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Cancer Research

In pursuit of a cure, when ideas and options have run out
David Fajgenbaum in his lab.

David Fajgenbaum is an assistant professor of medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and associate director of patient impact in the Penn Orphan Disease Center. He also leads the Castleman Disease Research Program.

(Image: Courtesy of Penn Medicine)

In pursuit of a cure, when ideas and options have run out

A new book from Penn Medicine’s David Fajgenbaum chronicles his journey to beat Castleman disease, a rare disorder that he’s lived with for almost a decade.

Michele W. Berger

Two studies highlight proton therapy for pediatric brain cancer
A clinic worker stands at the gantry of the Roberts Proton Therapy center machine.

Two studies highlight proton therapy for pediatric brain cancer

A pair of new studies done at Penn and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia add to the growing body of research showing the potential benefits of proton therapy.

Penn Today Staff

A potential new treatment for a deadly form of prostate cancer
3-d illustration of cancer cells

A potential new treatment for a deadly form of prostate cancer

Blocking a specific protein sets off a chain reaction that results in the death of prostate cancer cells that have spread and are resistant to standard therapies.

Penn Today Staff

The world’s first T-cell therapy for a solid tumor cancer is made in Philly

The world’s first T-cell therapy for a solid tumor cancer is made in Philly

Carl June of the Perelman School of Medicine commented on news of Iovance Biotherapeutics’ new facilities in South Philadelphia. “Recent advances in the understanding of cancer and the immune system have made a compelling case that [tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte] therapy could be effective in diverse cancers beyond melanoma, such as lung cancer and cervical cancer,” he said. “The decision of Iovance to conduct commercial scale manufacturing in the Philadelphia Navy Yard is wonderful news.”

Experts offer new recommendations for screening more women for breast cancer

Experts offer new recommendations for screening more women for breast cancer

Susan Domcheck of the Basser Center for BRCA at the Abramson Cancer Center said that while new recommendations for the screening for BRCA1 and 2 gene mutations are “very valuable,” they don’t address many persistent problems. She stressed the need for additional research regarding BRCA mutations and risk factors, including the effect of race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

A new cancer drug, thanks to a new approach
A rendering of a plasma cell lymphocyte.

A new cancer drug, thanks to a new approach

Researchers in the Abramson Cancer Center helped bring new hope to patients with multiple myeloma with a drug that targets the command center of a cancer cell.

Penn Today Staff