SEATTLE — July 1, 2026 — Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutch Cancer Center research findings, patient stories and other news.
If you’re interested in reporting on any of this month’s stories, contact media@fredhutch.org to set up an interview.
Also, July is Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness Month. To connect with experts in sarcoma and bone cancer, reach out to media@fredhutch.org.
Advancements in cancer treatment
Pancreatic cancer experts, patients applaud new KRAS inhibitor therapy
At the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, Phase 3 clinical trial results for daraxonrasib, a KRAS inhibitor therapy, reported nearly double the life expectancy for metastatic pancreatic cancer patients compared to those treated with chemotherapy. Andrew Coveler, MD, director of Fred Hutch’s Pancreatic Cancer Specialty Clinic, described the treatment as “paradigm-shifting.” The drug is part of a new class of therapies targeting the regulatory KRAS gene, whose mutations account for over 90% of pancreatic cancers.
Oncology Insights with Dr. Petros Grivas - Episode 16
On this episode of the Oncology Insights Podcast, host Petros Grivas, MD, PhD, FASCO, and Marco Mielcarek, MD, PhD, director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Fred Hutch, discuss the changes in transplantation over three decades, plus new advancements making it safer and more accessible for patients.
Survivorship
From treatment to thriving: Redefining cancer survivorship
In the podcast From Bench to Bedside and Beyond, Fred Hutch writers/editors Bonnie Rochman and Diane Mapes explore the emerging field of cancer survivorship, which manages the short, long-term or late effects of cancer treatment. Barb Regis, PA-C, also discusses her melanoma treatment and how it inspired her to help launch the Survivorship Clinic at Fred Hutch.
Beyond the 5-year myth: How survivorship care helps cancer patients live well
In this episode of the podcast From Bench to Bedside and Beyond, Diane Mapes and Vidhya Nair, DO, Medical Director of the Adult Cancer Survivorship program, discuss Fred Hutch’s different survivorship offerings and how the program is expanding to help meet the needs of the increasing population of cancer survivors.
Cancer prevention
Lung cancer researchers, advocates gather in Seattle
More than 150 lung cancer researchers, clinicians and patient advocates gathered for a two-day working meeting of the Fred Hutch Lung Specialized Project of Research Excellence, or SPORE. Experts including McGarry Houghton, MD, and Philip Greenberg, MD, shared insights on immunotherapies, new molecular targets, multi-cancer detection tests and life with a lung cancer diagnosis.
Here comes the sun! What’s your skin strategy?
Experts Song Park, MD, and Margaret M. Madeleine, MPH, PhD, discuss the best tips and strategies for preventing skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and melanomas.
Awards and recognition
Fred Hutch senior staff scientist honored by Genetics Society of America
Dr. Irina Topalidou, senior staff scientist in the Basic Sciences Division (BSD), is this year’s winner of the annual Genetics Society of America Mentorship Award, which recognizes excellence in mentorship for geneticists. Topaliodu worked in the lab of Aakanksha Singhvi, PhD, who nominated her for the award. Singhvi’s lab studies the nervous system of worms to learn more about glial cells, which play a key role in the human nervous system.
Fred Hutch names 8 recipients of the Dr. Eddie Méndez Award
Fred Hutch Cancer Center announced eight recipients of this year’s Dr. Eddie Méndez Scholar Award, which recognizes the work of exceptional early-career scientists studying cancer, infectious diseases and basic sciences. The award program is co-directed by Christina Termini, PhD, MM, and Christopher Li, MD, PhD, and honors the late Dr. Eddie Méndez, a Fred Hutch researcher who died of cancer in 2018.
Dr. Veena Shankaran receives the Lert Family Endowed Chair
Dr. Veena Shankaran, Co-Director of the Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research (HICOR), is the inaugural recipient of the Lert Family Endowed Chair, which will support her research into the impact of financial difficulty on patient outcomes. Randy Lert, one of Dr. Shankaran’s current patients, established the chair with his wife Joyce, in recognition of Shankaran’s work in outcomes research and clinical trials.
Science Spotlight
Science Spotlight is a monthly installment of articles written by postdoctoral fellows that summarize new research papers from Fred Hutch scientists. If you’re interested in learning more or covering these topics, contact media@fredhutch.org.
- A new gene editing approach shields the immune system from HIV
- CAR-T cell patients have depleted antibody immunity. Vaccination can restore it for some
- Breast cancer survivors may benefit from a yearly blood test to detect new cancers
- A new GUIDE for cancer patients navigating the maze of clinical trials
- The hidden cost of cancer's end: how financial strain shapes final months of care
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Fred Hutch Cancer Center
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.