Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center has released updates on recent research findings and other news. Two public health researchers, Gavin Ha, PhD, and Jason Mendoza, MPH, have received grants for their work in health equity research in cancer. Ha’s grant will focus on using real-world clinical genomic data to find biomarkers for targeted treatments in men with prostate cancer, while Mendoza’s grant aims to develop a program to boost participation in research studies, particularly in underserved populations.
The Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research (HICOR) held its Value in Cancer Care Summit, where stakeholders in cancer care discussed improving care for all. While improvements in care were noted, a panel discussion with Black patients highlighted the presence of biases that still harm patients. This emphasizes the importance of addressing equity in cancer care.
Fred Hutch researchers have also been investigating various aspects of cancer care. They are striving to improve patient understanding of cancer-related data, highlighting the importance of personalized communication. Additionally, they addressed the challenges of lung cancer screening for non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke and shared the story of a life-saving stem cell donation facilitated by the Be the Match registry.
In the field of preclinical research, Fred Hutch researchers discovered the link between a high-sugar diet, insulin resistance, and the impairment of brain cells’ ability to clean up cellular debris. This finding could help explain the impact of diet on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Researchers were also granted funding to investigate the roles of microproteins in biology and to further understand the kinetochore’s influence on cell division, potentially aiding cancer research.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation has extended funding to support targeted treatments and prediction models in breast cancer research led by scientists at Fred Hutch, University of Washington, and Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium. This research aims to expand the use of PARP inhibitors and improve recurrence predictions for various subtypes of breast cancer.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center continues to combine personalized care with advanced research to provide innovative cancer treatments while advancing discoveries that prevent, treat, and cure cancer and infectious diseases worldwide.
