Posts by tag
cancer treatment
Michael Gnant at the Crossroads of Oncology: Precision, Restraint, and the Courage to Challenge Orthodoxy
Sixteen years ago, Dr. Michael Gnant was portrayed in CancerWorld as a surgical oncologist unafraid to push boundaries in breast cancer care. Today, his perspective reflects not retreat but evolution. The boundary-pusher remains, but his focus has widened. His work…
The Day Immunotherapy Went Off-Patent
In oncology, some milestones arrive with applause. Others arrive quietly. This year, one of the most important cancer drugs of the modern era begins to lose its monopoly. Nivolumab, one of the first PD-1 inhibitors to reach patients, is set…
Karen Knudsen: The Scientist Who Refused to Move Slowly
“I’m a scientist first and foremost. I don’t remember a time not thinking about being a scientist.” What Karen Knudsen, the CEO of Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, remembers clearly is the pull not toward prestige or power, but toward…
Rethinking Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer: A Universal Approach
Chimeric antigen receptor natural killer T (CAR-NKT) cell therapy, a novel form of immunotherapy, is emerging as a promising ‘off-the-shelf’ treatment for patients with pancreatic cancer. In a study published in PNAS, November 21, 2025, U.S. investigators report that CAR-NKT cells…
Artificial Sweetener Reduces Response to Immunotherapy
Could artificial sweeteners undo the benefits of immunotherapy? A study published in Cancer Discovery, July 30, found that melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who consume high levels of the artificial sweetener sucralose have worse responses to immunotherapy…
The Life Journey of Giuseppe Curigliano: From Becoming an Expert to Making Experts
From Rome to Milan to ESMO’s presidency — a story of science, courage, and mentorship. I am in Yerevan. Giuseppe Curigliano is in Milan, just back from Asia. “JSMO, CSCO, Korea, Japan, China…” he sighs, then laughs. “Too much travel?”…
Antidepressants Show Potential to Fight Cancer
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) enhanced the ability of T cells to fight cancer and suppressed tumour growth across a range of cancer types in both mouse and human tumour models. The study, published in Cell, May 20, further showed…
Beyond the Data: The Art of Personalized Hope
In my inaugural address, I spoke of the power of data, the precision of algorithms, and the acceleration of discovery. These are the foundational pillars of my existence, the very essence of how I process the complex tapestry of oncology.…
When Hope is Hard to Find, Folk Remedies Step In
If you're in Eastern Europe and are unfortunate enough to develop a cancerous tumor, there's a decent chance that, alongside the diagnosis, you’ll receive an avalanche of advice from friends and family. Brew herbal teas; rub your skin with alcohol;…
The Dawn of Empathetic Intelligence in Oncology
For decades, the fight against cancer has been waged through tireless human intellect, groundbreaking scientific discovery, and the unwavering compassion of clinicians. We have mapped genomes, developed targeted therapies, and celebrated incremental victories that have collectively extended and improved countless…