Recent MSK Discoveries & Advances

Memorial Sloan Kettering researchers are relentlessly exploring every aspect of cancer — from basic investigations of cells and molecules to clinical trials of new treatments and population-wide studies of the disease. While our core mission is to translate this knowledge into new strategies to control cancer, many of our investigators are also making scientific progress against other diseases and conditions.

Below are some examples of discoveries and advances that recently were made in our laboratories and clinics, and featured in our news stories.

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391 News Items found
Colorful illustration of X and Y chromosome
In the Lab
Y Cancer? New Research Initiative Focuses on the Role of Genes Found on the Male Chromosome

A team from MSK is undertaking new research to study the genes found on the Y chromosome and their role in cancer.
Side-by-side pictures of tissues from a responder and a non-responder to targeted therapy for kidney cancer
Finding
For Kidney Cancer, the Tumor’s Environment May Be Key to Optimizing Treatment

One size does not fit all when it comes to treating renal cell carcinoma.
Microscopic image of prostate cancer cells in culture.
Q&A
Genetic Finding Can Guide Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer

Genetic sequencing of prostate tumors can identify men who should receive immunotherapy drugs.
Illustration of DNA base pairs
In the Lab
What Was MSK’s Role in TCGA, the Groundbreaking Cancer Genomic Study?

The multicenter project, which yielded dozens of scientific papers on more than 30 different kinds of cancer, has officially drawn to a close.
2018
Roundup
Top 10 Stories of 2018, Cancer Research Edition

Take a look back at some of the year’s biggest news in cancer research.
electron micrograph of a natural killer cell
In the Lab
Drugs That Stall — But Don’t Kill — Cancer Cells Are an Untapped Resource, Study Suggests

A drug combination that halts tumor cell division can stir the immune system into taking action.
Kirt Robinson
In the Clinic
Kirt’s Story: How a Clinical Trial for a Rare Tumor Gave Me a New Lease on Life

A clinical trial led by MSK sarcoma expert Mrinal Gounder has shown promising results for treating desmoid tumors.
Illustration of mechanical arms altering a cell
In the Lab
MSK Scientists Fine-Tune CAR T Cells to Improve Their Performance

The updated versions can survive longer in the body while still packing a punch against cancer.
MSK internal medicine specialist Deborah Korenstein
Q&A
Helping Doctors "Do No Harm" by Addressing Medical Test Overuse

Learn how MSK is clarifying how unnecessary medical tests can harm a patient's well-being.
a cabinet full of yellow rubber duckies and one blue one
In the Lab
The Immune System Can Fight Cancer. So Why Doesn’t It?

New research from scientists at the Sloan Kettering Institute helps explain how growing tumors escape our immune defenses.