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Dr. Joe Unger explained the scale of the cancer clinical trial funding gap: “We recognized that industry was playing an increasing role in cancer clinical research compared to decades ago. But we didn't realize the difference was this dramatic.”

Dr. Jesse Bloom explained how virus mutations could change the accuracy of serology tests for infections: "This type of mutation could make you want to then redo the assays with a virus that contained that mutation.”

Dr. Thomas Lynch discussed the newly formed Cancer AI Alliance: “What was interesting about this whole process was how we were able to bring together these four incredible cancer centers, and these four major tech companies.”

Dr. Ming Yu explained how aging cells that accumulate in the body can create a “tumor-promoting microenvironment,” but a certain drug may be able to eliminate these “zombie cells” and prevent them from developing into cancer.

Drs. Keith Jerome and Marius Walter discussed their Nature Communications study on gene editing for herpes. Jerome explained his hope for a herpes cure: “You don’t ever have to worry about this virus again.”

Fred Hutch patient Kaley Karaffa and Dr. Josh Hill explained how being immunocompromised impacts daily life. Karaffa said, “I had to become cautious about who I saw, the activities I was involved in and even the kind of food I ate.”

Dr. Brian Dontchos talked about dense breast classification: “Classification can vary depending on the doctor reading the mammogram because it’s somewhat subjective.” The story was syndicated in several news outlets.

Dr. Danielle Kirkey explained the balance of hope and reality when caring for patients. She said, "Anything we can do to give the best quality of life for as long as possible is always at the forefront of our mind.”

STAT included Miguel Paredes in the Bedford Lab and Yapeng Su in the Greenberg Lab in its Wunkerkinds awards to 27 of the “most impressive doctors and researchers on the cusp of launching their careers.”

Dr. Chris Li and peers discussed DEI in the cancer workforce at a recent policy summit. In recruiting a diverse pool of job applicants, Li urged others to “treat search as a verb.”

Dr. Megan Shen summarized from her research of people facing serious illnesses that what people really want in life is “peace and love.” She added: “These are the only things that seemingly encompass all the other desires we have as humans.”

Dr. Jerry Radich explained his lab’s involvement in a new NCI-led effort to use genomics testing to screen patients. He said, “What we learn from myeloMATCH may have a major impact on the future of clinical trials in leukemia and beyond.”

Dr. Joe Unger pointed out that: “Federally sponsored, cancer clinical research has a unique role in identifying treatments that are best for patients. It’s not a role that can be supplanted by industry.”

Dr. Lei Deng shared his thoughts on non-small cell lung cancer treatment data: “It is still not strong enough or definitive enough to make it standard of care to use dual checkpoint blockade for [patients with STK11 and/or KEAP1 mutations].”

Dr. Larry Corey talked about the evolution of COVID noting, “The effects that the early vaccination had have long worn off, and the virus has escaped from them. The hope is double boosting will transfer your immunity.”

Drs. Ruth Etzioni and Scott Ramsey discussed multi-cancer early detection blood tests. Etzioni noted, “The future of screening is going to look different from the past” although “we’re not quite there.”