Share Research Highlights

Every year, researchers in the Hutchinson Center's various divisions and programs report a host of breakthroughs related to our core mission: eliminating cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases as causes of human suffering and death.

Study finds a link between injectable contraceptive use and increased risk of breast cancer in young women
The first large-scale U.S.-based study to evaluate the link between an injectable form of progestin-only birth control and breast cancer risk in young women has found that recent use of a year or more doubles the risk

Hutchinson Center scientists break through pancreas cancer treatment barrier
Scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have found a way to break through the unique biological defense that pancreas cancer forms, and their research represents a potential breakthrough in the treatment of pancreatic tumors.

Study shows advance in using patients’ own tumor-fighting cells to knock back advanced melanoma
A small, early-phase clinical trial to test the effectiveness of treating patients with advanced melanoma using billions of clones of their own tumor-fighting cells combined with a specific type of chemotherapy has shown that the approach has promise.

Study shows an investigational urine test can predict high-risk prostate cancer in men who choose ‘watchful waiting’
Initial results of a multicenter study coordinated by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center indicates that two investigational urine-based biomarkers are associated with prostate cancers that are likely to be aggressive and potentially life-threatening among men who take a “watchful waiting,” or active-surveillance approach to manage their disease.

Tracking the birth of an evolutionary arms race between HIV-like viruses and primate genomes
Using a combination of evolutionary biology and virology, scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have traced the birth of the ability of some HIV-related viruses to defeat a newly discovered cellular-defense system in primates.

International research team discovers genes and disease mechanisms behind a common form of muscular dystrophy
Continuing a series of groundbreaking discoveries begun in 2010 about the genetic causes of the third most common form of inherited muscular dystrophy, an international team of researchers led by a scientist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has identified the genes and proteins that damage muscle cells, as well as the mechanisms that can cause the disease.

Study finds a diet rich in slowly digested carbs reduces markers of inflammation in overweight and obese adults
Among overweight and obese adults, a diet rich in slowly digested carbohydrates, such as whole grains, legumes and other high-fiber foods, significantly reduces markers of inflammation associated with chronic disease, according to a new study by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Solving the structure of a protein that shows promise as a DNA-targeting molecule for gene correction, therapy
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have solved the three-dimensional structure of a newly discovered type of gene-targeting protein that has shown to be useful as a DNA-targeting molecule for gene correction, gene therapy and gene modification.