SEATTLE — Nov. 4, 2026 — Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutch Cancer Center research findings, patient stories and other news.
November is the awareness month for lung and pancreatic cancers. Read our Lung Cancer Awareness Month tip sheet for the latest updates in research and care.
If you’re interested in reporting on any of this month’s stories, contact media@fredhutch.org to set up an interview.
Cancer research
Fred Hutch researchers optimize a radioimmunotherapy drug, examine how regulatory T cells influence immune memory
Researchers Roland Walter, MD, PhD, and Jennifer Lund, PhD, received multi-year R01 awards from the National Institutes of Health to support large public health projects. Walter's award supports the use of a radio-labeled antibody to decrease the risk of blood cancer relapse while undergoing a transplant conditioning regimen. Lund's project will study the way key regulatory immune cells work to regulate antiviral responses in mucosal tissue.
Key driver of aggressive prostate cancer identified, suggesting new ways to reverse drug resistance
Research published in Nature shows that a type of transfer RNA (tRNA) can influence the identity of prostate cancer cells and their response to therapy. First author Yeon Soo Kim, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in Andrew Hsieh, MD’s lab, received a National Cancer Institute K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award to support the research. “The discovery opens an entirely new realm of cancer biology that was previously unrecognized,” said Hsieh, co-corresponding author of the study. Hsieh holds the Larry and Virginia Gordon Endowed Chair in Prostate and Bladder Cancer Research.
Dr. Ajay Gopal on lymphoma innovation, clinical trials and leadership
In this episode of Oncology Insights, Petros Grivas, MD, PhD, FASCO, and Ajay Gopal, MD, professor at Fred Hutch and medical director for Lymphoma Clinical Research, discuss the past, present and future of lymphoma care. Their conversation includes insights from clinical trials, translational science and patient care. Gopal holds the Stephen Hans Petersdorf, MD Endowed Chair in Cancer Care at UW Medicine.
Infectious diseases
Dr. Keith Jerome on herpes research, cure efforts and the future of virology
In this episode of the Oncology Insights podcast, Keith Jerome, MD, PhD, professor in the Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, shares his decades-long work to prevent, treat and cure viral infections including herpes simplex virus (HSV). Jerome and host Petros Grivas, MD, PhD, FASCO, also discuss advances in viral diagnostics, challenges to establish clinical trials and emerging strategies to control and cure HSV.
HSV and cancer: What patients should know
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common infection and can linger in cells and reactivate when immune functions are low. Cancer treatment can also weaken the immune system and increase the risk of HSV recurrence. Experts Josh Schiffer, MD, MSc, Jim Boonyaratanakornkit, MD, PhD, Catherine Liu, MD, and Josh Hill, MD, FIDSA, share insight about at-risk populations, whether patients should know their HSV status, what to do in case of HSV reactivation and more.
Patient-focused stories
‘You have to live your life’
Vera Trainer, PhD, a University of Washington biochemist discovered her ovarian cancer in 2023. After her diagnosis, she worked with gynecologic oncologists at Fred Hutch to develop a care plan that aligned with her work, international travel and mountaineering. Three years later, Trainer received the Yasumoto Lifetime Achievement Award for her work and continues to see her doctor at Fred Hutch to manage her disease. Trainer and her oncologist share insights on how they work together and the philosophy that guides Trainer’s treatment and lifestyle.
Lobular community celebrates 10 years of progress, vows to ‘keep pedaling’
The 2026 International Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) Symposium marked a decade of focused research on lobular breast cancer, the second-most common subtype of the disease. Researchers, clinicians and patient advocates explain programs and clinical trials started by the community and plans for further research and care. Fred Hutch also announced the Lobular American Research Consortium (LARC), a collaboration to address major clinical and research questions about the disease.
How many doctors does it take to solve a medical mystery? In this patient’s case, the answer is six
After successful treatment of kidney cancer, Amer Karim returned to Fred Hutch with intense pain and deteriorated bones. Across several specialties, experts Evan Hall, MD, MPhil, Jesse Roberts, MD, and Peter Thurlow, MD, worked together to diagnose Karim with tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO), an ultrarare condition where a tumor breaks down and demineralizes bones. Delphine Chen, MD, and Grace Laidlaw, MD, MS, then identified and removed tumors from Karim’s thigh and spine. Hanna Hunter, MD, is supervising Karim’s recovery. Karim’s story highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in patient care.
You’ve survived cancer. Now what?
In this episode of the Bench to Bedside and Beyond podcast, Tom Purcell, MD, MBA, executive vice president and chief medical officer, shared the future of survivorship care at Fred Hutch. During their conversation, Purcell discussed plans for a disease-specific survivorship program within each disease division, and the offerings available in the Survivorship Program, which include mental health care, sexual health support, and integrative therapies like acupuncture.
Thirteen thank-yous a year
With an extensive family history of cancer, and having lost both her father and father-in-law to the disease, Vanessa Osario Laughlin is a longtime supporter of Fred Hutch. Osario Laughlin participates in early breast cancer screening, and expresses her grief and gratitude with monthly donations to the organization. Osorio Laughlin is also a member of Fred Hutch’s Professional Advisory Council, which helps people connect their financial and family priorities with opportunities to support research.
Cancer leadership
Dr. Christopher Li shares vision for Public Health Sciences Division
Christopher Li, MD, PhD, the new senior vice president and director of the Public Health Sciences Division, shared his goals to make population science more connected, impactful and visible. Li’s priorities include expanding the use of AI and data science, advancing screening and early detection, and strengthening research in cancer survivorship and metastatic disease.
Biology research
Cracking the case of the wonky antenna and the vanishing chaperone
Graduate student Jeremy Hollis, PhD, solved two long-standing evolutionary biology mysteries while working in the labs of Melody Campbell, PhD, and Harmit Malik, PhD. One project revealed the protein evolution helping animals develop complex immune systems, and another traced the evolutionary history of a key protein thought to have vanished in fish, worms and other species. His work underscores the impact of cross-lab collaboration to unlock fundamental biology findings in the Basic Sciences Division.
Awards and recognition
Fred Hutch awarded research funds from the American Cancer Society
Lucas Sullivan, PhD, Sita Kugel, PhD, and Liberalis “Debraj” Boila, PhD, received research grants from the American Cancer Society (ACS). The awards will fund projects investigating the way mutations in cell metabolism lead to cancers in the body, the use of cellular transcription inhibitor drugs to treat a rare liver cancer and the way a cancer-restraining protein is regulated in liver cancer. Kugel holds the Leung Roy Family Endowed Chair.
Three Fred Hutch radiation oncologists honored as ASTRO fellows
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) named Fred Hutch radiation oncologists Smith Apisarnthanarax, MD, Ralph Ermoian, MD, and Lia Halasz, MD, as fellows, recognizing their significant contributions to the field through research, patient care, education and leadership. ASTRO is the leading professional organization for providers specializing in radiation therapy. Out of more than 10,000 members, fewer than 600 have been named ASTRO fellows.
Dr. Ajay Gopal receives Oliver Press Award for Extraordinary Mentorship
Ajay Gopal, MD, hematologist-oncologist and lymphoma researcher, received the Oliver Press Award for Extraordinary Mentorship. Gopal holds the Stephen H. Petersdorf Endowed Chair in Cancer Care and is a professor in the Clinical Research Division. The award honors Gopal’s contributions to research and patient care as well as his commitment to mentorship. The namesake award honors the late Oliver “Ollie” W. Press, MD, PhD, a mentor and close friend of Gopal.
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.
- Adding plant-based meals during transplantation
- A 72-hour checkpoint for CAR T-cell neurotoxicity treatment
- A new clue to resistance in metastatic prostate cancer
- Modeling the future of HIV prevention: Can a twice-yearly shot boost PrEP success?
- At-home blood sampling passes the test for tracking pathogen exposure?
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Fred Hutch Cancer Center
Fred Hutch Cancer Center is globally recognized for trailblazing discoveries that have helped save more than a million lives worldwide. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only NCI-designated cancer center in Washington state and is home to Nobel Prize–winning scientists and cancer care experts who have made major breakthroughs in preventing and eliminating cancer and infectious disease — including bone marrow transplantation, immunotherapy and the HPV vaccine. Fred Hutch’s role as a hub for national research initiatives and clinical trial networks helps scale discoveries for greater impact. An independent cancer center, Fred Hutch also serves as UW Medicine’s cancer program. Learn more at FredHutch.org.