In this article:
- With this prestigious grant from the Kuni Foundation, Charles Drescher, M.D., will lead research that could help design immunotherapy for patients facing endometrial cancer in less than a week.
- Emerging tools and the Paul G. Allen Research Center at Providence Swedish are empowering this breakthrough work.
- This prestigious award is especially meaningful amid intensified competition.
- Providence Swedish is grateful to the Kuni Fundation for enabling our ability to help change the lives of patients facing endometrial cancer.
At Providence Swedish Cancer Institute, innovation is advancing at an unprecedented pace. This year, Charles Drescher, M.D., director of gynecologic cancer research at Providence Swedish Cancer Institute, was awarded a $1,044,120 Discovery Grant for Cancer Research from the Kuni Foundation to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in cancer care: matching the right patient to the right immunotherapy.
“Collaboration is the key to progress in cancer research. We are deeply grateful to the Kuni Foundation for its support of our team. While endometrial cancer is our initial focus, the impact of this funding will reach far beyond this disease."
Why it matters
Endometrial cancer — affecting the lining of the uterus — is the sixth most common cancer among women in the U.S., with nearly 68,000 new cases and 13,000 deaths annually. Cases are rising 1–3 percent each year, and Black women face more aggressive disease and higher death rates. Immunotherapy can be life-changing for some patients, but not for all — and the current standard biomarker (MMR status) often misclassifies who will benefit.
The ImmunoCore solution
Dr. Drescher’s project, A Multimodal Functional Assay for Personalized Immunotherapy in Endometrial Cancer, builds on groundbreaking technology called ImmunoCore. From a routine needle biopsy, the team creates hundreds of 3D “microtumors” that preserve the tumor’s immune microenvironment. These are treated with immunotherapy drugs in the lab, while advanced imaging and machine learning measure how each cancer and immune cell responds. The result? A personalized preview of whether immunotherapy will work — in less than a week.
This approach could:
- Reduce patients' exposure to ineffective, toxic treatments.
- Identify patients who might benefit from immunotherapy sooner.
- Improve survival and quality of life for patients.
- Collaboration and future impact
- The project brings together experts from Providence Swedish, the Institute for Systems Biology, and the University of Washington — a proven team from prior National Cancer Institute–funded research. While endometrial cancer is the starting point, the platform has the potential to improve treatment decisions for many cancer types.
“Collaboration is the key to progress in cancer research. We are deeply grateful to the Kuni Foundation for its support of our team. While endometrial cancer is our initial focus, the impact of this funding will reach far beyond this disease. The biological signals that indicate immune response — such as T cell reinvigoration or tumor adaptation — are often shared across cancer types. Therefore, proving ImmunoCore’s effectiveness in endometrial cancer will establish a powerful model for expanding into other common cancer types,” says Dr. Drescher.
“This funding will help accelerate innovation that directly impacts patient care,” says Ashwani Rajput, M.D., FACS, regional executive medical director of Providence Swedish Cancer Institute. “We are grateful to the Kuni Foundation for their visionary support.”
About the Kuni Foundation Discovery Grant
The Kuni Foundation accelerates the power of human potential, investing in scientists who propel disruptive, transformative approaches to cancer research in service to detection, treatment, and a cure. The Foundation supports the exploration of bold ideas that translate into breakthrough treatments, improved outcomes for underserved communities, and affordable therapeutic approaches.
About the Swedish Foundation
Your generous gift helps support a healthy tomorrow for everyone in every communty we serve. Learn about more ways to give to the Swedish Foundation or make a direct donation online at swedishfoundation.org. You can also contact the Foundation at 206-368-2738 or email foundation@swedish.org. Thank you for helping us shape the future of healthcare. We can’t do it without you.
Learn more and find a physician or advanced practice clinician (APC)
If you or a loved one have questions about cancer diagnosis, treatment or care, the experts at the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute are here for you. We can accommodate both in-person and virtual visits. To talk to someone or make an appointment, call 1-855-XCANCER.
You can also learn more about available clinical trials. Our physician investigators and researchers are involved in hundreds of ongoing trials involving most types of cancer.
Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. Swedish Virtual Care connects you face-to-face with a nurse practitioner who can review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. If you need to find a doctor, you can use our provider directory.
Additional resources
Emerging hope for patients with small cell lung cancer
The future of cancer research, treatment and care is at Providence Swedish
At the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute, Kuni Foundation grants support diverse research lineup
Harnessing the power of the body’s own immune system to treat (and defeat) cancer
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional's instructions.
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