- Bacteria in tumors can drive treatment resistance in cancer
- Novel markers can predict improved treatment responses
- Studies provide insights into optimal approaches for end-of-life care, ALL
- Research improves understanding of neuronal differentiation, precancerous tissue
HOUSTON, OCTOBER 16, 2025 ― At The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, research breakthroughs are made possible through seamless collaboration between the institution’s world-leading clinicians and scientists, bringing discoveries from the lab to the clinic and back. The studies below showcase the latest advances in cancer care, research and prevention.
Study reveals how bacteria in tumors drive treatment resistance in cancer
Read the full release | Read the study in Cancer Cell
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism that explains how bacteria can drive treatment resistance in patients with oral and colorectal cancer. This allows tumors to evade the immune system and resist chemotherapy.
“These bacteria-tumor interactions have been hiding in plain sight, and with new technologies we can now see how microbes directly affect cancer cells, shape tumor behavior and blunt the effects of treatment,” said Susan Bullman, Ph.D., associate professor of Immunology and associate member of MD Anderson’s James P. Allison Institute. “It’s a whole layer of tumor biology we’ve been missing and one we can now start to target. We hope these findings help open the door to designing smarter, microbe-aware therapies that could make even the toughest cancers more treatable.”
Researchers find new biomarker for improved immunotherapy response in solid tumors
Read the full release | Read the study in Cancer Cell
Researchers used preclinical models to uncover a potential biomarker for improved immunotherapy responses, a finding that was validated in independent data sets of nearly 60,000 patients with solid tumors. This research describes a new mechanism for TET2 mutations to prime certain white blood cells, improving the presentation of antigens for immune recognition and leading to more activated T cells and an enhanced immunotherapy response.
“We are encouraged by these results highlighting a new mechanism of action for TET2 mutations in improving responses to immunotherapy,” said Padmanee Sharma, M.D., Ph.D., professor of Immunology and Genitourinary Medical Oncology and director of scientific programs for MD Anderson’s James P. Allison Institute. “Exploring and understanding these complex relationships in solid tumor immunology allows us to develop more personalized treatments for our patients.”
Patients receiving anti-cancer treatment near end-of-life experience higher rates of hospitalization, ED and ICU use, and less utilization of hospice
Read the full release | Read the study in Journal of Clinical Oncology
Patients who receive systemic anti-cancer treatment near end of life are more likely to be hospitalized, go to the intensive care unit or emergency department, and are less likely to utilize hospice care in the final 30 days of life, according to a new study.
"Nationwide, the overuse of systemic anti-cancer therapy at the end of life remains a persistent problem,” said Kerin Adelson, M.D., chief quality and value officer at MD Anderson. “This study shows that such aggressive care causes real harm to patients in their final days as well as their families, often leading to medicalized deaths marked by unnecessary hospitalizations, ICU stays, emergency visits, and dying in unfamiliar settings away from home and loved ones."
New computational method improves ability to detect precancerous tissues
Read the full release | Read the study in Nature Cell Biology
A new computational method known as Comparing and Contrasting Spatial Transcriptomics (CoCo-ST) could increase understanding of the earliest stages of cancer development. This new method sharpens the vision of computational tools, giving scientists the ability to see developments that previously would have been overlooked.
“This is a really exciting method that is helping us discover details that have previously been hidden,” said Jia Wu, Ph.D., associate professor of Imaging Physics. “These details are crucial to unlocking the earliest stages of cancer development.”
Stem cell transplant achieves positive outcomes in second remission for adolescents and young adults with ALL
Read the full release | Read the study in American Journal of Hematology
A new study shows hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) achieves positive outcomes in adolescent and young adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in second remission – meaning these patients are cancer free after a previous relapse.
“Stem cell transplants in second remission offer real hope for young ALL patients. By factoring in minimal residual disease (MRD) status and overall health, we can better personalize treatment and improve outcomes,” said Partow Kebriaei, M.D., professor of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy.
Researchers identify enzyme involved in driving neuron differentiation
Read the full release | Read the study in Science Advances
Researchers identified an important role for the KMT2D protein – one of the most frequently mutated enzymes in medulloblastoma – in controlling the development of brain cells necessary for motor coordination and cognitive functions. The study was led by Shilpa Dhar, Ph.D., assistant professor of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Jae-il Park, Ph.D., professor of Experimental Radiation Oncology, and Min Gyu Lee, Ph.D., professor of Molecular and Cellular Oncology.
“These meaningful results show us the epigenetic mechanisms of the medulloblastoma suppressor KMT2D as a crucial component driving neuronal differentiation,” Lee said.
Researchers identify genetic markers that affect treatment outcomes in patients with large B-cell lymphoma
Read the full release | Read the study in Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer
Multiple genetic markers play a key role in the treatment outcomes of patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) who received chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, according to a new study led by first author Paolo Strati, M.D., associate professor of Lymphoma/Myeloma, and senior author Michelle Hildebrandt, Ph.D., professor of Lymphoma/Myeloma.
“Our findings provide more insight into how we can select the patients who will benefit the most from CAR T cell therapy,” Strati said. “Understanding the genetic determinants may help in improving developing strategies to enhance CAR T therapy’s efficacy in patients with these markers.”
Honors and awards
- Susan Bullman, Ph.D., associate professor of Immunology, was named to TIME’s 2025 TIME100 Next
- Jeffrey Gershenwald, M.D., professor of Surgical Oncology, was elected incoming Chair of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)
- Kimberly Hoggatt Krumwiede, Ph.D., dean of the School of Health Professions, has been selected as a fellow of the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP)
- Carin Hagberg, M.D., senior vice president of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, was awarded the Excellence in Education Award by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)
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