Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

We’re excited to share that the Boston Planning & Development Agency unanimously approved the design of our new freestanding inpatient cancer hospital. This pivotal milestone propels us toward the construction of a 300-bed hospital – the first of its kind in New England – designed exclusively around the needs of cancer patients. This new hospital reflects our aspiration to elevate the patient experience, seamlessly connecting inpatient, outpatient, and research services for a truly integrated continuum of care. Built in close clinical collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at BIDMC, this landmark partnership will harness the best of our institutions – combining our oncology experience with BIDMC’s academic strength to better serve patients and families. Together, we’re raising more than just a hospital – we're raising the standard of cancer care for everyone. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ZDgvqr

New research from a collaborative study between Dana-Farber and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard shows promise for targeted therapies for pediatric gliomas, the most common form of pediatric brain tumor. The research was published in Nature Communications. “This research was motivated by the patients we see in our Jimmy Fund Clinic and others around the world who have been diagnosed with pediatric gliomas with FGFR-alterations and want to know if existing targeted medicines are an option,” says co-senior author Pratiti (Mimi) Bandopadhayay, MBBS, PhD, a physician-scientist at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and an institute member at Broad. Learn more: https://bit.ly/45meNf6

In a study published in AACR Journals' Clinical Cancer Research, researcher Jia Luo uncovered the potential for underdiagnosis of NUT carcinoma and identified additional tests required for an accurate diagnosis. Read more: http://bit.ly/4nW4Ld4

Family history, skin type, and UV exposure are all factors that can increase skin cancer risk. Regular check-ups with a dermatologist and monitoring changes to your own skin are crucial steps in early detection. Beth Buchbinder, MD, breaks down what to look for and how to take action.

Could epigenetic reprogramming offer a new therapeutic path for colorectal cancer? In a recent American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Gastroenterology Journal study, Nilay Sethi, MD, PhD, explores how histone acetylation influences colorectal cancer cell fate. This work builds on past research out of the Sethi Lab, all focused on defining the fundamental mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal cancers with the hope that such insight will translate into new prevention and treatment methods. View the study here: http://bit.ly/46gS7z1

Naomi Rapoza Lenane has been honored in Becker's Healthcare 2025 CIOs to Know list. Overseeing all software, services, and infrastructure supporting our clinical and business operations, her strategic leadership and dedicated contributions play a key role in our success. Please join us in congratulating her on this achievement. View the full list here: https://bit.ly/3JbFuvt

Founded in 1980, the PMC is the largest single donor to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and has been a driving force in innovative research and impactful patient care. Each year, the commitment of the PMC community continues to inspire all of us at Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund! Thanks to all of those participating in the 2025 Pan-Mass Challenge. We’ll be cheering you on all weekend. The PMC is co-presented by Red Sox Foundation and M&T Bank #PMC2025

For a long time, the standard treatment for younger patients with newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma involved intensive chemotherapy, called induction therapy, followed by autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT, where the patient’s own stem cells are used), with subsequent maintenance therapy to help prevent the cancer from coming back. Based on recent clinical research, that treatment regimen has become simpler: ASCT is no longer required for patients who experience deep remission after induction therapy because the research found that it does not add benefits. "This advancement is exciting for patients because it establishes that we can forego a treatment aspect that can have potentially significant and serious side effects – and we can do it without compromising their disease remission," says Christine Ryan, MD, clinical director of the Mantle Cell Lymphoma Center. "This progress demonstrates the importance of ongoing research as the field builds on prior studies and continually incorporates new treatment modalities." Mantle cell lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects white blood cells. It grows and spreads quickly, so it has traditionally been treated with this intensive multi-step treatment plan. The regimen was adopted years ago based on clinical trial results. However, the regimen in those trials included an induction chemotherapy that is no longer used. Today, the induction phase is a form of chemoimmunotherapy that combines chemotherapy with a drug called rituximab, a monoclonal antibody immune therapy. The maintenance therapy phase has also transitioned to rituximab. With these advances, oncologists started to see deep remissions in which a patient’s disease becomes undetectable. They began to wonder if ASCT was still necessary. "It was not clear if the benefit of ASCT would still hold in an era of newer chemoimmunotherapy approaches and, in particular, with the use of rituximab," notes Ryan. Two clinical trials began with the aim of answering this question. One trial, called TRIANGLE, was carried out in Europe. The other, EA4151, was carried out in the United States, led at Dana-Farber by hematologic oncologist Ann LaCasce, MD. This trial began in 2017 and was open to patients who experienced deep remission after induction chemoimmunotherapy. Those enrolled were assigned to standard of care with ASCT followed by rituximab maintenance or rituximab maintenance alone. The team had great success enrolling patients in the trial. Those patients helped investigators build scientific evidence showing – through the EA4151 trial plus the TRIANGLE trial results – that ASCT does not lengthen the time of mantle cell lymphoma remission. "We are very grateful to all patients who participated in this trial," remarks Ryan. "They have significantly helped many future patients with mantle cell lymphoma."

Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center has been recognized as a Best Hospital for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report, ranked as #3 in the nation and #1 in New England for 2025-26. This is the 25th consecutive year Dana-Farber Brigham has been recognized for excellence. "Our patient-first approach incorporates compassionate, highly specialized clinical care combined with revolutionary science to help achieve the best outcomes for patients. This recognition by U.S. News affirms our deep commitment to our patients and the tireless work of extraordinary clinicians, researchers, nurses and staff who are devoted to our mission," said Dr. Benjamin L. Ebert, president and CEO Learn more: https://bit.ly/45e0n0x

K Vish Viswanath, PhD, professor of Health Communication at Dana-Farber and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). This lifetime honor, awarded by peers to elected members, recognizes those in the scientific community who are advancing science across disciplines, from research, education, and technology, to administration, government, communication, and interpretation. Viswanath is among more than 470 scientists, engineers, and innovators elected as AAAS Fellows across 24 disciplinary sections. "I am grateful for this recognition by my fellow scientists," remarks Viswanath, who is also the director of the Health Communication Core of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center. "I feel it is more a recognition of the subject of my work – communicating science effectively to all groups. It is particularly meaningful at a time when investment in the scientific enterprise is being questioned even while scientific developments, particularly in cancer, are giving meaning and hope to legions of people." Viswanath’s research focuses on promoting health and well-being across all population groups by applying translational communication science with a strong focus on equity. His work emphasizes engaging community-based organizations and stakeholders through participatory research to drive social change, investigating how scientific knowledge is communicated and applied to shape public health policy and practice. Please join us in congratulating him on this honor.