SEATTLE — Jan. 5, 2021 — Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutch research findings and other news.
COVID-19
Sleuthing the immune system’s mysterious T-regs
Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Jennifer Lund began to study how the human immune system reacted to the new coronavirus. Lund and her team sought out “immune signatures” in blood samples of patients who were seriously ill with COVID-19, looking to find a pattern in how the immune system reacts to coronavirus. Their findings showed that T-regs, regulatory T cells, were key in the immune response to COVID-19.
Media contact: Claire Hudson, crhudson@fredhutch.org
Latest Fred Hutch research on COVID-19 If you’re interested in learning more or covering this research, contact: media@fredhutch.org
See what Fred Hutch coronavirus experts are saying about how the omicron variant may affect us, what is known so far and what key questions we need to answer.
On Dec. 22, 2021, an international team of researchers, including Fred Hutch’s Dr. Joshua Hill, published results of a Phase 3 clinical trial of the antiviral drug remdesivir in nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19.
Pediatric transplantation expert Dr. Neel Bhatt presented his latest research on the outcomes of blood cell transplant recipients with COVID-19 at ASH.
Cancer research
New research from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium brought together researchers, oncologists and patient advocates last month for a hybrid conference. Researchers from Fred Hutch presented data ranging from Dr. Heather Greenlee’s findings on the cardiotoxicity of breast cancer treatments to Dr. Scott Ramsey’s research on the budgetary impact of new blood-based biomarker tests to monitor certain types of metastatic breast cancer.
Media contact: Claire Hudson, crhudson@fredhutch.org
Science spotlight
Science Spotlight is a monthly installment of articles written by postdoctoral fellows at Fred Hutch that summarize new research papers from Hutch scientists. If you’re interested in learning more or covering these topics, contact: media@fredhutch.org
Chromosomes take fate into their own hands during micronucleus rupture
Which recovery biomarker is the gold standard for estimating Na and K intake?
Smartphone applications to help American Indians and Alaska Natives quit smoking
Other notable stories
Hopes and predictions for 2022
Experts across Fred Hutch’s five scientific divisions were asked about their predictions and hopes for the coming year. Many looked forward to an increase in cancer screening, improved vaccines and a greater trust in science even amid the uncertainty of the coming year.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, kwynn@fredhutch.org
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At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home to three Nobel laureates, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Fred Hutch’s pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutch houses the nation’s first National Cancer Institute-funded cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Women’s Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network and the COVID-19 Prevention Network.
For the Media