SEATTLE — Aug. 5, 2025 — Below are summaries of recent Fred Hutch Cancer Center research findings, patient stories and other news.
Cancer immunotherapy
Patients’ own autoantibodies may hold key to boosting cancer immunotherapy response
A study published in Nature shows that certain autoantibodies may influence how cancer patients respond to immunotherapy. Autoantibodies are proteins produced by the immune system and have typically been implicated in autoimmune diseases. However, research led by Aaron Ring, MD, PhD, reveals how some autoantibodies can actually boost patients’ responses to checkpoint inhibitors. Ring holds the Anderson Family Endowed Chair for Immunotherapy.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
‘Manufacturing scientist’ believes in the machinery that powers Fred Hutch’s cell therapies
Folashade “Shade” Otegbeye, MBChB, MPH, is the new Fleischauer Family Endowed Chair in Cell and Gene Therapy Translation at Fred Hutch. The chair recognizes Otegbeye’s work as an associate professor in the Translational Science and Therapeutics Division and facility director of the Therapeutic Products Program (TPP). The funding with the endowed chair will help establish the TPP’s first use of the gene-editing tool CRISPR in T cells and natural killer cells.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
Cancer screening
Fred Hutch leads new Vanguard Study for Cancer Screening Research Network
Fred Hutch leads the newly launched Vanguard Study, a national study for multi-cancer detection (MCD) tests, which are blood tests able to screen for multiple cancers. Researchers will determine if MCD tests help improve cancer outcomes by finding the disease and treating it early. This is the first study from the Cancer Screening Research Network (CSRN), a national trial network aiming to improve cancer screening.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, kwynn@fredhutch.org
Waist circumference and health
How do you measure your health? WHI comes up with two potent indicators
New studies using Women’s Health Initiative data show that waist circumference and BMI together are important health indicators. Experts recommend using these biomarkers along with provider input. Study authors Aaron Aragaki and Garnet Anderson, PhD, also warn that visceral fat, common in post-menopausal women, increases the risk of cardiovascular conditions and raises insulin levels, which promote cancer cell growth. Anderson holds the Fred Hutch 40th Anniversary Endowed Chair.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, kwynn@fredhutch.org
Clinical care
AI technology is making charting less time-consuming
Fred Hutch is now part of a pilot program testing Abridge AI’s ‘ambient listening’ tool to streamline clinical notetaking. Patient notetaking is being tested with 40 providers and their patients, who have the option to decline participation. Midori Kondo, PharmD, MHA, senior director overseeing digital innovations at Fred Hutch, says that both patients and providers have reported better engagement and better provider workflow with the AI tool.
Media contact: Heather Platisha, hplatisha@fredhutch.org
Fred Hutch Cancer Center clinic to be named in honor of Stuart and Molly Sloan for generous gift totaling $100 million
Fred Hutch is renaming an outpatient clinic in Seattle to recognize Stuart and Molly Sloan, who have given $100 million to Fred Hutch since 2022. Their gift will expand the work and impact of the Sloan Precision Oncology Institute to produce new targeted therapies for patients. The outpatient complex, which is located in South Lake Union and serves more than 60,000 adult patients each year, will be renamed the Sloan Clinic.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, kwynn@fredhutch.org
Brain science
Mapping molecules of an unsung brain cell
Fred Hutch researchers have created a gene-expression map of glial cells in C. elegans worms. This completes for the first time an atlas of the entire nervous system of a multicellular adult animal. The map is published in the Developmental Cell journal and online at wormglia.org. Lead author Aakanksha Singhvi, PhD, has been at the forefront of showing how glial cells are more involved than originally thought in brain function.
Media contact: Molly McElroy, mwmcelro@fredhutch.org
Other news and accomplishments
Where art meets science
The SxAffold program launched its inaugural cohort of six artists for a fully funded, week-long workshop at Fred Hutch. The workshop offered professional development opportunities for principal investigators, tours of Fred Hutch’s Shared Resources and ended with a collaborative art piece between each artist and their scientific advisor.
Media contact: media@fredhutch.org
Obliteride returns Aug. 9 with more than 5,000 participants powering cancer breakthroughs
Fred Hutch’s summer fundraising event, Obliteride, returns on August 9. The annual event rallies thousands to ride, run and walk in support of breakthrough cancer research. Now in its 13th year, the event aims to surpass 5,000 participants. Since 2013, Obliteride has raised over $58 million, fueling urgently needed advances in cancer prevention.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, kwynn@fredhutch.org
2025 Community Grants Program supports public health initiatives for underserved populations throughout Washington state
Ten Washington state health organizations received grants of up to $15,000 from Fred Hutch’s Community Grants Program. Grants are funded by the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (OCOE) and support programs that address the health needs of underserved communities across Washington. Forty applications were submitted this year, a 25% increase from 2024 and a major jump from previous funding cycles.
Media contact: Kat Wynn, kwynn@fredhutch.org
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 media@fredhutch.org
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Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
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.