https://phys.org/ en-us Latest news from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have identified distinct spatial tumor–immune ecosystems that predict whether patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer will benefit from immunotherapy. The findings, published in Cancer Research, show that analyzing how tumor and immune cells are organized and interact within the tumor microenvironment may predict disease progression more accurately than PD-L1 status alone. The paper was featured on the cover of the publication and is also part of its Data Science special series. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-distinct-tumor-immune-ecologies-immunotherapy.html Immunology Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:20:01 EST news691856702 A new study led by researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center found that blood-based DNA markers known as protein epiScores can help predict which colorectal cancer patients face a higher risk of cancer recurrence or death. Results of the study were published in Clinical Epigenetics. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-qa-simple-blood-colorectal-cancer.html Oncology & Cancer Mon, 09 Feb 2026 13:36:57 EST news689866562 Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a new way to predict how cancer cells evolve by gaining and losing whole chromosomes, changes that help tumors grow, adapt and resist treatment. In a new study, scientists describe a computational approach called ALFA-K that uses longitudinal, single-cell data to reconstruct how cancer cells move through different chromosome states over time and identify which configurations are favored by evolution. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-qa-discusses-tool-cancer-evolves.html Health informatics Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:50:03 EST news688319281 A study led by researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center found that normal cells surrounding a tumor, known as cancer-associated fibroblasts, can help lung cancer cells survive targeted drug therapy by activating multiple survival routes that allow tumors to evade treatment. Results of the study, published in Science Signaling, provide valuable insights into why some cancers are resistant to currently approved therapies. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-qa-tumor-cells-lung-cancer.html Oncology & Cancer Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:16:01 EST news687021304 A new Moffitt Cancer Center study suggests a widely used genomic test can more accurately identify which men with early prostate cancer are at high risk for their disease to come back quickly after treatment, particularly African American men who face the highest burden from this disease. The findings were published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-genomic-flag-early-aggressive-prostate.html Oncology & Cancer Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:50:01 EST news685374193 Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a novel biomaterial-based system that induces the formation of tertiary lymphoid-like structures (TLSs). These immune cell clusters are increasingly linked to improved outcomes and treatment responses in cancer. Results of their study are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-qa-immune-hotspots-tumors.html Immunology Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:30:03 EST news681661245 New research from Moffitt Cancer Center shows that RAS(ON) multi-selective inhibition can directly block tumor growth and activate the immune system, offering the first targeted approach for patients with NRAS-mutant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer with limited treatment options beyond immune checkpoint inhibitors. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-evidence-therapy-nras-mutant-melanoma.html Oncology & Cancer Tue, 04 Nov 2025 23:20:01 EST news681496443 Two companion studies published in Cancer Research by scientists at Moffitt Cancer Center identify distinct but complementary approaches to overcoming drug resistance in KRAS G12C-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-dual-uncover-complementary-strategies-resistance.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:12:03 EDT news681055921 Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have reported encouraging results from a phase 1B clinical trial showing that the immunotherapy drug avelumab, when combined with whole brain radiotherapy, may provide a safe and effective treatment option for patients with leptomeningeal disease, one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat complications of advanced cancer. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-clinical-trial-treatment-patients-leptomeningeal.html Oncology & Cancer Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:00:04 EDT news678466802 A study published in JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics demonstrates that machine learning models incorporating patient-reported outcomes and wearable sensor data can predict which patients with non–small cell lung cancer are most at risk of needing urgent care during treatment. The study was led by researchers and clinicians at Moffitt Cancer Center. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-machine-urgent-lung-cancer-patients.html Oncology & Cancer Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:41:04 EDT news677169662 Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have created the first genetically engineered model of lung cancer in naked mole rats, a species long thought to be resistant to cancer. The findings, published in Cancer Discovery, shed light on how cancer begins in this unusual rodent and may reveal new parallels to tumor development in humans. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-genetically-cancer-naked-mole-rats.html Immunology Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:40:04 EDT news676564801 A new study led by a team of researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center reveals that lymphoma can accelerate the biological aging of the immune system and other tissues, providing new insight into how cancer reshapes the body beyond tumor growth. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-lymphoma-treatment-trigger-rapid-immune.html Oncology & Cancer Fri, 22 Aug 2025 13:57:04 EDT news675089822 In the largest clinical genomic profiling study of non-Hispanic Black men with metastatic prostate cancer to date, researchers from Moffitt Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, University of California Los Angeles and the Veterans Affairs (VA) National Precision Oncology Program found key differences in tumor biology between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic white veterans, but similar survival outcomes when both groups had equal access to care. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-large-scale-analysis-reveals-distinct.html Oncology & Cancer Sun, 18 May 2025 13:19:01 EDT news666793134 A team of researchers from Moffitt Cancer Center has found new insight into why some lung cancer patients do not benefit from tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte, or TIL therapy. Their findings, published in Nature Cancer, may help improve future ways to deliver this cellular immunotherapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-reactivity-tumor-antigens-important-infiltrating.html Oncology & Cancer Thu, 08 May 2025 11:51:05 EDT news665923862 People living with HIV are less likely to receive potentially lifesaving cancer treatment if they live in communities with lower income levels and educational attainment, according to a new national study led by researchers from Moffitt Cancer Center. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-barriers-cancer-people-hiv.html Oncology & Cancer Mon, 05 May 2025 14:41:04 EDT news665674862 A new study from researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center shows that blocking a chemical process called nitrosylation could make one of the most aggressive forms of melanoma more treatable. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-uncovers-boost-treatment-aggressive-melanoma.html Oncology & Cancer Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:20:01 EDT news665059112 Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have found that tapping into the body's own immune system and activating a type of immune cell known as B cells, could be the key to boosting the effectiveness of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte, or TIL therapy. Results of their study were published in the Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-immune-boost-access-cancer-immunotherapy.html Oncology & Cancer Fri, 11 Apr 2025 13:10:06 EDT news663595802 A multi-institutional study led by Moffitt Cancer Center found that percutaneous hepatic perfusion using a melphalan hepatic delivery system may help patients with a rare eye cancer that has spread to their liver. This disease, known as metastatic uveal melanoma, is traditionally very hard to treat and usually has poor outcomes. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-drug-delivery-patients-rare-eye.html Oncology & Cancer Thu, 10 Apr 2025 16:57:03 EDT news663523022 Moffitt Cancer Center researchers have discovered a promising new vaccine strategy for treating a specific type of breast cancer. The innovative approach targets human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive, estrogen receptor-negative (HER2-positive, ER-negative) breast cancer and has shown encouraging results in a recent pilot study. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-dendritic-cell-vaccine-strategy-breast.html Oncology & Cancer Tue, 18 Mar 2025 15:04:03 EDT news661529041 Researchers from Moffitt Cancer Center have found a new way to boost cancer immunotherapy by targeting a protein called macrophage receptor with collagenous structure, or MARCO. Their study, published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, shows that blocking MARCO in combination with a type of immunotherapy known as anti-CTLA4 therapy, significantly enhances tumor regression in melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-immunotherapy-strategy-macrophage-receptors-melanoma.html Oncology & Cancer Thu, 13 Mar 2025 13:40:46 EDT news661092042 A new Moffitt Cancer Center study has identified a specific immune response that may prevent the spread of breast cancer cells within the body. Published in Cancer Immunology Research, the study shows that activating certain immune cells can stop dormant cancer cells from growing into new tumors. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-immune-response-breast-cancer.html Oncology & Cancer Mon, 17 Feb 2025 13:14:14 EST news659020453 A new community-based pickleball program called Project Rally is helping cancer survivors improve their physical and social well-being, according to a recent pilot study led by researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center. The program, which is offered in partnership with the YMCA of the Suncoast, has shown strong results in terms of participation, enjoyment, and physical improvements. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-pickleball-boosts-health-wellness-cancer.html Oncology & Cancer Tue, 04 Feb 2025 15:40:05 EST news657906002 A new study from Moffitt Cancer Center could help doctors predict how well patients with a specific type of lung cancer will respond to new therapies. The research, published in Clinical Cancer Research, found that measuring the interaction between two proteins, RAS and RAF, could provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of treatments for patients with KRASG12C-mutant non-small cell lung cancer, a type of lung cancer known for being particularly difficult to treat. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01-biomarker-krasg12c-inhibitor-success-lung.html Oncology & Cancer Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:54:50 EST news657561285 A new study led by researchers from Moffitt Cancer Center, in collaboration with investigators from the University of Michigan, shows that artificial intelligence (AI) can help doctors make better decisions when treating cancer. However, it also highlights challenges in how doctors and AI work together. The study, published in Nature Communications, focused on AI-assisted radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer). https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01-ai-boost-efficacy-cancer-treatment.html Oncology & Cancer Thu, 30 Jan 2025 12:02:53 EST news657460968 A new study led by researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center shows that asymptomatic brain metastasis is more common in stage 4 breast cancer patients than previously believed. The study, published in Neuro-Oncology, suggests that doctors may need to rethink current screening guidelines for detecting brain metastasis in patients without symptoms. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01-routine-brain-mri-screening-asymptomatic.html Oncology & Cancer Tue, 28 Jan 2025 16:47:02 EST news657305221 A new study has uncovered an unexpected way cancer cells can escape the immune system, making it harder for treatments to work. The study, published in Cancer Cell, explains how a type of cancer cell death can actually make tumors grow faster by turning off the immune system's ability to fight the cancer. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-11-tumor-cell-death-backfire-cancer.html Oncology & Cancer Tue, 26 Nov 2024 14:43:03 EST news651854581 A new study has found a surprising link between high levels of methylmalonic acid and the weakening of CD8+ T cells, shedding light on potential pathways through which aging may promote lung cancer progression. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-10-links-methylmalonic-acid-weakening-immune.html Oncology & Cancer Thu, 31 Oct 2024 15:50:02 EDT news649606935 A new study has unveiled crucial information about the incidence and risk factors of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infections among men in the United States, Mexico and Brazil. Moffitt Cancer Center researchers have discovered how often new oral HPV infections occur, the factors influencing their acquisition and the regional variations in infection rates. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-10-country-insights-oral-hpv-incidence.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 21 Oct 2024 12:33:49 EDT news648732823 A new study published in Cell Reports Medicine reveals critical insights into the role of gamma-delta T cells across 33 cancer types, shedding light on their potential as clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. Led by a team of researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center, this comprehensive analysis represents a significant advancement in the understanding of these unique immune cells and their implications for patient outcomes in cancer therapy. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-10-unveils-role-gamma-delta-cells.html Oncology & Cancer Fri, 04 Oct 2024 12:25:03 EDT news647263501 Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a type of cancer treatment that helps the immune system attack cancer cells more effectively. One of the key proteins involved in this process is lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG3), which suppresses the antitumor immune response. Moffitt Cancer Center researchers have made an important discovery about LAG3, revealing how it interacts with other proteins to control immune activity. Their study, published in Nature Communications, could lead to better cancer treatments by enhancing the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-reveal-key-lag3-mechanisms-cancer.html Oncology & Cancer Wed, 04 Sep 2024 16:08:58 EDT news644684934