SEATTLE — Nov. 4, 2025 — Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutch Cancer Center research findings, patient stories and other news.
November is the awareness month for lung and pancreatic cancers. If you’re working on stories related to these diseases, please reach out to media@fredhutch.org to connect with experts.
Watch an interview with Shannon M. Colohan, MD, a plastic reconstructive surgeon, about breast reconstruction surgery for breast cancer patients on YouTube.
Patient stories and advocacy
Taking an active role in your care
In celebration of October’s Health Literacy Month, Fred Hutch shares how care teams empower patients to make health care decisions. Gentry King, MD, Heath Literacy Program Manager Laura Carr and Patient Navigator Andrea Suzuki share resources and advice for patients to advocate for themselves in clinical settings.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, hplatisha@fredhutch.org
Patient stories, provider advice mark invasive lobular breast cancer awareness event
Fred Hutch hosted a program in recognition of Global Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day featuring patient stories, insight from experts Hannah Linden, MD, and Christopher Li, MD, PhD, epidemiological findings and new developments in screening and clinical trials. Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is a common subtype, making up 15% of new cases annually. The American Cancer Society released its first report on ILC’s occurrence and outcome, showing a steep rise in rates over the last several years.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, hplatisha@fredhutch.org
Lived experience matters: patient engagement improves cancer care, research
Recognizing the valuable insight of patients and caregivers, Brandelyn Bergstedt established the Patient and Family Engagement Program (PFE) in 2011. The PFE incorporates hundreds of advisors and advocates in committees, focus groups, panel discussions and events. Nearly 15 years later, it has expanded to match advocates with researchers and scientists to design clinical trials and cancer prevention studies. Former cancer patients and participants share their impact, work and goals with the PFE.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, hplatisha@fredhutch.org
Infectious disease research
HIV/AIDS research has saved millions of lives globally and led to innovative advances in multiple diseases
In Nature Medicine, leaders in HIV research including Larry Corey, MD, explain how U.S.-funded HIV research has advanced understanding, treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS as well as discoveries in immunology, cancer therapy, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Experts emphasized continuing the momentum in HIV discovery medicine and to pursue an effective HIV vaccine.
Media contact: Claire Hudson, chudson@fredhutch.org
Clinical care
Dr. Heather Parsons to lead Fred Hutch’s breast cancer initiatives
Heather Parsons, MD, MPH, is the new program head of the Breast Oncology Program and an associate professor in the Clinical Research Division. Recognizing her achievements in both breast cancer research and treatment, Parsons is also the recipient of the Maudslien Endowed Chair in Breast Cancer Precision Oncology Research. Her current research focuses on a cancer marker called circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) that can be detected in a person’s blood, with resulting tests able to identify cancer and determine treatment.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, hplatisha@fredhutch.org
Oncology Insights with Petros Grivas – Episode 1
Petros Grivas, MD, PhD, introduces his new podcast that will explore the latest developments in cancer care and research. He emphasizes learning from colleagues, engaging with patients and fostering community partnerships. The podcast will feature different guests and cover a range of topics including innovative treatments, clinical trials and educational initiatives in oncology.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, hplatisha@fredhutch.org
Basic sciences
Brandeis University honors Fred Hutch molecular biologist
Steven Henikoff, PhD, won the 55th Lewis S. Rosenstiel Award for Distinguished Work in Basic Medical Research for his innovative research in gene expression. Henikoff’s lab has developed precise methods to study how DNA is packaged with proteins, and a recent collaboration with Eric Holland, MD, PhD, holder of the Endowed Chair in Cancer Biology, uses his sequencing techniques to develop better cancer diagnostics and potential new therapies. About a third of past Rosenstiel recipients later won the Nobel Prize, including two of Fred Hutch’s Nobel laureates — Linda Buck, PhD, and Lee Hartwell, PhD.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
Frogs help Fred Hutch find the shape of small things
Human genetics greatly overlap with frogs, so much so that the species Xenopus laevis is a versatile model organism to study cells and embryonic development. Structural biologist Yasuhiro Arimura, PhD, is using the molecular materials of frog eggs to make test tube chromosomes that look and behave like chromosomes formed naturally within a human cell.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
Awards and other recognition
Dr. Jingyi Jessica Li named Donald and Janet K. Guthrie Endowed Chair in Statistics
Jingyi Jessica Li, PhD, joined Fred Hutch as the head of the Biostatistics Program and is the inaugural holder of the Donald and Janet K. Guthrie Endowed Chair in Statistics. A recipient of the 2025 Mortimer Spiegelman Award, Li will use the chair’s funding to expand the use of applied statistics in cancer research.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, kwynn@fredhutch.org
Fred Hutch community news
The gift of giving back
Longtime volunteers Karen Leslie and David Hopkins have dedicated over 30 years to supporting Fred Hutch. Both cancer survivors, the couple reflect on their decades of service and the people they’ve met along the way.
Media contact: Shayla Ring, sring@fredhutch.org
A little help from our friends
The Campaign for Fred Hutch aims to raise $3 billion to accelerate innovation in cancer and infectious disease research. Three campaign committee leaders and Seattle business leaders, Kathy Surace-Smith, Kelly Price and Ric Anderson, share their motivation for volunteering, how they engage their networks and the ways everyone can contribute to supporting Fred Hutch. Surace-Smith and Anderson are members of Fred Hutch’s Board of Directors, Price is a member of the Board of Advisors.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, kwynn@fredhutch.org
Science spotlight
Science Spotlight is a monthly installment of articles written by postdoctoral fellows that summarizes new research papers from Fred Hutch scientists. If you’re interested in learning more or covering these topics, contact media@fredhutch.org
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Fred Hutch Cancer Center
Fred Hutch Cancer Center unites individualized care and advanced research to provide the latest cancer treatment options while accelerating 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. Fred Hutch also serves as UW Medicine’s cancer program.