Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

This MSK Staff Appreciation Week, we’d like to thank all of the employees who have donated to or participated with Cycle for Survival and Fred's Team. Not only have they put in the miles on wheels or on feet and raised funds for cancer research, but they show up to work every day with the shared mission of ending cancer for life. Thank you!

A recent study led by investigators at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and published in Nature Medicine, included a comprehensive analysis of non relapse mortality after CAR T cell therapy in patients with lymphoma and multiple myeloma across multiple clinical trials and real-world studies. Learn more in this Q&A about the study's key findings and a new tool for assessing infection risk prior to CAR T cell therapy: https://bit.ly/3VVWWHl

Staff Spotlight: Karim Singleton, a Senior Financial Analyst at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), felt drawn to MSK's mission to fight cancer after having had family members affected by this devasting disease. "I know how cancer can tear people’s lives apart," he says. "The mission and vision of MSK really resonated with me, and I thought it would be a great fit." In his current role at MSK, Karim collaborates with various finance departments to find ways to improve workflows, close process gaps, and maximize efficiencies. He enjoys the diversity of his role and the opportunities for learning and growth. "It's never a dull day," he explains. "There are so many chances to learn new technical skills, and everyone is willing to give exposure and opportunities."

Staff Spotlight: "Collaboration is key to delivering the best care,” says Dr. Maria Cancio, Head of Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Clinical Operations at MSK/MSK Kids. Dr. Cancio, a key figure in the pediatric hematology-oncology department, has played a pivotal role in restructuring the bone marrow transplant program, ensuring that every process is streamlined for efficiency and optimized patient outcomes. Dr. Cancio's role encompasses much more than just treating patients. As Head of Clinical Operations, she oversees the structure and workflow of the pediatric transplant program. "Every patient I treat is a fulfilling experience, and I’m proud to be part of their life journey," Dr. Cancio says. "It's a team sport—every person at MSK who interacts with our patients plays an important role in their care."

Wishing our Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center staff, patients, and community a healthy and safe Fourth of July.

Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) are making strides against cancer every day. New research includes helping to develop a machine-learning tool to help find cancer cells that remain after surgery, testing a liquid biopsy approach that shows promise in detecting lunger cancer, and finding that checkpoint inhibitors are effective against endometrial and ovarian cancers with DNA-repair deficiency. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4cqbAO3

Last fall, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)'s Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSK) launched a first-of-its-kind PhD program in cancer engineering to enable aspiring scientists to tackle tough cancer problems. Students in the program have unparalleled access to cutting-edge tools and have the opportunity to engineer brand new technologies to accelerate discovery. MSK biomedical engineer Dr. Dan Heller and MSK biochemist and bioengineer Dr. Kayvan Keshari are eager to mentor students from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, including engineering and the physical sciences. “In most institutions, you can develop amazing technologies but never translate your ideas,” Dr. Keshari says. “At MSK, you might actually be able to do something that can change someone’s life." Learn more: https://bit.ly/4cGOCSh

Staff Highlight: Leif Ericksen, Associate Director of Retail and Hospitality Services at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), plays an important role in ensuring that guests, patients, visitors, and staff receive exceptional hospitality and service. Having recently celebrated his five-year anniversary, Leif reflects on a diverse and dynamic career in hospitality, and ultimately, finding his true calling at MSK. "I had never considered working in a hospital before, as I mostly tried to avoid visiting them,” Leif says. “However, my perspective changed profoundly after my father spent several years in care facilities due to a long illness. Witnessing the care and compassion the healthcare providers showed my father gave me a newfound appreciation for healthcare facilities.” Leif acknowledges the impact of his mentors and the diverse personalities he has encountered in the hospitality industry. "Working in hospitality and hotels helps you develop thick skin and teaches you how to work with a wide range of personalities while seeing the good in people," he says. "As hospitality workers, it's up to us to be empathetic...helping people get what they need in tough situations." Leif's leadership has not only enhanced the experiences of patients and staff but has also fostered a sense of community and care during challenging times.

A new art exhibition “Our Voices, Our Streets” is now open at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)'s Brooklyn Infusion Center featuring powerful images that reveal fascinating slices of New York City life from the past 50 years. Melissa Dallal, Project Manager for Interior Design at MSK, and Maurisha Osi, Senior Manager for Outpatient Operations at MSK, recognize the exhibition’s significance for patients, staff, and the local community. "[One of our security guards] told me that people were taking photos of the exhibition through the window,” Melissa says. “He said it was like nothing he’d ever seen before!” The exhibit, found in the front lobby, showcases the photography of Fred McDarrah, who was staff photographer at the "Village Voice" for 50 years, and Miranda Barnes, a Brooklyn-born photographer.

A new imaging technique developed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) shows promise for detecting deadly forms of lung cancer and prostate cancer. The technology uses a radioactive particle that binds to a ligand (molecule) on cancer cells called DLL3, making the cells more visible on PET scans. The DLL3 ligand is especially prominent in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). Detecting these cancers would help identify patients who might respond well to a new class of drugs that target DLL3. Results from the first pilot study, published in The Lancet, show that the imaging agent reliably detected cancer cells containing DLL3 in 18 patients. There were no safety concerns, and researchers are already planning to test the radioactive agent in a larger group. An accompanying commentary in the journal called the research “a pivotal milestone” that is “notable for its scientific novelty and the potential to improve patient outcomes.” Learn more: https://bit.ly/3RRdqPs