Fred Hutch

01/18/2026

Fred Hutch Cancer Center welcomed Sabah Öney to its Board of Directors effective Jan. 1, 2026. Öney is the president and chief executive officer of Dispatch Bio, a start-up company that is engineering a universal treatment across solid tumors.

“It is an honor to join the Fred Hutch Board of Directors,” said Öney. “For the past 50 years, Fred Hutch has built a global reputation for developing lifesaving treatments and leading scientific innovation, and I look forward to joining with this outstanding group of leaders to advance the mission of curing cancer and infectious diseases.”

Öney brings nearly 20 years of scientific experience and executive leadership in the biotechnology industry. In 2012, he oversaw the global expansion of products at Ariosa Diagnostics. Later, he served as the Chief Business Officer of Alector, a biotech company leveraging the immune system against neurodegenerative diseases and guided the company throughout its IPO process. In 2021, he joined ARCH Venture Partners as a Venture Partner. Öney is also a Co-founder and Interim CEO of Vilya, a computational biotechnology company founded by Nobel Laureate David Baker, PhD, and serves on its Board of Directors.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4pw836n

01/18/2026

"This is a worse than average flu season, that’s for sure."

Fred Hutch virologists Jesse Bloom and John Huddleston weigh in on a surge of flu cases this season, which they say is driven in part by a high rate of mutation in the H3N2 flu strain.

Read more:

A ferocious surge in influenza cases is linked in part to a variant that has not been dominant in the past few years — resulting in a waning of natural immunity.

01/17/2026

🧬 When it comes to simplifying gene therapy, a new foam could be the key. 🫧

Bioengineers at Fred Hutch have unveiled a promising new approach to gene therapy — using a methylcellulose-based foam to efficiently genetically modify bone marrow stem cells right at the bedside.

In a proof-of-principle study published in Molecular Therapy Methods & Clinical Development, the team showed that this foam, when paired with an already-approved method for concentrating bone marrow stem cells, can deliver targeted gene therapy more efficiently than viral vectors or lipid nanoparticles.

“We show that we can use our foam to genetically modify bone marrow stem cells at a very high efficiency,” said senior author Matthias Stephan, PhD.

this approach could help pave the way for outpatient gene therapies designed to correct genetic defects— potentially making these treatments faster, simpler, and more accessible for patients.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4pFQ2CE

01/17/2026

Uncertain about how you can stay healthy on a tight budget, especially when bombarded with misinformation from social media influencers and bad actors? Check out Fred Hutch's budget-friendly cancer prevention tips: https://bit.ly/3LfzWlm

Uncertain about how you can stay healthy on a tight budget, especially when bombarded with misinformation from social media influencers and bad actors? Check out Fred Hutch's budget-friendly cancer prevention tips.

01/16/2026

Break up your day with snacks to reduce your cancer risk in the .

01/16/2026

Dr. David Zhen joined Fred Hutch to advance clinical trials testing innovative therapies and combination strategies for patients with gastrointestinal cancers. Today, he and his collaborators are investigating how cutting-edge cellular therapies could transform treatment for pancreatic and gastroesophageal cancers — and harness the full potential of immunotherapy across solid tumors.

Check out his full conversation with Dr. Petros Grivas on the Oncology Insights Podcast: https://bit.ly/4pDlpOg

01/14/2026

Dr. Amanda Phipps of Fred Hutch talks about a simple way you can your exposure to .

01/13/2026

Navigating cancer can be overwhelming. Having a support person like a patient navigator can make a big difference. The Patient Navigation program is here to help patients address any barriers or concerns that they have related to their care at Fred Hutch.

They can help patients navigate today’s complex healthcare system and share tangible resources such as financial assistance, transportation, and medical lodging. Learn more about how to get in touch with the navigation program via the link in our bio.

01/13/2026

Let's talk about plant-based diets and cancer! One common myth that people have is that they need to be vegetarian or vegan if they have cancer. Fred Hutch registered dietitian Laura Martinell debunks this myth and provides recommendations on how to balance your diet with fiber and animal products.

01/11/2026

Trying to live healthier can feel overwhelming.

But cancer experts say that some of the most effective ways to lower your cancer risk are also the most affordable.

Not smoking. Eating more plants. Protecting your lungs. Moving your body more. Drinking less alcohol.

Science shows the basics still matter most, and you don’t need a big budget to make a meaningful impact on your health.

01/10/2026

🗓️ Save the date!

Join us Saturday, March 7 at 10 a.m. PST for the Colorectal Cancer Community Awareness Event. Attendees will learn about colorectal cancer, talk with navigators who can connect you with health care resources, meet physicians and dietitians to discuss how to reduce your cancer risk, and chat with survivors about their experiences. Visit the link in comments to learn more. 👇

01/09/2026

Research has shown that people quit their resolutions for the year by the second Friday of January. Whether you're struggling to maintain that "new you" in the new year — or just need some motivation for every-day health habits, here are some science-backed tips to keep you on track. 🏃 🥦 🚭 😴 🌲