https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-rss/?title=Latest%20News&orgId=114550 A selection of the latest research, academic, and other newsworthy developments at Politi Lab en-us Copyright 2026 Yale School of Medicine Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:44:30 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/lung-cancer-development-treatment-and-what-comes-next/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/lung-cancer-development-treatment-and-what-comes-next/ Why do some lung cancers stop responding to drugs that once worked? And why does the immune system sometimes fail to recognize and destroy tumors? Pathologist Katerina Politi, PhD, has spent more than two decades pursuing those questions, and her team at Yale School of Medicine is now closer to finding answers that could reshape how patients are treated. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/center-for-thoracic-cancers-hosts-celebrate-the-unexpected/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/center-for-thoracic-cancers-hosts-celebrate-the-unexpected/ On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the Center for Thoracic Cancers hosted a special event for patients and caregivers, with Annabelle Gurwitch. Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/progress-and-hope-sharing-the-latest-advances-in-lung-cancer-care/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/progress-and-hope-sharing-the-latest-advances-in-lung-cancer-care/ On November 17, 2025, in honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, members of our Center for Thoracic Cancers at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center presented a patient forum: "Progress and Hope: Sharing the Latest Advances in Lung Cancer Care." The event was held in person at 55 Park Street in New Haven, CT. Tue, 18 Nov 2025 05:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/the-power-of-progress-in-lung-cancer/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/the-power-of-progress-in-lung-cancer/ Dr. Roy Herbst shares the progress that has been made in lung cancer care and research at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center. Thu, 13 Nov 2025 05:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/multi-day-cancer-symposium-lays-groundwork-for-research-collaboration/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/multi-day-cancer-symposium-lays-groundwork-for-research-collaboration/ An intensive two-day Yale Cancer Research symposium, dedicated to advancing cancer science through innovation and strengthening partnerships between Yale University and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), brought together researchers from multiple disciplines this week. Tue, 07 Oct 2025 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yales-lung-cancer-spore-grant-renewed-by-national-cancer-institute/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yales-lung-cancer-spore-grant-renewed-by-national-cancer-institute/ Yale Cancer Center's Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Lung Cancer has been awarded a renewal grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) for year 11 of the program. The prestigious grant, totaling $12M over five years, will provide critical funding to advance groundbreaking lung cancer research and accelerate progress in the prevention, detection, and treatment of this disease. Thu, 18 Sep 2025 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/national-cancer-research-month-with-dr-katerina-politi/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/national-cancer-research-month-with-dr-katerina-politi/ In honor of National Cancer Research Month, Dr. Katerina Politi shares why her research is focused on cancer. Mon, 26 May 2025 13:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yale-cancer-center-joins-hill-day-advocating-for-cancer-research-funding/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yale-cancer-center-joins-hill-day-advocating-for-cancer-research-funding/ Yale Cancer Center joined Hill Day, hosted by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) to bring cancer center directors, researchers, physician-scientists, cancer survivors, and other advocates together to build support for a strong federal investment in biomedical research—and cancer research in particular—through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Hill Day is a special opportunity in that it helps members of cancer centers secure time to meet with their Congressional representatives to share the importance and impact of cancer funding. Thu, 22 May 2025 23:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/new-research-presented-from-yale-cancer-center-at-aacr25/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/new-research-presented-from-yale-cancer-center-at-aacr25/ Yale Cancer Center faculty and trainees joined 22,000 cancer researchers from around the world to share the latest advances in cancer science and medicine earlier this week in Chicago for the 116th American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting. Dr. Patricia LoRusso, Amy and Joseph Perella Professor of Medicine at Yale Cancer Center and AACR President for 2024-25, shared her global view on cancer. “Cancer is a global disease—it spares no continent, no country. And each patient that gets the disease deserves treatment.” Thu, 01 May 2025 12:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yale-cancer-center-research-breakthroughs-unveiled-at-aacr-annual-meeting/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yale-cancer-center-research-breakthroughs-unveiled-at-aacr-annual-meeting/ Yale Cancer Center presentations at the AACR Annual Meeting will include oral and poster presentations as well as educational sessions, showcasing cutting-edge cancer science and medicine. Mon, 21 Apr 2025 09:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/annual-yale-cancer-center-excellence-awards-2025/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/annual-yale-cancer-center-excellence-awards-2025/ Formerly called the Conclave Awards, the 2025 Spring Yale Cancer Center awards honored research, clinical expertise, and support staff at the Hotel Marcel, New Haven on April 1, 2025. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 18:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/dr-roy-herbst-honored-by-the-chemotherapy-foundation/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/dr-roy-herbst-honored-by-the-chemotherapy-foundation/ Dr. Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD received the 2024 Ezra Greenspan Award from The Chemotherapy+ Foundation at a gala in New York Nov. 19, 2024. He is a deputy director of the Yale Cancer Center and Chief of Hematology/Medical Oncology, YCC and Smilow Cancer Hospital; Assistant Dean for Translational Research, Yale School of Medicine; Program Director, Master of Health Science—Clinical Investigation Track (MHS-CI) Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/understanding-lung-cancer-a-conference-to-raise-awareness-and-offer-hope-to-those-impacted-by-lung-cancer/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/understanding-lung-cancer-a-conference-to-raise-awareness-and-offer-hope-to-those-impacted-by-lung-cancer/ On November 13, 2024, in honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, members of our Center for Thoracic Cancers at Smilow Cancer Hospital presented a patient forum: "Understanding Lung Cancer: A Conference to Raise Awareness and Offer Hope to Those Impacted by Lung Cancer." Thu, 14 Nov 2024 05:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/dr-katerina-politi-on-yale-cancer-answers-the-era-of-precision-medicine/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/dr-katerina-politi-on-yale-cancer-answers-the-era-of-precision-medicine/ Dr. Katerina Politi on Yale Cancer Answers. Mon, 30 Sep 2024 04:00:00 Z https://news.yale.edu/2024/09/04/katerina-politi-appointed-madri-professor-pathology https://news.yale.edu/2024/09/04/katerina-politi-appointed-madri-professor-pathology A member of the Yale School of Medicine faculty since 2010, Politi co-leads the Cancer Signaling Networks Research Program at the Yale Cancer Center. Wed, 04 Sep 2024 04:40:00 Z https://cancerletter.com/in-the-archives/20240705_5/ https://cancerletter.com/in-the-archives/20240705_5/ The workshop, hosted by Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital June 12 – 13, was held in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the discovery of EGFR mutation in lung cancer, which launched the era of personalized medicine in advanced non-small cell lung cancer, leading to a dramatic shift in treatment. Mon, 08 Jul 2024 04:00:00 Z https://cancerletter.com/guest-editorial/20240705_4/ https://cancerletter.com/guest-editorial/20240705_4/ May 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of the publication of papers on the role of EGFR mutation in lung cancer. This is a seminal event that changed the history of this disease and that can be traced back to one reason why cancer mortality has been declining in the United States. Fri, 05 Jul 2024 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yale-hosts-annual-lung-cancer-spore-workshop/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yale-hosts-annual-lung-cancer-spore-workshop/ On June 12 – 13, 2024, Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital hosted the annual Lung Cancer SPORE Workshop at Yale West Campus. This year’s two-day workshop was held in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the discovery of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation in lung cancer, which launched the era of personalized medicine in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), leading to a dramatic shift in treatment. Fri, 21 Jun 2024 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yale-cancer-center-faculty-and-trainees-present-at-aacr-annual-meeting/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yale-cancer-center-faculty-and-trainees-present-at-aacr-annual-meeting/ The AACR Annual Meeting is the focal point of the cancer research community, where scientists, clinicians, other health care professionals, survivors, patients, and advocates gather to share the latest advances in cancer science and medicine. From population science and prevention; to cancer biology, translational, and clinical studies; to survivorship and advocacy; the AACR Annual Meeting highlights the work of the best minds in cancer research from institutions all over the world. Fri, 12 Apr 2024 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yale-cancer-center-conclave-2023-awards/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yale-cancer-center-conclave-2023-awards/ Yale Cancer Center annual Conclave in New Haven, March 26, 2024 include research and clinical awards. The four research awards are for: Clinical Cancer Research, Translational Science Research, Population Science Research, and Basic Cancer Research. Nine other awards are granted, including the Ruth McCorkle Oncology Advanced Practice Provider Award, the Class of '61 Cancer Research Awards, Clinical Excellence Award, Mentorship Excellence Award, Teaching Excellence Award, Service Excellence Award, Director's Awards, the Leadership in Diversity, Equity Inclusion Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award. Mon, 01 Apr 2024 10:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/katerina-politi-phd-elected-to-aacr-board-of-directors/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/katerina-politi-phd-elected-to-aacr-board-of-directors/ Katerina Politi, PhD, Professor of Pathology; Co-Leader, Cancer Signaling Networks; and Scientific Director for the Center for Thoracic Cancers, is one of five individuals newly elected to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Board of Directors. Fri, 15 Mar 2024 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/paul-calabresi-md-memorial-lecture/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/paul-calabresi-md-memorial-lecture/ Last Friday during Yale Cancer Center Grand Rounds, we welcomed Pasi A. Jänne, MD, PhD, Director of the Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology and Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; David M. Livingston, MD, Chair at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as guest presenter of the Paul Calabresi, MD, Memorial Lectureship, hosted by Dr. Roy Herbst, Deputy Director of Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital. Mon, 19 Feb 2024 05:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yale-team-shares-importance-of-lung-cancer-screening-at-community-event/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yale-team-shares-importance-of-lung-cancer-screening-at-community-event/ Yale Team Shares Importance of Lung Cancer Screening at Community Event at Q House in New Haven. Tue, 07 Nov 2023 05:00:00 Z https://www.onclive.com/view/dr-stockhammer-on-gene-alterations-and-poor-outcomes-in-egfr-mutant-lung-cancer https://www.onclive.com/view/dr-stockhammer-on-gene-alterations-and-poor-outcomes-in-egfr-mutant-lung-cancer Paul Stockhammer, MD, PhD, discusses research into the association between alterations in multiple tumor suppressor genes and poorer outcomes in patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancer, which was presented at the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting. Thu, 10 Aug 2023 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/lung-adenocarcinomas-new-findings-about-resistance-to-targeted-therapies/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/lung-adenocarcinomas-new-findings-about-resistance-to-targeted-therapies/ A research team co-led by Dr. Katerina Politi found how mSWI/SNF complexes mediate resistance of lung adenocarcinomas to osimertinib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Thu, 03 Aug 2023 15:00:00 Z https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/4071607-dont-take-away-critical-surgery-options-from-breast-cancer-patients/ https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/4071607-dont-take-away-critical-surgery-options-from-breast-cancer-patients/ DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator), in which abdominal tissue is transplanted to the chest without using abdominal muscle, may soon be less available. Why? The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is planning to eliminate the billing codes for this and other specialized breast reconstruction procedures on Dec. 31, 2024. This should not be the case: women facing breast cancer need all the best reconstruction options readily available. This is deeply personal for me. Thu, 29 Jun 2023 04:00:00 Z https://www.asip.org/women-in-pathology/#featured https://www.asip.org/women-in-pathology/#featured The American Society for Investigative Pathology features Katerina Politi, PhD, Associate Professor of Pathology, during Women in Pathology Month. Thu, 25 May 2023 04:00:00 Z https://dailynews.ascopubs.org/do/emerging-treatment-options-management-resistance-tyrosine-kinase-inhibitors-non-small https://dailynews.ascopubs.org/do/emerging-treatment-options-management-resistance-tyrosine-kinase-inhibitors-non-small Targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors have transformed the treatment landscape for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have contributed to an overall decline in lung cancer–related mortality, and as they move into the early-stage setting, more dramatic improvements in outcomes are expected. However, combatting TKI resistance in NSCLC is largely an unmet challenge. Tissue next-generation sequencing and plasma circulating tumor DNA–based assays have emerged as concurrent methods to identify targetable mechanisms of resistance to TKIs at the time of clinical progression, while antibody-drug conjugates represent a promising therapeutic class for the treatment of TKI-resistant NSCLC. Wed, 14 Dec 2022 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yale-cancer-center-researchers-reveal-why-some-lung-tumors-respond-better-to-targeted-therapies-than-others/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/yale-cancer-center-researchers-reveal-why-some-lung-tumors-respond-better-to-targeted-therapies-than-others/ In a new study, Yale Cancer Center researchers found molecular explanations for why some lung tumors respond better to certain drugs than others. The research should help improve drug selection for lung cancer patients with different mutations in the EGF receptor, using a precision medicine approach to treatment. Mon, 05 Dec 2022 04:00:00 Z https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/member-of-politi-lab-receives-young-investigator-award/ https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/politi/news-article/member-of-politi-lab-receives-young-investigator-award/ Dr. Stockhammer received the Distinguished Young Investigator Research Award at this year’s EGFR Resisters Research Summit in Chicago, IL. Thu, 01 Dec 2022 04:00:00 Z