Dartmouth Cancer Center

10/26/2026

“The number of times that spurs collaboration, I can't even count. It happens all the time.”

Fred Kolling, PhD, associate director of our Shared Resources Program, sees it firsthand: when researchers share equipment, expertise, and ideas, good things happen.

DCC's Shared Resources are the “connective tissue” of modern cancer research. They make up a library of specialized instruments, expertise and services that all researchers can access.

Here's a look behind the scenes of how our scientists are moving discoveries closer to patients.

10/23/2026

What if we could help prevent triple-negative breast cancer from coming back?

That’s the question at the heart of a clinical trial led by Dartmouth Cancer Center’s Linda Vahdat, MD, studying whether depleting copper—a mineral tumor cells rely on to metastasize—could help prevent recurrence in people with high-risk triple-negative breast cancer.

Two years into the study, the team has reached an important first milestone: the copper-depletion treatment is safe and well tolerated, with minimal and manageable side effects. The trial is now preparing to move into a randomized Phase 2 study in 2027, with participation from leading cancer centers across the country.

As Dr. Vahdat puts it, the goal is to confirm what researchers have seen in the lab and in the pilot trial: that copper depletion may help prevent metastasis.

This is what clinical research is about: taking promising discoveries and working to turn them into new options for patients.

Dartmouth Cancer Center breast oncologist and clinical researcher L...

10/22/2026

Mother, marathon runner, and podcast host Ali Feller navigates Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, setting goals and finding joy in the everyday moments that matter most to her.

When Ali was first diagnosed in the spring of 2023, little did she know that her surgical oncologist would become one of the most important people in her life. From the moment Ali first met Kari M. Rosenkranz, MD, she felt a connection. “She was so kind. She was so generous with her time,” Ali said.

On the morning of Ali’s double mastectomy, Rosenkranz helped to ease her anxiety and put a smile on her face as she made her way to the operating room. “Doctor Kari Rosenkranz saved my life and held my hand every step of the way. She has just become someone that I not only trust, but that I just respect so much,” Ali said.

The nurses at the infusion center, including Carol Urso, BSN, RN, Hallie Windhurst, BNS, RN, OCN, and Andy MacGibbon, BSN, RN, also became important people in Ali’s life. Seeing them every three weeks for over a year, she got to know them. They became friends.

“They deal with so much, and they are so kind, compassionate and empathetic,” she said. “They have seen me cry and they have seen me laugh,” she said.

10/21/2026

How exactly is this information going to help patients in the future? Does this impact how you do my surgery?

Dartmouth Health neurosurgeon Linton T. Evans, MD, answers the most common questions he gets from patients enrolling in his new cancer clinical trial to improve accuracy of glioma brain tumor surgery.

10/19/2026

Congratulations to our Director Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, on his election to the National Academy of Medicine!

One of the highest honors in health and medicine, this recognition celebrates Dr. Herbst’s decades-long career advancing lung cancer treatment. His groundbreaking work in targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and innovative clinical trials have brought us to an age where patients can be matched with treatments most likely to benefit them.

Throughout his career, Dr. Herbst has worked to bring discoveries from the laboratory to patients—and credits the colleagues, mentors, research teams, and patients who have shaped that work.

"I have always believed in the power of bringing science from the lab to the clinic--turning new knowledge into something that can make a real difference for patients, " he says. "I am excited about the innovative work that Dartmouth Cancer Center is doing. I am especially grateful to the remarkable teams and communities who have shared this journey with me--those who have challenged conventional thinking, pursued new ideas, and who make progress in medicine possible."

We’re proud to have him leading Dartmouth Cancer Center as we continue working toward a world without cancer.

Dartmouth Health

10/10/2026

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women worldwide, accounting for about 1 in 3 new cancers in women each year. As prevalence increases, many people look to lifestyle modifications to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer or preventing it from recurring. A number of healthy habits are proven effective, like regular exercise, eating a nutritious diet and cutting back on alcohol, but the common belief that aluminum-based antiperspirants should be avoided is actually not true.

"The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society do not consider antiperspirants or deodorants to be established causes of breast cancer," Dartmouth Cancer Center oncologist Muhammad Afzal, MD, tells PARADE Magazine. "If you prefer to use them, there is no evidence that you need to stop because of concerns about breast cancer."

10/05/2026

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is both a time to reflect on the many lives affected by breast cancer and, importantly, to recognize the progress being made toward better treatments.

At Dartmouth Cancer Center, that progress is happening through clinical trials that bring promising discoveries from the laboratory to patients. Two years ago, medical oncologist and clinical researcher Linda T. Vahdat, MD, opened a clinical trial studying whether copper depletion can help prevent recurrence in people with high-risk triple-negative breast cancer.

In her new update video, Dr. Vahdat shares important updates and milestones from the trial and talks about what comes next on the road toward treatments that could make a difference for patients.

10/03/2026

In The New York Times this week, our Director Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, was asked to weigh in on the issue of FDA approvals of new cancer treatment drugs outpacing some cancer centers' ability to deliver them to patients, and the benefits of performing molecular profiling on tumors to determine the best targeted therapy for each patient.

Targeted gene therapies are highly effective at stopping cancers, but the very abundance of the treatments, plus cost and sluggish change, are hindering access.

10/02/2026

What an inspiring day dedicated to survivors, care partners, and loved ones!

The 2026 Survivorship Symposium brought together a community for meaningful connection, an exchange of valuable information, and shared ways to build hope and wellness after a cancer diagnosis.

09/30/2026

"The decisions that I make as a surgeon, or the decisions made by other surgeons who are part of this clinical trial, are not based on the study drug—they’re based on standard of care," says neurosurgeon Linton T. Evans, MD.

Dr. Evans is leading a new clinical trial to improve accuracy in glioma brain tumor surgery. As with any clinical trial, patient safety is of utmost importance.

"We keep a very close eye on patients throughout the study to make sure they're safe. Patients are monitored before, during and after surgery, undergo additional safety testing, and have access to research staff who can answer questions or address concerns at any time."

Hear the other ways the Dartmouth Cancer Center team is keeping patients safe.