Penn Medicine is a leading academic medical center. It serves as a dynamic hub where newsworthy developments regularly emerge, impacting healthcare practices and community well-being. Its commitment to innovation positions it at the forefront of medical discovery.
Research and Clinical Breakthroughs
Penn Medicine researchers are developing novel therapies in CAR T-cell engineering. A focus involves leveraging messenger RNA (mRNA) platforms to enhance CAR T-cell effectiveness and safety. Scientists have identified promising lipid nanoparticles, such as B10, which deliver CAR mRNA to human T cells. This results in comparable CAR expression to traditional methods but with reduced toxicity. This approach allows for transient CAR expression, which may lessen severe side effects, offering a safer therapeutic option for patients.
Penn Medicine is expanding CAR T technology beyond cancer treatment. Researchers are utilizing mRNA to reprogram T cells to target specific heart fibroblast cells implicated in heart failure. Early studies in mouse models have demonstrated that these reprogrammed T cells effectively reduced cardiac fibrosis, leading to a significant reversal of the condition. This work also includes efforts to generate CAR T cells directly within a patient’s body using mRNA vaccines and lipid nanoparticles, which could simplify logistics and manufacturing costs for this advanced therapy.
Innovations in Patient Care
Penn Medicine applies scientific discoveries directly to patient treatment, pioneering advancements in clinical care. A notable innovation is Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS), a minimally invasive technique for removing tumors in the mouth and throat. This approach allows surgeons to access difficult-to-reach areas without external incisions. It preserves a patient’s speech and ability to swallow while promoting faster healing and reducing complications.
The institution integrates artificial intelligence to enhance diagnostic processes in radiology, using the PennAInsights platform. This AI solution automates the workflow from image capture through analysis to diagnostic reporting, aiming to improve accuracy and reduce the workload on physicians. PennAInsights extracts quantitative data from imaging studies to enable earlier intervention for various conditions, including abdominal adiposity, liver steatosis, and brain atrophy, supporting proactive, long-term management of chronic diseases.
Community and Public Health Initiatives
Penn Medicine extends its impact beyond hospital walls through community and public health initiatives that foster healthier environments. The “Deeply Rooted” initiative, a collaborative effort within the Center for Health Justice, focuses on improving health and safety in West and Southwest Philadelphia neighborhoods. This program has planted over 1,000 new trees and cleaned more than 1,000 vacant lots, transforming urban spaces.
Supported by initial funding from Penn Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Deeply Rooted also awards “Community Green Grants” for local projects focused on nature appreciation and care. These efforts address social determinants of health, such as housing safety and food access, and ensure high-quality, accessible care for diverse populations across the region.