James LaBelle, MD, PhD, has been named the new Service Line Chief of Pediatric Cancer and Blood Diseases for the Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance (CCHA) and Section Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Transplant and Cellular Therapy at UChicago Medicine.

Ulrich Steidl, M.D., Ph.D., has finalized his Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center (MECCC) senior leadership team, just six months after stepping into the role of MECCC Director and Vice President of Cancer Medicine at Montefiore Einstein.

“Today marks a new chapter as we elevate elite colleagues who have significant research accomplishments and leadership experience to principal posts at MECCC,” said Dr. Steidl. “They are recognized “all-stars” in their fields, and together, working at one of the nation’s top cancer centers, we will move the needle in not just helping people survive advanced cancers but identifying the factors that drive certain cancers from occurring in the first place.”

Keck Medicine of USC has launched a clinical trial to evaluate whether a blood test can help detect breast cancer earlier than mammograms alone.

Umbilical cord blood is more than a source of stem cells for transplantation. A review in Science China Life Sciences examines how its diverse cells and bioactive components are being explored for cancer immunotherapy, inherited disorders and tissue repair. The authors connect these opportunities with advances in cell expansion, gene engineering and manufacturing, while identifying barriers to clinical translation. They emphasize that many emerging applications still require further evidence of safety, effectiveness and durable benefit.