UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center

Please join us in congratulating Tyler Seibert, MD, PhD, for receiving a Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award. Dr. Seibert is developing a new MRI scan technique that will help to identify patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer who will versus will not be cured by androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and radiation therapy. This will enable clinicians to identify which patients should have additional therapy before waiting for recurrence to become apparent, and will lead to improved outcomes for patients with high-risk prostate cancer.

Join J. Kellogg Parsons, MD, Rana McKay, MD, and Christina Jamieson, PhD, Thursday at 4 pm for a discussion the next generation of prostate cancer treatments. You can register for the free event at bit.ly/37STF2a.

Bernard Thurman has undergone traditional treatments, experimental therapies and surgeries to counter the cancer within him, but nothing has successfully eradicated the disease. As a last ditch effort to halt its growth, Bernard was referred to a personalized cancer therapy trial being developed at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health. On Dec. 8, 2020, Bernard became the first patient to undergo an investigational cell therapy that uses his own immune cells specifically tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) to seek and destroy his cancer. This novel clinical trial is a collaboration between UC San Diego and La Jolla Institute for Immunology researchers. Read Bernard's story here: go.ucsd.edu/341nUTG.

UC San Diego School of Medicine researchers developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system to match tumors to the best drug combinations for an individual person. Similar to how our molecular tumor board works, the program analyzes tumor data to suggest the best known drug, the biological pathways that control response to that drug, and combinations of drugs to best treat the malignancy. The AI system still requires testing before it can be used in the clinic.

Compared to chimpanzees, our closest evolutionary cousins, humans are particularly prone to developing advanced carcinomas even in the absence of known risk factors, such as genetic predisposition or tobacco use. A recent study led by researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center helps explain why: the SIGLEC12 gene an evolutionary genetic mutation unique to humans. This information could be leveraged for future diagnostics and treatments.

The human papillomaviruses (HPV) can cause certain types of cancer including cervical, anal, oropharyngeal, penile, vulvar and vaginal malignancies. A recent Swedish study confirms that the vaccines can prevent cervical cancer if the vaccine is administered before an infection occurs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccination between the age of 9 through 26.

Yesterday, the California governor’s office announced a statewide expansion to make CA Notify available to all Californians starting Thursday, December 10 in partnership with UC San Diego Health. The mobile technology confidentially notifies individuals who opt in if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The new tool is intended to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Add your phone: canotify.ca.gov.

It is rare, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 out of every 100 breast cancer diagnoses occur in men. The most common type of breast cancer in men is the same as those in women. Although the cause of breast cancer in men is not well understood, several factors increase a man’s risk including genetic mutations. National guidelines recommend that men who carry a BRCA2 mutation have annual breast exams and undergo prostate cancer screening. Some families with a BRCA mutation may consider joining a high-risk pancreatic cancer-screening program, like the one available at UC San Diego Health. Questions about BRCA or other testing? Our Family Cancer Genetics Program can help: go.ucsd.edu/2Q6rYcL

Did you know? The number of people diagnosed with liver cancer has more than tripled since the 80s. In the United States, nearly 43,000 people will be diagnosed with this disease this year alone. Like other cancers, when detected early prognosis is much better. To learn more about this disease go to go.ucsd.edu/3lZGD8E.

In 2020, an estimated 276,480 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in this country, and 42,000 breast cancer-related deaths will occur. Early detection will save thousands of lives. On this National Mammography Day, we remind you that UC San Diego Health recommends that at age 40 women undergo mammographic screening for the detection of breast cancer. We offer advanced imaging technologies, including 3-D mammography units, ultrasound, molecular breast imaging and MRI suites that offer patients and their radiologists the most advanced technologies and software in Hillcrest, Rancho Bernardo and La Jolla. For more information visit go.ucsd.edu/2divJvI.

Despite the pandemic, attending annual wellness checks is as vital as ever. Angelique Richardson, MD, breast medical oncologist at UC San Diego Health, talks about the importance of getting an annual screening for breast cancer. Our Breast Imaging Center sees 14,000 patients each year for screening, and each is examined by an American Board of Radiology certified-physician who is trained in breast imaging. go.ucsd.edu/2fZK9SK. To learn more about Dr. Richardson, visit go.ucsd.edu/3nG0Wto.

We are proud to be one of 12 cancer centers across the country offering enrollment in the Precision Promise Clinical Trial. "Precision Promise is the first adaptive clinical trial platform for pancreatic cancer. Our goal is to open the door to new and innovative treatments for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer and to accelerate drug development and approval," said Aaron Miller, MD, PhD, who is leading the trial at Moores Cancer Center. Precision Promise is bringing ...together leaders in the field, including clinicians, researchers and drug developers, and is putting the patient at the center of every decision to improve survival. Read more here: go.ucsd.edu/2dp02SW.

Wondering about precision immunotherapy? Join Ezra Cohen, MD, and Judith Varner, PhD, virtually on Oct. 22 to hear what it is and who it might benefit.

"My patients who self-identify as Black have more advanced cancer at the time of coming in to seek medical attention," says Angelique Richardson, MD, PhD. Why? Read this informative article about cancer disparities.

With the novel coronavirus still infecting thousands of people a day, public health officials worry that a bad flu season could overwhelm hospitals and clinics that are already stretched thin. The best thing you can do to make sure that doesn’t happen: Talk to your doctor about getting a flu shot. go.ucsd.edu/2pUbJXB

Moores Cancer Center's molecular tumor board has evaluated 429 patients with advanced cancers. Patients who underwent treatment recommended by this board had therapies better matched to the genomic alterations in their cancer and had improved outcomes, report researchers.

For survivors of cancer, your mental health is equally as important as your physical well-being. If you are navigating through a breast cancer diagnosis or survivorship alone, we are here for you. We encourage you to join our Breast Cancer Support Group meetings. All meetings are virtual so you can join from the comfort and safety of your home. Call us at 858-246-3209 or find details about the various programs. go.ucsd.edu/2qTAnX6... Para los sobrevivientes de cáncer, su salud mental es igual de importante como su bienestar físico. Si está navegando un diagnóstico de cáncer de mama o su supervivencia a solas y desea apoyo en español, considere el Grupo Esperanza cual es en español y facilitado por la Dra. Sara Fainstein, sobreviviente de cáncer de mama. Vea los detalles a continuación sobre los diversos programas a continuación, o llámenos al 858-246-3209 para obtener más información. go.ucsd.edu/3jcYnMR

Every five minutes someone is diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, which includes ovarian, cervical, vulvar, uterine/endometrial and vaginal malignancies. On this last day of Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, Michael McHale, MD, shares important information about this disease. Did you know?... The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection and the cause of most cervical cancers and some vaginal cancers. The HPV vaccine has proven effective in preventing infection and six types of HPV-attributable cancers. The Pap test, which screens for cervical cancer, does not screen for ovarian cancer. Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer. Vaginal and vulvar cancers usually affects older women. Learn more about this disease: go.ucsd.edu/2mjZz2J