In 2024, we ignited sparks of hope and discovery, forging transformative advancements in cancer research. With each breakthrough, the center illuminated the path to a future where science and compassion converge to conquer disease.
At the forefront of innovation, Sylvester's Assistant Director of Technology and Innovation, Shanta Dhar, Ph.D., and her team overcame the formidable blood-brain barrier with a novel nanoparticle, delivering dual blows to cancer's energy systems and offering new hope for patients with brain metastases. Building on this innovative mindset and collaborative spirit, Eric Mellon, M.D., Ph.D., a radiation oncologist and co-leader of Sylvester's Neurologic Cancer Site Disease Group, advanced glioblastoma research by using MRI-linac technology to adapt radiation therapy in real time, blending precision with possibility.
Our drive to make lifesaving treatments accessible extended far beyond the lab. Globally, Gilberto Lopes, M.D., examined the cost-effectiveness of durvalumab, an immunotherapy for lung cancer. This work complemented local innovations, including a saliva-based tool from Sylvester researcher Elizabeth Franzmann, M.D., for early cancer detection and a voice-preserving laser surgery technique from Director of the Division of Laryngology and Voice, David Rosow, M.D., for glottic cancer.
Our yearly achievements culminated with our presence at the 66th Annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition, showcasing the center's leadership in hematology research. Through 132 presentations, workshops and special sections, Sylvester's researchers shared leading-edge findings, shaping the future of blood cancer treatment.
Together, these milestones embody our innovative mindset and collaborative spirit, underscoring our unwavering commitment to innovation and quest for cancer cures.