World Cancer Research Day

To highlight the importance of lifesaving cancer research, World Cancer Research Day is celebrated on the 24th of September. Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health prevails as the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center to address the cancer research demands of one of the most diverse and densely populated states in the nation. From genetic implications to exploring cellular therapy, experts at Rutgers Cancer Institute are always working to translate cancer discoveries into today’s treatments. Learn more about our research programs.

Research Highlights and News

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Rutgers Researchers Explore Potential for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Biomedical Science

In a recent study, Rutgers researchers, including from Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health, show that generative AI can model basic biological structures, like amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and a loop-like structure commonly found in proteins. Researchers also found that generative AI can analyze the way a drug and its target protein interact.

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Exploring Reproductive Factors and Gut Microbiome in Benign Breast Disease

Tengteng Wang, PhD, MSPH, MBBS, cancer epidemiologist in the Section of Cancer Epidemiology and Health Outcomes at Rutgers Cancer Institute, has received more than $700,000 from the National Cancer Institute (R00CA267557) to support her research on examining the association between reproductive factors, gut microbiome, and benign breast disease (BBD). 

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Expert Commentary: Insights into Cancer Mutation Patterns

Researchers at Rutgers Cancer Institute provided expert commentary on a study exploring how changes in the structure and packaging of DNA, known as chromatin remodeling, influence the mutation patterns seen in cancer.  

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Awards Totaling $2.6 Million Support Exploration of Therapeutic Strategy for Adult and Pediatric T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Daniel Herranz Benito, PhD, PharmD, resident researcher at Rutgers Cancer Institute, has received a total of $2.6M to support his research on acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), an aggressive type of leukemia that affects both children and adults.

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$1.1M Grant Supports Research in Breast Cancer Survivorship Among Black Women

Bo (Bonnie) Qin, PhD, researcher and cancer epidemiologist in the Section of Cancer Epidemiology and Health Outcomes at Rutgers Cancer Institute, has received $1.1M from the American Cancer Society to support her research on the impact of lifestyle patterns, social determinants of health, and inflammatory mechanisms on breast cancer survivorship among Black women. 

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$500K Grant Supports Exploration of Therapies for Difficult-to-Treat Lymphomas

Daniel Herranz Benito, PhD, PharmD, resident researcher at Rutgers Cancer Institute, has received a $500,000 collaborative grant from Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research and The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research.