SEATTLE — March 5, 2025 — Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutch Cancer Center research findings, patient stories and other news.
March is the awareness month for colorectal cancer and multiple myeloma. Reach out to media@fredhutch.org if you’re looking for experts.
Clinical research
Novel regimen greatly reduced chronic GVHD in phase 2 study at Fred Hutch
A novel drug regimen tested by researchers at Fred Hutch showed promise in preventing chronic graft-vs.-host disease (cGVHD). The treatment combines sirolimus, cyclosporine and post-transplant cyclophosphamide (SIR/CSP/PTCy). GVHD occurs when transplanted donor cells recognize recipient tissues as foreign and attack them, causing problems from skin rashes to organ damage. Lead researcher Masumi Ueda Oshima, MD, MA, presented these findings at the 2025 Tandem Meetings.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
New methods reveal cancer mechanism in ancient genes
Research published in the journal Science discovered that the aggressiveness likelihood of recurrence of cancer can be predicted by the amount of material in our cells. Co-author Steven Henikoff, PhD, and team, found that the overproduction of histones — DNA packaging material — indicated these factors in brain and breast tumors. This discovery reveals a new biomarker to aid in the early detection of disease and a potential target for more precisely tailored therapies.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
Cancer prevention
Two doses of the HPV vaccine is all you need
A study led by cancer biologist Denise Galloway, PhD, found that two doses of the HPV vaccine provide the same amount of immune protection as three, with no additional boosters needed. According to Galloway, these findings are the first step to simplifying HPV-related cancer prevention even more, as her team is now interested in reducing the dosage to one. Further, The International Papillomavirus Society believes that the United States is on track to eliminate cervical cancer through vaccination and screening. Galloway holds the Paul Stephanus Memorial Endowed Chair at Fred Hutch.
Media contact: Claire Hudson, crhudson@fredhutch.org
Awards
Fred Hutch announces 10 recipients of the 2025 Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award
Fred Hutch Cancer Center announced 10 recipients of the prestigious Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award, which annually recognizes exceptional achievement by graduate students in the biological sciences. This year’s recipients represent both national and international research institutions, with thesis topics including the structural organization of neural networks, a hereditary basis for metastatic breast cancer, gene editing tools for neurodegenerative diseases and the brain’s ability to control the tongue.
Media contact: Shayla Ring, sring@fredhutch.org
Skin in the game: Changing the story of Merkel cell carcinoma
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive form of skin cancer, with only about 3,000 cases diagnosed in the United States each year. Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD, and his lab have studied MCC for the past 20 years, and their achievements include establishing immunotherapy as a standard of care, which has transformed patient outcomes. Today, 50% of all patients see sustained benefits from immunotherapy. Previously, only 5% saw lasting results from chemotherapy. Nghiem holds the George F. Odland Endowed Chair in Dermatology at UW Medicine.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, hplatisha@fredhutch.org
Science spotlight
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 media@fredhutch.org
- Magic mushrooms, real results: Psilocybin’s role in healthcare worker healing
- A bidirectional partnership between researchers and community members
- ‘Getting the T’ on T cell populations in colorectal cancer
- From data to decisions: Enhancing CAR T-cell therapy with predictive modeling
- Transient transfection to make vaccines: cutting corners, or taking the express lane?
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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.