Transforming routine immune profiling to power the future of medicine. I3H builds on Penn Medicine’s pioneering legacy in immunology to advance discovery across disciplines. Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania 🔗 www.med.upenn.edu/i3hhttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mjkvfr4lx22t"We’re thinking of how to find cancers when they’re a single cell—before they really have completed the cancer invasion program—and erase them and reset the clock," says Robert Vonderheide, MD, DPhil, director of the Abramson Cancer Center. https://bit.ly/4sFgmyu https://www.inquirer.com/health/robert-vonderheide-upenn-american-association-cancer-research-future-20260328.html?query=vonderheide15 Apr 2026 22:00 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjkvfr4lx22thttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mjhxafk45f2cA patient with three rare autoimmune diseases in Germany has been symptom-free for over a year after a single dose of CAR T cell therapy. Avery Posey, PhD addresses risks + new developments for adapting the #immunotherapy as a treatment for autoimmune diseases in The Atlantic: https://bit.ly/4dG3nIY14 Apr 2026 17:55 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjhxafk45f2chttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mjfnckpaub2jThe Colton Consortium for #Autoimmunity hosts a monthly virtual seminar for the #autoimmune research community. Join next week (4/21, 11AM ET) for Ruslan Medzhitov, PhD (Yale), who will be addressing how environmental factors shape adaptive immunity. Register to reserve your spot: bit.ly/4mo4yyW https://bit.ly/4mo4yyW13 Apr 2026 19:52 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjfnckpaub2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mjazfefnnp2oIn 2016, Dennis Massimo consented to having a blood sample banked for future research after having his tonsils removed. In 2025, he received a life changing call from Penn Medicine BioBank after his sample was used in a research study: https://bit.ly/4c80lKX https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/cancer-survivor-learning-i-had-lynch-syndrome-saved-my-life11 Apr 2026 23:45 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjazfefnnp2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mj3t5nepj626New research on cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), a chronic autoimmune disease that impacts the skin, may change treatment approaches. Victoria Werth, MD, discussed disease progression and clinical trials of the new therapy Litifilimab. https://bit.ly/3Q6zGH709 Apr 2026 22:10 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj3t5nepj626https://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3miwduf77ki2wResearchers at @pennmedicine.bsky.social show precancerous pancreatic lesions can be eliminated before tumors form—tripling survival in mice. Published in Science, the study offers early evidence for a “cancer interception” approach. https://bit.ly/4tp5yoO https://www.insideprecisionmedicine.com/topics/oncology/kras-inhibitors-intercept-pancreatic-cancer-before-it-develops-in-mice/https://www.insideprecisionmedicine.com/topics/oncology/kras-inhibitors-intercept-pancreatic-cancer-before-it-develops-in-mice/07 Apr 2026 17:53 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3miwduf77ki2whttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mitt7sf2dk2dA molecule linked to the ketogenic diet may boost cancer #immunotherapy. Researchers found β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) enhances CAR T cell antitumor activity—pointing to a potential strategy to improve treatment effectiveness. https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(26)00169-806 Apr 2026 17:49 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mitt7sf2dk2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mgpxuj6y4e2eGLP-1 drugs have transformed diabetes + obesity care—but injections and cost still limit access. New research led by Henry Daniell, published in Plant Biotechnology Journal, engineers lettuce chloroplasts to produce oral GLP-1 peptides. The goal: No injections. Lower costs. https://bit.ly/4crZyqm10 Mar 2026 18:12 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgpxuj6y4e2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mgpou3kfkc2eToday's 5th Annual Lynch Syndrome Symposium, hosted by the King Center at @pennmedicine.bsky.social, brings together patients, families, and health care or research professionals interested in learning more about the latest Lynch syndrome research and treatment options. Learn more: bit.ly/4laMCar10 Mar 2026 15:30 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgpou3kfkc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mgng7z5nds2oA new CRISPR tool used directly in patients’ cancer cells can pinpoint genes driving acute myeloid leukemia (AML) — helping identify drug targets and uncover why some cancers resist treatment. Published by Penn Medicine & CHOP in Molecular Cell. https://bit.ly/4cqeZiB09 Mar 2026 17:51 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgng7z5nds2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mgg74cgmco2wA $10 million gift establishes the King Center for Lynch Syndrome at the Abramson Cancer Center—the first named center of its kind worldwide. Lynch syndrome affects ~1 in 279 people. The new center will expand lifelong care, research, and education. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4laMCar06 Mar 2026 20:55 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgg74cgmco2whttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mgdoliwq522wCongratulations to I3H member Nikolaos Sgourakis (University of Pennsylvania & Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) on new funding from the @themarkfdn.bsky.social and a new coalition of leading nonprofits dedicated to advancing early cancer detection. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3MVytRW05 Mar 2026 20:54 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgdoliwq522whttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mgau4n2hlo2oRecently published in Cell, research led by Michela Locci, PhD, at the Perelman School of Medicine (University of Pennsylvania) shows that both lipid nanoparticles and the mRNA itself help drive vaccine potency—insights for future vaccine design. https://bit.ly/3MSLbkq04 Mar 2026 17:55 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgau4n2hlo2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mem2wx3iph2bA next-gen CAR-T therapy destroys cancer cells in mice without suppressing the immune system. Led by Marco Ruella, MD (Penn Medicine), CART4-34 targets B cell receptors with the IGHV4-34 gene and may offer a safer path for treating autoimmune diseases like lupus. https://go.nature.com/3ZU9voK11 Feb 2026 18:06 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mem2wx3iph2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mejjhs4dfq2hBig year for Penn Medicine clinical research: Four federally funded studies led by faculty made the Top 10 Clinical Research Achievement Awards presented by Clinical Research Forum, w/ three more studies in the Top 20—including work by Peter Merkel, MD, MPH and Carl June, MD: https://bit.ly/4qpNDMU10 Feb 2026 17:48 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mejjhs4dfq2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3megzdmoo3d2bTumors may be hijacking the brain to protect themselves. A new preclinical study shows lung cancer cells in mice signal the brain to suppress anticancer immunity. Knocking out sensory neurons led to a “huge, dramatic reduction” in tumor growth, says Chengcheng Jin, PhD. https://bit.ly/4rB0c97 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lung-cancer-hijacks-the-brain-to-trick-the-immune-system/09 Feb 2026 17:54 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3megzdmoo3d2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3me54f2ofk22qCongratulations to Carl June, MD named a "Disruptor of the Year" by @thephilacitizen.bsky.social. From pioneering CAR-T therapy to launching Dispatch Bio—rooted in Philly’s “Cellicon Valley"—his research continues to push the boundaries of cancer treatment. https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/meet-the-citizens-of-the-year/05 Feb 2026 19:21 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3me54f2ofk22qhttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mbtvkpiihc2nI3H Deputy Director, Dr. Vahedi (@vahedilab.bsky.social) will be discussing "Multiome Profiling in Human Type 1 Diabetes" at this month's session of the Colton Consortium Virtual Speaker Series (Jan. 20, 11:00am ET). Register to secure your spot: bit.ly/VahediJan20 [contains quote post or other embedded content]07 Jan 2026 16:35 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbtvkpiihc2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3mabklq4psj2jNew work from Regina Young, PhD and Carl June, MD shows that adding IL-9 signaling can supercharge CAR-T cells against solid tumors. Engineered IL-9 receptors kept CAR-T cells active and persistent, clearing pancreatic and prostate tumors in mice—even at low doses. https://bit.ly/4as5Rcf18 Dec 2025 16:06 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3mabklq4psj2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3ma23t2iice2kCongrats to Marco Ruella, MD, and the viTToria Biotherapeutics team on being named Startup of the Year at the 10th Annual Penn PCI Celebration of Innovation! Their work on cellular therapies for aggressive T-cell lymphoma aims to help more patients. https://bit.ly/48vHnh015 Dec 2025 16:53 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3ma23t2iice2khttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3m7su5dmisx2nDelayed side effects after CAR T therapy for multiple myeloma—including neurotoxicity and intestinal inflammation—may share a common immune root cause. New Penn Medicine research presented at #ASH25 links them to higher non-relapse mortality. https://bit.ly/4a5QJ4c12 Dec 2025 19:47 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7su5dmisx2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3m7oh7334w22wOn the latest Autoimmune Association podcast, Dr. Nina Luning Prak speaks with 2025 Nobel Laureates in Medicine, Dr. Mary Brunkow and Dr. Fred Ramsdell about the landmark discovery of FOXP3 and regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the future of autoimmune research. https://youtu.be/FsFbsnGAqm8?si=cFyDbakqCbLWoY7v11 Dec 2025 01:44 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7oh7334w22whttps://bsky.app/profile/i3h-upenn.bsky.social/post/3m7imldee6m2pIn the 90s, Dr. Carl June asked a bold question: Can we train the immune system to fight cancer? His work led to CAR-T cell therapy—saving thousands. On The Catalysts, he discusses his career, #immunotherapy, and why fundamental science matters. https://youtu.be/a3sjJyl98uc?si=rkBwCDcfAvBTTolk08 Dec 2025 18:05 +0000at://did:plc:jpxjqibunpvks3acra3dcgfl/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7imldee6m2p