Stanford Cancer Institute

We are forever grateful to our amazing Stanford cancer community! Wishing you a day of feasting, laughing, and lots of stuffing this Thanksgiving!

A clinical trial investigating a promising blood cancer therapy treated its first patient in August 2024 after receiving fast-track activation from the Stanford Cancer Institute in March 2024. #BloodCancer #ClincialTrial #CancerResearch

We were honored to host Perspectives on Progress in Cancer: A Tribute to Dr. Beverly Mitchell. The event featured insights from leading experts, including Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). A key highlight of the day was the tribute to Beverly Mitchell, MD, the George E. Becker Professor of Medicine and former Director of the Stanford Cancer Institute. Her visionary leadership helped shape the Institute and inspire future generations of researchers and clinicians. Speakers reflected on Dr. Mitchell's role in establishing the Stanford Cancer Institute and shared personal stories of her mentorship and dedication to both research and people. The Stanford Cancer Institute is proud to build upon her legacy with our ongoing commitment to advancing science, collaboration, and innovation. Thank you to all our speakers and guests for being part of this meaningful event. You can view photos here: https://bit.ly/4fO0EeH #StanfordCancer #CancerResearch

To determine the type and severity of a cancer, pathologists typically analyze thin slices of a tumor biopsy under a microscope. But to figure out what genomic changes are driving the tumor’s growth – information that can guide how it is treated – scientists must perform genetic sequencing of the RNA isolated from the tumor, a process that can take weeks and costs thousands of dollars. Now, Stanford Medicine researchers have developed an artificial intelligence-powered computational program that can predict the activity of thousands of genes within tumor cells based only on standard microscopy images of the biopsy. The tool, described online in Nature Communications Nov. 14, was created using data from more than 7,000 diverse tumor samples. The team showed that it could use routinely collected biopsy images to predict genetic variations in breast cancers and to predict patient outcomes. “This kind of software could be used to quickly identify gene signatures in patients’ tumors, speeding up clinical decision-making and saving the health care system thousands of dollars,” said Stanford Cancer Institute Olivier Gevaert, PhD, a professor of biomedical data science and the senior author of the paper. The work was also led by Stanford graduate student Marija Pizuria and postdoctoral fellows Yuanning Zheng, PhD, and Francisco Perez, PhD. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gcHytjH6 #ArtificialIntelligence #CancerResearch

Newly available blood tests to screen for colorectal cancer sound far more appealing than a standard colonoscopy. Instead of clearing your bowels and undergoing an invasive procedure, the tests require only a simple blood draw. But are the tests effective? A study led by researchers at Stanford Medicine concluded that the new tests are ideal for people who shy away from other colorectal cancer screening. However, if too many people who would have undergone colonoscopies or stool-based tests switch to the blood tests, colorectal cancer death rates will rise. Because the more established colonoscopies and stool tests are more effective at detecting early cancers and precancerous polyps than the emerging blood tests, their long-term impact is projected to be substantially greater than that of blood tests, the researchers found. “The first generation of blood tests are a really exciting development in the colorectal cancer screening paradigm,” said Stanford Cancer Institute member Uri Ladabaum, MD, a professor of gastroenterology and the first author of the paper, published Oct. 28 in Annals of Internal Medicine. “But for now, if you’re willing and able to do a colonoscopy or stool-based test, don’t switch to a blood test.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/gyHhgBA8 #colorectalcancer

In November 2023, the Stanford Cancer Institute (SCI) launched the Junior Faculty Forum to foster a culture of collaboration and support for early-career cancer researchers in basic, translational, clinical, and population sciences. The forum provides opportunities for professional growth, networking, research advancement, and lab development through structured quarterly seminars that equip new researchers with essential tools, foster discussions, and provide valuable learning experiences. To date, five sessions have been held and have featured distinguished speakers, including Stanford Cancer Institute members Michelle Monje, MD, PhD,  professor of neurology and neurological sciences, Melinda Telli, MD, professor of medicine, vice dean Linda Boxer, MD, PhD, and Stanford Cancer Institute’s associate director of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Terrance Mayes, Ed.D., MSOL. These sessions covered key topics relevant to early-career researchers, including developing investigator-initiated therapeutic cancer clinical trials, implementing team-science approaches in research labs, using AI for grant competitiveness, navigating promotions and tenure processes, and mentoring across differences. Feedback surveys indicate that participants feel the forums have improved collaboration and connection with senior leaders, facilitated a deeper understanding of institutional processes, and created a greater sense of community. The program was developed under the leadership and guidance of James Ford, MD, former associate director of the Stanford Cancer Institute Cancer Research Training Education Core (CRTEC). Pauline Funchain, MD, the new associate director of Stanford Cancer Institute Cancer Research Training and Education, plans to expand the forum’s offerings for the upcoming year by continuing to incorporate feedback from cohort members. This personalized approach will address participants' unique learning needs and foster a sense of value and support within the community. Funchain says, “I am looking forward to continuing the great work started by Dr. Ford in helping early-career cancer researchers grow their skills and make connections within the broader Stanford Medicine community such that they can successfully engraft in the Stanford community and more easily access the wealth of Stanford resources, in order to accelerate their paths to meaningful research and to becoming impactful leaders in their fields.” Future talks will explore non-traditional topics to promote belonging and improve communication. Funchain intends to focus on clinical trial recruitment and communication strategies, including how to effectively explain risks, randomization, and expectations of personal benefits. She aims to continue to curate topics that are an integral part of young faculty development to ensure the forum remains an important resource for new cancer researchers at the Stanford Cancer Institute.

We were thrilled to host Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, from Huntsman Cancer Institute as our guest speaker for this month’s Stanford Cancer Institute Breakthroughs in Cancer seminar. Her presentation, “A Story of Tackling Cancer Prognosis and Survivorship: Obesity, Omics, and Oncology Trials,” is now available for viewing here: https://bit.ly/4fv4SYo.

A promising Stanford Medicine treatment for deadly pediatric brain and spinal cord cancers received a Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT) designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expedite the FDA approval process. By expediting approval, more children will be able to benefit from the treatment sooner. Crystal Mackall, MD, founding director of the Stanford Center for Cancer Cell Therapy and co-leader of the Stanford Cancer Institute Cancer Immunotherapy Program, and Stanford Cancer Institute member and pediatric neuro-oncologist Michelle Monje, MD, PhD, are leading an ongoing clinical trial to evaluate the therapy’s safety and efficacy. The therapy uses chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells, immune cells extracted from a patient’s body that are engineered to target a specific marker on tumor cells, to treat a deadly group of pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors known as diffuse midline gliomas. This group includes a brain cancer called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), which has a median survival of eleven months, with only 10% of patients surviving for more than two years after diagnosis. Read more: https://stan.md/4hIjzZH #braincancer #childhoodcancer #cancerresearch #celltherapy

We’re excited to announce the 2025 winners of the SCI Fellowship awards. These exceptional fellows are dedicated to advancing cancer research in areas such as basic biology, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and enhancing the quality of life for cancer patients. For more details, visit: https://stan.md/3UPJ1Tf #CancerResearch

We’re pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant. This grant supports the development of new investigators to conduct independent research while encouraging collaborations among awardees and other Stanford Cancer Institute investigators. It also fosters direct relationships between the Stanford Cancer Institute and the local American Cancer Society. Congratulations to all the awardees; we look forward to the important research that will emerge from your efforts. View the funded projects: https://stan.md/3UKkij6 #CancerResearch