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Healthline Though it's known that smoking can cause cancer, and not just lung cancer, researchers have published a new study revealing chemicals from cigarette smoke that “reprogram the immune system” and assist in tumor growth. Asfar Azmi, Ph.D., scientist, director of the Pancreatic Cancer Research Initiative and member of the Molecular Therapeutics Research Program at Karmanos, and Najeeb Al Hallak, M.D., MS , medical oncologist and co-leader of the Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Oncology Multid...

Wayne State University (WSU) marked a major milestone in its mission to advance health and scientific discovery with the groundbreaking of the Health Sciences Research Building (HSRB) on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. This transformative, $200 million, 160,000-square-foot facility will drive next-generation opportunities for innovation, collaboration and community engagement. The groundbreaking ceremony – held at the building’s future site at 545 E. Canfield Street in Midtown Detroit – brought together state, ...

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) has continued its Community Conversations on Cancer series in 2025 in partnership with the Detroit Public Library. The program invites members of the public to dialogue about current cancer research and treatment, improved health outcomes, and a deep understanding of a cancer diagnosis. The 2025 series includes six events, each a collaborative, informative discussion introducing the community to a different asp...

WDIV Not satisfied with just having surgery as the only treatment option, Terrell Thomas came to Karmanos Cancer Institute for a second opinion for his prostate cancer. After meeting with Michael Cher, M.D. , urologic oncologist and member of the Genitourinary Oncology Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) at Karmanos, he was also given the option of radiation therapy, which was the treatment he chose. That’s when he met Nitin Vaishampayan, M.D. , radiation oncologist and leader of the Genitourinary Oncology MDT...

For Gen Sheng Wu, Ph.D., a member of the Molecular Therapeutics Research Program at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and professor in the Department of Oncology and Pathology at Wayne State University School of Medicine, witnessing the research he began 20 years ago lead to a newly approved cancer treatment is a dream come true. ONC201, now renamed dordaviprone (ModeysoTM), was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 6, 2025, to treat a rare and aggressive brain cancer...

Among American men, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death after lung cancer. While early detection can make a significant difference, the decision to begin screening isn’t always straightforward and should involve a conversation with your doctor. Screening tests can help detect prostate cancer in its early stages, often before any symptoms appear. However, these tests are not designed to diagnose cancer on their own. If screening resul...

The  Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute , along with cancer centers and other organizations across the nation, recognizes and promotes awareness of four cancer types during September: Blood Cancer Gynecologic Cancer Prostate Cancer Thyroid Cancer Blood Cancer Awareness Month Blood cancers include leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. They occur in blood-forming cells, the bone marrow and the lymphatic system, which is a part of the immune system. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), s...

Technology Networks Heather Gibson, Ph.D., researcher and scientific member of the Tumor Biology and Microenvironment Research Program at Karmanos, took part in a panel discussion surrounding single-cell analysis. The panel discussed how single-cell sequencing, imaging, and data analysis shape immunology, cancer research, and regenerative medicine. They covered the latest single-cell technologies, their applications and real-world breakthroughs in disease studies. Watch the webinar here .

Clinical Leader Patients may not be the only ones who may be apprehensive about participating in clinical trials; some physicians may be hesitant to recommend them to their patients. This could be due to misconceptions that both parties may have heard and believe. Wasif Saif, M.D., MBBS , medical oncologist, co-leader of the  Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Oncology Multidisciplinary Team  (MDT), and leader of the  Phase I Clinical Trials MDT  at Karmanos, talked to Clinical Lead...

When Randy Hoffman’s PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) score kept rising, both he and his doctor decided it was time to act. “They say age will make your PSA climb, but when it shot straight up, I knew something was going on,” Randy said. “I was referred to a urologist, who did a biopsy and discovered I had an aggressive prostate cancer.  My Gleason score was 8.” The Gleason score is a grading system for prostate cancer.  Scores of 8 and higher indicate higher grade cancers that are growing fast...