Every day of the year, scientists at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center conduct research to deepen our understanding of cancer and to improve care for cancer patients.

"This year Rogel Cancer Center researchers have continued to illuminate new aspects of cancer biology, move promising drug discovery projects toward the clinic and analyze outcomes data to improve care delivery," says Director Eric Fearon, M.D., Ph.D., Emanuel N. Maisel Professor of Oncology at Michigan Medicine. "We are home to more than 340 faculty members drawn from 53 academic departments across nine schools and colleges at U-M. I'm extremely proud of all of their work on behalf of our patients and survivors and others across the globe whose lives will one day be touched by cancer."

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Fearon stressed that these discoveries wouldn't be possible without the ongoing support of federally funded agencies including the National Cancer Institute and National Institutes of Health, as well as the support of organizations like the American Cancer Society and generous philanthropic funding.

"It's important to understand that breakthroughs in cancer don't happen in a vacuum and, in fact, require substantial societal investment," he adds. "We are grateful to all of the organizations and individuals who make these forward strides possible."

Below are our top 10 research stories from 2019:

• Newly Defined Cancer Driver is Fast, Furious and Loud

U-M researchers characterized three ways in which the gene FOXA1 mutates to trigger prostate cancer.

• Study: Therapy Completely Clears HPV in One-Third of Cervical Precancers

An international clinical trial showed the promise of immune treatment against HPV infections that lead to cervical cancer.

• Study Explores Why Prostate Cancer Mortality is Higher in Black Men

The largest study of its kind found that societal factors and access to quality care, rather than genetics, underlies higher prostate cancer mortality rates for black men.

• New Drug Shows Encouraging Survival Results for Pancreatic Cancer

An early clinical trial at U-M found that a Wee1 inhibitor, combined with radiation and gemcitabine, is safe and potentially effective in pancreatic cancer treatment.

• Lasting Tumor Regression of Leukemia and Lymphoma in Mouse Models Achieved by U-M Compound

A potent and selective degrader of the transcription factor STAT3 offers a new approach to a previously "undruggable" target.

• Approach Could Help in Treating Glioblastoma, Other Rare Cancers

Michigan-led research presented a new way of uncovering predictive biomarkers when data from large randomized trials aren't available.

• A Protein's Surprising Role Offers Clues to Limit Graft-vs.-Host Disease

While it plays a protective role in other diseases, knocking out NLRP6 in mice led to better outcomes and less-severe symptoms after a bone marrow transplant.

• Researchers Find New Target to Improve Response to Cancer Immunotherapy

A U-M study was the first to define how a little-known type of cell death impacts tumor cells and immune cells.

• Tackling Tumors That Always Come Back: New Brain Cancer Research Could Improve Outcomes

A genetic mutation makes a glioma subtype resistant to radiation, but a U-M study found a potential way around it using currently available drugs.

• Cancer Patients Want to Pull Back the Curtain on Pathology

Speaking directly with a pathologist could help patients better understand their diagnosis and feel empowered, a survey of patient sentiment found.

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Stay up to date on the latest cancer research from the U-M Rogel Cancer Center on Twitter at @UMRogelCancer or visit rogelcancercenter.org/news.