Anna Megdell
Science writer and editor

Megdell joined the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center communications team in 2022. Prior to that she served as the natural sciences writer for the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Contact: [email protected]

megdell
doctors talking to eachother down a hallway
Health Lab
A collaborative approach to pancreatic cancer
The Rogel and Blondy Center for Pancreatic Cancer is a center of excellence in pancreatic cancer research, combining pioneering research with innovative clinical care and an array of clinical trials. Center co-director Marina Pasca di Magliano explains that the key to a robust research program and responsive care lies in collaboration.
blue purple cell dots on white background all over in different patterns
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Research finds possible therapies to target oncogenic transcription factors in multiple cancer types
A study from the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center furthers research that suggests the potential of developing new cancer treatments to target oncogenic transcription factors by indirectly affecting their ability to access enhancer DNA in chromatin.
iv chemo bags
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Drug-chemo combo increases cancer treatment efficacy
A study finds giving a fatty acid inhibitor alongside chemotherapy could improve the treatment efficacy for patients with brain metastases from triple negative breast cancer
close up photo of yellow pills lined up on a bright blue matt
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New drug candidate blocks resistance to cancer therapies
A team of researchers at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center has designed a molecule that impairs signaling mediated by two key drivers of cancer therapy resistance.
light lights seen on dark navy screen
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Researchers identify novel biomarker linked to renal cancer recurrence
Researchers from the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center have discovered a biomarker that could help identify which renal cancer patients have a higher risk of recurrence.
different cars from helicopter view on highways intersecting going all different ways seeing greenery and roads
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Pediatric brain tumors rely on different metabolic “route” to fuel treatment resistance
Researchers at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center are one step closer to understanding how pediatric DIPG tumors work.
white blood cell with some blue on black background artistic looking
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White blood cell “nets” could be early warning sign of major immunotherapy complication
When white blood cells, meant to protect the body from infection, are overly activated, they eject their DNA into nets, further disrupting the immune system and making patients more likely to develop a potentially severe reaction to immunotherapy.
Blue image of a microscopic helix strand
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Researchers discover urine based test to detect head and neck cancer
At-home test can detect tumor DNA fragments in urine samples, providing a non-invasive alternative to traditional blood-based biomarker tests
DNA helix technology robotic cybernetic image
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Metabolite tells cells whether to repair DNA
Findings from researchers at the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center, published in Cancer Discovery, show how a specific nucleotide metabolite called GTP controls responses to radiation and chemotherapy in an unexpected way.
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Hungry for more
Metabolism pathways make tumors sensitive or resistant to treatments. A collaborative group leverages these avenues to explore the growing foundation of new potential therapies
vial of blood with blue background cell floating
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Hitting the mark
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center researchers are unraveling its nuances, advancing enabling technologies, advocating for patients and figuring out how to ethically integrate this technology into clinical care.
blood sample
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Early findings suggest clinical and lab-based approach critical to tracking head and neck cancer recurrence
Early findings of two studies from the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center shed light on new ways to anticipate recurrence in HPV-positive head and neck cancer sooner. The papers, published in Cancer and Oral Oncology, offer clinical and technological perspectives on how to measure if recurrence is happening earlier than current blood tests allow, and provide a framework for a new, more sensitive blood test that could help in this monitoring.
nanoparticles floating green blue
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Gene therapy for brain tumor shows promising early results in humans
Research from the University of Michigan Department of Neurosurgery and Rogel Cancer Center shows promising early results that a therapy combining cell-killing and immune-stimulating drugs are safe and effective in extending survival for patients with gliomas, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer.
pink purple microscopic cells
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Study shows new approach to target deadly form of prostate cancer
A study from the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center uncovers a new mechanism to explain why some prostate tumors switch from a common, treatable form to a more rare and aggressive form of prostate cancer.
gloved hand doing microplate samples
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Study brings insight to kidney cancer with gene mutation
A study from clinicians and researchers at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center reveals findings from over 800 clinical assays performed for kidney patients with MiTF family gene mutations.