University of Kansas Medical Center News
The University of Kansas Medical Center is improving lives and communities in Kansas and beyond through innovation in education, research and health care. Explore some of our recent accomplishments.
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January 31, 2025Research sheds new light on a key ovarian cancer biomarkerResearchers at KU Cancer Center have uncovered the true structure of the CA125 protein, a discovery that could lead to more precise testing for ovarian cancer.
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January 13, 2025KU-led multicenter trial to address food insecurity and malnutrition in cancer patientsFood-insecure patients with blood cancers who are receiving transplant or cellular therapy will receive bags of food during clinic visits as part of the trial.
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December 18, 20242024 in review: highlights from the past yearBefore 2025 begins, take a look back at some of the news across KU Medical Center over the past year.
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December 6, 2024KU Medical Center evaluating smoking-cessation interventions for Black adults in a five-state studyFunded by a $10 million PCORI grant and in partnership with the University of Wisconsin, the researchers will study the effect of three smoking treatments on quit rates for Black adults.
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November 13, 2024Progress in brain cancer research brings hope on the horizonResearchers at KU Cancer Center are working to make strides in diagnosing and treating brain cancers.
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November 1, 2024Traumatic childhood events may increase risk for long-term health effects in breast cancer survivorsBreast cancer survivors who have experienced childhood trauma may be at greater risk for more significant and long-lasting fatigue, depression, anxiety and cognitive decline.
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October 22, 2024KU Cancer Center leads national trial testing vaccine for colon cancer in people with Lynch syndromePeople with Lynch syndrome, an inherited genetic disorder, have up to an 80% lifetime risk of developing colon cancer.
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September 20, 2024A precision-medicine initiative sponsored by the National Cancer Institute aims to improve treatment for the most common form of leukemia in adultsThe University of Kansas Cancer Center is part of the myeloMATCH trial, a large, coordinated effort to improve patient outcomes through targeted treatments for people with acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome.
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September 6, 2024Legendary breast cancer researcher Carol Fabian reflects on the progress of research and its impact on survivorshipReuniting with a former patient and clinical trial participant, Fabian encouraged continued research and using new ways to locate clinical trials.
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August 8, 2024KU Cancer Center researchers announce study of high-dose intravenous vitamin C to treat muscle-invasive bladder cancerA $3.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense will fund this new study, which will take place at both KU Cancer Center and the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.
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July 26, 2024Sen. Moran announces $10 million in federal investments for The University of Kansas Cancer CenterFunds will benefit the KU Cancer Center’s new building
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July 9, 2024White Ribbon Project works with outreach network of KU Cancer Center to increase lung cancer screenings in KansasThe Masonic Cancer Alliance community grant seeks to reduce stigma, promote screening in southeast Kansas
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June 28, 2024Blood test developed by KU researchers can detect early-stage lung cancerBiosensor technology can detect lung cancer in blood when it is still curable and could be used to screen large populations at risk for the disease.
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May 8, 2024NIH renews COBRE grant for Kansas Institute for Precision MedicineThe $11.4 million grant will improve patient outcomes by supporting and training the next generation of physician-scientists in precision medicine.
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April 5, 2024Outreach arm of KU Cancer Center to provide free cancer screenings throughout Kansas and Western MissouriThe Masonic Cancer Alliance partners with the Kansas Masons to provide screenings throughout the spring and summer.
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March 5, 2024Pool Cool makes fun in the sun safeImplemented by the Masonic Cancer Alliance, The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s outreach network, the Pool Cool program has trained over 13,300 aquatic staff at over 85 sites in safe sun protection.
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February 8, 2024Cardiologist, faculty member and adventure photographer balances career and life with a hobby that’s taken him around the worldCharles Porter, M.D., started his medical career at the same time as his career in photography, and both provide plenty of adventure to this day.
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December 20, 2023In case you missed it: a look back at 2023Here are just some of KU Medical Center’s accomplishments and successes over the past year.
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October 24, 2023KU Cancer Center receives $2.4 million training grant to support future cancer researchersFederal grant will support program to train cancer clinicians to conduct research.
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September 1, 2023Studying low risk for solid tumors in people with Down syndrome could lead to new treatments for bladder cancerKU researcher John Taylor, M.D., received a Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Innovation Award to investigate the biological reasons that people with Down syndrome are less likely to develop bladder cancer.
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August 25, 2023Researchers at KU Medical Center work to discover treatments for people with a rare condition that leads to colon cancerRare genetic condition results in thousands of polyps and either near-certain colon cancer or a lifetime of screenings and surgery
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July 27, 2023For one KU Cancer Center biologist, there’s no place like home — finallyImmunologist Kalyani Pyaram gives hope to others suffering from the ‘two-body problem’ of a spouse also in academia
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June 27, 2023KU Cancer Center receives historic $100 million gift from Sunderland Foundation to support new cancer research and care facilityThe KU Cancer Center will build a new facility designed to place research and treatment side by side.
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May 23, 2023KU researcher and faculty member is lead author on cancer equity commentary published in the Journal of the National Cancer InstituteCommentary seeks to set an agenda for national problem of cancer disparities in those who have been incarcerated.
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April 13, 2023Super ‘cool’ electron microscope to accelerate discovery at KU Medical Center and throughout the regionThe new cryogenic electron microscope can reveal the structure of flash-frozen proteins and other biomolecules at nearly atomic resolution, enabling researchers to understand diseases and design drugs to fight them.
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March 29, 2023Victory is sweet in Super Bowl challenge won by the KU Cancer CenterUnited in their fight against cancer, divided over who should be Super Bowl champions, prestigious cancer centers in Kansas City and Philadelphia enjoy friendly rivalry.
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February 21, 2023KU Cancer Center uses art to reach underserved communitiesNew mural is part of the KU Cancer Center’s campaign to encourage diverse participation in cancer clinical trials.
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February 2, 2023Five reasons to consider participating in a clinical trial for cancer treatmentClinical trials can benefit you, no matter what stage of cancer you have. Here, Tara Lin, M.D., professor of hematologic malignancies and cellular therapeutics at KU Medical Center and medical director of the Clinical Trials Office at The University of Kansas Cancer Center, explains five reasons to consider participating in the testing of a novel cancer treatment.
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December 21, 2022Seeking the ‘new normal’: a look back at 2022See what shaped the University of Kansas Medical Center this year.
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December 6, 202210,000 steps might really be the ‘magic pill’ everyone is seekingStudies in JAMA show that walking 10,000 steps can improve cardiovascular health and reduce risks of both dementia and cancer better than any pill or injection currently available.
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November 10, 2022KU Medical Center researchers receive R01 grant from National Cancer Institute to increase targeted cancer treatments to rural cancer patientsTEAMSPORT will create a standardized approach to ordering genomic tests and adapt it for use in community cancer centers, where most cancer patients receive testing and treatment.
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November 1, 2022KU Cancer Center partners with nation’s top cancer organizations to call for increasing lung cancer screening nationwideNational call to action encourages use of low-dose CT to combat the leading cause of cancer in the United States
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October 26, 2022A $12 million grant from NIH launches KC-MORE, a research center to study obesity and obesity-related diseaseThe Kansas Center for Metabolism and Obesity Research seeks to become a national hub for obesity-related research and the training of junior research faculty.
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October 25, 2022KU Medical Center researchers receive grant to combat injury caused by exposure to radiationRadiation injury is a problematic side effect in cancer treatment, and radiation toxicity from radiological and nuclear devices has been a growing national concern since 9/11.
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August 11, 2022KU Cancer Center researchers discover that people with blood-related cancers have a higher chance of COVID breakthrough infectionsKU Cancer Center oncology experts teamed up with statistical experts to warn those with leukemia and lymphoma of their increased risk of getting COVID-19
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July 7, 2022The University of Kansas Cancer Center earns National Cancer Institute’s most prestigious status—ComprehensiveNCI recognition as a Comprehensive cancer center is the culmination of years of community effort and means that KU Cancer Center joins the top echelon of leading cancer experts.
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June 14, 2022Varenicline increases smoking cessation rates for African American smokersAfrican Americans have disproportionately high rates of tobacco-related disease, making treatment critical.
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May 9, 2022COVID-19 vaccine effective in people receiving cancer treatment, study findsAbout 95% of participants achieved a measurable immune response after vaccination, according to study led by a KU School of Medicine professor and published in JAMA Oncology.
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April 13, 2022Rep. Sharice Davids visits The University of Kansas Cancer CenterDavids secured federal funding to provide advanced imaging equipment for the cancer center that will accelerate the research necessary to create new and better therapies.
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January 26, 2022KU Clinical Research Center celebrates decade of investigational scienceThe University of Kansas Clinical Research Center (KU CRC), a dedicated clinical trials facility with support from a Johnson County sales tax, celebrates it's 10 year anniversary.
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December 17, 2021Receiving CAR-T therapy sooner improves lymphoma survival, according to study published in New England Journal of MedicineAxicabtagene ciloleucel, known by the brand name Yescarta, is significantly more effective than the current standard of care in treating people with large B-cell lymphoma who relapse after the first line of treatment.
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December 16, 2021Let’s hit the highlights: news to know from 2021The pandemic continues, but so does research and education.
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June 7, 2021Facebook Live series ‘Bench to Bedside’ provides timely, useful information from KU Cancer CenterTalk show-like format allows researchers and clinicians to explain their work while engaging with the community.
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May 13, 2021KU Cancer Center director participates in expert panel discussion on status of Cancer MoonshotThe program offered participants a retrospective look at the initiative and discussed the current state of cancer research, treatment and prevention.
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April 29, 2021Massive negative impact of COVID-19 on cancer screenings quantified in KU Medical Center faculty study published in JAMA OncologyThe University of Kansas Cancer Center is calling for public attention to this issue to prevent cancer deaths.
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February 18, 2021Clinical Trial Finder app launched by KU Cancer CenterA new mobile application created by The University of Kansas Cancer Center allows anyone to identify potential clinical trials right here at KU and quickly communicate with the clinical trials team.
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December 15, 2020Dr. Lee Norman appointed to board of Masonic Cancer Alliance by Governor KellyColonel Lee A. Norman, M.D., MHS, MBA, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), has been appointed by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to the Masonic Cancer Alliance Partners Advisory Board.
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December 4, 2020KU Cancer Center is a contributor to 49 research studies at international hematology society meetingResearchers from The University of Kansas Cancer Center are involved in the presentation of nearly 50 research studies at the 62nd American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting.
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November 19, 2020KU Cancer Center researchers discover men fighting both cancer and COVID-19 at higher risk than womenMen with cancer and COVID-19 may be at significantly higher risk for severe symptoms and even death as compared to females fighting both, a University of Kansas Cancer Center research team has found after reviewing multiple studies.
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October 1, 2020One year out, KU Cancer Center’s countdown to NCI comprehensive application kicks into high gearThe application will shine a light on the extraordinary work done by KU scientists and physicians in researching, treating and preventing the disease. What will remain largely hidden is the mammoth effort that goes into the application itself.
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August 14, 2020KU researchers pivot from cancer and cystic fibrosis to test new drug for COVID-19Physician-scientists Gregory Gan and Deepika Polineni, who research cancer and cystic fibrosis, have teamed up to test a new drug with the potential to keep COVID-19 patients from needing a ventilator.
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June 11, 2020Lab in KU Medical Center incubator switches to coronavirus test to meet community needA private laboratory operating on the campus of the University of Kansas Medical Center conducts COVID-19 tests. Its founder says it's a service to his community.
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May 7, 2020KU Cancer Center pivots to protect patients and trial participants in COVID-19 eraCancer patients undergoing treatment at The University of Kansas Cancer Center don’t have to worry about getting a test for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The research arm of the KU Cancer Center stepped up to allow patients to opt-in to a study that provided the test in recent weeks and also covered its cost. It is just one of the many ways the KU Cancer Center is working to fight the pandemic.
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March 31, 2020Cancer Center receives additional $5 million in funding from state of Kansas to support ongoing researchThe University of Kansas Cancer Center will receive an additional $5 million from the state budget for the KU Cancer Center Research Fund, approved by the Kansas legislature and signed by Governor Laura Kelly. These funds will be crucial to the KU Cancer Center’s competitive application for National Cancer Institute (NCI) comprehensive cancer center designation.
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March 10, 2020KU Cancer Center researchers identify breast cancer prevention drug with fewer daunting side effectsWomen with a high risk for breast cancer can be prescribed drugs to help reduce their risk of cancer, but many don’t take the drugs because of their problematic side effects.Researchers at The University of Kansas Cancer Center have identified a drug that may keep the preventive punch but lessen the strong side effects.