A little over a year ago, Joseph Coates was told there was only one thing left to decide. Did he want to die at home, or in the hospital?

For months, he had been battling a rare blood disorder called POEMS syndrome, which had left him with numb hands and feet, an enlarged heart and failing kidneys. He became too sick to receive a stem cell transplant — one of the only treatments that could have put him into remission.

But Coates’s girlfriend, Tara Theobald, wasn’t ready to quit. So she sent an email begging for help to a doctor in Philadelphia named David Fajgenbaum, whom the couple met a year earlier at a rare disease summit.

By the next morning, Dr. Fajgenbaum had replied, suggesting an unconventional combination of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and steroids previously untested as a treatment for Coates’s disorder.

Within a week, Coates was responding to treatment. In four months, he was healthy enough for a stem cell transplant. Today, he’s in remission.

The lifesaving drug regimen wasn’t thought up by the doctor, or any person. It had been spit out by an artificial intelligence model.

In labs around the world, scientists are using A.I. to search among existing medicines for treatments that work for rare diseases. Drug repurposing, as it’s called, is not new, but the use of machine learning is speeding up the process — and could expand the treatment possibilities for people with rare diseases and few options.

Thanks to versions of the technology developed by Dr. Fajgenbaum’s team at the University of Pennsylvania and elsewhere, drugs are being quickly repurposed for conditions including rare and aggressive cancers, fatal inflammatory disorders and complex neurological conditions. And often, they’re working.

At the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Fajgenbaum’s platform compares roughly 4,000 drugs against 18,500 diseases. For each disease, pharmaceuticals get a score based on the likelihood of efficacy. Once the predictions are made, a team of researchers combs through them to find promising ideas, then performs lab tests or connects with doctors willing to try the drugs on patients.

To read the full article from the New York Times here: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/20/well/ai-drug-repurposing.html

A new study from Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center, published in Nature Medicine, confirms that CAR T cell therapy does not cause secondary cancers. Researchers analyzed 783 patients who received CAR T therapy at Penn Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and found that while 18 patients developed secondary cancers, none were linked to CAR T treatment. Instead, these rare cases were associated with prior treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, which are known to increase cancer risk.

CAR T therapy—pioneered at Penn—works by modifying a patient’s own T cells to better recognize and attack cancer. Since its FDA approval in 2017, it has helped more than 30,000 patients with hard-to-treat blood cancers, with some experiencing remissions lasting over a decade. Concerns about potential risks led the FDA to add a safety label warning in 2024, but this new research provides strong reassurance that CAR T therapy remains a safe and life-saving option.

Breakthroughs like CAR T therapy don’t happen overnight. They’re made possible by years of clinical trials and research, which Philly Fights Cancer has been proud to help fund since 2015. By supporting cutting-edge science, Philly Fights Cancer helps turn discoveries into real treatments—giving patients access to the most advanced cancer care available today.

Read more about this important study at the link below. No evidence that CAR T cell therapy causes secondary cancers

Joanne Shea, a clinical research nurse at Penn Medicine, has been involved in pioneering CAR T cell therapy for over a decade. This therapy, which modifies a patient’s immune cells to fight cancer, gained FDA approval in 2018 and is expanding to treat solid tumors like glioblastoma. Shea administers treatments, follows up with patients, and collects data.

A dedicated team, including scientists like Dr. Carl June, Dr. Bruce Levine, and Dr. David Porter, supports the therapy's success. The Clinical Trials Unit recently received Penn Medicine’s Innovations in Clinical Research Operations Award for improving clinical research. Many patients are part of first-in-human trials, requiring creativity and adaptability.

The team emphasizes patient care, with research coordinator Reenie Martins working closely with glioblastoma patients to schedule appointments and provide support. Despite the challenges, they are driven by the goal of finding better cancer cures, with patients contributing to the advancement of future treatments.

Penn Medicine is expanding CAR T cell therapy, adapting techniques for new areas like brain cancer, with safety and data monitoring as priorities. The team's commitment to advancing cancer therapies and offering hope to patients continues to drive their work in cellular immunotherapy.

To read more about the team's work with CAR T therapy, visit the link below.

https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-blog/2025/january/the-compassionate-team-behind-car-t-cancer-breakthroughsThe compassionate team behind CAR T cancer breakthroughs

Philly Fights Cancer is proud to share stories of resilience and strength from the warriors of the Abramson Cancer Center to remind us all “Why We Fight”. This month, we are highlighting the Horn, Rubin, and Ashley families who have graciously allowed us to share their stories.

"In 2022 my daughter Darcy was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, less than two years after my husband Fred was successfully treated for Lymphoma of the Central Nervous System. Both were treated at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center, and both are thankfully in remission. My family is forever grateful to Penn. With the incredible support of our friends and family we were able to raise over $120,000 for Sarcoma research between Penn’s Step’s to Cure Sarcoma and the AACR Philadelphia Marathon/The D- Team. Funding research ultimately saves lives and families like mine." -Karen Horn, Philly Fights Cancer Committee Member.

"My mother and my sister are breast cancer survivors. My Mother was first diagnosed in her late 60’s and lived a full life until the age of 92. My sister was diagnosed at 40 years old and is now 62. I will always be grateful for the care that they received at The Abramson Cancer Center" - Linda Rubin, Philly Fights Cancer Committee Member.

“Thank you for giving me 8 more years with my son and giving me the chance to meet my amazing wife. This has been such a hard time for our family. It is easy to forget that it isn’t just the patient who struggles with cancer." -Thomas Ashley, Abramson Cancer Center Patient.

To help join us in the fight against cancer and raise funds that help support life-saving cancer research and clinical trials, visit the link below.

Giving to Penn

A year after winning the 2023 Nobel Prize, Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman’s mRNA research continues to drive rapid advancements in medicine. Based at the Penn Institute for RNA Innovation, Weissman leads a growing team focused on expanding mRNA technology beyond COVID-19 vaccines. Recent efforts include developing vaccines for diseases like malaria, norovirus, HIV, Lyme disease, and C. diff, with promising preclinical results. Researchers are also working on “pan” vaccines to target multiple virus strains, such as flu and coronaviruses.

The lab is exploring mRNA’s potential in cancer treatment by targeting tumor defenses and advancing veterinary health through the Penn Vet-mRNA Research Initiative, which seeks to prevent diseases in livestock to reduce zoonotic risks. Supported by the NSF-funded AI-driven RNA Foundry, researchers are using artificial intelligence to enhance mRNA design and production. Weissman emphasizes the transformative potential of their work, inspired by the real-world impact of their research on COVID-19 vaccine recipients.

Philly Fights Cancer is proud to fundraise for the research and lab requirements that make discoveries like mRNA possible. Read the full article from Penn Medicine at the link.

Stephanie Wolfson Cohen, co-chair of the Young Friends of Philly Fights Cancer, was featured in the November/ December issue of Philadelphia Style Magazine for a story titled “Rebels with a Cause” which highlighted rising young philanthropists making a difference in the world. Stephanie leads a committed group of young supporters who know all too well that cancer affects people of every age. Many members have been personally impacted by cancer, driving their passion to make a difference. Under Stephanie’s guidance, the Young Friends have brought fresh energy to our mission, partnering with local businesses to create unique, exciting events that keep our community engaged and inspired.

Our story began with Madlyn Abramson, who founded Philly Fights Cancer after her own experience with cancer. Today, Stephanie and her mother, Philly Fights Cancer co-chair Nancy Abramson Wolfson, carry on that legacy, celebrating milestones like the FDA approval of CAR T-cell immunotherapy—a treatment developed by Penn’s Dr. Carl June that has redefined cancer care.

Since 2015, Philly Fights Cancer has raised over $50 million for the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, supporting groundbreaking research that changes lives. Our mission is clear: fund clinical trials and translational research to improve patient care, and we're proud to have contributed to 21 FDA-approved cancer treatments.

On Monday, October 21, 2024, more than 200 guests gathered at Loch Bar Philadelphia in support of Philly Fights Cancer, raising $4,125 for Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. The benefit day was an outstanding success, with patrons filling the restaurant throughout lunch, happy hour, and dinner service.

Loch Bar demonstrated its commitment to the cause by donating 25% of the day's proceeds, playing a significant role in advancing cancer research and care.

Philly Fights Cancer extends its sincere gratitude to all who attended and contributed to the success of the event. For those unable to join, we encourage you to stay informed about future opportunities to support this critical mission.

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Philly Fights Cancer remains committed to supporting the advancement of clinical trials and research aimed at improving cancer treatment, including breast cancer, at the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC).

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, with an estimated 1 in 8 women developing the disease in their lifetime. In the United States alone, over 280,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed each year. Early detection through regular screenings, such as mammograms, plays a critical role in improving outcomes, as it can identify cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage. Studies show that when breast cancer is detected early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 90%. Regular screening, coupled with advances in treatment, has contributed to a steady decline in breast cancer mortality rates, underscoring the vital importance of early detection in saving lives.

Abramson Cancer Center offers a comprehensive breast cancer program, encompassing screenings, specialized care, and access to cutting-edge clinical trials led by expert oncologists. Clinical trials are a cornerstone of medical innovation, providing patients with access to novel therapies that have the potential to improve outcomes while contributing to critical advancements in healthcare.

For more information on these essential clinical trials for breast cancer treatment, visit: https://www.pennmedicine.org/resear.../find-a-clinical-trial.

Philly Fights Cancer performer and cancer survivor Jessy Kyle has launched the Betterly Bra Company, inspired by her personal medical journey, which includes surviving Hodgkin's lymphoma three times, a heart attack, and a kidney transplant. Frustrated with the difficulty of finding a well-fitting bra, Kyle designed a bra offering increased flexibility and comfort, incorporating input from her 78-year-old mother and 16-year-old daughter.

The bra's unique design features adjustable shoulder straps with an extra four inches of adjustability to cater to women struggling to find the right fit. Kyle runs the business from her garage in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

"I'm a three-time survivor of Hodgkin's lymphoma," Kyle said. "I was 16 when I was diagnosed, so it's almost 35 years. It changed me in the sense that I am just very goal-oriented and focused." That focus zeroed in on a problem she and many women face when looking for a bra.

Jessy Kyle has been treated at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center and has performed at Philly Fights Cancer’s marquee annual event as an honored guest.

Read the full article about her company from CBS News here: https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/philadelphia-singer-cancer-survivor-new-flexible-bra/

A recent study has found that removing the unaffected breast during a double mastectomy does not provide a survival benefit for most women diagnosed with breast cancer in just one breast. The research, published in JAMA Oncology, analyzed data from over 661,000 women and found that the survival rates for those who underwent lumpectomy or mastectomy while keeping their other breast were similar to those who opted for a double mastectomy.

The study revealed that the risk of developing cancer in the other breast is about 7% over 20 years, and having a double mastectomy did not reduce mortality rates associated with the disease. This is attributed to the fact that the primary cause of death is usually due to the spread of cancer from the initially affected breast rather than the development of a new cancer in the other breast.

However, this finding may not apply to women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, who are at a significantly higher risk for breast cancer and might still benefit from a double mastectomy. Despite the lack of survival advantage, some women choose double mastectomy for peace of mind, cosmetic reasons, or to avoid the anxiety of potential future cancers.

Experts emphasize that while a double mastectomy does not improve survival odds, vigilance in screening and effective treatment for the primary cancer are crucial.

Read more about this research in the following NY Times article: Breast Cancer Survival Not Boosted by Double Mastectomy, Study Says - The New York Times (nytimes.com)