In the News
Investigators may have uncovered key differences in tumor biology but similarities in survival outcomes in instances of equal access to care between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White men with metastatic prostate cancer, according to a recent study published by Valle et al in JAMA Network Open.
World Today News: Veteran Prostate Cancer: New Genetic Clues Found
A large-scale study highlights the importance of genomic testing in achieving equitable cancer care for all populations.
In a groundbreaking genomic study spearheaded by leading cancer research institutions, including Moffitt Cancer Center, the University of Pennsylvania, and UCLA Health, a comprehensive analysis was conducted on metastatic prostate cancer among U.S. veterans, focusing specifically on non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic white populations.
Penn Medicine Physician Interviews (Spotify): Cancer Risk in BRCA-Positive Men
Cancer and surgery specialists Drs. Kara Maxwell, Daniel Lee, Jennifer Zhang, and Bryson Katona delve into the nuances of BRCA-positive breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers in men. This wide-ranging discussion encompasses BRCA heritability, diagnostics, screening, risks, and treatment options.
Basser Center for BRCA: 2025 Breakthroughs & Discoveries Panel
The Basser Center's 2025 Breakthroughs and Discoveries Panel brought together internationally renowned experts in the field of BRCA-related cancer research and care. Basser Center Executive Director Susan Domchek, MD, moderated the discussion which featured Patrick Sung, DPhil, of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Gareth Evans, MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCOG of Manchester Breast Centre, and Kara Maxwell, MD, PhD of Basser's Men & BRCA Program.
Penn Today: New tool puts reproductive risk for BRCA carriers into perspective
A team at Penn Medicine has created a resource to help inform reproductive counseling for cancer gene mutation carriers.
OncLive: Dr Maxwell on a Study of Genetic Testing in Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Kara Maxwell, MD, PhD discusses a study of genetic testing results in metastatic prostate cancer.
Penn: A Moment for Men’s Health
Since 2012, the Basser Center for BRCA at Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center has been a leader in advancing lifesaving therapies and raising crucial awareness of the risks faced by individuals with BRCA gene mutations.
Prostate Cancer Foundation: 2022 Movember-PCF VAlor Challenge Award
Understanding the factors that contribute to prostate cancer disparities is a critical unmet medical need. Dr. Garraway and colleagues will use a vast dataset with clinical, demographic, and genetic data from over 500,000 Veterans, to identify social and environmental vs. genomic/genetic factors that contribute to prostate cancer racial disparities and develop models for predicting risk and improving tailored patient screening and management strategies.
Basser Center for BRCA: 2025 Breakthroughs & Discoveries Panel
The Basser Center for BRCA's event featured internationally renowned experts in the field of BRCA-related cancer research and care. The panel was moderated by Basser Executive Director Susan Domchek, MD, and featured National Cancer Institute’s Andre Nussenzweig, PhD, Penn Medicine’s Kara N. Maxwell, MD, PhD, and the Institute of Cancer Research’s Andrew Tutt, MB, ChB, PhD, FMedSci.
Uro Today: The Risk of Prostate Cancer in Men with Inherited Germline TP53 Variants - Kara Maxwell
In this discussion between Kara Maxwell and Alicia Morgans, Dr Maxwell highlights the role of TP53 in cancer and understanding the Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Inherited germline TP53 pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants (gTP53) cause autosomal dominant multicancer predisposition including Li-Fraumeni syndrome and the work that Drs. Morgans and Maxwell discuss here sought to determine whether gTP53 predisposes to prostate cancer.
The ASCO Post: Patients in Cancer Remission Also at Higher Risk for Severe COVID-19 Illness
Patients with inactive cancer who are not currently undergoing treatment also face a significantly higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, according to a new study published by Sun et al in JNCI Cancer Spectrum. The findings underscore the importance of COVID-19 mitigation, like social distancing and mask-wearing, and vaccinations for all patients, not just those recently diagnosed or with active disease.
PCF Young Investigator Awards are intended to identify a cohort of future research leaders who will keep the field of prostate cancer research vibrant with new ideas, and offer career and project support for early career physicians and scientists who are committed to advancing the prostate cancer field. Twenty-seven PCF Young Investigator Awards totaling $6 million were granted to the promising next generation of cancer researchers.
Cancer Network: Reviewing Various Biomarker Settings for Patients with Prostate Cancer
Kara N. Maxwell, MD, PhD, expanded upon the available biomarkers for use in prostate cancer in a presentation during the 21st Annual Meeting of the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO). She explained how the available biomarkers can be applied at various points, while also guiding toward which treatments can improve patient care.
OncLive: Rare TP53 Mutation Confers Risk of Several Cancers in Ashkenazi Jewish Population
A lower-risk TP53 mutation has been linked with a specific kind of Li Fraumeni Syndrome which predisposes individuals to a wide range of cancers, and this newly described variant of p53 is most commonly found in the Ashkenazi Jewish population.
Penn Today: Rare genetic mutation leaves people at higher risk for multiple cancers
Researchers determined that there is an inherited set of genetic material shared among people who have this mutation, suggesting it’s what’s called a founder mutation—a mutation that tracks within one ethnicity. In this case, that ethnicity is the Ashkenazi Jewish population.
Science Daily: Rare mutation of TP53 gene leaves people at higher risk for multiple cancers
Researchers detail the potential implications of a specific TP53 mutation, including an association with a specific type of Li-Fraumeni syndrome, an inherited predisposition to a wide range of cancers.
Inside Precision Medicine: Rare Mutation Confers Higher Multiple Cancer Risk for Ashkenazi Jews
Rare inherited mutations in the TP53 gene can leave people at a higher risk of developing multiple types of cancer over the course of their lives.
Wall Street Journal: The Reinterpretation of Genetic Tests Is Rare
Genetics is a field of risks—not absolutes—and specific answers for a specific patient are nuanced and can be difficult.
Basser Center for BRCA: Prostate Cancer Screening with a BRCA Mutation
This is part of an ongoing series featuring interviews with physicians on topics related to hereditary cancer. This article was written by Kara Maxwell, MD, PhD. Dr. Maxwell is a physician scientist with the Basser Center and the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Her areas of expertise are in cancer genetics, specifically in hereditary cancer syndromes.
Twelve talented medical doctors at some of America’s top health research institutions are recipients of career development grant from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund — the private, independent foundation making personal investments in biomedical research and careers for more than 60 years.
Basser Center for BRCA: 2016 Basser Center Symposium Interview with Kara Maxwell
Dr. Kara Maxwell, MD, PhD is on the Basser Center's clinical staff. She's a physician-scientist with an interest in breast cancer genetics. Her major area of research interest is in the mechanisms of cancer development in individuals at high risk of breast cancer.
curetoday: Kara Maxwell Explains Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
Kara Maxwell, instructor, medical oncologist, Basser Research Center for BRCA, University of Pennsylvania, explains how a breast cancer clinical trial works.
curetoday: Kara Maxwell Provides Advice for a Patient With Early Stage Breast Cancer
Kara Maxwell, instructor, medical oncologist, Basser Research Center for BRCA, University of Pennsylvania, provides advice for a patient with early stage breast cancer.