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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385 News Items found
MSK Physician-in-Chief José Baselga presents at the ASCO meeting
Finding
Targeted Therapy Slows Growth of Most Common Type of Advanced Breast Cancer

A clinical trial provides evidence that blocking a protein called PI3K can be an effective treatment strategy for breast cancer.
An illustration showing the process of CAR T cell therapy
In the Lab
Study Identifies New Way to Combat a Serious CAR T Cell Therapy Side Effect

By uncovering the root cause of cytokine release syndrome, MSK researchers have found a way to stop it.
Several zebrafish swimming in a tank
In the Lab
How the Zebrafish Got Its Stripes

A surprising discovery linking the hormone insulin to skin pigmentation offers fresh insights into how animal bodies take shape.
Graphic of antibody binding to a protein
In Brief
A Precision Strike to Treat Prostate Cancer

An antibody that targets a prostate cell protein shows potential for designing safer, more effective prostate cancer therapies.
Sign for AACR scientific meeting featuring collage of images
Roundup
Highlights from MSK at the 2018 American Association for Cancer Research Meeting

Read up on the latest developments in several key areas of cancer research, including genomic mapping, disease modeling through CRISPR, CAR T therapy, and cancer stem cells.
Man’s hands washing salad greens in a sink
Q&A
The Science of Eating Well: MSK Research Focuses on Nutrition after a Stem Cell Transplant

Learn about how nutrition experts are helping people with cancer maintain a healthy diet both during and after treatment.
MSK light bright image
In Brief
Can You Hear Me Now? Scientists Find Nanoparticles Have a Language of Their Own

Nanoparticles were thought of a silent partner in imaging technologies. They’re now being recognized as an important source of subatomic chatter.
Dermatologist examining skin on the face of older man.
In the Clinic
Immunotherapy Drug Shows Promise for Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma

An immunotherapy drug might be an effective initial treatment for people with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma.
Hand points to brain scan
Q&A
New Classification System Will Improve Diagnosis and Treatment of Brain Tumors

There are more than 100 subtypes of brain tumors, making them a challenge to accurately diagnose. Now researchers have figured out a way to reliably distinguish them.
Chemical biologist Gabriela Chiosis in a laboratory
In the Clinic
Experimental Cancer Drug Developed at MSK Leads to New Approach for Treating Alzheimer's Disease

A family of drugs developed at MSK targets disrupted processes in cells in diseases related to aging.