Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted full approval to the targeted therapy selpercatinib for treating adult and pediatric patients two years and older with advanced or metastatic thyroid cancers that have certain changes in a gene called RET. Dr. Eric Sherman, a head and neck medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), played a key role in the development of selpercatinib. "Selpercatinib has shown a benefit for the treatment of RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer compared to older drugs that had been approved for this indication,” Dr. Sherman says. “In addition, it appears to cause fewer severe side effects.” Learn more: https://bit.ly/4d3fdKc

In this month's Cancer Straight Talk podcast from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), host Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes is joined by MSK dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Dr. Erica Lee to discuss misconceptions around who can get skin cancer, how it presents on different skin types, and practical sun safety tips to help prevent skin cancer. Listen to the full episode here: https://bit.ly/3YbOS81

Congratulations to 2024 graduates of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) School of Radiation Therapy, which has produced hundreds of radiation therapists over the past five decades. This program shows the dedication and expertise of the faculty and leaders in the MSK Department of Radiation Oncology. Learn more about this program: https://bit.ly/3WxW9h7

A clinical trial led by Dr. Lee Jones, exercise scientist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), suggests that specific amounts of exercise by men with early-stage prostate cancer before surgery can meaningfully improve two key biomarkers associated with better outcomes. “To our knowledge, this is the first Phase 1a clinical trial of exercise therapy in individuals with any type of cancer diagnosis,” says Dr. Jones, who leads the Exercise Oncology Program at MSK. “We believe...that this clinical trial represents an important step forward in rigorous investigation of how exercise impacts the progression and spread of cancer." Learn more about the clinical trial: https://bit.ly/3ydshgL

According to a large retrospective study co-led by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, PTCy is an acceptable alternative to CNI-based prophylaxis in MUD HCT recipients and superior for MMUD HCT. These results will help improve minority donor participation in the National Marrow Donor Program registry. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eiCFK6mM

Part of the work of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)'s Patient and Family Advisory Council for Quality (PFACQ) is giving a voice to the experience of cancer treatment and survivorship. Recently, two PFACQ members were asked to join a panel discussion on "Building Belonging Body Inclusivity: My Body and My Health." They spoke about the physical changes they endured from their disease and treatments and how that has impacted their lives. The experiences they, and others, have shared about the impact of treatment helps MSK improve care and elevate patient voices. Learn more about MSK's PFACQ: https://bit.ly/3SkY1Hv

Staff Spotlight: Nicole Wood has been a social worker for 14 years, a field she says allows her to meet people where they are. “I wanted to make meaningful connections with people to better understand their challenges and how to make a positive impact,” she says. As a social worker at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) for more than two years, Nicole has been able to partner with MSK patients and families facing a cancer diagnosis. “My role at MSK allows me to be a part of an interdisciplinary team, and connect with people when they experience challenges that a cancer diagnosis and treatment can bring," she says. In addition, Nicole shares that the training and experience of social workers at MSK has allowed her to provide specialized support and counseling to those seeking help.

A team led by Dr. Gaetano Rocco, a thoracic surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), reported promising results in a clinical trial that tested a screening method known as “E-nose." The E-nose uses technology that can “smell” lung cancer in a person’s breath. "Chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted by cancer cells,” Dr. Rocco explains. “And they can be detected even at early stages of the disease.” The trial raises hopes that E-nose could become an important tool in detecting lung cancer because the approach is noninvasive, highly accurate, inexpensive — and may one day even be small enough to slip inside a clinician’s pocket. "E-nose could be a valuable addition to diagnosing and treating lung cancer,” he says, “and MSK’s expertise and leadership in the field means it’s the right place to make this a reality.” Learn more: https://bit.ly/4bONjjp

This #GivingDay, help support Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)'s work towards discovering the next seemingly impossible breakthrough and bring hope to people impacted by cancer. Today, your gift goes 3X further to fund cancer care and research that saves lives, not only today but for years to come. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4d38SxN