Dr. Robert Vonderheide, Director of Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center, was recently quoted in an article from Time Magazine titled, “The Race to Make a Vaccine for Breast Cancer” where he discusses the latest in cancer vaccine research. Medical oncologists at Penn Medicine are internationally recognized for the use of vaccines to stimulate the immune system in the treatment of cancer. Cancer vaccines are used to treat cancers that have already developed, with the objective to delay or stop cancer cell growth, shrink tumors, prevent cancer from coming back and eliminate cancer cells that have not been killed by other forms of treatment.

From the Time Magazine article:

Vaccines are often called the miracle of modern medicine for their ability to target the immune system against disease-causing viruses and bacteria. Since they work against infectious diseases, why not against other conditions that have long plagued humanity—like cancer?

“To say that we are working on a vaccine to prevent cancers for the rest of people’s lives sounds like something from Star Wars,” says Dr. Robert Vonderheide, director of the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine. “But it’s not a concept that’s totally uncharted.”

The article continues:

Vaccines for cancer already exist. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, for example, largely prevent cervical cancer by targeting the HPV strains that trigger tumor growths. But most types of cancer aren’t caused by viruses, so the holy grail would be to train the body to recognize tumor cells instead. Researchers have been investigating ways to do this, starting with immunizing people who have already developed cancer in order to reduce their risk of recurrences. Improvements in the accuracy and speed of genetic sequencing have provided a clearer window into what makes cancer cells start to grow abnormally, and new drug therapies that target those genetic changes have also transformed the way doctors treat the disease. For instance, recently developed treatments can teach the immune system to seek out and destroy cancer cells.

To date, however, these immunotherapy treatments have been focused mostly on patients with advanced disease that has spread throughout their bodies, and vaccines to target those widespread cancer cells have generally been a last-resort effort to control the disease. Such therapeutic cancer vaccines remain a work in progress, but their limited success, along with new understanding of the genetic drivers behind cancer growth, have made the idea of a vaccine that could actually prevent cancer more realistic.

The full article from Time Magazine is available here (by Alice Park)

Last month, Philly Fights Cancer: Round 4 honoree, Time Magazine “Most Influential Person of the Year”, and Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Penn Medicine Dr. Carl June was featured on podcast “Science Friday” to discuss the many ways in which personalized immunotherapy is revolutionizing what’s possible in cancer care.

CAR T cell therapy, a type of immunotherapy in which a patient’s own immune cells are modified to create a hybrid immune cell that destroys cancer cells, was first developed over a decade ago. Now, researchers are continuing to find success in treating new types of blood cancers with the therapy, and are working on applying the technology to solid state cancers like those of the pancreas and brain.  Scientists are also at the early stages of testing CAR T cells to treat autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) and lupus.

Philly Fights Cancer has been raising funding for translational research and clinical trials for CART T therapy since its inception in 2015. Clinical trials have been instrumental in the development and FDA approval of CAR T.

Science Friday host Ira Flatow talks with Dr. Carl June, one of the pioneers of CAR T cell therapy, a professor of immunotherapy and director of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies at the University of Pennsylvania, based in Philadelphia.

The full episode can be heard here:
https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/car-t-cell-therapy/

According to a study from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, liver cancer's rapid development causes a vulnerability in its energy-production and cell-building processes that may be effectively exploited using a new combination-treatment technique. Researchers found in August that the most common form of primary liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), alters its metabolism in a way that makes it vulnerable to interruptions in the availability of a crucial chemical, arginine. They discovered that regardless of the particular genetic changes giving rise to each HCC tumor, this arginine susceptibility was present in every single one of them.

In preclinical experiments, the researchers demonstrated that depriving HCC tumors of arginine and blocking the survival-promoting response that results causes HCC tumors to enter a non-growing, or "senescent," state. In this state, the tumors are susceptible to being eliminated by a new class of drugs that target senescent cells.

Celeste Simon, PhD, the Arthur H. Rubenstein, MBBCh Professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Scientific Director of the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute at Penn Medicine, was the study's senior author and recognized that she and her team had essentially “…identified a metabolic property of most liver cancers that offers the possibility of treating these cancers effectively, using drugs that are already approved or in development”.

The most common kind of liver cancer in adults is HCC. It is responsible for about 80% of primary liver tumors, or cancers that begin in the liver rather than spread there from other organs, according to the National Cancer Institute. Nearly a million cases of HCC have been reported worldwide, and roughly 29,000 Americans are diagnosed with it each year. Alcoholism, obesity, and chronic liver inflammation are known to be the main causes of HCC. Because the disease is typically detected only after it has progressed past the point where surgical removal is still an option, it is rarely treated. Furthermore, people with severe HCC frequently may not have access to liver transplants, which can treat benign illness. There are few drug therapies for HCC, and they practically never cure the disease. New therapy methods are thus desperately needed.

Read more about the specifics of this groundbreaking research on Penn Medicine News.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is granting $9 million to Penn Medicine to advance its intraoperative imaging research. This technology, which has been pioneered by the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, allows clinicians to illuminate tumor tissue in the lungs, increasing rates of successful detection and removal.

Intraoperative molecular imaging (IMI) utilizes fluorescent beacon molecules that target and bind to the cancer cells, causing them to glow. This allows doctors to differentiate cancerous tissue from healthy tissue with great precision. Researchers with the Center for Precision Surgery in the Abramson Cancer Center will use the grant to further study and improve IMI technology for non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC), the most common form of lung cancer.

Doctor Singhal, director of the Center for Precision Surgery in the Abramson Cancer Center, who has led the way in the research and development of IMI stated, “This funding gives us a tremendous opportunity to further evaluate this important technology and with the goal being to improve outcomes for patients. We aim to develop this technology even further and to study it in additional clinical trials to help improve surgical identification and removal of tumors.”

To conduct IMI treatment, fluorescent beacon molecules are infused into the patient hours or days before surgery. These molecules then bind to specific cell receptors that are particularly abundant on cancer cells. When beacons of light are then emitted in the area, doctors can clearly see cancerous tissue even up to two centimeters below the surface. During surgery, real-time imaging of the tissue can be done using portable, and relatively inexpensive IMI equipment. Additional trials have found that IMI may also have the potential to locate tumors during non-surgical bronchoscopy examinations of patients’ lungs.

The new grant-funded research endeavor intends to create enhanced NSCLC beacon molecules and imaging tools, then test them in clinical trials. Singhal and Edward Delikatny, Ph.D., a professor of radiology and the director of translational research at the Center for Precision Surgery, will oversee the clinical trials of the new technology at Penn Medicine.

Read more about this groundbreaking technology on Penn Medicine News.

Image retrieved from: https://www.pennmedicine.org/cancer/about/focus-on-cancer/2019/december/lets-get-screened-lung-cancer

Save the Date! Philly Fights Cancer: Round 6 is now officially scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 2023! [Originally slated for October 8, 2022]. The event will honor the life of visionary philanthropist, beloved community leader and Philly Fights Cancer co-founder, Madlyn K. Abramson. New for 2023, Philly Fights Cancer will be taking place at The Fillmore Philadelphia, a spectacular, multi-faceted 25,000-square-foot venue in Philadelphia’s lively Fishtown neighborhood. Continue to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more event updates, including this year’s performers, additional honorees, when tickets will be going on sale, exciting event details, and more. For sponsorship information, contact sponsorship@phillyfightscancer.org.

Robert Vonderheide was recently appointed for his second five-year term as the director of Abramson Cancer Center and the University of Pennsylvania.  For the past five years, Vonderheide has been revolutionizing the care of cancer patients and innovating cancer research.  New developments in live imaging of tumors during surgery and expanding radiation oncology services across Philadelphia and the greater Philadelphia area are just two of Vonderheide’s accomplishments as Director.  In the next phase of his leadership, Dr. Vonderheide will build on the development of pathways to ensure that – amid the increasingly complex landscape of cancer care and research – patients across the entire health system are able to access leading-edge Penn Medicine care no matter where they live.

“Patients can expect an exceptional experience at every location across our health system – a place they are cared for by the most committed staff, specialized nurses, and top physician experts. Now, we are harmonizing that patient experience to ensure that every patient has the most seamless care and robust options across different sites of care, and the assistance to navigate easily between them,” said University of Pennsylvania Health System CEO Kevin B. Mahoney. “Under Dr. Vonderheide’s leadership, we are ensuring that every patient has every opportunity for the most personalized treatment and the very best chance at a cure through every door they enter across Penn Medicine.”

Dr. Vonderheide already has plans to continue groundbreaking research, development, and care at Abramson Cancer Center.  Vonderheide wants to expand the excellence of Penn care at Abramson to patients all over, no matter where they live.  New Penn locations that are planned to open this year are Proton therapy at Virtua Health in New Jersey and Lancaster General Health.  Vonderheide is also expanding Abramson's telehealth by allowing patients access to Penn’s top doctors anywhere. Genetic counseling, bone marrow transplant evaluation, CAR T cell therapy, and education will all be available via telemedical this upcoming year.

Read more about Robert Vonderheide and his plans to build unified “Cancer Care” at Abramson

Picture retrieved from: https://www.pennmedicine.org/cancer/cancer-research/translating-research-to-practice

On Thursday, April 7, the Young Friends of Philly Fights Cancer hosted a happy hour at the WET Deck at W Philadelphia Hotel. The evening had an incredible turnout with over 100 people in attendance. The event ran from 6:00pm- 8:00pm, and featured music, light bites, and a silent auction with over 30 items. Silent auction items included original artwork, apparel and skincare, restaurant reservations and dining experiences, fine wine, signed sports memorabilia and tickets, and more.

High-end ticket items included suite-level tickets to see Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden this summer, and an exclusive experience with the Philadelphia Flyers that included a Zamboni ride. In total, over $12,000 was raised for clinical trials and translational research at the Abramson Cancer Center.

The Abramson Cancer Center is set to start preclinical research on a new form of radiation, called FLASH, which will provide ultra-fast doses to cancer patients.  Today’s radiation doses take several minutes, but FLASH radiation can be administered in less than one second.  Not only is this treatment quicker, but it also has the possibility of reducing the toxic effects on the body that traditional radiation can sometimes have by keeping normal tissues healthy without harming their anti-tumor action.

This research comes as the result of a $12.3 million dollar grant received by Penn Medicine from the National Institutes of Health.  The Department of Radiation Oncology at Penn will use this grant to compare the different types of radiotherapy and their different effects and harms on the body.  Testing how these types of radiotherapies control or change tumors on bones, soft tissues, gastrointestinal tract, and or lungs.

Once further research is complete, clinical trials can begin for cancer fighters at Abramson Cancer Center.  Although not clinically trialed on patients yet, Penn has done animal studies of FLASH, in which results showed that when radiation is implemented at a much faster pace, it shows to equally fight tumors while protecting normal tissues.

“We envision FLASH radiotherapy not as a complete replacement for conventional radiotherapy, but as a valuable tool in the hands of radiation oncologists to treat specific solid tumors in which it would be best indicated,” said James Metz, MD, chair of Radiation Oncology and leader of the Roberts Proton Therapy Center at Penn.

To learn more about Penn’s developing research on FLASH Therapy, read here.

(Photo courtesy of Penn Medicine- Department of Radiation Oncology at Penn Medicine including Amit Maity, MD, PhD (left), James Metz, MD, (middle), Constantinos Koumenis, PhD, (right).

Abramson Cancer Center was granted $14 million from the National Institutes of Health to help develop and redefine kidney transplants for cancer patients on the waitlist.  Currently, over 90,000 patients are on the kidney transplant list.  Every 14 minutes, someone is added to this list.  Therefore, Penn is advancing organ transplants for cancer patients on the transplant waitlist with end-stage renal diseases.

Penn’s team developed the (CAR) T Cells.  CAR T cells will be used as a new immunotherapy in patients as a fight against cancer.  These cells can be used for patients on the transplant list who have not yet found a compatible kidney.  “CAR T cells represent a powerful and specific therapy targeting immune cells that produce antibodies that preclude successful transplantation,” said Carl H. June, MD, the Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and director of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies and the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy in Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center. “By combining two CAR T therapies targeting antigens that are found on B cell and plasma cells, we hope to achieve successful kidney transplantation in patients with pre-existing antibodies.”

A clinical trial will be launched using Penn’s innovative CAR T cells.  The trial will start enrolling patients towards the end of 2022.  Research has shown that CAR T immunotherapy has been very promising against cancer.  “There is a very high degree of enthusiasm for this research and the impact it can have for patients in need with a treatment approach that could change clinical practice and expand access to transplantation for those with immunologic barriers that currently make them unlikely to receive a transplant,” added Vijay Garud Bhoj, MD, Ph.D., an assistant professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Penn.

To read more about Penn’s CAR T cells helping to solve the organ transplant crisis, read here.

At Penn Medicine, the development of the Pavilion at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania created a unique opportunity to take on the challenge of sleep disruption in hospitals. With an entire dedicated floor to oncology intensive care, this is good news for cancer patients being treated for more series complications related to cancer.

“Every single design choice for the Pavilion was made with the patient in mind,” says Kathryn Gallagher, MS, BSN, who spent most of her 35 years at Penn Medicine as a surgical critical care nurse and nurse manager, before becoming a clinical liaison helping to plan the design and transition to the new building. “When it comes to the patient experience, we know that being able to get enough rest is incredibly important. Noise reduction, especially at night, and patient comfort are paramount in the Pavilion’s design.”

How does this tie to cancer? According to The National Sleep Foundation, sleep is a major component when it comes to boosting the immune system. “Without sufficient sleep, your body makes fewer cytokines, a type of protein that targets infection and inflammation, effectively creating an immune response. Cytokines are both produced and released during sleep, causing a double whammy if you skimp on shut-eye.”

According to the Patient Empowerment Network, “Targeting inflammation is also especially important for cancer patients, seeing as the body can become inflamed from the cancer itself and/ or the commonly used treatments for it. Reducing the inflammation in the body helps its ability to fight off infection and heal.

Besides building up the immune system, being well rested is also important because it improves our mood and decision-making skills. There are many decisions that need to be made by the patient and family, such as length of treatment, treatments they are willing to try, treatments they are opposed to, etc. Being well-rested helps people to be more energized and have a clearer, calmer ground to make these difficult choices from. Extreme fatigue can lead to (or contribute to pre-existing) mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. In order to make sound decisions for one’s physical, mental, and emotional health, sleep is an important factor that should always be prioritized.”

To read more about the improved sleep at Penn Medicine’s new Pavilion, read here.