SEATTLE — April 4, 2023 — Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center research findings and other news.
If you’re covering the American Association of Cancer Research’s annual meeting, April 14-19, see our list of Fred Hutch highlights for AACR and contact media@fredhutch.org to set up interviews with experts.
Cancer research
Peripheral neuropathy: When having no pain is a big problem
Many cancer chemotherapy drugs are life savers, but they can come with side effects of damage to nerves. This results in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy or CIPN, a condition that can cause a range of symptoms from lack of sensation, to odd tingling sensations and pain. In this profile, patients and Fred Hutch clinicians talk about rehabilitation, integrative medicine, palliative care and other services to support those impacted by this condition.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, kwynn@fredhutch.org
Immunotherapy helps retired fisheries biologist get back to normal
Advanced chondrosarcoma, a sarcoma and cancer of the cartilage, has no standard treatments beyond surgery. Fred Hutch oncologist Dr. Lee Cranmer is exploring a new option for patients, immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab. Cranmer published the first case he observed and is preparing another case for publication, part of a campaign to get immunotherapy manufacturers to provide the drugs to patients.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, hplatisha@fredhutch.org
Infectious disease
Two rare antibodies, one drug, four viruses
Infectious disease researcher Dr. Jim Boonyaratanakornkit and his team reported progress in Nature Communications on the development of an experimental drug combination to prevent infection by four common respiratory viruses. Before the emergence of COVID-19, these four have been blamed for more than half of serious lung infections in patients with compromised immune systems, such as those recovering from transplants.
Media contact: Claire Hudson, crhudson@fredhutch.org
Health equity
Health Equity: Colorectal Cancer Awareness
In the latest podcast episode of Health Equity Now, Fred Hutch’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement joined Fred Hutch gastroenterologist Dr. Rachel Issaka and Anita Mitchell, founder of Colon Stars to chat about colorectal cancer. They discussed the importance of colorectal cancer screening and had a candid conversation about the disparities in cancer care access.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, kwynn@fredhutch.org
News tips via social
A round up of what our experts are sharing on social media. Contact media@fredhutch.org for more information.
Fred Hutch’s Science Education Program shared their “Coding for Cancer” program specifically for rising 11th and 12th graders. Applications close on April 7.
The Binaytara Foundation shared their speaker list for the upcoming 2023 Summit on Cancer Health Disparities featuring Fred Hutch faculty.
Community news
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center opens new clinic building on South Lake Union Campus
Fred Hutch opened its new clinic building on the South Lake Union campus, completing the largest construction project in the organization’s history. The six-story, 150,000 square-foot outpatient cancer treatment clinic features a patient-centered design, highly specialized treatment clinics and state-of-the-art procedure suites.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, hplatisha@fredhutch.org
Obliteride 2023 registration opens
Fred Hutch’s annual bike ride and 5k is open for registration. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 12. If you’re interested in covering this event, please contact media@fredhutch.org for more information.
Science spotlight
Science Spotlight is a monthly installment of articles written by postdoctoral fellows at Fred Hutch that summarize new research papers from Fred Hutch scientists. If you’re interested in learning more or covering these topics, contact: media@fredhutch.org
Racial inequalities in prostate cancer treatment among Medicare beneficiaries
Is the microbiome a springboard or barrier to effective vaccination?
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Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center unites individualized care and advanced research to provide the latest cancer treatment options and accelerate 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 and has network affiliations with hospitals in four states. Fred Hutch also serves as UW Medicine’s cancer program.