Anna Megdell
Science writer and editor
Megdell joined the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center communications team in 2022. Prior to that she served as the natural sciences writer for the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Contact: [email protected]
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The Answers in the Epigenome
Rogel Cancer Center researchers study how epigenetics regulates cancer-related genes, aiming to improve therapies, prevention strategies, and patient outcomes.
Health Lab
Leukemia drug secures FDA approval
Komzifti (ziftomenib), developed at Michigan Medicine, has been approved for patients with acute myeloid leukemia caused by the NPM1 gene mutation.
Health Lab
Additional testing can improve kidney cancer diagnosis
Michigan Medicine findings suggest further investigation of FISH-negative tests for renal cell carcinoma could lead to more accurate diagnosis.
Health Lab
Researchers find a targeted approach to shut down prostate cancer growth
Study shows a novel compound that degrades key proteins found in prostate cancer cells blocks oncogenic androgen receptor signaling.
Health Lab
Brain cancer patient finds a way forward
Sidney Ritchie’s aggressive brain cancer diagnosis has changed her life, and now, in her new reality, she finds meaning and purpose through connection, volunteering, and “showing up fully”
Health Lab
Routine blood test leads to life saving osteosarcoma diagnosis
Mike Nagle’s osteosarcoma journey, before he even had symptoms, was nothing short of a miracle, he explains in this article.
Health Lab
Study reveals mechanisms behind common mutation and prostate cancer
A study from the University of Michigan Rogel Health Cancer Center, published in Science, sheds light on how two distinct classes of mutations in the FOXA1 gene—commonly altered in prostate cancer—drive tumor initiation formation and therapeutic resistance.
Research News
Brain cancer patient finds a way forward
Sidney Ritchie’s life changed with her diagnosis of an aggressive brain cancer. Now, in her new reality, she finds meaning and purpose through connection, volunteering, and “showing up fully”
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Refining Radiation
In 2023, a team of Rogel Cancer Center researchers landed one of these high-profile grants around a different theme. Their project centers around radiosensitization: how do specific drugs make radiation more effective in locally advanced pancreas, brain and breast cancers? Dr. Meredith Morgan, co-principle investigator explains.
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The Right Chemistry to Keep Going
At the U-M Rogel Cancer Center, interdisciplinary teams develop new cancer therapies by translating lab discoveries into clinical treatments. Judith Sebolt-Leopold, Ph.D., co-leader of Rogel’s Developmental Therapeutics program, highlights that drug development is challenging, with many candidates failing before FDA approval, but persistence and collaboration are key to bringing promising treatments to patients.
Health Lab
Re-purposed FDA-approved drug could help treat high-grade glioma
Avapritinib, an FDA-approved drug used to treat other types of cancer, also decreases aggressive gliomas in animal models and in an initial cohort of patients with high-grade glioma.
Health Lab
A collaborative approach to pancreatic cancer
The Rogel and Blondy Center for Pancreatic Cancer is a center of excellence in pancreatic cancer research, combining pioneering research with innovative clinical care and an array of clinical trials. Center co-director Marina Pasca di Magliano explains that the key to a robust research program and responsive care lies in collaboration.
Health Lab
Research finds possible therapies to target oncogenic transcription factors in multiple cancer types
A study from the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center furthers research that suggests the potential of developing new cancer treatments to target oncogenic transcription factors by indirectly affecting their ability to access enhancer DNA in chromatin.
Health Lab
Drug-chemo combo increases cancer treatment efficacy
A study finds giving a fatty acid inhibitor alongside chemotherapy could improve the treatment efficacy for patients with brain metastases from triple negative breast cancer
Health Lab
New drug candidate blocks resistance to cancer therapies
A team of researchers at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center has designed a molecule that impairs signaling mediated by two key drivers of cancer therapy resistance.