SEATTLE \u2013 Dec. 8, 2025 \u2013 Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutch Cancer Center research findings, patient stories and other news.<\/p>\n
The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium<\/a> is December 9-12 and Fred Hutch experts will be presenting on the latest advances in treating and screening for HER2 and triple-negative breast cancer. If you\u2019re interested in speaking with a breast cancer expert, please reach out to Heather Platisha at hplatisha@fredhutch.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n The holiday season can be a difficult time for cancer patients and their caregivers and families. Fred Hutch scientists, providers and patients share their advice on navigating the holidays<\/a> following a cancer diagnosis. Social psychologist Megan J. Shen, PhD<\/a>, also shares insights for managing grief during the holidays<\/a>. Contact media@fredhutch.org<\/a> to set up interviews.<\/p>\n Blood cancers and transplant<\/p>\n For many blood cancer patients, CAR T-cell therapy is game-changing<\/a> \u2018I can\u2019t remember the last time I saw someone with bad gut GVHD\u2019: BMT expert reflects on recent lifesaving successes<\/a> Gene therapy research<\/p>\n Scientists see foam as starting point of a path to bedside gene therapy<\/a> Oncology clinical care<\/p>\n Oncology Insights with Dr. Petros Grivas – Episode 3<\/a> Oncology Insights with Dr. Petros Grivas – Episode 2<\/a> Delivering the best possible cancer care<\/a> Improving patient care and access<\/p>\n Value in Cancer Care Summit reimagines cancer care<\/a> Infectious diseases<\/p>\n The benefits of HIV research? Let us count the ways<\/a> Viral immunologist taps \u2018incredible potential\u2019 of immune system<\/a> STEM education<\/p>\n How can you use a math major to forward science?<\/a> Awards and recognition<\/p>\n Washington Research Foundation awards $5.2M to establish new clinical trials program<\/a> Fred Hutch researchers receive prestigious R01 research grants<\/a> Science spotlight<\/p>\n Science Spotlight<\/a> is a monthly installment of articles written by postdoctoral fellows that summarize new research papers from Fred Hutch scientists. If you\u2019re interested in learning more or covering these topics, contact media@fredhutch.org<\/a><\/p>\n ###<\/p>\n Fred Hutch Cancer Center 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\u2019s cancer program.
\nIn this episode of the From Bench to Bedside and Beyond<\/a> podcast, Mazyar Shadman, MD, MPH<\/a>, explains his recent study published in Transplantation and Cell Therapy<\/a> showing that only 15-20% of eligible patients are able to access CAR T-cell therapy. Shadman discusses these barriers and what patients and providers should know to access this potentially curative therapy. Shadman is a blood cancer specialist and medical director of cellular immunotherapy at Fred Hutch and holds the Innovators Network Endowed Chair.
\nMedia contact: Molly McElroy, mcwmcelro@fredhutch.org<\/a><\/p>\n
\nGeoffrey Hill, MD, FRACP, FRCPA<\/a>, bone marrow transplant (BMT) and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) expert, shares how a new approach, post-transplant cyclophosphamide, has impacted the BMT landscape, as well as where new research is headed. Hill holds the Leonard and Norma Klorfine Endowed Chair for Clinical Research.
\nMedia contact: Molly McElroy, mcwmcelro@fredhutch.org<\/a><\/p>\n
\nNew research published in Molecular Therapy Methods & Clinical Development<\/a> shows that a foam developed by Matthias Stephan, MD, PhD<\/a>, and team, when combined with a method to extract and concentrate bone marrow stem cells, can efficiently deliver targeted gene therapy vectors. Stephan hopes to develop new outpatient gene therapies that can correct genetic defects in bone marrow stem cells.
\nMedia contact: Molly McElroy, mcwmcelro@fredhutch.org<\/a><\/p>\n
\nPetros Grivas, MD, PhD<\/a>, and Rachael Safyan, MD<\/a>, discuss advancements in gastrointestinal oncology through pancreatic cancer research, clinical trials and collaboration between Fred Hutch and community oncologists. The conversation highlights germline testing and the value of clinical trials, community engagement and the future of GI oncology.
\nMedia contact: Claire Hudson, chudson@fredhutch.org<\/a><\/p>\n
\nPetros Grivas, MD, PhD<\/a>, and Cristina Rodriguez, MD<\/a>, discuss head and neck cancer, patient care and clinical trials and HPV\u2019s impact on cancer incidence. Their conversation highlights the need for streamlined patient care and ongoing research to improve outcomes.
\nMedia contact: Heather Platisha, hplatisha@fredhutch.org<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIn this episode of the From Bench to Bedside and Beyond<\/a> podcast, Chief Medical Officer Tom Purcell, MD, MBA<\/a>, shares the importance of the patient experience and Fred Hutch\u2019s focus on improving patient access, clinical care model and capacity.
\nMedia contact: Heather Platisha, hplatisha@fredhutch.org<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThe annual Value in Cancer Care Summit examined practical solutions for patient and provider challenges, including burnout, symptom management and financial toxicity. Experts Veena Shankaran, MD, MS<\/a>, and Scott Ramsey, MD, PhD<\/a>, led the event and announced a new Expanding Clinical Trials initiative to bring cancer care delivery research studies to community oncology programs in Washington state. Ramsey and Shankaran co-direct the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research<\/a> (HICOR).
\nMedia contact: Claire Hudson, chudson@fredhutch.org<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWork in HIV has helped shape the FDA and other health systems globally. In honor of World AIDS Day<\/a>, Fred Hutch HIV experts including Daniel Reeves, PhD<\/a>, and Holly Janes, PhD<\/a>, share the many ways that HIV science, funding and awareness have benefited people around the world, even those without the disease.
\nMedia contact: Claire Hudson, chudson@fredhutch.org<\/a><\/p>\n
\nViral immunologist Paul Thomas, PhD<\/a>, joined Fred Hutch as a professor, program head of the Immunology and Vaccine Development Program and Bezos Family Distinguished Scholar in Viruses and Vaccines. Thomas\u2019 work combines computational and empirical methods to gain new insight into the immune system. He hopes to develop new strategies for diagnosing and treating cancer and infectious diseases.
\nMedia contact: Claire Hudson, chudson@fredhutch.org<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFred Hutch received continued funding for the SeattleStatGROWS program, which supports undergraduate students in statistics and data science research. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded two R25 grants totaling $770,000 for the program, funding it throughout Summer 2028. Program Director Megan Othus, PhD<\/a>, describes the program and its impact on the next generation of researchers.
\nMedia contact: Kat Wynn, kwynn@fredhutch.org<\/a><\/p>\n
\nA new $5.2 million grant from the Washington Research Foundation will develop a new clinical trials program between Fred Hutch and Seattle Children\u2019s Research Institute. The program follows first-in-human studies of new therapeutics developed by both institutions against rare cancers and diseases impacting adults and children. Fred Hutch\u2019s Folashade \u201cShade\u201d Otegbeye, MBChB, MPH<\/a>, and Mignon Loh, MD<\/a>, from Seattle Children\u2019s lead the program. Otegbeye holds the Fleischauer Family Endowed Chair in Cell and Gene Therapy Translation.
\nMedia contact: Molly McElroy, mcwmcelro@fredhutch.org<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFred Hutch researchers Katrina Ortblad, ScD, MPH<\/a>, and Jingyi Jessica Li, PhD<\/a>, earned coveted, multi-year R01 grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)<\/a>. Ortblad\u2019s research optimizes HIV prevention care in Kenya; Li is developing a computational tool for use in biostatistics. Li holds the Donald and Janet K. Guthrie Endowed Chair in Statistics.
\nMedia contact: media@fredhutch.org<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFred 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.<\/p>\n
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