Author: Neel Achary

Roswell Park First in Region to Offer New Treatment for Tumors

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center has become the first care provider in the region to offer adaptive radiation therapy, marking a significant advancement in personalized cancer treatment.

This innovative approach leverages artificial intelligence and state-of-the-art technology to deliver highly precise radiation therapy. By using a linear accelerator integrated with real-time imaging, clinicians can assess the tumor’s size, shape, and position during each session, allowing for immediate adjustments to treatment plans.

Unlike traditional radiation therapy, where treatment follows a fixed plan despite changes in a patient’s anatomy, adaptive radiation therapy accounts for daily variations caused by factors such as digestion or tumor shrinkage. This ensures more accurate targeting of cancer cells while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

“This tool gives us the ability to modify treatment plans on the spot, accommodating daily changes in a patient’s anatomy,” said Mark Farrugia, highlighting the program’s role in enhancing treatment precision and patient outcomes.

The new therapy enables oncologists to deliver higher radiation doses directly to tumors while reducing side effects, improving both safety and effectiveness. Patients with cancers in areas prone to movement or change stand to benefit the most from this advancement.

One patient, Bill Doughtery, shared how the treatment helped protect his remaining kidney while effectively targeting cancerous areas, describing the approach as life-changing.

The introduction of adaptive radiation therapy has been supported in part by contributions to the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, which funds research, education, and patient care initiatives.

With this launch, Roswell Park reinforces its commitment to advancing cancer care through innovation, aiming to deliver better outcomes with fewer side effects for patients across the region.

Two UT MD Anderson Researchers Elected AAAS Fellows

Houston, Mar 28:  In recognition of their significant achievements to advance cancer care and research, Theresa Guise, M.D., and Stephanie S. Watowich, Ph.D., from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).  

This honor ranks among the highest distinctions in the scientific research community. Since 1874, AAAS has recognized leading scientists who are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to science and society. The current class includes nearly 500 fellows who are honored for their exceptional achievements in research, innovation and public engagement. With the addition of Guise and Watowich, 72 UT MD Anderson faculty members have been elected as AAAS Fellows.

 “We are incredibly proud to see Dr. Guise and Dr. Watowich recognized among leaders in the scientific community,” said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of UT MD Anderson. “Their unwavering dedication to advancing scientific breakthroughs and their remarkable contributions to cancer research make them truly deserving of this prestigious honor.”

 UT MD Anderson’s research environment fosters continuous collaboration between clinicians and scientists, allowing ideas and discoveries to flow readily between the laboratory and the clinic. Findings from laboratory research can quickly be translated into new treatments for clinical testing, while insights from patient care help guide ongoing experiments in the lab. This continuous exchange is built on collaboration, strong connectivity and data-driven science, creating a powerful cycle of innovation that accelerates discovery.

 Guise is professor of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, the Abell‑Hanger Foundation Distinguished Professor, and chief of the section of Bone and Mineral Disorders at UT MD Anderson. She is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking work uncovering how cancer and cancer treatments affect bone, muscle and metabolism. Her research has defined key molecular drivers of cancer‑induced bone destruction and revealed how bone‑derived signals contribute to muscle weakness, metabolic dysfunction and treatment‑related toxicities, shaping new therapeutic strategies across multiple cancer types. A Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) Scholar and leader in national and international scientific societies, Guises has published more than 200 studies and trained over 50 researchers, making her a transformative force in advancing the understanding of skeletal complications in cancer.

 Watowich is professor and deputy chair of Immunology and holds the Vivian L. Smith Distinguished Chair in Immunology at UT MD Anderson. She is a leading scientist whose work has helped reveal how the immune system detects cancer and responds to modern immunotherapies.

Her research has uncovered how key immune cells develop and function, and how these cells can be guided to better fight tumors and limit harmful side effects from treatment. Her team’s discoveries have helped advance a promising new type of dendritic cell therapy and improved understanding of why some patients respond well to immunotherapy while others do not. This work is shaping new strategies to make immunotherapy more effective and safer for a wider range of patients.

A dedicated mentor and leader of several innovative training programs, Watowich has earned numerous awards and honors throughout her career and continues to guide the next generation of cancer researchers.

 “The election of Dr. Guise and Dr. Watowich as AAAS Fellows recognizes the remarkable contributions they have made to scientific progress,” said Albert Koong, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president and chief scientific officer at UT MD Anderson. “Their work exemplifies our spirit of innovation and reflects our institution’s commitment to advancing discoveries that translate into meaningful improvements in patient care.”