Cancer of the esophagus, the hollow tube connecting the oral cavity to the stomach, is more often diagnosed in men than in women and is usually treated surgically. Roswell Park Cancer Institute researchers have created a novel calculator that more readily identifies patients who may benefit from therapy that reduces the extent of the disease prior to surgery. The study has been published online ahead of print by the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

Specific dairy foods may influence breast cancer risk in women, although risk varies by the source of the dairy product, according to a study published online ahead of print in the journal Current Developments in Nutrition. Researchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute report that while high overall consumption of dairy products, and in particular of yogurt, is linked to a lower risk for breast cancer, high intake of American, cheddar and cream cheeses was associated with a slightly increased risk for breast cancer.

Tryptophan has long been known for its role in producing serotonin, which promotes a good night’s sleep. But researchers at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center are exploring a new mechanism for the amino acid, which supports the immune system’s efforts to fight cancer. Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, FRCOG, FACOG, who is Deputy Director, M. Steven Piver Professor and Chair of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Executive Director of the Center for Immunotherapy at Roswell Park, will present results from novel research on the role of tryptophan in tumor development at the Frontiers in Cancer Immunotherapy symposium, to be held Feb. 27–28 in New York City.

Blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) is a standard therapy used to treat leukemias and other life-threatening blood diseases. A Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center-led team has identified genetic variations in the DNA of both transplant recipients and their unrelated cell donors that were associated with poor patient outcomes.

Patient navigators serve as personal health care guides, maintaining one-on-one relationships with patients and their families. Roswell Park Cancer Institute has expanded its breast cancer navigation program due, in part, to a new contract from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Breast Cancer Patient Navigation Project.

Tactiva Therapeutics LLC, a new biotech company spun off from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, will create jobs as it develops some of the most promising concepts in the burgeoning field of cancer immunotherapy and accelerates the timeline for getting beneficial therapies to patients.