Program News

Human cells with acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) in the pericardial fluid, shown with an esterase stain at 400x magnification.

Adaptive whole-genome sequencing could transform childhood leukemia diagnosis

UNC Lineberger researchers have demonstrated a faster, more cost-effective approach to analyzing the genetic makeup of pediatric acute leukemia. Determining a cancer’s genomic classification is critical to developing a more effective treatment plan tailored to a patient’s tumor.

Gastrointestinal oncologist discusses increase in younger patients with colorectal cancer

The rise of colorectal cancer cases in people under 45 has steadily increased, prompting concern among oncologists and researchers. Ashwin Somasundaram, MD, talks about colorectal cancer and this concerning trend.

A multiple myeloma physician talking with a nurse in the clinic.

Improved multiple myeloma therapies help patients live longer, better lives

March is Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month, an opportunity to shed light on a disease that accounts for approximately 10% of all blood cancers. Treatment options for multiple myeloma have expanded in recent years, leading to better patient outcomes and longer survival rates.

Human colon cancer cells with the cell nuclei stained red and the protein E-cadherin stained green. E-cadherin is a cell adhesion molecule and its loss signals a process known as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in which cells acquire the ability to migrate and become invasive.

Immunotherapy and targeted therapy combination proves effective against metastatic colorectal cancer

UNC Lineberger researchers have demonstrated that combining two immunotherapy drugs with a targeted therapy drug proved effective in treating the most common form of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Study now recruiting patients to treat PANcreatic adenocarcinoma with Gemcitabine, Erlotinib, and nAb-paclitaxel (PANGEA)

UNC Lineberger has opened a two-arm clinical trial to determine the optimal combination treatment for patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic basal-like subtype pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

World map with connecting line between North Carolina and Malawi.

Malawi cancer program develops diagnostic breakthrough

Part of UNC Project Malawi, the cancer program provides clinical care, pathology training and other services to the African nation. The program is entering the second phase of developing a low-cost cancer diagnosis method.

Group photo of approximately 60 people who attended the 2025 GI SPORE Investigators Meeting in Chapel Hill.

UNC Lineberger hosts NCI in gastrointestinal cancer SPORE Investigators Meeting

The nation’s top gastrointestinal cancer clinical translational researchers convened in Chapel Hill for the 2025 GI SPORE Investigators Meeting.

International breast cancer meeting features UNC Lineberger research

More than 10,000 cancer researchers, clinicians and patient advocates from across the globe are expected to attend this year’s San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The meeting will feature presentations by several UNC faculty members and trainees.

66th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition. December 7-10, 2024 in San Diego, California.

UNC researchers presenting research advances at American Society of Hematology annual meeting

Nearly two dozen UNC faculty members and trainees will present research and participate in scientific symposia and educational sessions at the ASH Annual Meeting.

HJ Kim on the jumbo screen at a hockey game with the Carolina Hurricanes mascot. HJ is smiling and holding a Hurricanes jersey.

UNC Lineberger shines at Carolina Hurricanes’ Hockey Fights Cancer game

H.J. Kim, MD, was honored as the Hero of the Game and Robert Ferris, MD, PhD, sounded the hurricane warning siren.

Treatment advances, predictive biomarkers stand to improve bladder cancer care

In an editorial, Matthew Milowsky, MD, FASCO, wrote that the promise of incorporating new treatments and predictive biomarkers to select the right patient for the right treatment every time offers a bright future for bladder cancer patients.

A women's health physician meets with a patient in a clinic exam room.

UNC Lineberger joins national initiative to advance cervical cancer screening through HPV self-testing

UNC Lineberger is the first cancer center to enroll participants in a national study focused on expanding access to cervical cancer screening through self-testing, an approach that could help reduce the number of women diagnosed with cervical cancer due to underscreening.