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]
Health Lab
Saturated fatty acids promote immune escape of oral cancers
A team of Michigan Medicine researchers have identified a mechanism in mice for how obesity affects some oral cancers’ ability to escape from the immune system.
Health Lab
You’ve got some nerve
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have identified a new metric to articulate the relationship between nerve density and oral cancer. The study investigated normalized nerve density to translate previous mechanistic studies into a context that could be used in the clinic.
Health Lab
“Cell food” gives insight into T cell metabolism
By feeding T cells in the lab, researchers revealed a new metabolic pathway that could help make immunology more effective.
Health Lab
Certain gene signaling rewires tumors after immunotherapy
For some patients, immunotherapy furthers tumor progression instead of halting it. What distinguishes those who benefit from those who don’t?
Health Lab
High levels of ammonia in colon tumors inhibits T cell growth and response to immunotherapy
In mouse models and serum samples, an FDA-approved drug that lowers ammonia levels made the tumors more sensitive to treatment.
Health Lab
Researchers find natural mechanism to sensitize cancer to immunotherapy
A study defines how a type of cell death occurs from a protein and fatty acid found inside the body.
