• A Hidden Key to Outsmart Lung Cancer

• The Universal Cancer Vaccine?

• How Tumors Hijack Fat for Fuel

Hey everyone!

I hope you've had a great week and are looking forward to the one ahead. I came across some really interesting stories this week and just had to share them with our amazing community.

New Strategy May Help Overcome Lung Cancer Treatment Resistance

For an aggressive type of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) that has stopped responding to treatment, a new study offers a potential path forward. 

Researchers found that adding a target drug called a MET inhibitor can act like a key, unlocking the cancer’s defenses. 

This allows the body’s own immune cells to get inside and attack the tumor, potentially making chemo-immunotherapy effective again.

A Universal Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise in Early Study

In a huge leap forward, scientists from the University of Florida are researching a vaccine that acts like a bootcamp for the immune system. 

Instead of being a personalized treatment that targets a specific cancer, this is a generalized vaccine designed to teach the body's own T-cells to better recognize and attack tumors. 

In early studies with mice, it dramatically shrank tumors, especially when paired with existing immunotherapy drugs. 

In some cases, the vaccine was powerful enough to eliminate tumors all on its own, offering hope for a future off-the-shelf treatment that could be widely available.

How Some Breast Cancers Steal Energy to Grow

Ever wonder how cancer cells get the fuel they need to multiply so quickly? Researchers from UCSF found a sneaky tactic used by aggressive triple-negative breast cancer. 

The tumor cells build tiny molecular tunnels to connect with nearby fat cells. They then use these tunnels to hijack the fat cells' energy stores, effectively stealing fuel to power their own growth. 

In the lab, blocking these tunnels stopped the tumors from growing. This is a promising development, as drugs that block these tunnels are already in clinical trials for brain cancer, suggesting a potential path forward for new breast cancer therapies.

A Record-Breaking $2 Billion Donation to Fight Cancer

This week brought a massive dose of inspiration. Phil and Penny Knight, of Nike fame, announced a breathtaking $2 billion gift to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute in Oregon. 

It’s one of the largest donations ever made to a university and will be used to transform cancer care and accelerate the search for cures. 

This historic gift is aimed at setting a new global standard for how we detect and treat the disease, serving as a powerful reminder that some of the world's greatest resources are being mobilized to support this fight.

With heart,
Raleigh and Carli
Founders of The Cancer Crew

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