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
Lymphedema can produce uncomfortable swelling in the arms or legs in the months and years following cancer treatment.
In the Lab
Could a Topical Cream Prevent Lymphedema? Study in Mice Suggests Yes

By blocking a source of inflammation in the skin, it may be possible to prevent or treat lymphedema, a common and debilitating cancer complication.
Pathology slide showing DCIS and invasive cancer
In the Lab
Forensic Techniques Enable Study of Individual Breast Cancer Cells from MSK’s Archives

Analysis of long-preserved single cells on pathology slides aims to provide new clues about the genes that make breast cancer more aggressive.
Barry Taylor
Feature
With MSK Leading the Way, Precision Medicine Links Lab Research to Patient Care

Therapies that target genetic alterations in tumors are showing promise for many cancer patients, but challenges in developing these new treatments remain.
Woman giving presentation at work
Finding
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.
Blue sphere (stem cell) with green dots scattered around the surface
Feature
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.
A pancreatic cancer cell
Finding
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.
Illustration of DNA with green wrench making adjustments to a nut on the double helix.
Science Byte
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.
Image of As, Ts, Cs, and Gs representing genetic code
Announcement
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.
PET/CT scan of mouse prostate (displayed in green and orange).
In the Lab
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.
Image of fireball-type explosion on black background.
In the Lab
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.