Fred Hutch researchers are using their understanding of cancer and immunity to develop new solid tumor therapies that can be tailored to each patient. President and Director Dr. Tom Lynch talks with Dr. Nancy Davidson (breast cancer), Dr. McGarry Houghton (lung cancer) and Dr. Nina Salama (gastric cancer) about the newest advances. He also checks in with infectious disease expert Dr. Joshua Schiffer on the latest in COVID-19.
Video by Fred HutchHow are scientists developing better treatments and cures for solid tumors?
For Dr. Thomas J. Lynch Jr., the topic is personal. Lynch is a lung cancer doctor who has treated thousands of patients. He was also part of a research team whose discovery became the basis for the first lung cancer drug to successfully target a genetic mutation.
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center president and director and holder of the Raisbeck Endowed Chair talked with three Fred Hutch scientists about the challenges of treating solid tumors — such as those of the lung, breast and stomach — and strategies on the horizon to overcome them.
Here are a few highlights:
Lynch also got the latest on the COVID-19 pandemic from Hutch expert Dr. Joshua Schiffer. Schiffer said his modeling shows that we'll end the pandemic faster by vaccinating people who are still unvaccinated than by giving booster shots to the general population. Schiffer also discussed the central role of Fred Hutch's COVID-19 Clinical Research Center in testing new drugs, including Merck's new antiviral pill, which he called a potential game-changer. "It's just an incredible story that the Hutch, with donor support, was able to open a clinical research center so quickly and recruit so many participants for incredibly important trials," he said.
The next Science Says, on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. Pacific time, will feature Hutch scientists in conversation with Trevor Noah, host of "The Daily Show."
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