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.

Translational Centers of Excellence (TCE’s) were started at Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center so that flagship medical programs could be created.  These Centers bring together experts from diverse fields in cancer research to address major challenges in cancer care facing the world today.

Faculty from the Penn community were invited to form teams and develop multidisciplinary, disease-specific Centers to try to find solutions to the most pressing issues confronting cancer patients.  These Centers will hopefully accelerate the pace of discoveries that will help today's patients become — and stay — cancer-free.  Everyone from scientists and engineers, to medical doctors,  have been brought together to help eradicate cancer completely.

One of the TCE’s formed is the Ovarian Cancer TCE.  They are working to transform ovarian cancer by bridging the gap that sometimes occurs between research and patient care and what is being developed in the lab versus what the patients receive when cared for in the clinic or hospital. The goal is to provide new therapeutic options to patients being treated for, in this instance, ovarian cancer. The TCE bridge will make it easier than ever before, to rapidly translate new laboratory findings into clinical practice and allow us to provide patients with new therapeutic options.

Tumor Banking is when living tumor tissue is collected from patients cared for by gynecologic oncologists.  Tumor samples are currently being collected when an initial diagnosis is made or there is a recurrence of the cancer is found.  The samples become part of the Ovarian Cancer Research Center (OCRC) Tumor Biotrust and are used to study how ovarian cancer evolves over time with the goal of discovering more effective treatment options.

Read more about this potential new treatment strategy from Penn Medicine here: https://www.pennmedicine.org/cancer/cancer-research/translating-research-to-practice/ovarian-cancer-tce

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.

After a long winter of being stuck indoors, people are looking for more ways to get outside and stay active. As everyone continues to practice social distancing, it's also important to remember to protect your skin. Even though it's healthy to get a bit of sun exposure each day; it's just as important to take the necessary precautions to protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet radiation by using SPF 30+ sunscreen.

With more than 3.5 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosed each year, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Fortunately, it is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer.

How to Prevent Skin Cancer

Both genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of skin cancer. Although genetics make it more difficult to prevent, there are still some things you can do to know your risk and take the steps needed to prevent it.

Know your family history. Approximately 10 percent of people with melanoma have a family history of melanoma. Therefore, we recommend that close relatives (parents, brothers, sisters and children) of a person with melanoma routinely have their skin examined.

Consider your personal history. People who have a history of blistering sunburns in childhood are more at risk, as are those with a fair complexion, blonde or red hair, blue eyes and freckles. This doesn’t mean that darker skinned people can’t get skin cancer too. African Americans, Asians and Hispanics are more likely to develop melanoma on the soles of their feet and palms of their hands – and it often turns out to be a more serious case. Also, those with a weakened immune system are more likely to develop many types of skin cancer, including melanoma. Stay vigilant about doing your monthly self-checks and asking your dermatologist questions about your skin.

Get any moles or growths checked by a dermatologist. People with a lot of moles or ones with an irregular color and shape have a higher risk of developing melanoma. If you notice anything suspicious, see a doctor immediately. Even if you don’t have moles, you should see a dermatologist annually and check your own skin once a month. This is especially important if you delayed your annual skin exam due to COVID.

Wear and reapply sunscreen. You’ve heard it a million times: Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause skin cancer. Sunscreen offers the best protection against skin cancer, next to staying out of the sun altogether or covering up with sun protective clothing. To be effective, we recommend that all sunscreens be liberally applied (at least one ounce for the entire body) to all exposed areas of the body, at least 15 minutes before going outside. This doesn’t mean only applying sunscreen in the summer when you’re on a beach either; you should apply sunscreen – especially to your face – every day, all year long. There are tons of great products out there that can make it easier to apply and more comfortable to wear, such as powder sunscreens or concealer with SPF 30.

Avoid Tanning. Tanning both outside or indoors can have dangerous consequences. There is no such thing as a "healthy tan." The best way to protect your skin from sun damage and possible skin cancers is to avoid tanning altogether. Try a self-tanning lotion or spray instead.

For more information about how to keep yourself and your family safe, read more from Penn Medicine here: https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2020/may/protect-your-skin

Back in 2016 just days after President Obama announced the “moonshot” to find a cancer cure during his State of The Union, President Joe Biden, then Vice President, visited Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center to kick off the national effort which in his words would aim to “accelerate the progress already underway” much of which was happening right at Penn.

In the five years since the “Moonshot” launch event, Abramson Cancer Center has worked with top scientists around the country to advance cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment making huge strides in developing tomorrow’s treatments and cures. Since the launch, the effort has led to many cancer breakthroughs and lead to major federal funding for cancer research. Some of which have included 1.8 billion in federal funding for cancer and also 13 new therapies based on work done just at Penn that have been approved by the FDA.

The American Cancer Society says there has been a record low number of cancer deaths in the past year and doctors credit much of that to innovations that have come directly from the “Moonshot” program started by President Biden in honor of his son Beau who sadly passed of brain cancer at age 46.

For more information on President Biden’s “Moonshot” initiative please visit https://www.cancer.gov/research/key-initiatives/moonshot-cancer-initiative.

Philly Fights Cancer is proud to provide financial assistance, awareness, and support to Penn Medicine. As we are not surprised, the Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania and the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center has once again been ranked as one of the top hospitals in the nation by U.S News & World Report.  This marks the fourteenth consecutive year that the Penn enterprise has been awarded such accolades.

With more than 4,500 hospitals analyzed worldwide, Penn Medicine is one of 20 institutions to be named to this year’s honor roll. In the magazine’s annual survey of 2020-2021, Penn was also ranked as the #1 hospital in Pennsylvania, and the #1 hospital in the Philadelphia-metro area.

Beyond these impressive achievements, Penn was nationally ranked in 12 specialties:

• Cancer
• Cardiology & Heart Surgery
• Diabetes & Endocrinology
• Ear, Nose, & Throat
• Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
• Geriatrics
• Gynecology
• Nephrology
• Neurology & Neurosurgery
• Orthopedics
• Pulmonology & Lung Surgery
• Urology

As the list goes on and on for their high performance, Philly Fights Cancer is overjoyed for this trusted organization.

To read more about Penn’s impressive reputation visit Penn Medicine.

As the world is still unsure how COVID-19 directly affects cancer patients, studies are underway and actively collecting data to ensure the safety of all patients and survivors. From what we do know, cancer patients might be at an increased risk of serious illness from an infection, as their immune systems have been compromised due to the cancer itself, and other treatments. According to Penn Medicine’s  Eleanor Miller, MSN, RN, OCN, “Having a weakened immune system makes it harder to fight off diseases”. All cancer patients and survivors should consult with their doctor to discuss this current pandemic and how to properly stay safe.

With states lifting stay-at-home orders and allowing businesses to reopen, health officials continue to emphasize the importance of staying home, social distancing, and wearing a face mask while out in public. Please stay cautious during this time, as numbers of COVID cases across the country are still increasing. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) people who are at a higher risk with underlying medical conditions need to understand, “the more people you interact with, the more closely you interact with them, the higher your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19”. With that being said,

If you decide it is time to go out in the public, make sure to follow these steps:

• Keep tissues, a face mask, and hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol with you
• Avoid anyone who is not wearing a mask
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after every outing
• Stay healthy with physical activity and coping through stressful situations
• Continue following your treatment plan, whether that means scheduling virtual appointments or taking the time to consult with your doctors to ensure you still have access to the right medications.

This pandemic has caused a lot of panic due to the inconsistencies and lack of information. However, it is crucial for those who do have a higher risk of illness to take these necessary steps to stay happy, healthy, and on the road to recovery.

For more information on how to stay healthy and take the necessary precautions with your treatments, visit: https://www.pennmedicine.org/cancer/about/focus-on-cancer/2020/june/cancer-and-covid.

The Abramson Cancer Center along with Philly Fights Cancer is pleased to announce that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Cerianna (Fluroestradiol F18) for injection purposes. Fluroestradiol F18 is the first FDA-approved PET imaging agent used for patients with metastatic breast cancer. This will help with the detection of estrogen receptors (ER)-positive lesions in the imaging process instead of having to perform biopsies.

We are Penn Proud about this FDA approval which was made possible through many years of effort, and determination in academia and the National Cancer Institute (NCI).  This new injection would not be possible without the groundbreaking contributions of Abramson Cancer Center members and Radiology faculty. Thank you, David Mankoff, MD, PhD, Erin Schubert, Angela DeMichele, MD, MSCE, Lewis Chodosh, MD, PhD, Amy Clark, MD, MSCE, Robert Mach, PhD, and Sharon Lee, PhD.

This is the 10th FDA approval for cancer based on studies led or co-led by members of the ACC since 2017.

In April the newest class of U.S. National Academy of Sciences members was announced, and included Carl June, director of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapy in the Abramson Cancer Center at the Perelman School of Medicine.  Dr. June joined 120 members and 26 international members elected by his peers to NAS, recognized for “distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.” To date, there are 2,403 U.S. members of NAS and 501 international members. Dr. Carl June was honored at Philly Fights Cancer: Round 4 as one of the year’s honorees alongside Sean Parker for his work with CAR-T therapy and its subsequent historic FDA approval.

In addition to running the Center for Cellular Immunotherapy at the Abramson Cancer Center, Dr. June is the Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine and director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Penn. He is a pioneer in developing CAR T therapy, which became the nation’s first FDA-approved personalized cellular therapy for cancer in August 2017, and was approved for additional indications in 2018. Clinical trials of CAR T therapy began at Penn in 2010, and two of the first three patients to receive the therapy, for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, remain in remission. June also led the first U.S. trial involving CRISPR gene-edited immune cells to treat human cancer patients.

Dr. June has published more than 450 manuscripts and has received numerous prizes and honors, including being named to Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world and by election to the Institute of Medicine. He has been honored with the Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize, William B. Coley Award, Karl Landsteiner Memorial Award, Richard V. Smalley Memorial Award from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, Philadelphia Award, the Hamdan Award for Medical Research Excellence, Novartis Immunology Award for Cancer Cell Therapy Development, and Albany Prize.

To learn more about Dr. Carl June’s accomplishments, and read the full story from Penn Today, see here: https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/kathleen-hall-jamieson-carl-june-elected-national-academy-sciences