PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

City of Hope Research Spotlight, July 2025

New clinical trials, a liquid biopsy for gastric cancer, insights into lung cancer disparities and more

2025-08-07
(Press-News.org) LOS ANGELES — City of Hope® Research Spotlight offers a glimpse into groundbreaking scientific and clinical discoveries advancing lifesaving cures for patients with cancer, diabetes and other chronic, life-threatening diseases. Each spotlight features research-related news, such as recognitions, collaborations and the latest research defining the future of medical treatment.

This roundup highlights two innovative clinical trials for promising cancer treatments, a potential liquid biopsy for gastric cancer, new insights into how to boost immune system recovery after stem cell transplant and data that shows how living in a segregated neighborhood can increase lung cancer risk for Black Americans.

To learn more about research at City of Hope, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States with its National Medical Center ranked among the nation’s top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report, subscribe to City of Hope Research Spotlight.

New Clinical Trial Tests Nonsurgical Treatment Strategy for Rectal Cancer

City of Hope has opened a Phase 2 clinical trial that aims to improve outcomes for patients with rectal cancer while reducing the need for potentially life-altering surgery and the side effects of radiation therapy. 

The trial will test a combination of chemotherapy drugs fluorouracil, oxaliplatin and leucovorin calcium (FOLFOX) with immunotherapy drugs botensilimab and balstilimab (BB). The combination therapy will be given to patients with rectal adenocarcinoma that has not spread to other parts of the body and who have not undergone surgery. 

Currently, patients with this type of rectal cancer are treated first with aggressive chemotherapy and then radiation. However, even with this initial treatment, half of all patients still need surgery to remove their cancer. This procedure can leave them with long-term urine and bowel complications.

The study will give us insights into whether this chemotherapy plus immunotherapy combination, FOLFOX-BB, will lead to cures and spare patients from the need for radiation therapy and surgery.

City of Hope medical oncologist Marwan G. Fakih, M.D., is principal investigator on the trial. Learn more here.

City of Hope Launches Novel Drug Trial for Glioblastoma

A Phase 1 clinical trial seeks to find new treatment options for patients with recurrent glioblastoma or astrocytoma — two forms of brain cancer that are extremely challenging to cure.

The City of Hope trial will study the use of oral triapine, a novel cancer drug, in combination with radiation therapy in patients whose cancer has returned after previous treatment. 

Triapine is a ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor, a type of drug that fights cancer by blocking the genetic process involved in forming tumor cells. It is currently being tested against a number of other cancers, including pancreatic and cervical cancer. 

The primary goal of the new trial will be documenting the drug’s safety and side effects, as well as determining the maximum dose that patients can tolerate. However, researchers will also monitor patients for any signs of tumor response or symptom relief. 

The long-term hope is that combining triapine with radiation could shrink tumors more than radiation alone, leading to longer survival and better quality of life for patients with glioblastoma and astrocytoma. 

City of Hope radiation oncologist Stephanie Yoon, M.D., is principal investigator on this National Cancer Institute-funded trial. Learn more here.

Liquid Biopsy Shows Promise for Early Gastric Cancer Detection

One reason for gastric cancer’s high mortality rate is that it’s often not caught early enough for treatment to be effective. Now a new study led by City of Hope scientists shows how a liquid biopsy could be used for early detection of the disease.

Researchers showed that tiny pieces of genetic material called miRNA found in exosomes, a type of particle released by cells, could be used as a biomarker to detect gastric cancer from a simple blood test. 

Led by Ajay Goel, Ph.D., chair of City of Hope’s Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Experimental Therapeutics, City of Hope researchers collaborated with hospitals in Japan and South Korea — countries with high gastric cancer rates — to study blood and tissue samples from more than 800 patients. 

They used machine learning to identify a 10-miRNA signature that would identify gastric cancer. The test City of Hope developed*, called DESTINEX, was able to detect early-stage gastric cancer with 95% accuracy. 

A liquid biopsy could expand access to screening, enabling early disease detection and potentially save lives. While some countries with high gastric cancer rates currently use endoscopy to screen for gastric cancer, this approach is invasive, expensive and not practical for regions where gastric cancer is less common.

To learn more, read the paper in JAMA Surgery. 

* Cizzle Bio licensed this technology invented by Dr. Ajay Goel at City of Hope. City of Hope and Dr. Goel are entitled to revenue from the license. Dr. Goel has equity interest in this technology.

Boosting Immunity After Cancer Treatment: Researchers Spotlight Special Stem Cells

A new study shows that a type of stem cell known as Kitlo hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) helps enhance T cell recovery, strengthening the immune system after allogenic hematopoietic cell transplantation, a therapy used to treat patients with certain leukemias and lymphomas.

The study, a collaboration between City of Hope and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center researchers, focused on better understanding the role of Kitlo HSC in immune recovery. These cells can produce different types of blood and immune cells, but it wasn’t clear how good they were at generating more T cells, which are especially important for fighting diseases.

In mice, co-senior author Marcel van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D., City of Hope chief physician executive, and colleagues found that Kitlo HSC helped the thymus, an organ that produces T cells, recover after a transplant. This led to stronger T cell production and better immune response to infection. This was especially notable in older mice, where Kitlo HSC helped overcome age-related declines in thymus function. 

Researchers also studied how this works on a molecular level. They found that genes driving immune cell development, including a gene called ZBTB1, played a key role in Kitlo HSC’s T cell making abilities.

The takeaway: Kitlo HSC could be a promising target for helping the immune system recover after treatment, especially for older patients. 

To learn more, read the study in Nature Communications. 

Study Links Housing Segregation to Higher Lung Cancer Risk Among Black Americans

Black Americans develop lung cancer earlier than their white counterparts and are more likely to die from the disease. Now a large new study by City of Hope researchers shows that housing segregation plays a role in these disparities. 

While previous research linked residential segregation to lung cancer survival and care, this is the first study to show that segregation also plays a role in the development of lung cancer itself.  

Researchers used data from the Southern Community Cohort Study that includes more than 71,000 individuals between 2002 and 2009. They found that Black participants who lived in less racially segregated areas were less likely to develop lung cancer. Mentholated cigarette use and exposure to air pollution were two major factors that contributed to this increased risk. Researchers noted that tobacco companies disproportionately target mentholated cigarette advertising and sales to majority Black communities.

These findings could help guide policies to address residential segregation. The data could also be used to address risk factors in neighborhoods that are already segregated. 

Loretta Erhunmwunsee, M.D., City of Hope associate professor of surgery and Chief Health Access and Community Enrichment Officer, was principal investigator for the study. 

For more information, see the paper in JAMA Network Open.

Awards and Honors

Rama Natarajan, Ph.D., professor and chair in City of Hope’s Department of Diabetes Complications & Metabolism, and Joyce Niland, Ph.D., chair and professor in City of Hope’s Department of Diabetes & Cancer Discovery Science, were selected as 2025 WIELD Trailblazers. The award recognizes leaders who have had a critical impact on research and/or care in the fields of diabetes, obesity and metabolism.

Research Funding

Michael Caligiuri, M.D., received a $6.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute for a project entitled “Human Natural Killer Cells: Advancing Biology and Clinical Applications.”

Yingfeng Deng, Ph.D., received a $4.1 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for a project entitled “Role of UPR Transducer XBP1 in Pancreatic Beta Cell Survival and Function Under Metabolic Stress.”

Shoubao Ma, Ph.D., received a $3.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for a project entitled “Role of RNA Modification in Innate Immune Cell Development and Function.”

Sangeeta Dhawan, Ph.D., received a $3.1 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for a project entitled “Epigenetic Regulation of Genomic Stability in Beta Cell Homeostasis.”

# # #


About City of Hope
City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked among the nation’s top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHopeTM. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.   

END



ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

New experiment paves the way for secure, high-speed communication

2025-08-07
In a new paper published in Light: Science & Applications, a team of scientists from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), Fragmentix, University of Waterloo (UW), and Technische Universität Wien (TU) have successfully demonstrated a more practical and robust method for quantum key distribution, a breakthrough that could soon lead to more secure and cost-effective communication networks worldwide.   Imagine sharing secrets today that will stay safe – even from the most powerful quantum computers of tomorrow. That’s the promise of quantum key distribution (QKD), a method that uses the principles ...

Maple compound offers new way to fight tooth decay

2025-08-07
Washington, D.C. — A new study in the journal Microbiology Spectrum highlights the potential of using a natural compound from maple to combat the bacteria responsible for tooth decay: Streptococcus mutans. The compound, epicatechin gallate, is a powerful and safe alternative to traditional plaque-fighting agents. Its natural abundance, affordability and lack of toxicity make it especially promising for inclusion in oral care products such as mouthwashes, offering a safer option for young children, who often accidentally swallow mouthwash. The new study emerged as an offshoot of research into natural compounds that ...

Novel immunologic surveillance study provides new insights into post-pandemic return of respiratory viruses

2025-08-07
AURORA, Colo. (Aug. 7, 2025) – The first paper from a multi-year clinical research study has been published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Dynamics of Endemic Virus Re-emergence in Children in the USA Following the COVID-19 Pandemic (2022-2023): A Longitudinal Immunoepidemiologic Surveillance Study and demonstrates how the approach can improve modeling to better predict future outbreaks. The paper shares findings from a multicenter clinical research study, one of many studies that are part of the recently launched PREMISE (Pandemic Response Repository through Microbial and Immune Surveillance ...

New European guidelines reshape MASLD care with clearer diagnosis and targeted therapies

2025-08-07
A new framework for diagnosis The 2024 European clinical practice guidelines introduce a pivotal terminology shift, replacing NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) with MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) and NASH with MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis). This renaming is not just semantic—it provides a pathophysiologically grounded, inclusive classification system based on the presence of hepatic steatosis and at least one cardiometabolic risk factor. Importantly, MASLD is now grouped ...

Adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival in resected early-onset pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant therapy

2025-08-07
Background and objectives The incidence of early-onset pancreatic cancer (EOPC) is rising, yet optimal treatment strategies remain unclear. While adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) has shown survival benefits in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, its specific role in EOPC patients following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and surgery remains underexplored. This study aimed to assess the clinical benefit of ACT in EOPC patients after NACT. Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients from the SEER database (2006–2019) who received NACT followed by curative resection. Propensity ...

Tech can tell exactly when in videos students are learning

2025-08-07
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A new study combines eye tracking and artificial intelligence to identify the exact moments in an educational video that matter for learning in children.   The study could also predict how much children understood from the video based on their eye movements while they were watching it.   The research is preliminary, but it provides promise for some exciting breakthroughs in video education, said Jason Coronel, lead author of the study and associate professor of communication at The Ohio State University.   “Our ultimate goal is to build ...

Quantum freezing at room temperature

2025-08-07
What are the limits of quantum physics? This is a question that has been researched around the world for decades. If we want to make the properties of the quantum world technically usable, we need to understand whether objects that are significantly larger than atoms and molecules can also exhibit quantum phenomena. For example, small glass spheres with a diameter of one hundred nanometres can be examined – still over a thousand times smaller than a grain of sand, but huge by quantum standards. For years, attempts have been made to show the extent to which such spheres ...

The first 25 years of SuperAger research

2025-08-07
SuperAgers are adults over age 80 who have the memory capacity of individuals who are at least three decades younger  SuperAgers are highly social and have brains that resist the buildup of Alzheimer’s-related plaques and tangles Research could lead to new strategies to delay, prevent dementia due to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal degeneration CHICAGO --- For 25 years, scientists at Northwestern Medicine have been studying individuals aged 80 and older — dubbed “SuperAgers” — to ...

pH-responsive graphene-based nanocarriers: A breakthrough for cancer drug delivery

2025-08-07
Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, it continues to impose a significant health burden globally. Researchers have now started exploring various innovative methods, such as engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) that can enable targeted drug delivery to cancer cells. While promising, the in vivo behavior of pH-responsive ENMs, which continuously interact with body fluids once administered, remains poorly understood.   To address ...

IBS in America: Despite advances, IBS remains a burden for many millions

2025-08-07
Bethesda, MD (Aug. 1, 2025) – Despite social media helping to increase awareness of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among the public (81% of health care providers agree) and advancements in treatment over the past decade, IBS symptoms continue to significantly impact patients' daily lives and productivity, according to a new survey released by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), in partnership with The Harris Poll, a Stagwell (STGW) agency. The AGA IBS in America survey reveals compelling new insights that explore shifts in patient experiences, health care provider perceptions, and the treatment landscape for IBS from a similar study conducted in 2015. The 2024 comprehensive ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Simple color-changing sensor quickly identifies poisonous gases

Exosomes found to play a double role in tumor growth and immune response

Announcing Gordian Biotechnology as Tier 5 Sponsor of ARDD 2025

Disconnection between brain regions explains why some people don’t enjoy music

An interstellar mission to a black hole? Astrophysicist thinks it’s possible.

Earth’s natural CO2 vacuum cleaners

It's not all about size

Cost-effectiveness of 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccination in US adults

Demographics, lifestyle, comorbidities, prediabetes, and mortality

Climate change: Perito Moreno Glacier retreat has recently accelerated substantially

Population history of the Southern Caucasus

Biomarkers reveal risk of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes

UVA harnesses AI to improve brain cancer care

MIT imaging tech promises deepest looks yet into living brain tissue at single-cell resolution

City of Hope Research Spotlight, July 2025

New experiment paves the way for secure, high-speed communication

Maple compound offers new way to fight tooth decay

Novel immunologic surveillance study provides new insights into post-pandemic return of respiratory viruses

New European guidelines reshape MASLD care with clearer diagnosis and targeted therapies

Adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival in resected early-onset pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant therapy

Tech can tell exactly when in videos students are learning

Quantum freezing at room temperature

The first 25 years of SuperAger research

pH-responsive graphene-based nanocarriers: A breakthrough for cancer drug delivery

IBS in America: Despite advances, IBS remains a burden for many millions

Light up our love: Medaka courtship dynamics observed

Consider the chemistry of your quantum materials, say researchers at Columbia

Chemical detective work could be the solution to stolen and repackaged medicine

Dopamine assists female flies eager to mate in enhancing their sensitivity to sounds

Chagos study highlights value of vast Marine Protected Areas

[Press-News.org] City of Hope Research Spotlight, July 2025
New clinical trials, a liquid biopsy for gastric cancer, insights into lung cancer disparities and more