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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374 News Items found
Finding
Woman giving presentation at work
Study Highlights Workplace Difficulties Some Women Face During Cancer Treatment

Discover the role of the work environment in the life and career of an employee with cancer.
Feature
Blue sphere (stem cell) with green dots scattered around the surface
Stemming the Tide: A Promising Target for Treating Some Blood Cancers

Learn about a potential new strategy for treating people with blood cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) that targets a protein on cancer stem cells.
Finding
A pancreatic cancer cell
Two Studies Shed Light on Genetics of Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

New research of metastatic pancreatic cancer has shown that the same mutations are involved in driving both the primary tumor and the metastases.
Science Byte
Illustration of DNA with green wrench making adjustments to a nut on the double helix.
A Clean Break: Scientists Make Surprising Discoveries about DNA Repair

A study reveals unexpected insights into how cells prepare broken DNA strands to be rejoined, preventing mutations that can cause cancer.
Announcement
Image of As, Ts, Cs, and Gs representing genetic code
AACR Project GENIE Seeks to Advance Cancer Treatment

Eight leading cancer centers are coming together to share genomic sequencing data, in the hope of making faster progress in curing cancer.
In the Lab
PET/CT scan of mouse prostate (displayed in green and orange).
More Precise Imaging of Prostate Cancer Could Give Insight into Drug Effectiveness

An antibody that targets a protein specific to prostate cells can be used to image prostate cancer more clearly and indicate how well drugs are working.
In the Lab
Image of fireball-type explosion on black background.
Researchers Gain Insight into How a Drug Fires Up an Immune Response to Cancer

Scientists have learned that a drug activates a form of highly inflammatory programmed cell death called pyroptosis — a discovery that sheds light on immune function.
In the Clinic
Surgeon in scrubs operating on patient.
Study Findings Could Help Women Make Decisions about Breast Cancer Surgery

Women who have reconstructive surgery after mastectomy and radiation for breast cancer are usually more satisfied with the results when their own tissue is used instead of implants.
Finding
Acute myeloid leukemia cells
Targeting Leukemia: Understanding How Cancer Cells Resist the Effects of Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a common treatment for acute myeloid leukemia, but patients often stop responding. Until now, not much was known about why.
Feature
Pouring white wine into a glass
White Wine and Melanoma: Does Drinking Alcohol Increase Your Cancer Risk?

Hear from our experts about a new study linking alcohol consumption and melanoma risk.