OHSU Knight Cancer Institute

08/27/2025

“It tells us there’s a signal here. We wouldn’t have expected these rates of high-risk adenomas, which are cancer precursor lesions, in an age group like this.”

- Dr. David Lieberman on the possibility of extreme exercise being linked to colon cancer (via The New York Times) ⤵️

A small, preliminary study found that marathoners were much more likely to have precancerous growths. Experts aren’t sure why.

08/26/2025

“The most modifiable factor for getting skin cancer is exposure to UV radiation.

Being at altitude, you’re closer to the sun, so just by being outside in the sun you get exposed to more UV radiation.”

- Dr. Elizabeth Berry on the risk of in mountain communities (via Idaho Mountain Express):

Long summer days are perfect for soaking up sunshine and spending time outside enjoying everything the valley has to offer. Here’s what you need to know about skin cancer risk

08/25/2025

“We can and have to do better. If we show the way in cancer, how that experience can be better, it will trickle over to every patient in every entity.”

Dr. Brian Druker joined OPB's "Think Out Loud" to discuss what Phil and Penny Knight's $2 billion donation will mean for cancer care in Oregon.

Phil and Penny Knight have pledged $2 billion to Oregon Health & Science University for cancer research.

08/20/2025

Who do you do it for?

08/20/2025

"I would run through a brick wall for you!"

Dan Lanning's voiceover in the video inspired Dr. Brian Druker to call the Oregon Football Head Coach 🤝

08/19/2025

It takes all of us.

Employees gathered on the Mackenzie Hall lawn to recognize their incredible work and to toast to the Knight's historic gift.

It was a time for fellowship, reflection on what had been accomplished, and the opportunities that lay ahead.

Dr. Brian Druker spoke about the inspiration he felt after hearing Dan Lanning's voiceover.

People wrote messages of encouragement for loved ones impacted by cancer and displayed them side by side.

Together, we will .

08/18/2025

In 1998, Judy Orem had run out of options.

Diagnosed with CML in 1995, the available drug (Interferon) wasn’t working. A final option was the phase I clinical trials of Gleevec.

After consulting with Dr. Brian Druker, Judy became the ninth patient to take Gleevec, and she has now been taking the drug longer than any other patient.

Because of Dr. Druker’s discovery, Judy was able to become a grandmother, and she’s thankful for the many years’ worth of celebrations and memories with her family.

Judy was on hand last Thursday to speak at the press conference where it was announced Phil and Penny Knight would donate $2 billion in our fight to : https://bit.ly/3Hhy1uz

08/16/2025

“Penny and Phil Knight have always challenged us to do what no one else is doing. It can seem impossible to navigate the health care system after being diagnosed with cancer.

We’re going to change that.

We have revolutionized the way we detect and treat cancer. Now we are going to transform the way we care for patients while continuing to develop innovative treatments.”

- Dr. Brian Druker

08/15/2025

"We couldn’t be more excited about the transformational potential of this work for humanity."

- Phil and Penny Knight on their record-breaking $2 billion gift to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute to transform the future of cancer care and set a new standard globally.

The largest single donation ever made to a U.S. university, college or academic health center will transform cancer care.

08/14/2025

Phil and Penny Knight announced today a record-breaking $2 billion gift to the Oregon Health & Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute to transform the future of cancer care and set a new standard globally.

This is the largest single donation ever made to a U.S. university, college or academic health center and will transform cancer care.

Thank you to Phil and Penny Knight for their incredible generosity.

https://bit.ly/4oBHTji

08/12/2025

In Warm Springs, Oregon the love of basketball is uniting a community against pancreatic cancer.

This aggressive disease disproportionately affects Native American communities, with a grim survival rate.

But a new partnership at OHSU is aiming to change that narrative ⤵️

The basketball tournament and associated outreach efforts by the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute's Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) program and the Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care in Warm Springs reflect a meaningful step in fostering trust and addressing health disparities.

08/08/2025

Researchers at OHSU have developed a powerful new tool, dubbed OmicsTweezer, making it easier to study the mix of cell types in human tissue.

This is crucial for understanding diseases such as cancer ⤵️

Using machine learning, OmicsTweezer merges diverse data by using deep learning combined with optimal transport.