At the University of Washington, we’re transforming what’s possible in cancer care — and our federally funded research is driving discoveries that save lives. From early detection to cutting-edge treatments and better outcomes for cancer patients, UW researchers are unlocking breakthroughs that bring hope to families here in Washington and across the country. Because cancer doesn’t wait — and neither do the researchers at the UW.
Much of the groundbreaking cancer research at the UW and its affiliated partners Fred Hutch Cancer Center and Seattle Children’s is made possible through federal funding — support that fuels early detection breakthroughs, lifesaving therapies and the training of future scientists. But that support is not guaranteed. As funding faces increased scrutiny and potential cuts, it’s more important than ever to recognize the value of this work and the lives it impacts every day.
These stories from the UW show what’s at stake — and what’s possible — when we invest in cancer research.
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Fighting childhood cancer
At the University of Washington, the fight against childhood cancer is powered by relentless innovation and unwavering hope. Through pioneering collaborations with Seattle Children’s and Fred Hutch, UW researchers are transforming treatment with breakthroughs like proton therapy — an advanced, UW-led approach that targets tumors with precision while protecting young, developing brains. Stories like Ava’s, a two-year-old who regained her joyful spirit after life-saving surgery and cutting-edge therapy, embody the promise of UW’s mission: to heal, to protect, and to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Every discovery is a step closer to a future where childhood cancer is not a life sentence, but a challenge science is ready to overcome.
Hope begins with early detection
When Ava, a lively 2-year-old, suddenly couldn’t walk, her parents turned to Seattle Children’s and Fred Hutch. Doctors discovered an aggressive brain tumor and quickly performed lifesaving surgery. At Fred Hutch Cancer at UW Medicine, Ava then received groundbreaking proton therapy, a powerful treatment that precisely targeted her tumor while sparing critical areas of her developing brain. Today, Ava is back to being the joyful, energetic toddler her family knows and loves.
Fighting the toughest pediatric brain tumors
Leading UW pediatric cancer researcher Dr. Nicholas Vitanza and his team are developing new treatments for some of the most difficult-to-treat brain tumors in kids. Their work includes a promising type of immunotherapy that delivers cancer-fighting cells directly to the brain — offering renewed hope for children and families facing the hardest diagnoses.
How the University of Washington helps power a national cancer center
UW partners with Fred Hutch Cancer Center and Seattle Children’s to provide the Cancer Consortium — one of the nation’s first comprehensive cancer research programs, as designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Cancer Program. Through this collaboration, UW scientists and medical experts are building better tools and leading efforts to prevent, detect and treat cancer in Washington and across the nation.
Cancer breakthroughs powered by the UW
Discover how UW researchers, clinicians and partners are advancing cancer care through bold ideas, breakthrough science and patient-centered innovation. These stories highlight the discoveries and care innovations made possible through public research funding — and why continued federal support matters more than ever.
Developing a breast cancer vaccine: Imagine a world where breast cancer could be prevented with a vaccine. At UW Medicine and Fred Hutch, researchers believe creating a breast cancer vaccine within the next 5–10 years is a realistic goal — a game-changing step toward stopping this disease before it starts.
Fighting cancer, fueling recovery
UW researchers are pioneering next-generation cancer treatments designed not only to destroy cancer cells but also to help healthy tissue regenerate and heal — a revolutionary approach that could speed recovery and improve patients’ quality of life.
A targeted approach to skin cancer
UW researchers and our partners at Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle have discovered a biomarker in the blood that can predict whether patients with Merkel cell carcinoma — a rare but aggressive skin cancer — are likely to respond to immunotherapy. This breakthrough could help doctors make better treatment decisions earlier and develop new strategies for patients who don’t respond to current therapies.
Researchers you should know
At the University of Washington, innovation is a team sport, and our cancer research community is filled with all-stars. The researchers featured here are pushing boundaries, saving lives, and redefining what’s possible in the fight against cancer. But they’re just the beginning. Across UW Medicine, Fred Hutch, and Seattle Children’s, hundreds of scientists, clinicians, and collaborators are working every day to unlock new treatments, improve outcomes, and bring hope to families in Washington and beyond. Their work is powered by passion, partnership, and the belief that together, we can turn today’s breakthroughs into tomorrow’s cures.
Breakthroughs in women’s cancers
Led by Dr. Elizabeth Swisher, UW medical scientists are transforming care for gynecologic cancers. From discovering the genes behind hereditary ovarian cancer to personalizing treatments and expanding self-testing for cervical cancer in underserved communities, Dr. Swisher and her team of researchers are working to make genetic testing for cancer risk accessible to all women — with and without cancer — so that no woman dies of a preventable hereditary cancer.
Boosting the body’s cancer defenses
Dr. Kevin Barry studies how the body’s innate immune system responds to cancer — and how that response can be improved. His research has already identified a type of immune cell that helps patients with melanoma respond better to immunotherapy. Now, he’s exploring how to boost those cells to make immunotherapy work for more people and more types of cancer.
Expanding access to lifesaving screenings
Dr. Rachel Issaka is a gastroenterologist and health equity researcher focused on increasing colorectal cancer screening in underserved communities. Through her leadership at Fred Hutch and UW Medicine, she’s working to reduce barriers, shape national guidelines and ensure that more people — regardless of background or income — receive early, effective care.
Safer immunotherapy for childhood leukemia
A pediatric cancer specialist at UW Medicine and Fred Hutch, Dr. Marie Bleakley is working to make stem cell transplants and T cell therapies safer and more effective for children with leukemia. Her research focuses on training the immune system to fight cancer without causing serious side effects like graft-versus-host disease — and her clinical trials are opening new possibilities for long-term survival.
Leading innovations in lung cancer
Dr. McGarry Houghton’s research is unlocking how lung tumors evade the immune system and turning that knowledge into targeted immunotherapies. His team is also identifying blood biomarkers that could one day allow noninvasive early detection of lung cancer — when it’s most treatable.
A new era of cancer immunotherapy
As the new scientific director of immunotherapy at Fred Hutch, Dr. Larry Fong brings decades of experience turning lab discoveries into approved cancer treatments. His work has already contributed to groundbreaking therapies for prostate, bladder and kidney cancers, and he leads national efforts to understand why some patients respond to immunotherapy — and how to make it work better for everyone.
Research Makes America
These stories are part of Research Makes America — a University of Washington series showcasing the life-changing power of federally funded research.
