SEATTLE — July 1, 2025 — Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutch Cancer Center research findings, patient stories and other news.
Patient care
Fred Hutch is one of the only centers in the region offering oral medicine services for people with cancer
Founded in 1975, the Oral Medicine Service at Fred Hutch was the first of its kind to address oral health challenges during cancer treatment. In a Q&A, David Dean, DSS, MSD, and Mikki Burns describe how their team’s services improve patients’ quality of life and play an important role in the overall success of cancer therapies.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
New horizons in infectious disease treatment and prevention in immunocompromised patients
Antimicrobial resistance, emerging pathogens and mentoring the next generation of infectious disease specialists were among topics featured at a symposium hosted by Fred Hutch’s Infectious Disease Sciences Program and attended by nearly 350 international experts. Josh Hill, MD, FIDSA, presented updates to the ImmunOptimize clinical trials network and Michael Boeckh, MD, PhD, emphasized the importance of integrating clinical and lab research.
Media contact: Claire Hudson, chudson@fredhutch.org
Cancer research
Two Fred Hutch studies identify pancreatic cancer biomarker driving basal disease
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, or PDAC, is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030. Two new studies from Sita Kugel, PhD, and colleagues in the Human Biology Division identified a biomarker able to distinguish between two subtypes of PDAC. The findings could provide a quick and cost-effective way to differentiate subtypes, help to tailor chemotherapy and determine appropriate clinical trials for patients.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
TakePART-NW, an ambitious new precision oncology research program, launches at Fred Hutch
Fred Hutch aims to enroll 200,000 patients over the next 10 years in a new research program intended to improve screening, prevention and treatment of cancer and other diseases. In TakePART-NW (Patients and Research Together-Northwest), patients choose to have leftover biological samples from treatment securely and safely used in further research. The program is led by Peter S. Nelson, MD, holder of the Stuart and Molly Sloan Precision Oncology Institute Endowed Chair at Fred Hutch.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
Research awards and funding
Fred Hutch announces eight recipients of 2025 Dr. Eddie Méndez Scholar Award
Eight postdoctoral researchers received the 2025 Dr. Eddie Méndez Scholar Award, which honors the outstanding achievements of early-career scientists studying cancer, infectious diseases and basic sciences. The award is named for Fred Hutch physician-scientist Eddie Méndez, MD, who died of cancer in 2018. Since its launch in 2019, the award has bolstered the careers of more than 60 postdoctoral researchers.
Media contact: Shayla Ring, sring@fredhutch.org
Fred Hutch Cancer Center announces 2025 Evergreen Fund awardees
Nine Fred Hutch researchers received $1.175 million in funding from the 2025 Evergreen Fund to support research projects with commercial potential. Selected by an advisory board of biotech and venture capital leaders, projects include novel therapies for pancreatic and prostate cancers, esophageal cancer biomarkers and a monoclonal antibody treatment for parainfluenza viruses.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@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
- Current landscape of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer survival rates
- At the intersection of Mpox and HIV infection: there is hope
- Dysregulated and dysfunctional: T cell immunity in BV
- Secondary cancer risk following transplant-related immune suppression
- When to start colonoscopy screening? A massive study backs starting at 45
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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.