May 2018 - St. Jude Progress Blog - St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Cells trained to recognize returning infections

Posted by Ben Youngblood, PhD | May 31, 2018 | Research | 0

How our lab found out Memory T cells are made, not born How are memory T cells formed? The answer could help researchers design more effective vaccines and expand cancer immunotherapies. Our lab conducted experiments to help resolve this question, and what we found has established a path to further investigate how to effectively support them in a body’s efforts to rid itself of pathogens. We worked specifically with CD8 T cells, a powerful part of our body’s immune system. These cells eradicate intracellular infections, and through vaccination, manufacture immunity to chronic illness and cancer. What are T cells...

Skin cancer in children isn’t the same as in adults

Posted by Alberto Pappo, MD | May 23, 2018 | Clinical Care | 0

Melanoma is the most common form of skin cancer in children. As we approach the summer, here are tips to avoid extreme sun exposure.

Fat Chance: ‘Skinny Gene’ research unexpectedly leads to tumor breakthrough

Posted by Mark Hatley, MD, PhD | May 18, 2018 | Research | 0

How a wrong turn in the search for the “skinny gene” uncovered a clue that helped St. Jude researchers pinpoint an origin of the most prevalent childhood soft tissue cancer.

A hypothesis can’t be right unless it can be proven wrong

Posted by Charles Rock, PhD | May 10, 2018 | Research | 0

A hypothesis is only considered scientific if there is the possibility to disprove it.

The St. Jude Psychology Clinic: When things are really hard

Posted by Keith Crabtree, PhD | May 4, 2018 | Clinical Care | 0

Each year, the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Psychology Department staff spends thousands of hours helping patients deal with anxiety, depression, pain, cognitive changes, medication noncompliance, school re-entry and other issues. Good mental health is important when patients and families are facing life-threatening diseases. If difficulties arise, a patient’s medical team can make a referral for a consultation with the Psychology Department. Patients and families may also request referrals to the service, which comprises psychologists, neuropsychologists, senior psychological examiners, postdoctoral fellows, interns and graduate students. Psychologists in the clinic are happy to meet with any patients or families to...