The Huntsman Cancer Institute has reached a major construction milestone for its new campus in Vineyard, which is intended to bring healing and hope closer to families in Utah County and the Mountain West.
In addition to infrastructure developments, researchers have secured an $8.3 million federal grant to expand access to genetic information through the use of AI-driven patient identification, chatbots, and genetic classification.
Recent scientific advancements from the institute include a discovery suggesting that obesity may increase breast cancer risk by removing a natural defense found in the fat cells of non-obese individuals.
In the field of surgical innovation, the institute performed the first robotic mastectomy surgery in the Mountain West, an approach designed to offer eligible patients faster recovery, improved cosmetic outcomes, and less visible scarring. Additionally, researchers have introduced a minimally invasive surgery technique for managing cancers that have spread to the abdominal lining.
Technological integration remains a focus for the institute, highlighted by a $33 million Utah investment in artificial intelligence and computing to advance health research and discovery statewide.
Specific research highlights include the development of a quantum mechanics–based AI method by Orly Alter, PhD, to improve outcome predictions and identify drug targets. Furthermore, researchers developed the Pharma, an AI-powered lab-on-a-chip platform that may enable same-day treatment decisions for pediatric patients with T-ALL.
The institute's research and care capabilities continue to expand through various affiliations and specialized treatments. This includes a new affiliation with the Portneuf Cancer Center to serve patients in Southeast Idaho.
Other recent clinical developments include the first three patients being treated in an early-stage clinical trial of a new radiopharmaceutical medicine and a clinical trial led by Neeraj Agarwal, MD, FASCO, which found that a combination prostate cancer therapy could slow disease progression for patients with certain gene alterations, including BRCA.
The institute's recent activities also include honoring the legacy of Karen Huntsman and recognizing various researchers through endowed chair appointments and awards for translational research leadership.
