UC San Diego Health Moores Cancer Center

Moores Member Samir Gupta, MD breaks down what you need to know in a recent piece for the San Diego Union-Tribune, from screening options and family history to lifestyle factors that can meaningfully reduce your risk. Colonoscopy remains the most effective tool for detecting colorectal cancer and precancerous polyps — and screening is recommended for everyone ages 45 to 75. Read the full article for his evidence-based guidance: bit.ly/4bQvXF6 #ColorectalCancerAwarenessMonth #MooresUCSD #ColonCancerPrevention

33 years. $14+ million raised. One unfinished mission. The Luau and Legends of Surfing Invitational — now the Legends of Science and Surfing — is kicking off its 33rd year of raising critical funds for cancer research. Join us on March 30 at 7 p.m. as we celebrate the progress we’ve made together and honor the legends of science and surfing who have helped move this mission forward. Featuring a special live performance by three-time World Surfing Champion Tom Curren and special guests. Cancer has touched nearly every life. Together, we are surfing for the cure. 🎟️ RSVP and be part of the momentum: bit.ly/3O4rtTc #LegendsOfScienceAndSurfing #SurfingForACure #33YearsStrong

This National Physicians Week, we honor the expertise, compassion and tireless commitment of our physicians. Thank you for the extraordinary care you provide to our patients and community. #NationalPhysiciansWeek #MooresCancerCenter

Head & neck #radiation patients wear custom masks for precise treatment. Afterward, that mask marks a major milestone. The radiation oncology team at #UCSDHealth teamed up with local artists to transform discarded masks into healing art for a recent art show — Reclaimed Radiance.

Moores Member Mateo Banegas, PhD, MPH, MS recently published a study in JAMA Network Open that found that regardless of cancer history, young adult patients may experience a high burden of social risks. These findings support the need to routinely assess and address social risks in young adult populations to improve equity in health care. Read more: bit.ly/4cVeAVM

Congratulations to Moores Member Nicole Steinmetz, PhD who has been recognized as an EASA Member in a ceremony held in Salzburg, Austria.

The next generation of cancer researchers is already in training. Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego is building the pipeline, from high school internships to postgraduate fellowships, to ensure the future of cancer care is in good hands. Read How: bit.ly/4s3XpWN #CancerResearch #Education #MooresCancerCenter #UCSDHealth

Rana McKay, MD, a physician-scientist at Moores Cancer Center, is featured in a recent 10News story highlighting the importance of prostate cancer screening and early detection. In the segment, prostate cancer survivor Jerry McCormick shares his powerful message encouraging Black men to prioritize their health: “Please go get tested.” Black men face a significantly higher risk of prostate cancer, making awareness and proactive screening conversations with your doctor especially critical. Watch the full segment: bit.ly/4bCa8Ke #ProstateCancerAwareness #MensHealth #HealthEquity #EarlyDetection

Tyler Seibert, MD, PhD, associate professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine, radiation oncologist at UC San Diego Health, and member of Moores Cancer Center, is helping make prostate cancer radiation safer with AI. The new tool automatically maps the urethra on MRI scans, a structure so small it is often difficult for physicians to identify. In testing, it captured 81% of the true urethra compared to 34% for physicians, and was typically accurate within two millimeters of expert contours. Trained on data from 11 MRI scanners across six hospitals and powered by UC San Diego's Expanse supercomputer, the tool has strong potential to standardize treatment planning and reduce urinary side effects for patients. Published in Radiotherapy and Oncology. Read more: bit.ly/4lkkrGm

Diane Simeone, MD, director of Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, is featured in a recent article discussing the urgent need to prioritize early detection in pancreatic cancer. While overall cancer survival rates have improved significantly, pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging diseases, with a five-year survival rate of about 13%. Research shows that detecting pancreatic cancer at the earliest stage could dramatically improve outcomes for patients. Dr. Simeone highlights how shifting diagnosis to earlier stages could transform survival and create new opportunities for effective treatment. Read the full article: bit.ly/4roxDew #PancreaticCancer #CancerResearch #EarlyDetection #CancerScience

Rohit Loomba, MD, professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine and member of Moores Cancer Center, has developed a smarter way to diagnose fatty liver disease. The new tool, called MAPI, uses five standard lab values already collected in routine care to identify when liver injury is driven by alcohol, even when patients underreport their drinking. No new tests, no added cost. Validated across 2,300+ patients in the U.S. and Sweden, MAPI outperformed commonly used blood tests and can be implemented immediately. Fatty liver disease affects 1 in 3 adults worldwide. Identifying its true cause is key to better outcomes. Read more: bit.ly/40OtJkh

Moores Member Rana McKay, MD has contributed to a large-scale liquid biopsy study that reveals how serial blood tests can track the genetic evolution of prostate under treatment to provide improved personalized care for patients with advanced disease. Read more: bit.ly/46xj8xC

Some symptoms shouldn’t be ignored. In this new article, Samir Gupta shares 5 warning signs of colorectal cancer, from blood in the stool to unexplained weight loss. At Moores Cancer Center, experts are advancing prevention, screening and treatment to detect colorectal cancer earlier and improve patient outcomes. Learn more: bit.ly/4d1G0cs #ColorectalCancer #CancerPrevention #MooresCancerCenter

Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet too many people are still diagnosed too late. At Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego, researchers and community partners are working to change that through innovative screening research and local partnerships. Read how we're making early detection more accessible across San Diego: bit.ly/3OXN9kd #ColorectalCancerAwarenessMonth #CancerPrevention #EarlyDetection #MooresCancerCenter

Congratulations to Moores Member Fleur Ferguson, PhD on being named a 2026 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow! Dr. Ferguson, assistant professor in Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, is pioneering next-generation proximity pharmacology platforms to tackle diseases where conventional drugs fall short. She joins a cohort of 126 fellows recognized by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation — one of the most competitive early-career honors in American science. Read more: bit.ly/3MXyfd5 #SloanFellow #UCSanDiego #ChemicalBiology #ProximityPharmacology

New research from Moores Member David D. Schlaepfer, PhD reveals a surprising discovery: blocking a protein called FAK causes ovarian tumor cells to release omega-3 fatty acids that "re-educate" nearby immune cells to attack tumors instead of protecting them. In mice, combining a FAK inhibitor with low-dose chemo and immunotherapy suppressed tumor growth and extended survival. And since FAK-targeting drugs are already in clinical trials, this could accelerate real treatment options, fast. A small molecule. A big shift in how we fight one of the most aggressive cancers. 🔬Published in Cell Reports. Read more: bit.ly/4cyhtvo #OvarianCancer #CancerResearch #Immunotherapy #MooresCancerCenter #UCSDHealth

Moores Member Irene Su, MD, MSCE led the update to the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s landmark fertility preservation guidelines, which expands recommendations to support young cancer patients from diagnosis through survivorship. Learn more: bit.ly/4u5KF3ff

When Carl Nuffer was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2024, he channeled his fight into something bigger — helping others facing the same battle. His family, alongside the Anders Foundation, donated $1 million to UC San Diego to accelerate brain cancer research, expand their Patient Tissue Bank, and bring precision medicine and AI-driven care to more patients. A remarkable act of generosity that will give hope to countless families for years to come. 🧠💙 Read more: bit.ly/4rfXJAt #BrainCancer #Glioblastoma #CancerResearch #UCSD #Philanthropy

Huge congratulations to Moores Cancer Center’s Ludmil Alexandrov, PhD, selected to lead Team CAUSE and awarded up to $25M from @CancerGrand. Chosen from 227 global submissions, the team will decode mutational signatures — the DNA “fingerprints” that reveal how cancer begins. Learn more: bit.ly/3ONC7xJ #CancerGrandChallenges #CancerResearch

This International Women’s Month, we celebrate Jill Mesirov, PhD, a pioneer in cancer genomics at Moores Cancer Center. Read the full story: go.ucsd.edu/4cjFaaL Read the FY25 Annual Report: bit.ly/4aAOTrS #InternationalWomensMonth #WomenInScience #CancerResearch