Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

We’re proud to be recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces in Healthcare 2025! Thank you to our incredible staff who makes Dana-Farber such a special place to work. View the full list here: https://bit.ly/3SH7cC6

In December 2023, the FDA approved the drug belzutifan for certain forms of kidney cancer. This clinical milestone was years in the making, made possible in part by the trailblazing investigations of William G. Kaelin Jr., MD, 2019 Nobel Prize recipient, and his colleagues. The discovery that paved the way for belzutifan didn’t happen overnight. It began in the early 1990s, when Kaelin launched his own laboratory as an investigator. "I point out to my students that there's a lot of luck involved in winning a Nobel Prize and it's also inherently subjective," said Kaelin. "But drug approvals are far more meaningful and far more objective. The fact that the knowledge we generated made predictions that turned out to be true and demonstrably helped patients in phase three clinical trials — that's the real prize." Learn how years of scientific discovery led to this innovative treatment, and how it’s transforming care for patients today: https://bit.ly/3GNeb9D

In a recent study, researchers from Dana-Farber, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard identified cryptic peptides in pancreatic cancer cells that immune cells can be trained to recognize, pointing to potential immunotherapy targets for future treatment strategies. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3FbSEXK

Regular physical activity after treatment for stage 3 colon cancer reduces and may even eliminate disparities in survival between those with cancer and those in a general population of similar age and sex, according to new research. Colon cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Individuals with colon cancer face higher rates of premature death than people in the general population with matched characteristics such as age and sex. "This study suggests that exercise can have a meaningful impact on long-term survival for patients," says senior author Jeffrey Meyerhardt, MD, MPH, Chief Clinical Research Officer and co-director of our Colon and Rectal Care Center. "I encourage patients to engage in regular physical activity when they are done with treatment." The study was published in CANCER (American Cancer Society Journals) on February 24, 2025. Previous research suggested that people who are more physically active after treatment have longer survival. This study looked at data from two National Cancer Institute–sponsored Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) clinical trials for patients with stage 3 colon cancer. In both trials, patients underwent surgery, were treated with chemotherapy, and were offered an option to self-report about lifestyle factors during and after treatment. A total of 2,875 patients self-reported physical activity across the two trials. Reported activity levels were converted into metabolic-equivalent hours per week or MET-hours. A person who walks most days of the week for about an hour will get about 18 MET-hours of activity, according to Meyerhardt. The researchers found that, for patients who were alive 3 years after treatment, those with high activity levels (18 or more MET-hours per week) had subsequent overall survival rates that were closer to those of the matched general population than those with low activity levels (less than 3 MET-hours per week). In both trials, more activity was associated with improved survival rates and the benefits were seen in patients regardless of their age at the time of diagnosis. "Some exercise is better than none," says Meyerhardt. "If you can’t get out for an hour, try 10 or 20 minutes." In a pooled analysis of data, the researchers focused on the 1,908 patients who were alive without a recurrence of their cancer after 3 years. Among those who reported low activity levels, overall survival rates were 3.1% lower than the matched general population. Those with high activity levels had overall survival rates that were 2.9% higher than the matched general population. Exercise also reduced survival disparities in patients whose cancer came back within 3 years. For patients whose cancer returned, those with low activity levels had overall survival rates 50.5% lower than a matched general population. Those with high activity levels had overall survival rates 33.2% lower. Explore the full learnings here: https://bit.ly/43i7C6A

Four of our physician-scientists were recently honored by the American Society of Clinical Investigation (ASCI), a nonprofit medical honor society focused on advancing research that enhances the understanding of diseases and treatments and fosters mentorship within the field. William Freed-Pastor, MD, PhD, and Megan Insco, MD, PhD, were recognized with this year’s Young Physician-Scientist Awards, which celebrates physician-scientists early in their first faculty appointments making notable achievements in their research. "It’s an honor to receive this award," says Freed-Pastor, a medical oncologist and physician-scientist who studies tumor immunology in the Hale Family Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research at Dana-Farber and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. "We are witnessing a truly exciting time in pancreatic cancer research, and it is a tremendous privilege to play one small part in this effort to change the trajectory of this disease." Insco, an oncologist at the Center for Melanoma Oncology at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center and principal investigator of the Institute’s Insco Lab, notes the significance of mentorship. "I am grateful to be awarded this honor," she says. "I'm particularly thankful for the support of my mentors and I’m excited to continue investigating new therapeutic targets in melanoma." Lara Wahlster, MD, PhD, and Nina Weichert-Leahey, MD, were honored with the ASCI’s Emerging Generation Awards, which recognize early-career physician-scientists conducting immersive research prior to faculty appointment. "I am honored to receive this award and grateful to my mentors, particularly Vijay G. Sankaran, [MD, PhD], for his ongoing support," says Wahlster, a physician-scientist and pediatric hematologist/oncologist focused on understanding the developmental and genetic origins of leukemia. "I look forward to meeting other awardees and becoming immersed in the ASCI’s career development and mentorship opportunities as I work toward starting my own research program as an independent investigator." Weichert-Leahey, physician-scientist and instructor in Pediatrics, hopes to engage with the ASCI cohort in order to connect on advancements in pediatric oncology research. "I’m driven to uncover novel epigenetic targets and therapies — and ultimately bring our laboratory discoveries to children with solid tumors. At Dana‑Farber, I see the unique opportunity to accelerate this process so our findings may reach pediatric patients more quickly than they have in recent years," she adds. "I am deeply honored to join a community of young physician‑scientists dedicated to transforming patient care."

Before researchers began a trial for a new online breast cancer decision-making tool, they consulted with a group of important subject matter experts: patients. Lindsay Northrop, one of those patients, has intimate knowledge of the patient experience as someone who went through breast cancer treatment in 2014 and 2016. As a volunteer in the Breast Cancer Research Advocacy Group, Northrop and other patients like her helped clinicians and researchers tackle key questions about how to present information. "I’ve read things that can be hard to process from a patient perspective," Northrop explains. "There’s a fine line between informing someone and scaring someone." The trial, which is currently exploring the efficacy of a tool called CONSYDER, has young patients with breast cancer use a web-based decision aid in an effort to help manage the stress and anxiety around a breast cancer diagnosis and their surgical decision. Northrop and other advocates were solicited for feedback on different design aspects of the trial before it was offered to patients. Watching the CONSYDER trial progress from design phase to active trial has been extremely rewarding for Northrop. "Most patients don’t get to see the process so up close," she observes. She feels it’s an ideal way to give back. "I thought maybe my story could help others," she says. After all, she was a beneficiary of decades of research herself. When she was diagnosed with cancer at age 36, it was discovered that she had a mutation in her PALB2 gene. The gene's connection to breast cancer was originally identified in the laboratory of researcher David Livingston, MD, and its clinical implications have since been studied by many others at the Institute. Co-led by Paula Steeves and Susan Koegel, patient advocates like Northrop work with research teams to ensure that the patients’ perspectives and needs are incorporated and that the research is ultimately shared effectively with the community. Advocates do this work in many ways including helping develop clinical trial and research proposals, writing letters of support to help acquire grant funding, translating published research into plain language summaries, and creating clinical trial awareness campaigns. It is a volunteer opportunity that perfectly matches Northrop’s background in communications, her interest in research, and her work as an executive director for a non-profit offering retreats for women with breast cancer. The work goes a long way toward supporting the patient experience and research efforts. "If I can help improve the outcome for one person, I feel like it’s worth it," Northrop says. "Cancer changed my life. It put me in a different place, on a different road. I found purpose."

Ijeoma Julie Eche-Ugwu PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, AOCNP, CPHON, BMTCN, a nurse scientist in our Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing and Patient Care Services, has been recognized with the 2025 Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Victoria Mock New Investigator Award. Eche-Ugwu is the fifth Cantor Center staff member to receive this honor. This prestigious award, which is presented to a single candidate annually, honors the contributions of new investigators building a scientific foundation for oncology nursing practice. Eche-Ugwu was recognized for her research on eliminating cancer-related inequities and improving psychosocial outcomes through developing and testing of culturally congruent, nurse-led interventions to better address the specific needs of these families. When Eche-Ugwu was a practicing pediatric hematology oncology nurse at Boston Children’s Hospital, she witnessed firsthand the immense distress experienced by parents of children with cancer, particularly those from historically marginalized backgrounds. Driven by a deep commitment to support these families, she pursued a career as a nurse-scientist, dedicated to eliminating cancer-related inequities and improving psychosocial outcomes. "The Cantor Center is the kind of place I dreamed of — where I’m surrounded by so many nurse scientists and researchers who are motivated to improve the lives of people affected by cancer," remarks Eche-Ugwu. Eche-Ugwu became a postdoctoral fellow in the Cantor Center in 2019 and, in 2022, transitioned to become a nurse scientist here and an Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School. More recently, she has also taken on the role of Associate Director of the Pediatrics and Family Health Core within the Precision Health Symptom Science Program at the Cantor Center. During her doctoral studies and postdoctoral fellowship, she discovered that African American families of children with cancer are poorly represented in pediatric psychosocial intervention studies. As a result, their psychosocial needs are less likely to be addressed compared to white families. Continuing this research has deepened Eche-Ugwu’s understanding of the specific needs of African American families and how pediatric hematology oncology nurses can better support them. Findings from her foundational studies informed the development of ACCOMPANI (African American Childhood Cancer Multiprong Psychosocial Nurse Intervention). ACCOMPANI is a nurse-targeted educational intervention designed to enhance pediatric oncology nurses' ability to identify and address the psychosocial needs of African American families affected by childhood cancer. Eche-Ugwu presented the background and framework of ACCOMPANI virtually at the ONS Congress. "Dr. Eche-Ugwu brings an outstanding passion and strong analytical skills that are already proving beneficial to improving the care of children with cancer and their families," says Marilyn Hammer, PhD, RN, director of the Cantor Center.

Please join us in congratulating Brian Wolpin, MD, on receiving OncLive’s Giants of Cancer Care award—an honor that recognizes the accomplishments of leading researchers and educators across disciplines. Wolpin, who specializes in gastrointestinal cancer, has made discoveries that continue to propel the field forward and lay the foundation for future breakthroughs.

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the U.S., but not all prostate cancers are ultimately harmful or need to be treated. However, screening is especially important for men over 50, those with a family history of prostate cancer, and men of West African ancestry, all of whom should start screening earlier. Mark Pomerantz, MD, explains the importance of balancing early detection of prostate cancer with avoiding unnecessary treatments.

Submit your abstract for the 3rd biennial Cancer Centers Survivorship Research Forum, taking place September 18–19 at Dana-Farber. This event brings together leading healthcare professionals who are committed to enhancing the wellbeing of cancer survivors, physicians, researchers, nurses, and allied health practitioners. Featured speakers include Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH, Alicia Morgans, MD, MPH, and Larissa Nekhlyudov, MD, MPH. Submit your work to be considered for presentation and join the dialogue driving progress in survivorship research. Submissions are due June 30. More information can be found here: https://bit.ly/43aNu7S