Weill Cornell Medicine

A phase I clinical trial showed that a new targeted approach to treating a deadly brain tumor in children is a safe procedure. The findings pave the way for additional clinical trials and provide a sign of hope for those affected by diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), an aggressive cancer that embeds itself in the brainstem and cannot be effectively treated with surgery or chemotherapy. This new study led by Weill Cornell Medicine's Dr. Mark Souweidane demonstrated that infusing a drug called 124I-Omburtamab directly into the brainstem maximizes the delivery of the drug where DIPG tumors develop -- without poisoning the rest of the body. Full story: https://bit.ly/41VYx44

It’s a Wrap! Yesterday’s BioInnovate Conference, held in Weill Cornell Medicine’s Uris Auditorium, brought together inventors, investors, and industry leaders for an energizing day of presentations, discussions, and networking. A highlight of the event was a fireside chat with featured guest Alex Gorsky, former Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, who shared his perspective on the evolving healthcare landscape, the intersection of industry and academia, and the role of innovation in improving patient care.  The conference also provided a welcoming space for researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and potential partners to explore new connections that would help to commercialize nascent biomedical discoveries. In conversation with Senior Associate Dean for Innovation and Initiatives and Richard T. Silver Distinguished Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology John Leonard, MD, Gorsky emphasized the importance of collaboration across sectors and the unique responsibility academic medical centers have in shaping the future of medicine. Beyond the keynote, the day featured startup presentations, panel discussions and plenty of opportunities to connect and exchange ideas. We were incredibly grateful for the presentation by Krystyn J. Van Vliet, PhD, Vice President of Innovation and External Engagement Strategy at Cornell University, who shared how Cornell works with partners across industries to help bring new technologies to market. The industry panel discussion moderated by Lisa Placanica Ph.D., CLP focused on innovative tools for drug discovery and improvements in clinical trial processes for drug development.  Joined by Kevin O'Rourke MD, PhD, David Huggins, FRSC and Michael Kurman, MD, the panel also explored how OUS clinical trials are viewed by Roivant Sciences and others. It was wonderful to see so many faculty, students, alumni, and leaders from the NYC biomedical community come together in the spirit of innovation. We look forward to keeping the conversation going and building on the momentum from this inspiring event!

Researchers have demonstrated that knocking out the SATB2 gene in the colon prompts cells in the upper colon to transform into small intestine-like cells, thereby restoring nutrient absorption and reversing weight loss in preclinical models. The successful demonstration suggests that a similar strategy could be used to treat short bowel syndrome, a life-threatening disorder that can occur when very little of the small intestine remains after surgery to address chronic inflammation, cancer, trauma or congenital conditions. “Our demonstration may help pave the way for a future gene therapy for short bowel syndrome,” said Weill Cornell Medicine's Dr. Xiaofeng Steve Huang, who led the study with Dr. Tao Liu and Dr. Shiri Li. Full story: https://bit.ly/3RwhyE2

Regardless of your political views—whether they make you feel anxious or exhilarated by the latest news—it's evident that change and uncertainty can significantly increase stress levels and impact your sleep. Dr. Ana Krieger of Weill Cornell Medicine offers tips for developing healthier sleep habits when dealing with anxiety. Link to article: https://cnn.it/4kW4fua

Join us in celebrating the remarkable achievements of our community members! 🏆 Dr. Manuel Hidalgo and Dr. Ari Melnick were elected as fellows of the American Association for Cancer Research Academy. 🏆 Dr. Fabrizio Michelassi received the Rosenthal Humanitarian Award from the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation-Greater New York Chapter. 🏆 Dr. Santosh Murthy was one of 11 scientists to receive the 2025 Stroke Care in Emergency Medicine Award from the American Heart Association. 🏆 Dr. Anais Rameau was selected for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to Japan for the 2025-2026 academic year. Full announcement: https://bit.ly/3RsPWzA

Pregnancy may offer some protection from developing Long COVID, a condition that can develop after recovering from a SARS-CoV-2 infection and includes symptoms such as fatigue, muscle or joint pain and cognitive issues. In this new large multi-center study, Weill Cornell Medicine's Dr. Chengxi Zang and colleagues analyzed electronic health records from real-world data collected in two large studies. They determined that rates of long-term complications related to COVID-19 are lower among pregnant women than comparably matched women who were not pregnant during their infection. The findings were consistent across both large databases and held true even when the researchers used different methods to define Long COVID. This consistency adds confidence to the results. This study was co-led by Dr. Elaine Hill and Dr. Daniel Guth at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Dr. Torri D. Metz and Dr. Ann Bruno at the University of Utah Health and Thomas Carton at Louisiana Public Health Institute. Full story: https://bit.ly/3Rv0aj0

Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid found in seed oils such as soybean and safflower oil, and animal products including pork and eggs, specifically enhances the growth of the hard-to-treat “triple negative” breast cancer subtype. The preclinical study findings, led by Weill Cornell Medicine's Dr. John Blenis and Dr. Nikos Koundouros, could lead to new dietary and pharmaceutical strategies against breast and other cancers. Full story: https://bit.ly/4iOB7n1

Are you passionate about developing medical device solutions and intrigued by the process? Join our virtual panel on Tuesday, April 8 to explore the critical intersection of medical device innovation and regulatory guidance. Our distinguished panelists include Dr. Jason Spector, Chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and co-founder of Fesarius Therapeutics, and his CEO Tom Roueche. They will provide practical insights on the approval process and regulatory compliance. They will be joined by Mark Melkerson, former FDA Deputy Director, Office of Health Technology / CDRH / ODE and current MNM Consulting. https://lnkd.in/e6GdSvzJ Center for Technology Licensing at Cornell University (CTL) Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center The Rockefeller University #MedicalDevices #HealthcareInnovation #FDA #Commercialization #TechnologyInMedicine

Today we celebrate our physicians and their unwavering commitment to changing patient lives and improving the health of communities. Who do you want to recognize on National Doctor's Day? Leave a message below!

Researchers have developed a new model utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence that enhances the prediction of how patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer will respond to chemotherapy. The ability to accurately anticipate how an individual will react to the standard-of-care therapy for this cancer may help doctors personalize treatment and could potentially save those who respond well from undergoing bladder removal, Weill Cornell Medicine scientists said in a new study. To build a better predictive model than previous ones, Dr. Fei Wang and Dr. Bishoy Faltas used data tumor samples and gene expression profiles from the SWOG Cancer Research Network. Full story: https://bit.ly/3QSEq0h