SEATTLE — Aug. 1, 2022 — Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center research findings and other news.
Please note: On April 1 Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center merged with our care partner, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Our new name is Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Fred Hutch on subsequent references).
Cancer research
Hutch scientists receive $25M to solve breast cancer metastasis
Fred Hutch translational breast cancer researcher Dr. Cyrus Ghajar, epidemiologist Dr. Christopher Li, and immunotherapy expert Dr. Stanley Riddell have received a four-year, $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to learn how to kill metastatic cancer’s deadly seeds before they can sprout. The new Transformative Breast Cancer Consortium Award, specifically designed to fund high-risk/high-reward research, will bring together a team of Fred Hutch researchers, breast cancer patient advocates and collaborators.
Media contact: Claire Hudson, crhudson@fredhutch.org
Blood and Marrow Transplant Reunion returns to Fred Hutch
Hundreds of former bone and marrow transplant patients and their families from across the country and the world gathered with Fred Hutch clinicians in Seattle to celebrate survivorship and the science behind it. The longest-living survivor who attended received her transplant 41 years ago, and another former patient is now an oncologist herself. The reunion happens every five years and is organized by Fred Hutch’s Long-Term Follow-Up program, which supports people treated with transplants and cellular immunotherapy. Watch videos on YouTube of Fred Hutch providers discussing survivorship topics, such as nutrition, cancer-related cognitive function, mental health and complementary therapies.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
Dispatches from the microbial frontier in cancer research
In a research round-up, three projects from Fred Hutch researchers and physician-scientists show what is being learned by combining microbiome research with data science and high-tech tools. Two projects, including Dr. Kate Markey’s recent Science Translational Medicine paper, link the microbiome with transplant outcomes and immune response. Another project aims to better predict colorectal cancer risk by examining genetics of gut bugs and the microbiome of colorectal cancer patients.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
HIV/AIDS
HVTN at the 24th Annual International AIDS Conference in Montreal
HVTN researchers and faith leaders will address HIV and SARS-CoV-2, neutralizing antibodies, future directions for research, lessons from COVID-19 community engagement and overcoming HIV stigma and discrimination at the International AIDS Conference being held July 29 - Aug. 1.
Media contact: Claire Hudson, crhudson@fredhutch.org
Health equity
The Center for Anti-Racism & Community Health: Understanding the mechanisms of inequity, injustice and trauma
For their podcast “Cancer Health Equity Now,” members of Fred Hutch’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement spoke with Drs. Wendy Barrington and Rachel Chapman about how systemic mechanisms such as historical trauma, white supremacist ideologies and other injustices affect health equity.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, kwynn@fredhutch.org
On Twitter
Follow new Fred Hutch assistant professor Dr. Tina Termini (@CterminiPhD), as she sets up her lab to study hematopoietic stem cell function and regeneration and shares insights as #FirstGen #LatinxInSTEM #NewPI.
Virus evolution expert Dr. Jesse Bloom (@jbloom_lab) updated a SARS-CoV-2 escape calculator he developed to “improve prediction of which future mutations will cause largest drop in neutralization.”
Obliteride
It’s August, and many of us are gearing up for Obliteride, Fred Hutch’s annual bike ride, run and walk fundraiser on Aug. 13. Organizers of Obliteride, now in its 10th year, expect at least 3,800 participants and people from 44 states and 29 countries have registered. More in our news release and read a profile on one of the participants.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, kwynn@fredhutch.org
Science spotlight
Science Spotlight is a monthly installment of articles written by postdoctoral fellows at Fred Hutch that summarize new research papers from Hutch scientists. If you’re interested in learning more or covering these topics, contact: media@fredhutch.org
Food insecurity and breast and colorectal cancer screenings
Outcome predictions for patients with graft-versus-host disease
Taking a closer look at DNA double-strand break hotspots
Are revisions to remdesivir dosing needed for treating SARS-CoV-2?
New immunotherapy targets discovered for head and neck cancer
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Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center combines adult cancer care and advanced scientific research, and has a history of discoveries that treat, cure and identify prevention strategies for cancer and infectious diseases. The organization was renamed in April 2022, following the merger of long-time partners, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization that serves as UW Medicine’s cancer program.
Fred Hutch has been a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center since 1973. Global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS, immunotherapy and COVID-19 helped Fred Hutch earn recognition as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and has network affiliations with hospitals in five states.