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UCLA team discovers how to restrict growth, spread of head and neck cancers
Research on mouse models targets new ‘checkpoint’ that enables cancer stem cells to evade immune system
Researchers from the UCLA School of Dentistry have discovered a key molecule that allows cancer stem cells to bypass the body’s natural immune defenses, spurring the growth and spread of head and neck squamous cell cancers. Their study, conducted in mice, also demonstrates that inhibiting this molecule derails cancer progression and helps eliminate these stem cells.
Let's Talk About the COVID-19 Vaccine
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Deactivating cancer cell gene boosts immunotherapy for head and neck cancers
UCLA discovery opens a pathway toward the discovery more effective treatments
By targeting an enzyme that plays a key role in head and neck cancer cells, researchers from the UCLA School of Dentistry were able to significantly slow the growth and spread of tumors in mice and enhance the effectiveness of an immunotherapy to which these types of cancers often become resistant.
Essay Contest Winners Announced
We are always eager to share positive news of our dental students’ accomplishments and we couldn’t be prouder of the following individuals for winning an essay competition honoring Dr. Clifton O. Dummett, Sr. surrounding diversity in dentistry. The competition honors the late Dr. Dummett, a pioneer in dentistry and dental education. Essays addressed race relations in the profession through the lens of editorials written in the National Dental Association Bulletin from 1953-1975.
Out of the 22 awards across 12 dental schools, five of our UCLA students were award recipients!
Meet An Alum: Dr. Katy Rosen, Class of 2013
Dr. Katy Rosen, Class of 2013, knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare focusing on children and young adults. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Penn., both of her parents were in pediatric healthcare, therefore the decision came easy. In fact, all four of her siblings are now in healthcare. After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh with a major in German and minor in Chemistry, she applied to and was accepted into the UCLA School of Dentistry Class of 2013.
Dr. Philip Trask Finds Wealth In Giving Back
Philip Trask has been a butcher’s apprentice, an artilleryman, a telephone lineman and, at one point, a juvenile gang member. But it’s as an instructor and mentor at the UCLA School of Dentistry that the longtime pediatric dentist found a true calling, one that has complemented his years of service to the wider Los Angeles community.