Cancer Center news

A University of Arizona team will receive up to $2.7 million from the NIH to develop advanced non-invasive imaging technologies. Led by Florian Willomitzer and Dr. Clara Curiel-Lewandrowski, the team is one of four nationwide selected for the initiative aimed at improving deep, clear imaging inside the body.

The University of Arizona Volleyball team hosted a Dig Pink Night on Oct. 2 to raise breast cancer awareness, defeating Utah 3–2. The event honored U of A Cancer Center and Banner Health clinicians, shared educational messages, and united players and fans in pink to promote breast cancer screening and research.

Jennifer Barton, PhD, is leading two pilot trials using an advanced falloposcope, the first device to image and collect cells from fallopian tubes. Testing with 200 patients aims to improve early ovarian cancer detection and build on previous studies, with the goal of advancing the device toward clinical use.

The University of Arizona Skin Cancer Institute will host its third annual Fight Melanoma Golf Tournament on Nov. 8 at Omni Tucson National. The event includes golf, auctions, and talks by Jason Dupont, MD and Dylan Miller, PhD, supporting skin cancer research, education, patient care and community outreach.

In 2025, over 42,000 Arizona residents will be diagnosed with cancer, with 14,000 expected deaths, especially impacting underserved rural and urban communities. To address health disparities, the U of A Cancer Center is expanding its Arizona Clinical Trials Network with a $575,000 National Cancer Institute grant.

A U of A Cancer Center researcher received a $1.7 million Department of Defense grant to continue the Convergent Science Virtual Cancer Center. In partnership with USC, the program integrates fields like biology and engineering to address cancer risks for military personnel and families. It enhances cancer care through mentorship and cross-disciplinary training.

The Arizona Bioindustry Association will recognize three University of Arizona affiliates on October 15. Melissa Herbst-Kralovetz, a U of A Cancer Center member, will receive the Biosciences Researcher of the Year award for her work in women’s health. LifeSpan Digital Health earns the Fast Lane award for its burnout-reducing software, while Dr. Eric Reiman will receive the Pioneer Award for his Alzheimer's research.

This profile of U of A Cancer Center member researcher, Dr. Emmanuel Katsanis, details his work as a leader in pediatric hematology-oncology and bone marrow transplantation. Dr. Katsanis has made significant strides in cancer treatment at the University of Arizona Cancer Center and Banner Health. He pioneered haploidentical transplantation in Arizona, improving outcomes for children without matched donors. His work, including CAR T-cell therapy and advancements in supportive care, has greatly improved survival rates.

Dongkyun Kang, PhD, a U of A Cancer Center researcher, received a $1.4 million NIH grant to develop a novel imaging device for early anal cancer detection. The device, a probe-based light sheet microscope, aims to improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce unnecessary biopsies, and enhance outcomes by enabling real-time, high-resolution tissue imaging.