Four studies led by faculty from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have been recognized among the nation’s top clinical research advances by the Clinical Research Forum. Each year, the organization selects 10 studies that demonstrate how U.S. investment in research benefits public health. The selected Penn Medicine studies address key issues such as policy impacts on health, new personalized therapies, drug repurposing for cancer treatment, and risks associated with long COVID.
Jonathan A. Epstein, MD, dean of the Perelman School of Medicine and executive vice president of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System, commented on this recognition: “The Penn studies selected for Top 10 Clinical Research Achievement Awards offer a window into what federally supported science can achieve. These discoveries are the result of a national commitment to advancing knowledge and improving human health. The discoveries and progress in this esteemed group are tangible examples of that funding in action, turning bold ideas into new therapies, new knowledge, and new hope for patients.”
In addition to these four winning studies, three other Penn-led projects were named finalists by the Clinical Research Forum. These included a Phase III trial for a rare blood vessel disorder, an early-stage cell therapy trial for lymphoma patients resistant to previous treatments, and an analysis examining outcomes after changes in veterans’ healthcare policy.
Penn Medicine had seven out of twenty papers recognized from nearly 60 institutions worldwide, highlighting its leadership in clinical research. Many projects reflect years or decades of foundational work leading up to clinical trials. Over $50 million in recent federal grants from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and Department of Defense supported these efforts along with philanthropic contributions.
“These studies underscore how deeply clinical research touches everyone’s lives,” said Emma Meagher, MD, senior vice dean for Clinical and Translational Research. “Whether serving veterans, older adults, or individuals facing rare diseases or common cancers, Penn Medicine is forging advances that improve health across the nation and permeate throughout the world.”
The honored Penn-affiliated work includes:
- “Patient-Specific In Vivo Gene Editing to Treat a Rare Genetic Disease”: An infant was successfully treated with customized CRISPR gene editing therapy—the first case globally—led by Kiran Musunuru, MD, PhD (Perelman School) and Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, MD, PhD (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia).
- “Targeting dormant tumor cells to prevent recurrent breast cancer”: This randomized Phase II trial identified breast cancer survivors at higher risk due to dormant cells and showed existing drugs could effectively treat them. The study was led by Angela DeMichele, MD (Perelman School) and Lewis Chodosh, MD.
- “Loss of Subsidized Drug Coverage and Mortality among Medicare Beneficiaries”: Analysis found losing Medicaid coverage—and therefore Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy—increases mortality rates significantly among low-income beneficiaries. Led by Eric T. Roberts, PhD.
- “Long COVID associated with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection among children and adolescents”: Research indicated that children infected more than once with COVID-19 were twice as likely to develop long COVID compared to those infected once; led by Yong Chen, PhD.
Other recognized finalist studies included:
- A Phase III trial showing upadacitinib is effective against giant cell arteritis.
- A next-generation CAR T cell therapy showing promise for lymphoma patients unresponsive to prior treatments.
- An analysis revealing that while expanding care options under the MISSION Act reduced travel times for veterans needing heart procedures it also increased short-term cardiovascular risks.
Both Emma Meagher and Arthur Rubenstein recused themselves from evaluating any Penn-affiliated submissions during award selection due to their roles on the Clinical Research Forum board.
