H5N1 Immune Response Correlates with Birth Year
New research from Scott Hensley, PhD, a professor of Microbiology, suggests that younger populations could gain more from vaccination efforts if an H5N1 outbreak were to emerge. The study reveals that immunity to H5N1 may hinge on the year you were born, linked to childhood exposure to earlier flu strains like H1N1 and H2N2, which are similar to H5N1. Researchers found that adults born before 1957 during the first wave of prevalent H1N1 circulation had higher levels of H5N1-specific antibodies, pointing to a phenomenon called immune imprinting. When vaccinated with an H5N1 vaccine, both younger and older participants produced antibodies, but children with initially low immunity experienced the most significant boost.
Penn Medicine News Release • Inside Precision Medicine |
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Purified T Cell Transplant Lowers Risk of Immune Reaction in Blood Cancer Patients
An experimental T cell therapy significantly reduced the risk of a debilitating immune reaction called chronic graft versus host disease in patients with several types of blood cancer. It’s one of the first examples of successfully engineering bone marrow grafts with a good outcome, explained David Porter, MD, director of Cell Therapy and Transplantation at the Abramson Cancer Center, who was not involved in the study.
STAT News |
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Trauma Surgeons in Philadelphia Brace for Levels of Gun Violence from 2020
Gun violence increased significantly in 2020 while COVID-19 spread. During that time, research into gun violence prevention also expanded. Elinore Kaufman, MD, an assistant professor of Surgery in the Division of Trauma, underscores the need for continued research into underlying causes of gun violence and violence prevention.
Philadelphia Inquirer |
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Primary-Care Doctor Shortage Boils Down to Economics
Amanda Finegold Swain, MD, an assistant professor of Family Medicine and Community Health, wrote about the shrinking number of primary-care physicians, especially those who specialize in geriatric care, and why it’s happening. Swain also offered tips on finding a primary-care physician if you are struggling to find one accepting new patients.
Philadelphia Inquirer |
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Childhood Trauma Doesn’t Guarantee Troubled Adulthood
Perhaps not surprisingly, positive experiences as a child help create the emotional foundation necessary for lifelong well-being. Childhood trauma, like physical, emotional, or sexual abuse or neglect, and household dysfunction can relate to health risks and disease later in life, but it is not the whole story. “While that can be true, it’s not a guarantee,” said Christine Forke, PhD, MSN, CRNP, CPNP-PC, an assistant professor of Family Medicine and Community Health. “We see many people that have a number of [traumatic] exposures, yet they go on to live healthy, happy, long lives.”
Science Friday |
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Fewer Deaths, New Substances, and Evolving Treatments in Philly’s Opioid Epidemic
In Philadelphia, fatal overdoses are the number three cause of death after heart disease and cancer. While overdose deaths are dropping nationwide, experts in Philadelphia still face many challenges when it comes to treating individuals who use opioids. Rachel McFadden, BSN, RN, an Emergency Medicine nurse, discussed the unique wounds caused by xylazine, and how experts in Philadelphia have developed new protocols for treating patients with these wounds.
The Conversation |
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EHR Nudge Boosts Gynecologic Oncology Referrals, Speeds Diagnosis of Early Ovarian Cancer
A small pilot study found that an electronic health record nudge to prompt gynecologic oncology referral for suspected ovarian cancer increased referral rates from 55 percent to 75 percent and led to earlier diagnoses, including four stage I cancers. The study, presented by Anna Jo Smith, MD, MPH, an assistant professor of Gynecologic Oncology, at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology 2025 Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer, addressed a critical gap in ovarian cancer care, where nearly one-third of patients are never referred to a gynecologic oncologist despite evidence that specialist care improves survival.
Consultant360 |
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Gel Chemotherapy Drug Maintains Effectiveness Over Time in Bladder Cancer Subtype
Long-term follow-up data for Jelmyto, a medication used to treat low-grade upper tract urothelial carcinoma, showed that patients whose cancer initially responded to treatment did not have further cancer growth for a median of four years. The results reinforce the importance of this treatment option, explained Phillip M. Pierorazio, MD, section chief of Urology at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
CURE Today |
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Irish Eyes Smile on Newtown’s Sold-Out Shamrock Shuffle
More than 800 runners participated in the Shamrock Shuffle race in Newtown, PA this weekend. The event benefits “A Love For Life,” a nonprofit that raises funds for pancreatic cancer research at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center.
Patch |
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Predicting Treatment Response in Ovarian Cancer
New clinical trial data indicate a biomarker for response to the targeted therapy azenosertib in certain patients with ovarian cancer. Fiona Simpkins, MD, the Hilarie L. and Mitchell L. Morgan President’s Distinguished Professor in Women’s Health, presented the findings at the 2025 SGO (Society for Gynecologic Oncology) Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer.
OncLive |
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CAR T-cell Therapy Access for Patients with Multiple Myeloma
An interview with Marco Ruella, MD, an assistant professor of Hematology-Oncology, on CAR T-cell therapy access for patients with multiple myeloma was selected as one of OncLive’s top five videos of the week.
OncLive |
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