Breaking news today as, for the first time, a drug has been FDA-approved for cancer based on disease genetics rather than type. Developed from 30 years of basic research at Johns Hopkins and its Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute, pembroluzimab now can be used for colon, pancreatic, stomach, ovarian and other cancers if genetic testing reveals defects in […]
Issues & Perspectives
Lung cancer immunotherapy options expand
Posted by | Issues & PerspectivesPatients and doctors received news this week of the FDA’s approval of the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab in combination with platinum doublet chemotherapy as first-line therapy for all patients with non-small cell lung cancer, irrespective of patients’ tumor PD-L1 status. The new approval follows the FDA’s decision last November to approve pembrolizumab as a first-line therapy for some […]
Kimmel Cancer Center Joins Nation’s Cancer Centers in Supporting HPV Vaccination
Posted by | Issues & PerspectivesThe Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center joined all of the nation's cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute in endorsing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to prevent cancers caused by the ubiquitous virus. HPV infections are known to cause most cervical, anal, oropharyngeal and other genital cancers. Vaccines are available to prevent infections of certain […]
Insights from Katie Couric, keynote speaker at A Woman’s Journey
Posted by | Issues & PerspectivesThis quote from Katie Couric's keynote speech at A Woman's Journey sums up the hard work of cancer scientists, clinicians, patients, families and friends.
Do You Have a Cancer Screening Buddy?
Posted by | Issues & PerspectivesI heard a story about actors Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Tom Hanks forming a colonoscopy slumber party of sorts. They get together at one of their homes the day of the bowel prep and bring in a caterer to make them broth and gelatin, play poker all night, and the next day they have […]
The Healing Power of Music
Posted by | Issues & Perspectives, UncategorizedI never thought I’d be exposed to such a wide variety of expert musicians and performers working as a communications coordinator in the Cancer Center. Through the Cancer Center’s Art of Healing Performing Arts Series, I have the exciting opportunity to work with high caliber musicians from the Peabody Institute, local ballet dancers, and even a […]
The True Age of Cancer is Different Than You Might Think
Posted by | Issues & Perspectives, UncategorizedI was listening to the radio as I was driving in my car, and the lyrics in the song struck me. It went something like this, “Cancer doesn’t discriminate or care if you’re just 38.” I thought to myself, “Well, yes it does.” Cancer has always been and remains a disease of aging. Perhaps the […]
More Good News on Melanoma Drug
Posted by | Issues & Perspectives, Research, treatmentResearchers from the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and other institutions reported more data today on studies of a new melanoma drug that target products of a cancer-causing mutation in the BRAF gene. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, tracked patients with metastatic melanoma who have been followed for more than a year […]
Carrie’s weekend of well-being
Posted by | Issues & Perspectives, SurvivorshipFor Carrie Wells, a powerful and positive part of surviving breast cancer was attending a retreat with women who shared similar journeys. Being surrounded by other survivors was a chance for connection, education, relaxation and healing. So moved was Carrie by the retreat experience, she felt compelled to help other cancer survivors find equally valuable […]
What’s on Your Grocery List?
Posted by | Issues & Perspectives, UncategorizedWe completed three days of filming for a new C-Answers video series on cancer survivorship. In one of the video segments, we feature nutritionist Lynda McIntyre discussing how to stay healthy through diet and nutrition. Each time I listen to Lynda speak on these issues, I feel like my diet needs a complete makeover. But […]