Tip Sheet: A New Treatment for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer, Discoveries for Small Cell Lung Cancer — and a State-of-the-Art Learning Lab for Community Education | Newswise
Newswise — SEATTLE — June 4, 2025 — Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutch Cancer Center research findings, patient stories and other news.
Check out a video of Fred Hutch Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) giving recommendations for reducing skin cancer risk on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
Cancer research and treatment
New hope for people with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver
Fred Hutch is the first provider in Washington to offer hepatic artery infusion (HAI) therapy, a targeted treatment that delivers doses of chemotherapy directly to liver tumors that are 400 times stronger than standard chemotherapy and with less side effects. According to Rachael A. Safyan, MD, medical director of the Fred Hutch/UW Medicine HAI Pump Program, HAI is primarily for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver. Early results show promise in shrinking tumors, improving surgical outcomes, and extending patient survival.
Media contact: Claire Hudson, [email protected]
Fred Hutch study finds genetic driver of drug resistance in small cell lung cancer
Researchers led by David MacPherson, PhD, identified a key gene driving chemotherapy resistance in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), an aggressive and lethal rare cancer. Published in Science Advances, researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to examine chemotherapy drug resistance. The team found that the gene KEAP1 is key to this resistance. These findings could lead to new therapeutic strategies for SCLC patients. MacPherson currently holds the Vinh Bui and Tram Le Endowed Chair for Lung Cancer.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, [email protected]
Women’s Health Initiative: Research that keeps on giving
Since its launch in 1991, the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) is the largest women’s health study in the world, including over 161,000 women from ages 50 to 79 to investigate conditions like heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis. The study engages over 5,000 scientists internationally and has earned multiple awards for its collaborative team science. Spearheaded by Garnet Anderson, PhD, the WHI’s extensive data informs health policies and guidelines and fills historic gaps in women’s health research. Anderson holds the Fred Hutch 40th Anniversary Endowed Chair.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, [email protected]
Genetic research
Gene therapy delivery system successfully targets CD90+ hematopoietic stem cells in vivo
Hans-Peter Kiem, MD, PhD, and researchers in the Kiem Lab presented a novel gene therapy delivery system at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) 2025 meeting. In a Q&A, Kiem describes how their in-vivo approach eliminates the need to extract and modify cells outside the body and will instead work to correct how the body makes blood cells. The system targets CD90+ hematopoietic stem cells and has the potential to treat genetic hematologic disorders like thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Kiem holds the Stephanus Family Endowed Chair for Cell and Gene Therapy.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, [email protected]
Conference and community insight
Pathways Symposium explores lack of access to cancer screening and care
The Fred Hutch and the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (OCOE) annual Pathways to Health Symposium discussed cancer outcomes and findings from the annual Community Health Assessment Report. Travel, cost and lack of education and screening were discussed as ongoing barriers to proper care. In response, the OCOE is continuing to track issues and implement education and screening programs. The event also recognized the ongoing work of community health champions.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, [email protected]
Awards, recognition and gifts
New learning lab opens the door to careers in science
The Fred Hutch science education program received a state-of-the-art learning lab to permanently house its science education programs, which provide education opportunities to high school and college students across western Washington. The lab was built with support from Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, [email protected]
Giving that feels ‘beyond meaningful’
The Harold and John Steinberg Memorial Nursing Scholarship has awarded over $315,000 to nearly 130 nurses since 1995. Established by Howard and Cynthia Steinberg, the scholarship honors their loved ones while giving back to Fred Hutch. This year’s recipients include frontline nurses and nurse leaders who exemplify compassion and commitment in oncology nursing.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, [email protected]
Dr. Peter Gilbert receives Marvin Zelen Leadership Award in Statistical Science
Biostatistician Peter Gilbert, PhD, received the 2025 Marvin Zelen Leadership Award in Statistical Science from Harvard University. The award recognizes Gilbert’s contributions to public health and vaccine research, specializing in clinical trial design and analysis for vaccines against HIV, SARS-CoV-2 and other diseases, as well as defining biomarkers that predict the efficacy of new treatments. Gilbert is the head of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network’s (HVTN) Statistical Data Management Center and a professor in Fred Hutch’s Vaccine and Infectious Science Division (VIDD).
Media contact: Claire Hudson, [email protected]
Providing patient care — and hope — for 35 years
Phuong Tran, RN, OCN, a nurse manager at Fred Hutch at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland, Washington, has spent her entire 35-year career at Fred Hutch. Starting in 1990, Tran has witnessed the development of blood marrow transplant (BMT) and decades of clinical trials, including the Phase 1 Clinical Trials Program.
Media contact: [email protected]
Science spotlight
Science Spotlight is a monthly installment of articles written by postdoctoral fellows that summarizes new research papers from Fred Hutch scientists. If you’re interested in learning more or covering these topics, contact [email protected]
# # #
Fred Hutch Cancer Center unites individualized care and advanced research to provide the latest cancer treatment options while accelerating discoveries that prevent, treat and cure cancer and infectious diseases worldwide.
Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is an independent, nonprofit organization and the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington. We have earned a global reputation for our track record of discoveries in cancer, infectious disease and basic research, including important advances in bone marrow transplantation, immunotherapy, HIV/AIDS prevention and COVID-19 vaccines. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services. Fred Hutch also serves as UW Medicine’s cancer program.
