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Cancer Research

Cancer Moonshot project launched by President Biden 5 years ago leading to many breakthroughs

Cancer Moonshot project launched by President Biden 5 years ago leading to many breakthroughs

Robert Vonderheide of Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center in the Perelman School of Medicine spoke about the Cancer Moonshot project, which has led to major federal funding for cancer research and subsequently, new treatments for patients. “It’s new initiatives, new therapies, and new ways importantly to prevent cancer in the first place,” he said.

Joe Biden’s longtime ties to Penn
Biden speaking in his offie at the Penn Biden Center

Joe Biden’s longtime ties to Penn

As the nation prepares for its 46th president to take office Wednesday, Jan. 20, Penn Today reflects on the lasting impact he’s had at the University.

Lauren Hertzler

The backlog in mammograms during the COVID-19 pandemic
Picture of many days listed on a wall calendar

The backlog in mammograms during the COVID-19 pandemic

The backlog of diagnostic mammograms is not expected to return to regular operations for nearly six months at best, and a lack of early detection will have health implications on cancer management for years to come.

From Penn LDI

Donita Brady is ready for the next steps in cancer biology research
Donita Brady in her office.

Presidential Professor of cancer biology Donita Brady. (Image: Penn Medicine News)

Donita Brady is ready for the next steps in cancer biology research

The Presidential Professor of cancer biology leads a team that is working to understand how cancer grows uncontrolled in cells and discovering novel ways to stop it. 

Melissa Moody

Diagnostic imaging may increase risk of testicular cancer
Person inside an MRI machine hooked up to a machine via a monitor on the finger.

Diagnostic imaging may increase risk of testicular cancer

New research shows a statistically significant increased risk of testicular cancer among those reporting at least three exposures to X-ray, including a colon X-ray, and CT below the waist.

Steve Graff

Two key events that turn normal cells into cancer
Microscopic view of cells of a living organism.

The findings may inform the development of new therapies that could treat any tumor type.

Two key events that turn normal cells into cancer

The discovery of a unifying mechanism could inform new therapeutic approaches to prevent normal cells from transforming into any type of tumor.

Melissa Moody

‘Fast’ MRI detects breast cancers that 3-D mammograms may miss
Glowing MRI machine

‘Fast’ MRI detects breast cancers that 3-D mammograms may miss

Abbreviated MRI shortens the screening time and requires only three sequences, while traditional ultrasound’s limitations don’t detect cancer as reliably for women with higher breast density.

From Penn Medicine News

Priming the immune system to attack cancer
scientific diagram shows how immune training of neutrophils in the bone marrow can produce ROS, or reactive oxygen species, to produce an anti-cancer response by the immune system

Priming the immune system to attack cancer

An international team, co-led by the School of Dental Medicine’s George Hajishengallis, showed how immune “training” transforms certain immune cells to target tumors.

Katherine Unger Baillie