Cancer Research | Penn Today

Stem cell signaling drives mammary gland development and, possibly, breast cancer

A connection between mammary stem cells and macrophages, a type of immune cell, is crucial for mammary gland development, and may also figure into the biology of breast cancer.

With second FDA approval, CAR-T’s transformative power multiplies

After last year’s approval to treat pediatric lymphoma, the latest indication will expand the number of patients that can be treated with personalized cell therapy almost tenfold.

Innovative vaccine offers canine cancer patients a shot at a longer, happier life

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer to affect dogs. It is a painful and aggressive disease. Affecting more than 10,000 dogs annually, predominantly larger breeds, it kills more than 85 percent within two years.

FDA approves CAR T therapy for large B-Cell lymphoma developed at Penn

The nation’s first approved personalized cellular therapy is now available for a second indication.

FDA Expands Approval for World's First T-Cell Therapy

Jakub Svoboda and Stephen J. Schuster of the Perelman School of Medicine were both cited for their work on Novartis’ Kymriah, a Penn-developed drug “made by siphoning each patient’s T cells from the blood, genetically programming these immune soldier cells to attack malignant blood cells, then returning them to the patient.” Thirty percent of patients treated with Kymriah in the global study were still cancer-free at six months, results that Svoboda called “unheard of.”

Healthy T cells have a fighting chance for cell therapy

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have a healthy amount of T cells prior to treatment (“early memory” T cells) responded positively to CAR T therapy, highlighting a powerful biomarker for successful therapies for that specific type of leukemia.

Penn Study Points to Why T-Cell Therapy Fails in Some Patients

Penn Medicine researchers have found that patients who respond well to T-cell therapy have an existing supply of “memory” T cells, which support the immune system. Joseph Fraietta of the Perelman School of Medicine, who authored the study, said that the study’s findings may pave the way for the creation of synthetic memory T cells through genetic engineering.

Carl June named one of TIME Magazine’s Most Influential People

His work on CAR-T cancer treatment was approved by the FDA in 2017, and this year June is celebrated as an influential global pioneer.

How working dogs are sniffing out cancer

A Center for Public Health Initiatives seminar showcased the collaborative research at Penn and the Monell Chemical Senses Center that is working to detect early stage ovarian cancer.

Married People Less Likely to Die From Melanoma

The Perelman School of Medicine’s Giorgos C. Karakousis proposed that dermatologists might compensate for the disparity in skin cancer mortality rates by “suggesting more frequent visits for single people.”

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