Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson

While a new report from the American Cancer Society shows that breast cancer mortality has continued to decrease since the late 1980s, the rate of new breast cancer diagnoses is rising – especially among Asian American and Pacific Islander women. Yawei Song, Program Manager for Community Outreach at the cancer center, recently spoke to the Philadelphia Inquirer about our efforts to connect with underserved Asian communities. https://lnkd.in/eff5N2EE

Dr. Pierluigi Porcu, Co-leader of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center's Immune Cell Regulation and Targeting Research Program, will be discussing novel therapies in T-cell malignancies tomorrow at the Innate Pharma "Next Generation Immunotherapy Discoveries" symposium at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Learn more or register to attend online: https://lnkd.in/eP6QYm8a

Jefferson researchers have developed a novel screening tool to measure digital health readiness, which will be critical in addressing barriers to telehealth adoption among diverse patient populations. “Digital health equity is something that health systems are interested in addressing, and to date, there has been a lack of clarity about how to do so,” said co-author Dr. Amy Leader, Associate Director for Community Outreach and Engagement at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. "We hope that this screener provides a tangible starting point.” https://lnkd.in/emhhwrb8

Our radiation oncology experts are ready for the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting, which starts this Sunday, Sept. 29. See our schedule of presentations and discussions, and we'll see you in Washington! https://ow.ly/nyJu50TxGUF #ASTRO24

The annual American Association for Cancer Research's Cancer Progress Report features Lourdes Monje, a patient at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center who was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in 2021 at the age of 25. Fortunately, Lourdes qualified for a clinical trial led by Maria Hafez M.D. Lourdes shares their story, from the challenges they face as a young adult with the cancer, to the hope they feel being part of a clinical trial. The report, and Lourdes's experience, underscores the vital role of research in improving outcomes for patients. "[This trial] is not just for me, it's for other people who will come after me." https://lnkd.in/eSu38jhV

The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center now offers Cyberknife, a noninvasive radiation treatment that precisely targets tumors with minimal side effects in fewer treatment sessions. This advanced technology offers a new approach to cancer care. To learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/e7Gq2Nsv or call 1-800-JEFF-NOW to schedule an appointment.

Last week, our Department of Radiation Oncology held its Fourth Annual Research Symposium, which featured 40 posters from 34 students, faculty, staff, and trainees, showcasing their leading-edge research and advances in cancer care. Congratulations to the poster awardees: Grace Ajayi – PhD candidate, University of Delaware and research assistant, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center Michael Dichmann – MD candidate, Drexel University College of Medicine Nilanjan (Neel) Haldar, MD – PGY-4 Radiation Oncology resident, Thomas Jefferson University No?lle Fran?ois, MS – Manager, Laboratory of Dr. Nicole Simone Special thanks to Dr. Nicole Simone, Associate Director for Cancer Research Training and Education at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, for organizing the symposium, the nine Department of Radiation Oncology faculty who served as mentors to the students and early-career investigators, and the cancer center members and patient advocates who served as poster judges!

Non–clear cell renal cell carcinoma (nccRCC) is a heterogeneous disease that encompasses a diverse subset of tumors. Dr. Kayvan (Kevin) Zarrabi, a genitourinary at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, and his colleague, Dr. Daniel Geynisman from Fox Chase Cancer Center, recently discussed how clinicians can navigate frontline treatment in patients nccRCC. Read more in the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Daily News: https://lnkd.in/eisMgNRC

The AACI's 2024 Cancer Health Equity Award will be presented posthumously to our friend and colleague, the late Edith P. Mitchell, MD, MACP, FCCP, FRCP (London). The award honors a life and career dedicated to eliminating cancer health disparities and promoting diversity in the oncology workforce, noting her "unwavering commitment to advancing minority investigators and promoting health equity embodies her remarkable legacy and the profound impact she leaves behind." Dr. Mitchell's family will accept the award on her behalf at the AACI (Association of American Cancer Institutes)/CCAF Annual Meeting in Chicago next month.

The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center is a research consortium, bringing together investigators from Thomas Jefferson University and Drexel University. Our partnership harnesses the expertise of both universities to better tackle cancer in our communities across the Greater Philadelphia region. https://lnkd.in/eS3ajUNh