Newswise — SEATTLE — Feb. 4, 2024 — Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutch Cancer Center research findings, patient stories and other news.
February is national cancer prevention month. See our and reach out to [email protected] if you’re looking for experts.
Clinical research and care
A new study published in shows that oral fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a safe addition to preventing graft-versus-host disease in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation for blood cancers. This research is part of a phase 2 led by , a medical oncologist at Fred Hutch. The randomized phase of the trial will study whether FMT improves health outcomes for patients undergoing stem cell transplantation, such as less acute graft-versus-host disease, fewer hospitalizations, fewer infections, better quality of life and longer survival.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, [email protected]
A recent expansion of the is making the new patient experience easier. Janelle Wagner, RN, senior director of the program, explains how nurse navigators streamline processes for new patients by outlining all necessary testing and connecting with clinicians. Navigators also conduct psychosocial screening and identify barriers to care such as transportation issues, socioeconomic concerns or language barriers.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, [email protected]
This episode of Fred Hutch’s ’s podcast focuses on raising awareness about prevention and HPV vaccination while addressing the cultural barriers that often hinder these important conversations. The episode features Li Velasco, LUNAA Program Manager at , and , gynecologic oncologist at Fred Hutch and Deputy Director, Fred Hutch/University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, [email protected]
After an allogeneic , the donated cells must replicate again and again. Experts wondered whether the donated cells' continuous replication could pose a risk if new or existing mutations arose. In , researchers from Fred Hutch examined pairs of donors and recipients and found a low average mutation rate. In a Q&A lead author , explained the study and its implications.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, [email protected]
Cancer biology
Targeted protein degradation, a new therapy used in and published in the , tricks the cell’s garbage collectors into hauling away cancer-causing proteins. , and collaborators have been using this approach to rapidly destroy lung and pancreas tumors in mice. Nabet and team’s process targeted the gene G12V, a cancer-causing mutation with no off switch. Using , a protein degradation system developed by , tumor growth caused by KRAS G12V was not only stopped but reversed within a four-week span.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, [email protected]
Basic sciences
A study in the journal from postbaccalaureate researcher Cameron Suraci in the shows that in microscopic worms, hypothermia shields against anoxia (the absence of oxygen) and anoxia blunts the stress of hypothermia, allowing a higher survival rate against both conditions. Building off rare cases where both extreme cold and oxygen deprivation, these findings show that humans may share the same function between stress responses, though more research is needed to understand the relationship between oxygen and temperature.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, [email protected]
Awards and milestones
Fred Hutch Senior Vice President and Director of the Clinical Research Division , received the inaugural Smith Family Endowed Chair in Women’s Health. The chair is established by Kathy Surace-Smith, a former life sciences industry executive, and Brad Smith, president of Microsoft. Over the past decade, of NIH grants have funded women’s health, and this endowment will provide flexible funding to improve survivorship and quality of life for women with cancer.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, [email protected]
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute named Grant King, PhD, a — investing $1.5 million over an eight-year span to help King start his own lab. The fellowship supports early career scientists committed to making foundational discoveries while building an inclusive culture in academic science. King currently works in the studying how evolutionary innovations occur within eukaryotic cells. He is the third researcher from the lab to win this fellowship, following , and .
Media contact: Molly McElroy, [email protected]
received the Leonard and Norma Klorfine Endowed Chair for Clinical Research. The chair was established by the Klorfine family in 2015 in celebration of Fred Hutch’s 40th anniversary and funds physician-scientists dedicated to lifesaving research. Hill is the senior vice president and director of the , and the endowment will fund future research by him and his team in transplant immunology.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, [email protected]
2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Fred Hutch Cancer Center. With bold scientific feats including pioneering , paving the way for the and coordinating the development of the , the organization has become a world-class biomedical institution for research and clinical care.
Media contact: [email protected]
Science spotlight
is a monthly installment of articles written by postdoctoral fellows that summarizes new research papers from Fred Hutch scientists. If you’re interested in learning more or covering these topics, contact [email protected]
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Fred Hutch Cancer Center unites individualized care and advanced research to provide the latest cancer treatment options while accelerating discoveries that prevent, treat and cure cancer and infectious diseases worldwide.
Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is an independent, nonprofit organization and the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington. We have earned a global reputation for our track record of discoveries in cancer, infectious disease and basic research, including important advances in bone marrow transplantation, immunotherapy, HIV/AIDS prevention and COVID-19 vaccines. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services. Fred Hutch also serves as UW Medicine’s cancer program.
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