Dr. Carl June from the University of Pennsylvania has paved the way for innovative cancer treatment, specifically in his discoveries in CAR T-cell therapy. His hard work and dedication in immunotherapy and cancer research over two decades has transformed the treatment process for cancer patients worldwide.

Dr. June's extensive background in cellular immunotherapy led to the development of the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. This drug, Kymirah, became the first FDA-approved cellular therapy in 2017 which has revolutionized the treatment process for blood cancers.

In hopes of advancing cancer treatment, Dr. June is working to target different forms of cancer, like solid tumors. He believes that the potential of CAR T-cell therapy does not stop at treating blood cancers, but can also be a transformative drug in treating autoimmune diseases and solid cancers.

In an interview with Philadelphia Business Journal reporter John George, Dr. June explains how he envisions Philadelphia as the center for cell and gene therapy, which is why he calls it "Cellicon Valley”. Follow the link below to hear more about Dr. June and his plans to shape the future of cancer treatment.

https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2024/01/25/carl-june-penn-cell-therapy-pioneer.html

We are grateful to have such innovative and dedicated doctors at Penn Medicine like Dr. Carl June who continues to work everyday to create a better future for cancer patients.

There are many physical side effects that come with having cancer.  Abramson Cancer Centers’ Cancer Rehabilitation Program’s main goal is to provide the best possible care you can receive as you move through the journey of having and beating cancer.   Through this program, the patient can receive consultations with cancer rehabilitation specialists as well as physical therapy services.

There are many different kinds of symptoms and issues that can come from having cancer, or from being treated for cancer.  The Rehabilitation Program’s doctors work very closely with the various other cancer specialists working to treat the patients.  This way, comprehensive, integrated care can be provided to treat any and all issues that might arise.

Some of the conditions that can arise as a result of having cancer or from cancer treatment are deconditioning, lymphedema, loss of physical function, and others as well. Follow the link here to see what some other possible issues are https://www.pennmedicine.org/cancer/navigating-cancer-care/programs-and-centers/cancer-rehabilitation-program.  We are lucky that such a comprehensive program exists at Abramson so we can provide the best care possibles to patients dealing with all aspects of Cancer.

During the month of December, Skirt Boutique in Bryn Mawr hosted their annual 12 Days of Christmas.  It was a festive event at the store, but what made it extremely special, was that each day, a percentage of the proceeds from the days’ sales were used for the benefit of a charity.  In the past, each day was directed to a different charity.  This year, all 12 days were for the benefit of Philly Fights Cancer for Abramson Cancer Center, directed towards the Pancreatic Cancer Research Center.  

On the 9^th day of the 12 Days of Giving, Skirt hosted a full day party in store with champagne, treats, and personal styling sessions with designer Jonathan Simkhai.  The store was packed, and we were so grateful for the love and support of Skirt and the community as a whole.  At the end of the 12 days, a very generous donation was made and will be used to continue the fight to cure cancer.

Giving Tuesday is considered the “global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world” by reaching out to the community as a whole and asking people to give.  Since 2015, Philly Fights Cancer has been working tirelessly to raise money to help fund life-saving research and clinical trials at the Abramson Cancer Center.  All money raised, over $50 million to date, helps to fund research, lab supplies, data analysis, patient support services, trial monitoring, and more.

None of this would be possible without the continued generosity and support of our donors.  The kindness of our generous community is what continues to make positive outcomes towards the eradication of cancer.  As Dr. Robert Vonderheide, Director of the Abramson Cancer Center has said, “Philly Fights Cancer, Philly CURES Cancer!”

To make one-time or sustained donation today, click here:

https://giving.apps.upenn.edu/fund?fastStart=simpleForm&program=MED&fund=603841&appeal=PMWEB

The advent of immunotherapy changed the way cancer drugs have been developed.  Scientists engineered patients’ own immune systems to recognize and attack diseased cells.  CAR T cell therapy is one of the best examples of this type of therapy and was invented by Carl June, MD, the Richard Vague Professor of Immunotherapy at the Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania. This therapy works by collecting cells from a patient and modifying them in the lab to destroy cancerous cells so that they can then be reinfused into the patient.  Dr. June’s research led to the first FDA approval for this type of therapy.

There are 6 different CAR T cell therapies now approved to treat different types of blood cancers.  This therapy could potentially help millions of other people by translating it to other conditions.  In early-stage clinical trials, this therapy is showing that it could also help treat solid tumor cancer types, not just blood cancers, and other diseases beyond cancer.  Madlyn and Leonard Abramson supported Dr. June’s research for many years leading up to the FDA approval.  Madlyn and her daughter Nancy Abramson Wolfson started Philly Fights Cancer in order to help raise money and awareness so that other pioneers like Carl June can continue to the fight to cure cancer.

Since 1997, the Abramson Family Foundation has worked in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania to trans­form cancer care and research. The family has been generous both financially and with their time and dedication through Philly Fights Cancer.  As former Abramson Cancer Center Director John H. Glick, MD, recalls, “Madlyn Abramson was an inspiration to all in the cancer community by giving back to help others. She wanted every patient facing cancer to be cared for throughout their journey, from diagnosis to survivorship — and beyond their immediate medical needs.”

In recognition of this most recent gift, the main lobby of Penn Medicine’s new Pavilion will be named The Madlyn K. Abramson Lobby, in honor of Madlyn K. Abramson, ED’57, GED’60, Penn Emeritus Trustee, who passed away in 2020. A place of respite and comfort for all Penn’s patients and families — and home to Decoding the Tree of Life, a sculpture designed by world-renowned artist Maya Lin — this space reflects the vision of compassionate care held by its beloved namesake.

Sometimes referred to as "bench to bedside" medicine, translational research "translates" those discoveries made in the research laboratory into a clinical setting so patients can benefit from the research quicker. Translational research is also referred to as translational medicine.

Abramson Cancer Center’s researchers are leaders in discoveries that advance science and pave the way for new therapies and procedures to improve human health. The basic and clinical research findings emerging from Penn’s laboratories and hospitals improve the treatment of a wide range of medical conditions and provide the foundation of knowledge on which many of medicine's next generation of cures will be developed.

The Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics (ITMAT) at Penn supports research at the interface of basic and clinical research focusing on developing new and safer medicines. ITMAT laboratories are housed within the Smilow Center for Translational Research.

Philly Fights Cancer is proud to fundraise for translational research and clinical trials that make new treatments possible.

Learn more about the Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics.

And learn more about Abramson Cancer Center’s current clinical trials here:

https://acc.careboxhealth.com/trials#trials

The approval of CAR T cell therapy ushered in a new era for cancer treatment.

In the five years since the FDA’s initial approval of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, Penn Medicine has gleaned 20 additional approvals related to drugs and techniques to treat or detect cancer. Dr Carl June, who’s research that led to the discovery of CAR T cell therapy was funded by Leonard and Madlyn Abramson. Rather than being the single disease class many people refer to, “cancer” is a blanket term that covers more than 100 distinct diseases, many of which have little in common aside from originating with rapidly dividing cells. Since different cancers demand different treatments, it follows that any given new therapy emerging from any institution would be likely to be a new cancer treatment.

The volume of new cancer treatments makes sense, says Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) Director Robert Vonderheide, MD, DPhil, attributing the flurry of new cancer drug approvals to a recent “explosion” in knowledge about cancer biology.

“Much of that knowledge is about the immune system’s ability to attack cancer, which people seriously doubted until about 20 years ago. As soon as we had a clinical validation for this Achilles heel in cancer, the dam burst for ideas about other ways to exploit that vulnerability to come forward,” he says. “The first drug that came out to activate the immune system inspired the rest of the field to find the next drug, and the one after that. We as a field have moved from serendipity and empiricism to science-driven drug design.”

The first CAR T cell therapy approval invigorated Penn faculty interested in finding new ways to harness the immune system to fight cancer.

To read more about the advancements since CAR T Cell Therapy, see here from Penn Medicine: https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/publications-and-special-projects/penn-medicine-magazine/spring-2023/why-new-cancer-treatment-discoveries-are-proliferating

The Sarcoma Program at Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center is one of the best in the nation, leading research and treatment. Sarcomas are rare, and they can be difficult to diagnose and treat. That's why it's important to go to a cancer center that specializes in complex types of sarcomas.

Abramson Cancer Center has one of the few medical teams in the world devoted to bone and soft-tissue sarcomas. The most advanced technology and treatments are used to pinpoint the type of cancer and spare patients from losing their  limbs. As part of a National Cancer Institute comprehensive care center, the Sarcoma Program meets strict standards for cancer care and research and because of these, the Program is considered a leading program in the field.

Abramson Cancer Center is one of the largest and highest ranked cancer centers in the nation.  It is one of only 10 cancer centers in the U.S. to be a member of the Sarcoma Alliance for Collaboration through Research (SARC). Membership in this organization allows us to bring the latest translational research to the bedside. The patients have access to the newest and most innovative treatments available for sarcoma.

The team approach to treatment means specialists in several areas collaborate in the care of each patient and create a personalized plan to provide the most successful outcome, while focusing on quality of life.

Philly Fights Cancer is proud to be able to support the Sarcoma Program.

Read more here: https://www.pennmedicine.org/cancer/navigating-cancer-care/programs-and-centers/sarcoma-program

After a three year break due to Covid-19 Philly Fights Cancer: Round 6 returned and came out fighting. The evening was a tremendous success and raised $6 million dollars for research and clinical trials at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. The event, which took place at The Fillmore Philadelphia, featured 3-time Grammy-winning band The Roots, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Daryl Hall, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Kathy Sledge, and #1 Billboard chart-topper Amos Lee. Over 800 supporters gathered to honor the legacy of Philadelphia-born philanthropist and Philly Fights Cancer founder, Madlyn Abramson, whose incredible vision has helped to shape the Cancer Center into the world-renowned research and medical facility that it is today.

Each year the event recognizes the outstanding work of various departments from the Abramson Cancer Center. This year, the team from Penn Medicine’s Sarcoma Program was honored. Dr. Kristy Weber spoke about the center’s exciting progress and how the money raised at the event does makes an impact in fundraising for life-saving research and clinical trials.