Program News - UNC Lineberger

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.

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.

A person wearing a mask, gloves, safety glasses and white coat holds a vial of blood in a medical test lab.

New blood test for colorectal cancer: what you need to know

A new test can detect colorectal cancer with a simple blood draw. However, a colonoscopy is still more reliable and effective than newer screening methods.

A gastrointestinal surgical oncologist meets with a patient in a clinic room.

A call for more data on watch and wait approach for some rectal cancer cases

In a commentary in JAMA Oncology, José Gaston Guillem, MD, MPH, MBA, FACS, FASCRS, cautions against the rush to extend the treatment approach to patients whose cancer has nearly, but not completely, responded to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Kim named to new leadership roles in Department of Surgery, NC Basnight Cancer Hospital

Hong Jin (HJ) Kim, MD, has been appointed vice chair of academic affairs in the UNC School of Medicine’s Department of Surgery and associate physician-in-chief of the N.C. Basnight Cancer Hospital.

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network names Yeh to scientific and medical advisory board

Jen Yeh, MD, has been appointed to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s scientific and medical advisory board, which is comprised of leading scientists, clinicians and healthcare professionals across the United States.

Headshots of Matthew Flick, Naim Rashid, and Jen Jen Yeh

UNC Lineberger pancreatic cancer researchers receive five-year, $4.6 million grants from National Cancer Institute

The NCI awarded $9.3 million in support of two five-year research projects from researchers in the UNC Lineberger Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence in partnership with other institutions.

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center has earned the National Pancreas Foundation Center of Excellence designation

UNC Lineberger earns National Pancreas Foundation Center of Excellence designation

The designation is in recognition of UNC Lineberger’s multidisciplinary pancreatic cancer care program and its focus on providing the best possible outcomes and an improved quality of life for patients.