A rare cell line developed by Johns Hopkins researchers is giving scientists their first chance in decades to test new therapies for a lethal pediatric brain cancer that has few treatments. Kimmel Cancer Center scientist Eric H. Raabe, M.D., Ph.D., helped to develop the diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) cell line, grown from tumor tissue donated by(...)
Research
Can Magnolia Help Break the Link Between Obesity and Breast Cancer?
Posted by | Research--This post was written by freelance writer Becky Ham. A compound made from the tree’s bark shows promise against tumors spurred by the leptin hormone. Stand under the glossy green canopy of a southern magnolia in full bloom, and you’ll be dazzled by this queen tree’s show of hundreds of highly perfumed ivory blossoms, each(...)
Can biomarkers predict patients’ response to immunotherapy?
Posted by | ResearchImmunotherapy expert, Suzanne Topalian, M.D., delivered a presentation to a standing room only crowd at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology (#ASCO16) regarding new directions in scientists’ search for biomarkers that identify patients and tumor types most likely to respond to immunotherapy drugs. Among the approaches is an immunohistochemistry test for the protein PD-L1,(...)
ASCO annual meeting features clinical trial results of immunotherapy for bladder and kidney cancer
Posted by | ResearchWith recent FDA approvals of immunotherapy drugs for kidney and bladder cancer, patients now have more options to consider among their treatments. The 2016 ASCO annual meeting featured several new developments in these two cancers that seem to keep the momentum moving forward in this field. We asked Charles Drake, M.D., Ph.D., associate director of(...)
Avon awards Kimmel Cancer Center more than $1 million for breast cancer research and support
Posted by | ResearchThis past weekend, the Avon Foundation held its 14th annual event in Washington, D.C. to raise funds for breast cancer research and education. More than 1,900 participants from 41 states and Washington, D.C. walked 39.3 miles in the AVON 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer. Of the total $4.8 million raised during the weekend event,(...)
Perspective on a breast cancer genome sequencing study
Posted by | ResearchIn today's lineup of stories covered by WNYC's radio program The Takeaway, Kimmel Cancer Center expert Josh Lauring, M.D., Ph.D., provides his perspective on a new study published yesterday in the journal Nature by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. The study is an analysis of the genomic sequencing of 560 breast cancer patients. Listen to Lauring and radio host John(...)
One-third of patients with metastatic melanoma treated with immunotherapy drug nivolumab survive five years
Posted by | ResearchAt the 2016 American Association for Cancer Research annual meeting today, scientists presented their results of a follow-up study tracking the survival of metastatic melanoma patients who were treated with the immunotherapy drug nivolumab. The drug is currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for advanced lung and kidney cancers and advanced melanomas.(...)
Possibilities – Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy
Posted by | Research"I, along with the other cancer patients and survivors, have waited more than 20 years to see this day arrive," says Johns Hopkins champion Sidney Kimmel. Learn more about the Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy.
Shaping the Future of Cancer Research Training
Posted by | Research**This blog post was written by Kimmel Cancer Center development coordinator Allison Rich. Ben Park, M.D., Ph.D., was recently named the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center’s associate director for research training and education. Already an internationally recognized physician-scientist committed to training and mentoring young students and faculty members, Park’s new role allows him to even(...)
A Conversation about Cancer: Six Questions that Keep Cancer Experts Up at Night
Posted by | Research, UncategorizedWhat keeps you up at night? This was the question posed by Kimmel Cancer Center director William Nelson, M.D., Ph.D., to six cancer experts who participated in a Cancer Conversations forum on Nov. 3, 2015. In parts one and two of this series, they predicted the future of cancer medicine and discussed how they collaborate(...)