who perceive patients with sickle cell disease as opioid users are more likely to experience bias and provide lower quality care. The study highlights the need for increased awareness and education on overcoming biases related to chronic pain management.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 13, 2026

Are heart failure and atrial fibrillation the same disease?

A new study finds that heart failure and atrial fibrillation share similar genetic and molecular mechanisms, suggesting a more nuanced understanding of these two conditions. The research reveals that the pathological response involves multiple cell types communicating with each other, leading to a fundamental shift in how atrial fibril...

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNature Cardiovascular Research·DateMar 26, 2026

The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation to open fourth center in the US with the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center

The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation has awarded a grant to establish the UChicago Medicine Ralph Lauren Center, expanding access to high-quality cancer screening and care in Chicago's South Side. The new center will focus on personalized and comprehensive approaches to patient navigation and prevention services.

New 2.6-million-year-old Paranthropus fossil reshapes understanding of early hominins

A 2.6-million-year-old partial jaw of Paranthropus, discovered in Afar, Ethiopia, expands the known geographic distribution of the genus northward by 1000 km. The fossil reveals that Paranthropus was as widespread and versatile as Homo, challenging previous assumptions about its dietary specialization and competition with other hominins.

Real estate investment trust (REIT) acquisition associated with hospital closure and bankruptcy

A study found that hospitals sold to REITs were more than five times as likely to close or file for bankruptcy compared to similar hospitals. The researchers analyzed nearly 20 years of data and found no immediate improvements in finances or quality, but long-term harms, including increased risk of closure or bankruptcy.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalThe BMJ·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 18, 2025

Research exposes far-reaching toll of financial hardship on patients with cancer

Researchers found a significant association between financial toxicity and worse emotional and physical well-being among cancer patients. Financial toxicity, which includes stress, expense, and instability caused by healthcare costs, can have far-reaching consequences, including psychological distress and lower quality of life.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJCO Oncology Practice·TypeSurvey·DateSep 11, 2025

Researchers use meteorological data to understand how climate and altitude affect bird migration

A global ecology study reveals that birds migrating through tropical regions travel at a steadier pace but with more variation in altitude compared to temperate regions. Birds adjust their flight altitudes to avoid strong winds, a key finding with implications for conservation efforts in tropical cities.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 14, 2025

Community resources help food-insecure kids make fewer ER visits

A new clinical study found that a universal community resource program reduced acute care for children of food-insecure families, saving thousands of dollars in healthcare expenditures. The program, called CommunityRx-Hunger, required only 50 staff hours and delivered benefits to both food-secure and food-insecure caregivers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 28, 2025

Chemo-immunotherapy approach shows potential benefit in patients with advanced HPV-negative head and neck cancer

A Phase 2 clinical trial found that a neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy regimen achieved a 53% deep response rate, exceeding historical data with chemotherapy alone. The treatment approach led to impressive survival outcomes and fewer toxic side effects in patients with advanced HPV-negative head and neck cancer.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 6, 2025

Quantifying disease impact and overcoming practical treatment barriers for primary progressive aphasia

Primary progressive aphasia is a rare form of dementia that affects language skills, with significant implications for patients' quality of life. Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine have developed new methods to measure its impact on daily living and demonstrate the feasibility of international telemedicine interventions.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalAlzheimer s & Dementia·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 26, 2024

‘The way to a man’s heart disease’: Can social expectations of masculinity be bad for cardiovascular health?

A recent study found that men who conform to traditional masculine norms are less likely to report receiving diagnoses or treatment for cardiovascular disease risk factors. This highlights a missed opportunity to prevent serious cardiovascular conditions later in life.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 25, 2024

Declining senses can impact mental health and loneliness in aging adults

Researchers found that people with sensory disabilities tend to have worse mental health, with vision impairment most strongly associated with loneliness and poor self-rated mental health. Strategies like patient communication, public policies, and technology interventions can help mitigate the negative effects of sensory decline.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 22, 2024

Research shows GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs are effective but come with complex concerns

Research shows that GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs are highly effective for weight management and Type 2 diabetes treatment, but they come with complex considerations such as dosages, side effects, and comparisons between specific drugs. Experts caution against overusing these drugs or viewing them as a universal cure-all for obesity.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalHealth Affairs Scholar·DateJun 5, 2024

UChicago Medicine helps bring first-of-its-kind drug for metabolic liver disease to the clinic

Resmetirom, a new medication, has been approved to treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a more advanced stage of MASLD characterized by liver inflammation and scarring. The drug was shown to improve fibrosis and reduce disease progression in patients with MASLD.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 14, 2024