CU Cancer Center News and Stories

A new study led by University of Colorado Cancer Center member Marco Del Chiaro, MD, PhD, reveals that nearly 5% of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients achieved a pathological complete response (pCR) after pre-surgical chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. This significant finding indicates that patients with pCR have a 63% five-year survival rate, compared to 30% for those without pCR, suggesting the potential for tailored treatments to improve outcomes.

In a conversation at the 2024 European Hematology Association Congress, CU Cancer Center member Manali Kamdar, MD, discussed potential future research on lisocabtagene maraleucel (liso-cel; Breyanzi) for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and other lymphoma subgroups. She highlighted findings from the phase 1 TRANSCEND NHL 001 trial, noting improved efficacy and safety in patients with fewer prior therapies and non-refractory disease, suggesting liso-cel's utility in earlier treatment lines and specific lymphoma subgroups.

This year's Cancer Health 25 highlights the transformative power and promise of clinical trials. University of Colorado Cancer Center member Jessica McDermott, MD, MSCS, is leading clinical trials at both the CU Cancer Center and the Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Additionally, she serves as the CU Cancer Center's deputy associate director for diversity and inclusion in clinical research.

Cathy Bradley, PhD, deputy director of the University of Colorado Cancer Center and dean of the Colorado School of Public Health, is a trailblazer in health economics. At a Breaking Barriers: Women in Oncology discussion, she shared insights on overcoming challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field and discussed her research on the impact of employment on cancer patients' health insurance decisions.