JULY 2025 TIP SHEET

Blood Cancer

Expanding Donor Pool for Stem Cell Transplant Patients

Blood cancer patients who have struggled to find a donor match for transplantation now have more options, according to new research from Sylvester. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, showed that patients can achieve good outcomes with a partial match drawn from the national public donor registry when they are treated with the immune-suppressing drug cyclophosphamide. These findings should expand the donor pool for patients struggling to find a full match, said Antonio Jimenez Jimenez, M.D., physician-scientist and senior study author.

Pap Corps Champions  Physician-Scientist for Endowed Professorship

The Pap Corps Champions for Cancer Research has recognized Justin Taylor, M.D., as the newest holder of its endowed professorship in leukemia. The endowment will provide funding to further Taylor’s research into innovative technologies, such as single-cell sequencing, to detect residual disease, as well as new kinase-targeted drug therapies for leukemia. Taylor is Sylvester’s translational leader for leukemia.

Skin Cancer

Sylvester Experts Promote Skin Cancer Prevention

Do I really need to wear sunscreen every day, even if it’s cloudy or I’m just driving? What does skin cancer look like? Are all concerning moles dark or irregular? What SPF should I use to protect my skin from the sun’s harmful rays? Susana Mejia, M.D., is available to discuss these questions and more. She and other Sylvester experts remind everyone, especially those undergoing cancer treatment, to take precautions to prevent skin cancer  --  the most common cancer worldwide. Cancer patients can be particularly sensitive to sunlight while receiving chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

Cancer and Lifestyle

Lifestyle Medicine Research Revolutionizing Cancer Care

Cancer treatment is undergoing a transformative shift, expanding from traditional treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation to include a more holistic approach. Lifestyle medicine, a science-backed discipline that focuses on nutrition, physical activity, stress management and social connection, is now playing a more pivotal role in improving patient outcomes. “For cancer survivors, embracing healthy lifestyle behaviors is more than prevention – it’s a vital part of the survivorship journey,” explained Tracy Crane, Ph.D., RDN, co-lead of the Cancer Control Program at Sylvester.  

Cancer Profile

Sylvester Psychologist Helps Patients Navigate Cancer Diagnosis

Lara Traeger, Ph.D., Sylvester researcher, clinical psychologist and associate professor, teaches cancer patients the skills they need to manage their care, cope with side effects and communicate effectively with their physicians and care team. Her support also includes addressing survivorship challenges. “My focus is on developing, testing and integrating into cancer care evidence-based interventions that help patients enhance their resiliency and quality of life,” she explained. 

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Sandy Van
sandy.van@miami.edu

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