Duke Cancer Institute

Sophia Ramirez’s family was told nothing more could be done to cure the toddler’s aggressive leukemia. Then her family brought her to Duke Health, where Sophia received a therapy only available through a clinical trial, followed by a third, successful stem cell transplant. Today, the five-year-old is back home, recovering well, and enjoying life with her family.

https://duke.is/b/g7yf

| | Research | Duke Health

Clinical Trial and Mismatched Cord Blood Transplant Help Toddler Beat Aggressive Leukemia Following two failed bone marrow transplants to treat childhood leukemia, a clinical trial and a mismatched cord blood transplant restores Sophia Ramirez to health.

A federally funded study led by DCI's Jen-Tsan Chi, PhD, finds that the buildup of liquid in the belly helps ovarian cancer cells survive and spread – and that a decades-old cholesterol drug may be able to disrupt that protection.

https://duke.is/9/cq5v

| | Duke University School of Medicine

A common cholesterol drug may weaken ovarian cancer defenses Study reveals ascites is more than a patient symptom, but an active player in helping ovarian cancer spread and grow.

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate Clinical Trials Day last week! From our dedicated clinicians and research teams to the patients and families who partner with us, this work is a true collaboration.

| | Duke Health

Living with and beyond cancer comes with new questions. As Survivorship Month kicks off in June, our webinars offer practical guidance and expert insight to help you live well, wherever you are in your journey.

Learn more about our webinars: https://duke.is/9/m9nj

| Duke Health | Duke University Hospital | Duke Regional Hospital | Duke Raleigh | Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital

The Triangle Sons and Daughters of Italy lodge hosted a bocce fundraising tournament in May, raising money for pancreatic cancer research. Members of the DCI Pancreatic Cancer Center team came out in support of the event. Thanks to everyone who came out and helped make this event successful!

Learn more about the DCI Pancreatic Cancer Center: https://duke.is/b/wd9q

🎉 Congratulations to DCI's Daniel George, MD, for being named a 2026 Giant of Cancer Care in Genitourinary Cancer! This award celebrates the visionaries whose groundbreaking discoveries, fearless innovation, and relentless dedication have transformed the landscape of oncology.

George’s work involves both interventional trials with new and emerging therapies, as well as diagnostic tests and markers of cancer biology, response and outcome. He is co-chair of the DCI Center for Prostate and Urologic Cancers.

https://duke.is/6/a3cf

| Duke Health | MJH Life Sciences

Recognized nationally for her exceptional mentorship, DCI's Caroline Sloan, MD, reflects on the relationships that shaped her and the foundational professional bonds she’s now building for others at Duke and beyond.

https://duke.is/b/2pu8

Duke University School of Medicine

Dr. Caroline Sloan: The Making of a Medical Mentor At Duke University School of Medicine, mentorship is more than a professional norm — it’s encoded in the institution’s DNA. This ethos is being recognized nationally by the American Medical Women's Association (AMWA), which has selected health policy researcher and internist Dr. Caroline Sloan...

For many people with lung cancer, the disease doesn’t stay confined to the lungs. DCI's Laura Alder, MD, is working to change how patients with brain metastases are represented in clinical research and, ultimately, how they are treated.

https://duke.is/6/6mbb

| | Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis | Duke University School of Medicine

Opening Clinical Trials to More Lung Cancer Patients with Brain Metastases At Duke Cancer Institute (DCI), Laura Alder, MD, deputy director of medical oncology for the Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis, is working to change how patients with brain metastases are represented in clinical research and, ultimately, how they are treated.

Rates of re**al cancer deaths are rising in adults under 50. DCI's Jatin Roper, MD, spoke with HuffPost about what could be causing this trend and common signs to look out for.

https://duke.is/m/94r5

**alCancer | Duke Health

Re**al Cancer Is Rising In Millennials. Doctors Have A Theory Why. Rates of re**al cancer deaths are rising in adults under 50.

Reminder to join us this Friday for the annual Hilliard Seigler Duke Melanoma Consortium. This event will explore innovative basic and clinical melanoma research from around the world and specifically highlight the programs at the Duke University Medical Center.

https://duke.is/8/2nnk

| Duke Health

2026 Melanoma Consortium Established in 1988 by Dr. Hilliard Seigler, the annual Hilliard Seigler Duke Melanoma Consortium (The Seig DMC) has been a vital forum for nearly 30 years, bringing together patients, families, and the medical community to learn about advances in melanoma. Formally named to honor Dr. Seigler's life...