 | Cancer Solutions science + engineering = conquering cancer together |
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 | Brushing Away Side Effects An interdisciplinary team of Koch Institute researchers designed bottlebrush-shaped nanoparticles that provoke immune response against tumors. In a study appearing in Science Advances, researchers from the Johnson, Irvine, Spranger, Langer, and Shalek labs based their nanoparticle prodrug on imidazoquinolines, a class of drugs that activates the immune system against cancer, but can also trigger significant side effects when administered intravenously. Here prodrug, or an inactivated form of the medicine, is bound to the bottlebrush backbone and timed to be released in active form once it reaches the tumor. Mice treated with the nanoparticles showed a significant reduction in tumor growth, with no side effects.
This study was supported in part by the Koch Institute Frontier Research Program via the Kathy and Curt Marble Cancer Research Fund, and the Marble Center for Cancer Nanomedicine. |
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 | Promising Clinical Data for Cima Lab Pretzel Johnson and Johnson reported a complete response for 16 of 22 patients in their Phase II trial of a new approach for bladder cancer—the most expensive malignancy to treat over the lifetime of patients. The trial used TAR-200, an implantable pretzel-shaped device originally developed in the Cima Lab, to replace standard regimens with continuously administered gemcitabine in the bladder. |
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 | Raising the Barcode for Cancer Detection The Bhatia Lab designed a new nanoparticle sensor that, like its previous sensors, could enable early, affordable, and accessible diagnosis of cancer with a simple urine test. As described in Nature Nanotechnology, when the nanoparticles encounter a tumor, they shed DNA “barcodes” into the urine, which can be read on a simple paper strip and analyzed in a medical lab to detect cancer, distinguish between tumor types, or monitor response to treatment.
The research was supported in part by the Marble Center for Cancer Nanomedicine and the Koch Institute Frontier Research Program via the Kathy and Curt Marble Cancer Research Fund. |
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| | | | Researchers and industry professionals are invited to explore issues in cancer vaccines at our 2023 Koch Institute Annual Symposium on Friday, June 23. |
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 | | See what AI can do for lung cancer research in our May 4 with/in/sight featuring KI computer scientist Regina Barzilay and MGH oncologist Lecia Sequist and the Bhatia Lab's Ava Amini and Jesse Kirkpatrick. |
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Congratulations to Daniel Anderson, 2023 Wilhelm Exner Medal Laureate. The medal honors his work in nanotherapeutics and biomaterials. |
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Many congratulations to Michael Yaffe on his election to the American Surgical Association, recognizing his accomplishments in treating both injury and cancer. |
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Congratulations to the Hammond Lab's Victor Damptey on being named one of 2023's Fulbright Fellows. |
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Anderson and Langer labs alum Steven Truong was awarded a 2023 Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans. Well done! |
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In a study by senior authors Tyler Jacks and Francisco Sánchez-Rivera, researchers developed a CRISPR-based method for easily engineering specific cancer-linked mutations into mouse models. |
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| This research was supported in part by the Koch Institute Frontier Research Program. |
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A new approach from the Yaffe Lab identified specific protein interactions that help control mechanisms critical in cancer development, progression, and treatment response. |
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 | | “Invention is an iterative process. I imagine it’s like writing a song. You start in one direction and make it up as you go. Invention begets invention.” |
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Researchers in the Jaklenec and Langer labs have designed a tabletop vaccine printer that could be deployed anywhere, without the need for cold storage. |
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A new technique from the Hansen Lab analyzes the 3D organization of the genome at a resolution 100 times higher than before. |
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Elicio Therapeutics, which is developing the Irvine Lab’s lymph node targeting vaccine technology, has dosed its first patient in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of a treatment for KRAS/NRAS mutated solid tumors. |
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Emit Imaging, Inc. will launch a project with the Preclinical Imaging and Testing Facility at the Robert A. Swanson (1969) Biotechnology Center to enhance 3D imaging technology. |
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An “electroceutical” pill from KI alum Giovanni Traverso stimulates a hunger regulating hormone. It could be used for treating diseases that involve nausea or lack of appetite, such as cancer. |
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 | Catch up with Alejandro Aguilera Castrejón, an inaugural winner of the Angelika Amon Young Scientist Award. In an interview, Aguilera discusses his plans for continuing his embryogenesis work and building a new lab when he begins his role as a group leader at HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus in March 2024. Submissions for this year’s Amon Award are due May 31. |
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