Research News at Hollings

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Hollings researchers develop small molecule to stimulate natural killer cells against neuroblastoma

microscopic image of cells the green cells are attacking the pink cells and the pink cells are dying and turning black

An MUSC Hollings Cancer Center team led by Patrick Woster, Ph.D., has created what members believe to be among the first small molecules designed to stimulate immune cells to fight cancer. More importantly, these compounds inhibit a specific enzyme that hasn’t been targeted with small molecules for the treatment of cancer.

“In the paper, we show that we can stimulate natural killer cells to multiply and thus more effectively attack and kill neuroblastoma,” Woster said.

Read about their work

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Rising Rates

South Carolina is seeing one of the fastest rises in anal cancer incidence among women and anal cancer mortality among men.
computer monitor showing image of a lung cancer scan

Lung Cancer Screening

For lung cancer screening to work, people need to get scans every year. But a new study shows people don't return for repeat scans.

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Cancer Increase

After years of decline in cervical cancer rates, one group of women is now seeing an unexpected increase.

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Smoking Cessation E-visits

People in rural areas are more likely to smoke and less likely to quit. A Hollings psychologist is using e-visits to reach these smokers and help them to quit.

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Transportation Insecurity

All the advances in cancer care don't help if people can't get to appointments. A paper lays out the issue of transportation insecurity for people with cancer.

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Epithelial Failure

'Nice guy' researcher's pioneering colon cancer work could have implications for other cancers.

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Colon Cancer

A Hollings immunologist is investigating how a protein might alter a person's immune response and gut microbiome, contributing to colon cancer.

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Novel Inhibitors

Breast cancer researcher develops new drug candidates, nearing clinical trials.

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High-risk, High-reward

Hollings researcher Joe Delaney is one of 72 recipients of the NIH director’s New Innovator Award, which funds unusually creative early-stage investigators.