Explore how USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center is igniting discovery for new ways to prevent, diagnose early and treat cancer for all people. Learn more at:  @KECKSchool_USC @KeckMedicineUSC

Last week, our Patient Perspective Series, led by Mary Aalto, presented a survivor author series featuring renowned artist, curator, and survivor of Gaucher disease, Ted Meyer, in conversation with Volunteer Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the USC Keck School of Medicine, Suraiya ‘Simi’ Rahman, MD. Together they discussed Ted’s new book, The Room Sinatra Died In, his insightful and often humorous account of learning to live with purpose while waiting for the medical breakthrough that might save his life. Check out some highlights from the day!

Congratulations to all of our USC Norris Members who have been selected as Top Doctors for 2025 by Castle Connolly. Castle Connolly Top Doctors represent the top 7% of all U.S. practicing physicians. These doctors are best-in-class healthcare providers, embodying excellence in clinical care as well as interpersonal skills. Top Gynecologist Oncologists: ✨Lynda Roman, MD Top Radiation Oncologist: ✨Eric Chang, MD Top Medical Oncologists: ✨Anthony El-Khoueiry, MD ✨Jorge Nieva, MD ✨Syma Iqbal, MD ✨Jacek Pinski, MD, PhD ✨Jacob Thomas, MD ✨Gino K. In, MD ✨Sandra Algaze, MD Top Hematologists: ✨Casey O’Connell, MD ✨Ann Mohrbacher, MD ✨Howard Liebman, MD Top Diagnostic Radiologists: ✨Peter S. Conti, MD, PhD ✨Edward Grant, MD

Congratulations to Joi Torrence-Hill, chief of operations at @USC Norris Cancer Hospital, who has been recognized as an outstanding hospital and health system chief operating officer for 2024 by @BeckersHR. Joi has overseen exponential growth in programs such as bone marrow transplants, ambulatory care, and infusion services, all while launching innovative initiatives like a multidisciplinary oncology care model and a breast cancer survivorship program. She also spearheaded efforts to enhance patient transitions between inpatient and outpatient care, improve operational efficiency, support clinical trial integration and precision therapies, and foster collaboration through advanced technology platforms and steering committees.

RT @ResearchAtUSC: The USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center invites applications for funding of up to $40,000 for beginning cancer resear…

#Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most lethal brain cancer in adults with a median survival of less than 15 months and a 5-year survival rate of only 5%. Thanks to a major grant awarded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), USC Norris member Dr. David Tran and his team will work to pioneer a first-of-its-kind, heterogeneity-agnostic gene therapy that targets glioblastoma. This novel strategy, targeting common glioblastoma molecular features, promises a broadly effective gene therapy, bringing renewed hope to GBM patients in California and beyond.   The grant team, which includes USC neuropathologists, computational biologists, and neurosurgeons, will collaborate with the USC/CHLA cGMP facility. Designed to manufacture cell and gene therapies under the Food and Drug Administration’s current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) standards, the facility will ensure that all treatment products and protocols meet human safety and efficacy standards.   Learn more about this grant here: #cancer #CancerResearch #braincancer

We are proud to share that the @USC Norris Cancer Hospital has earned the @LeapfrogGroup Top Teaching Hospital award for the fourth consecutive year for outstanding quality and safety. To qualify for the distinction, hospitals must rank top among peers on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which assesses hospital performance on the highest standards of quality and patient safety. Hospitals are evaluated across many areas of performance including low infection rates, practices for safer surgery and the capacity to prevent medication errors. Learn more here:

In honor of #WorldCancerDay, explore how USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center is igniting discovery for new ways to prevent, diagnose early and treat cancer for all people. Learn more at:

RT @KECKSchool_USC: Using AI to target key tumor genes & a precision-engineered AAV virus for delivery, a $6M @CIRMnews grant helps researc…

RT @USCBTC: On February 3rd, we honor the path that female doctors have paved since 1849 as we recognize National Women Physicians Day. Th…

Our Patient Perspective Series, led by Mary Aalto, presented A Time of Hope: Harnessing the immune response to treat breast cancer. In this conversation, physician-scientist and co-leader of the USC Norris Tumor Immunology and Microenvironment Program, Dr. Evanthia Roussos Torres, shared her innovative research designed to improve response rates to immunotherapy in breast cancer patients. In addition, Graciela Santillan, a stage IV breast cancer survivor and patient advocate, joined Dr. Roussos Torres to discuss the unique challenges of young Hispanic women who are faced with advanced disease and in need of additional treatment options. Check out some highlights from that day!

The Florida-California Cancer Research, Education and Engagement Health Equity Center (@CaRE2HEC ), led by Drs. Chanita Hughes Halbert, Associate Director for Cancer Equity at USC Norris, and Mariana Stern, Associate Director for Population Sciences at USC Norris, addresses cancer disparities with a focus on lung and pancreatic cancer among African Americans and Latinos. It features several cores, including the Research Education Core,  Community Outreach Core, and Tissue Modeling and Drug Development Core. In the video, Dr. Ite Offringa shares more about the work of the Research Education Core.

RT @USCNorrisCOE: 🧹✨ Deep clean your home and freshen up the air after smoke or water damage!⁣ ⁣ ✅ Use soap and water for ash—ditch the har…

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) use low-intensity electric fields to disrupt cancer growth and are approved for multiple cancers, including aggressive brain cancer such as glioblastoma. However, cancer stem cells can develop resistance to this treatment over time. Published in Cancer Research, USC Norris members Drs. David Tran and Bodour Salhia have uncovered a key "master switch" behind this resistance involving two key proteins—EP3 and ZNF488. These proteins form a complex that allows cancer stem cells to survive and renew themselves, fueling resistance to TTFields. Remarkably, by blocking the EP3-ZNF488 axis, scientists can not only restore the effectiveness of TTFields in cancer cells that had previously become resistant, but also preemptively halt the development of resistance altogether. This discovery is not limited to #glioblastoma, as the EP3-ZNF488 axis was also found in other cancers, suggesting the same resistance mechanism could be at work in various cancers, potentially offering a new target for improving treatment outcomes in many cancers. Read the full publication here: #braincancer #CancerResearch

RT @USCNorrisCOE: Recovering from a wildfire goes beyond rebuilding—it’s about healing, too. 🌱 If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not al…

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women in the United States. Published in Cancer Research Communications (@AACR), Drs. Jorge Nieva, Steven Grossman, and Kranthi Chougoni revealed a breakthrough in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with p53 gene mutations. By targeting the stress these cancer cells are under, proteasome inhibitors (PIs) were 6 to 15 times more effective in killing them. Combining this with other treatments, like drugs that target cell suicide pathways and chemotherapy, showed even greater results. This research opens up the possibility of new treatments that could give patients better outcomes. This research could lead to life-saving therapies in the future. Read the full publication here:   #lungcancer #cancer #CancerResearch

RT @USCBTC: APP Oncology Summits are developed with and for advanced practice providers including NPs, PAs, pharmacists (and RNs). As part…

RT @KeckMedicineUSC: Our hearts go out to all those affected.

In the most comprehensive study of its kind published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology (@atscommunity), USC Norris member Dr. Stella Tommasi analyzed virtually the entire genome in the cells of study participants using a state-of-the-art genetic sequencing technique and discovered that vaping showed similar DNA changes to smoking—changes that are linked to the development of cancer. Even though vaping exposes you to fewer toxic chemicals than smoking, these DNA changes suggest it still poses significant health risks. Learn more about this study here: 

RT @uscohns: On January 10, The Los Angeles Times featured Dr. Kevin Hur's insights on sinus health issues related to wildfire smoke in the…

RT @KECKSchool_USC: Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the wildfires. For the latest updates, visit the university's emergency web p…