Recent MSK Discoveries & Advances

Memorial Sloan Kettering researchers are relentlessly exploring every aspect of cancer — from basic investigations of cells and molecules to clinical trials of new treatments and population-wide studies of the disease. While our core mission is to translate this knowledge into new strategies to control cancer, many of our investigators are also making scientific progress against other diseases and conditions.

Below are some examples of discoveries and advances that recently were made in our laboratories and clinics, and featured in our news stories.

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371 News Items found
Joseph Sun and Rebecca Delconte
Fasting Primes the Immune System’s Natural Killer Cells to Better Fight Cancer, New Study in Mice Finds

Animal model research from MSK has shown for the first time that fasting can reprogram the metabolism of natural killer cells, helping them to survive in the harsh environment in and around tumors, while also improving their cancer-fighting ability.
In the Clinic
MSK radiation oncologist and neuroblastoma expert Suzanne Wolden with a patient
Reduced Radiation for Neuroblastoma Could Lessen Children’s Side Effects Later

Learn how MSK doctors are exploring the use of less radiation in neuroblastoma treatment so children can avoid side effects.
MSK physician Dr. Deb Schrag
Experimental Blood Test for Cancer Shows Potential To Screen for Multiple Types Simultaneously

Learn how a blood test could someday provide a way to detect cancers at an early stage.
Postdocs Francisco “Pancho” Barriga and Kaloyan Tsanov in the lab
New MACHETE Technique Slices Into Cancer Genome To Study Copy Number Alterations

Learn why MSK researchers developed MACHETE, a new CRISPR-based technique to study large-scale genetic deletions efficiently in laboratory models.
Feature
Medical oncologist and male breast cancer expert Ayca Gucalp
What You Need To Know About Male Breast Cancer

MSK experts discuss risk factors, symptoms, and treatment for male breast cancer.
MSK pathologist Natasha Rekhtman and physician-scientist Charles Rudin
MSK Scientists Identify Rare (Rb-Proficient) Subtype of Small Cell Lung Cancer

Unlike most small cell lung cancer tumors, these retain a normal copy of a protein called RB.
Side-by-side headshots of scientists Christopher Lima and Rhyan Puno
With Cryo-EM, SKI Scientists Determine Structure of Key Factor in RNA Quality Control

Called NEXT, the factor plays an important role in handing over RNA to the exosome for destruction.
SKI immunologist Ming Li
SKI Scientists Identify Potential New ‘Soldier’ for Cancer Immunotherapy

The new cells, which the scientists have dubbed killer innate-like T cells, differ in several notable ways from the conventional target of many immunotherapies.
Charles Sawyers and Elizabeth Wasmuth
With CryoEM, MSK Researchers Obtain Exquisite View of the Androgen Receptor — A Key Protein in Prostate Cancer

The pictures provide new clues about how the androgen receptor interacts with cancer-causing proteins.
An illustration of a fish fin touching a human finger
Hands, Feet, and Fins: The Connection That Explains Acral Melanoma

Sloan Kettering Institute scientists are using zebrafish to understand human skin cancer that attacks the hands and feet.