ROCHESTER, Minn. — One of the most detailed maps to date of meningioma — the most common brain tumor in adults — reveals how the tumor's surrounding environment helps drive disease behavior and patient outcomes, according to new research from Mayo Clinic.

The study, published in Nature Genetics and conducted in collaboration with scientists at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, combines several advanced laboratory techniques to examine tumors at an unprecedented level of detail, offering clues to why some meningiomas grow slowly while others recur or become more aggressive. The findings could lead to more precise ways to predict risk and guide treatment decisions.

Growing evidence suggests that traditional grading systems for meningioma do not fully capture the behavior of these complex tumors, prompting the development of molecular classification tools that more accurately predict which tumors are more likely to recur after surgery. These new findings build on recent developments by investigating the signal from individual cells rather than whole tumors, demonstrating that the tumor microenvironment — the mix of immune and support cells surrounding the tumor — plays a critical role in shaping outcomes.

"We're seeing that it's not just the tumor cells themselves but the ecosystem around them that influences how these tumors grow and respond to treatment," says Gelareh Zadeh, M.D., Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic neurosurgeon and senior author of the study.

Understanding tumor behavior

An estimated 30,000 to 40,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with meningioma each year. While many tumors are benign, others can recur or become life-threatening, and predicting that risk has remained a major challenge.

In this study, researchers analyzed hundreds of tumor samples using techniques that allow them to study individual cells rather than averaging signals across the entire tumor. Using single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, the team mapped more than 500,000 individual cells and millions of data points across tumors. This created a high-resolution "atlas" of the genetic footprint of individual cells and how they differ between aggressive and benign tumors, how they change and evolve over space, and how they interact with other cells in their environment.

"Instead of looking at the tumor as a whole, we can now break it down into its individual components and understand what is driving its behavior," says Dr. Zadeh.

The researchers identified multiple distinct states of immune cells, particularly myeloid cells, that behave differently depending on the tumor. Some of these cell states were linked to more aggressive disease, while others were associated with better outcomes.

Implications for patient care

The findings build on earlier work from Mayo Clinic researchers outlining a new era of personalized care for meningioma, where molecular and cellular insights guide clinical decision-making. This latest study adds a critical layer by showing how the tumor microenvironment contributes to that personalization.

Researchers found that certain immune cell programs were strongly linked to how quickly tumors returned after treatment. In some cases, these signals were able to add value to tumor grade and even modern molecular classification systems in their ability to predict patient outcomes, suggesting they could help refine decisions about surgery, radiation or closer follow-up in the future.

The study also showed that these biological signatures may be detectable through noninvasive approaches, such as blood-based biomarkers, raising the possibility of monitoring patients over time without repeated surgery.

"This moves us closer to a future where we can better stratify patients — identifying who needs more aggressive therapy and who may avoid overtreatment," says Dr. Zadeh.

Beyond improving prognostic tools, the research highlights potential therapeutic targets. By identifying how immune cells and tumor cells communicate, the study points to pathways that could be disrupted to slow tumor growth or enhance treatment response.

Next steps include validating the findings in larger, multicenter cohorts and translating these biological insights into clinical tools and prospective trials.

For a complete list of authors, disclosures and funding, review the study. 

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news. 

Media contact:

• Tia Ford, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic researchers and collaborators have shown that an artificial intelligence (AI) tool can analyze routine pathology slides to help clinicians classify meningiomas, the most common primary brain tumor in adults, and better understand a patient’s risk of tumor recurrence.

The study, published in The Lancet Digital Health, demonstrates that deep learning models can support the extraction of molecular and prognostic information from standard hematoxylin and eosin, or H&E, slides — the same type of tissue images already used in routine clinical care. These insights are typically obtained through DNA methylation profiling, an advanced genetic test which provides valuable diagnostic and prognostic information but can be costly, time-consuming and is unavailable in many hospitals.

"This is one of the many studies where we can harness the strength of digital pathology by capturing the last two decades of genomic and molecular knowledge into AI algorithms," says Gelareh Zadeh, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Neurologic Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and the David C. and Flora C. Pratt Distinguished Chief Medical Officer for Mayo Clinic Platform.

Making advanced tumor insights more accessible

Meningiomas can vary widely in behavior. Some grow slowly and may never return after treatment, while others are more aggressive and more likely to recur. Understanding that risk is critical for patients and care teams deciding whether additional treatment, such as radiation therapy, may be needed after surgery.

Molecular testing can help identify which tumors are more likely to recur and which may respond differently to treatment. But these tests require specialized technology and expertise, limiting access for many patients.

Using tissue samples, pathology images and clinical data from 672 patients, researchers developed and tested AI models designed to help identify patterns linked to a tumor's biology. Drawing on multiple de-identified datasets, including data resources from Mayo Clinic Platform, the models supported classification of meningioma subtypes and recurrence risk prediction using standard pathology slides that are already part of routine patient care.

The findings suggest that, with further validation, AI-based tools could one day help clinicians obtain more detailed tumor information to inform patient care, without requiring every patient to undergo advanced genetic testing.

Helping guide treatment decisions

For patients with meningiomas, recurrence risk can influence follow-up care, imaging frequency and whether radiation therapy should be considered. The study found that AI-based predictions remained useful even after accounting for traditional clinical factors such as tumor grade, the extent to which surgery was able to remove the tumor and patient age.

Researchers also found that the AI models could identify patterns of tumor heterogeneity — differences within the same tumor — that may help explain why some tumors behave more aggressively or respond differently to treatment.

The researchers note that additional prospective studies are needed before the AI models can be used routinely in clinical care. Still, they say the findings lay the groundwork for more accessible, personalized care for patients with meningiomas — and potentially for similar AI approaches in other cancers.

As with any clinical decision-support tool, the researchers emphasize that these models would require rigorous evaluation, validation and ongoing physician oversight before being considered for routine care. "The aim is to make these algorithms readily and simply accessible for use globally, improving patient care across many healthcare settings," says Dr. Zadeh.

For a complete list of authors, disclosures and funding, review the publication.

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

About Mayo Clinic Platform
Founded on Mayo Clinic's dedication to patient-centered care, Mayo Clinic Platform enables new knowledge, new solutions, and new technologies through collaborations with health technology innovators to create a healthier world. To learn more, visit Mayo Clinic Platform at www.mayoclinicplatform.org.

Media contact:

• Tia Ford, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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Collaboration aims to expand access to Mayo Clinic’s trusted healthcare expertise and improve patient and clinician experiences

ROCHESTER, Minn., and REDMOND, Wash. — Mayo Clinic and Microsoft today announced a strategic collaboration to develop and deploy a frontier AI model designed specifically for healthcare, making Mayo Clinic’s knowledge, expertise and integrated model of care available to more people when and where they need it. 

The collaboration combines Mayo Clinic’s global healthcare expertise, de-identified clinical health data and longitudinal insights with Microsoft’s advanced AI, cloud, engineering and superintelligence capabilities. Together, the organizations are developing a frontier AI model capable of supporting the broadest scope of clinical reasoning and healthcare use cases.

The model is designed to synthesize diverse clinical data to support earlier diagnoses, more personalized treatment decisions and better patient outcomes. By expanding access to actionable insights and supporting care teams in complex decision-making, the collaboration aims to address some of healthcare’s most challenging problems.

The frontier AI model will be owned by Mayo Clinic, reinforcing Mayo’s long-standing commitment to patient trust, clinical rigor, safety and responsible stewardship of clinical data and AI. Microsoft plans to make the model available through Azure Foundry APIs, enabling organizations worldwide to access advanced healthcare AI capabilities designed to better support patients, clinicians and consumers.

“Mayo Clinic is committed to putting patients first, and we have long believed AI can help transform healthcare. Seven years ago, we launched Mayo Clinic Platform to move healthcare from a pipeline to a platform model through a safe, trusted, patient-centric de-identified data foundation designed to accelerate innovation, breakthroughs, and cures,” said Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., president and CEO, Mayo Clinic. “Now, by combining our clinical expertise and data foundation with Microsoft’s engineering and AI capabilities, we are once again building something new in healthcare and bringing more of Mayo Clinic to more patients.”

Unlike general-purpose AI models, healthcare AI requires deep clinical context, longitudinal understanding, rigorous governance, and real-world validation. The model is being purpose-built for healthcare and initially deployed within Mayo Clinic’s trusted clinical environment, where it can be continuously tested, refined and improved through real-world use.

Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, said, “Frontier medical intelligence is around the corner. This is the best collaboration imaginable to help us accelerate towards that future. Mayo has unparalleled clinical expertise, de-identified clinical health data and longitudinal medical insights, and we're thrilled to partner with their world class physicians to build a state-of-the-art foundation model for healthcare.”

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About Mayo Clinic 
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) creates platforms and tools powered by AI to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. The technology company is committed to making AI available broadly and doing so responsibly, with a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

Media contacts:

• Andrea Kalmanovitz, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu
• We.Communications for Microsoft, 425-638-7777, rapidresponse@wecommunications.com

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ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers will present more than 30 studies at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, highlighting advances in precision oncology, early cancer detection, artificial intelligence (AI) and personalized cancer care. The meeting will be held May 29–June 2 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.

Featured research includes biomarker-driven treatments for bladder and lung cancers, new approaches for triple-negative breast cancer, multicancer early detection testing, and AI-enabled analysis of the tumor microenvironment in colon cancer.

Highlighted presentations include:

Education Session: Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in 2026: Translating New Data into Clinical Decisions
Presentation time: May 30, 4:45–5 p.m. CDT
Presentation title: Stage 1 Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Who Needs What Treatment?
Presenter: Roberto Leon-Ferre, M.D., associate professor of oncology

Poster Session: Gastrointestinal Cancer — Colorectal and Anal
Presentation time: May 30, 9 a.m.–Noon CDT
Presentation title: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the phase 3 trial of standard chemotherapy alone or combined with atezolizumab as adjuvant therapy for patients with stage 3 deficient DNA mismatch repair (dMMR) colon cancer (Alliance A021502, ATOMIC) (Abstract 2636)
Presenter: Amylou Dueck, Ph.D., professor of biostatistics

Poster Session: Gastrointestinal Cancer — Colorectal and Anal
Presentation time: May 30, 9 a.m.–Noon CDT
Presentation title: A deep learning approach to quantify tumor microenvironment features associated with postoperative ctDNA status and outcomes in a phase 3 FOLFOX-based adjuvant colon cancer trial (N0147; Alliance) (Abstract 3525)
Presenter: Frank Sinicrope, M.D., professor of medicine and oncology

Poster Session: Care Delivery/Models of Care
Presentation time: May 30, 9 a.m.–Noon CDT
Presentation title: Fertility concerns, counseling and preservation in AYA females with early-stage breast cancer: Chemotherapy receipt and timing (Abstract 1564)
Presenter: Bolun Liu, M.D., assistant professor of medicine

Education Session: It's 2026: Updates in Small Cell Lung Cancer — No Longer Too Small to Ignore
Presentation time: May 31, 8–8:15 a.m. CDT
Presentation title: Systemic Therapy for Small Cell Lung Cancer: Standard of Care and Recent Therapeutic Advances
Presenter: Rami Manochakian, M.D., associate professor of medicine

Case-Based Panel Session: Biomarker Treatment Strategies for Bladder Cancer: Putting the Patient at the Center
Presentation time: May 31, 8–9 a.m. CDT
Presentation title: Surgical Oncologist Perspective
Presenter: Mark Tyson II, M.D., professor of urology

Oral Abstract Session: Prevention, Risk Reduction and Genetics
Presentation time: May 31, 9:45–9:51 a.m. CDT
Presentation title: Safety and performance results from PATHFINDER 2, a registrational study of a multicancer early detection (MCED) test in an intended-use population (Abstract LBA10509)
Presenter: Karthik Giridhar, M.D., assistant professor of oncology

Poster Session: Gynecologic Cancer
Presentation time: June 1, 9 a.m.–Noon CDT
Presentation title: Development of an endometrial cancer test from a vaginal swab (Abstract 5624)
Presenter: Jamie Bakkum-Gamez, M.D., professor of obstetrics and gynecology

Poster Session: Breast Cancer — Local/Regional/Adjuvant
Presentation time: June 1, 1:30–4:30 p.m. CDT
Presentation title: A randomized phase 2 trial of folate receptor alpha peptide vaccine in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (Abstract 536)
Presenter: Kathryn Ruddy, M.D., professor of oncology, Keith Knutson, Ph.D., professor of immunology, and co-author Saranya Chumsri, M.D., professor of oncology

Poster Session: Breast Cancer — Metastatic
Presentation time: June 1, 1:30–4:30 p.m. CDT
Presentation title: Quality of life and treatment tolerability of Bria-IMT + CPI in metastatic breast cancer (Abstract 1107)
Presenter: Saranya Chumsri, M.D., professor of oncology

Oral Abstract Session: Hematologic Malignancies — Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, and Allotransplant
Presentation time: June 2, 9:57–10:09 a.m. CDT
Presentation title: RALLY-MF: Initial efficacy of a phase 2 study of DISC-0974, an anti-hemojuvelin antibody, to treat anemia in myelofibrosis (Abstract 6501)
Presenter: Naseema Gangat, M.B.B.S., professor of medicine and co-author Ayalew Tefferi, M.D., professor of medicine and Barbara Woodward Lips Professor II

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

About Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center
Designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center is defining the cancer center of the future, focused on delivering the world's most exceptional patient-centered cancer care for everyone. At Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, a culture of innovation and collaboration is driving research breakthroughs in cancer detection, prevention and treatment to change lives.

Media contact:

• Julie Ferris-Tillman, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic researchers have identified an immune-regulating molecule that may help explain why some patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, do not respond to commonly used therapies. The findings, published in Cell Reports, describe a previously uncharacterized role for the molecule ST8Sia6 in regulating immune activity in the gut.

In preclinical models, researchers found that the absence of ST8Sia6 led to a marked increase in inflammatory immune cells in the intestines. The results suggest the molecule plays a key role in maintaining immune balance and may represent a distinct biological pathway from those targeted by existing treatments.

IBD affects nearly 3 million people in the United States, and its prevalence continues to rise. While the source of IBD is not known, researchers believe it may occur due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Recently introduced medications target a pro-inflammatory molecule known as TNF-alpha to reduce the autoimmune response in the intestines and help with symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating and bloody stools, but the treatment is not effective in all patients.

Discovering the role of the enzyme ST8Sia6 has provided the research team with a new view of IBD. "The normal function of ST8Sia6 in the gut had not been previously described," says Mayo Clinic immunology researcher Virginia Shapiro, Ph.D., principal investigator of the study. "We found ST8Sia6 regulates the abundance of immune cells and keeps them in the steady state of homeostasis. When the molecule is not present or even is reduced, the presence of inflammatory immune cells increases dramatically."

An intriguing enzyme in the immune system

The study of ST8Sia6 and its interactions with the immune system extend recent discoveries in Dr. Shapiro's research lab. Her team previously showed that ST8Sia6, an enzyme that adds sugar molecules to cell surfaces, enables a tumor to evade destruction by the immune system. The lab also found that ST8Sia6 can be used as a tool to help reduce the body's autoimmune attack on insulin-producing beta cells, as occurs in diabetes.

The leap to gastrointestinal disease occurred when the team noticed on an international database that a single mutation in the gene for ST8Sia6 turns up with greater frequency in people with Crohn's disease.

"The ST8Sia6 molecule is expressed pretty widely in different immune cells, but we weren't sure of its connection to this disease which involves chronic inflammation," says Sydney Crotts, a graduate student at Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and first author of the study.

The team looked at preclinical models that lacked the ST8Sia6 gene. In the models, an abundance of immune cells gathered in the small intestine. The team also found that lower ST8Sia6 led to increased levels of messenger molecules that prompt an immune response. Together, the attributes increased susceptibility to intestinal inflammation.

"We think this might be a model of what's happening in patients with Crohn's disease who have a baseline of immune cells and are basically fine until they encounter a trigger and have a flare," says Crotts. She notes that the inflammation did not abate with TNF-alpha medication, suggesting this pathway may be distinct.

The study illuminates yet another action of ST8Sia6 on the immune system and presents a new avenue that may help IBD treatment. Further studies will be necessary to move the discovery toward the clinic.

"These findings mean researchers have an approach to better understand the source of TNF-resistant Crohn's disease, the pathways and molecules involved, and now may be able to develop additional ways to intervene to treat this disease," Crotts says.

For a complete list of authors, disclosures and funding, review the study.

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Julie Ferris-Tillman, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic today announced that President and CEO Gianrico Farrugia, M.D., has decided to complete his tenure at the end of this year.

Since assuming the role in January 2019, Dr. Farrugia has led Mayo Clinic through a period of significant strategic advancement and navigated substantial external change.

Through Mayo Clinic’s Bold. Forward. strategy, the institution has accelerated the discovery, translation and delivery of more cures for both chronic and acute diseases; connected more people with data to create new knowledge and deliver scalable, end-to-end solutions; and transformed healthcare by creating its first scalable, AI-enabled care transformation platform — Mayo Clinic Platform.

Under Dr. Farrugia’s leadership, Mayo Clinic has also been recognized by Newsweek as the world’s best hospital for eight consecutive years — a distinction that reflects the expertise, teamwork and dedication of Mayo Clinic staff across all sites and disciplines.

"I’m tremendously proud of how Mayo Clinic has advanced our patient-centered mission and set the standard for exceptional healthcare over the last eight years," says Dr. Farrugia. "Serving as president and CEO has been a true privilege, and I am certain that our momentum will continue — driven as always by the commitment of our staff to discover new cures and provide more hope and healing to more patients."

Richard Davis, Chair of the Mayo Clinic Board of Trustees, expressed appreciation for Dr. Farrugia’s leadership and the institution’s continued strength.

"Dr. Farrugia’s tenure has helped position Mayo Clinic at the forefront of a rapidly changing healthcare landscape," Davis says. "His leadership has strengthened our ability to innovate, collaborate and meet the evolving needs of patients around the world. We are grateful for his contributions and confident that Mayo Clinic is prepared to continue delivering excellence to those we serve and lead the future of healthcare."

In alignment with Mayo Clinic’s long-standing governance and succession planning practices, the Board of Trustees has initiated a formal leadership transition process consistent with the organization’s bylaws. The next president and CEO is anticipated to be elected in November, allowing for a coordinated transition on Jan. 1, 2027.

During this transition, Mayo Clinic remains firmly grounded in its long-standing focus on delivering exceptional care, advancing discovery and educating future generations — guided by enduring values and an unwavering commitment to putting the needs of patients first.

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Andrea Kalmanovitz, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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Mayo Clinic honored the achievements of its newest physicians and scientists from the Class of 2026 during a combined commencement ceremony held Saturday, May 9, in Rochester, Minnesota. Degrees were conferred by Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

At the Rochester ceremony, 46 new physicians joined the Mayo Clinic alumni community, 34 biomedical scientists received doctoral degrees, and six students earned dual M.D.-Ph.D. degrees through the Medical Scientist Training Program. In addition, 29 students received master's degrees.

These graduates join 48 Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine students in Arizona and Florida who will graduate next week, along with 14 additional biomedical scientists. The Class of 2026 will move on to residencies and professional roles at Mayo Clinic and across the country, helping strengthen the healthcare workforce and advancing innovation in science and medicine.

Dr. Fredric Meyer, former Waugh Executive Dean of Education, was the keynote speaker. Dr. Meyer is the distinguished Alfred Uihlein Family Professor of Neurologic Surgery, former enterprise chair of Neurological Surgery, and executive director emeritus of the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He is an alum of the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. 

Dr. Meyer encouraged graduates to work hard and take advantage of opportunities presented. 

"Careers rarely unfold in straight lines. The things that seem irrelevant at one stage of life may prove decisive later, so pursue excellence. Trust your instincts," said Dr. Meyer. "It is critical to be humble. What matters is that you work hard, communicate clearly, build trust, treat patients and colleagues with kindness, and learn from those around you."

The commencement ceremony featured a student speaker from each school. Dr. Skip Harvey, the student speaker from Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and a soon-to-be pediatric resident, reflected on achievement and gratitude.

"Words cannot contain how much I owe you (Class of 2026) for shaping me as a human, peer and physician," said Dr. Harvey. "And I want you to be able to see you and your greatness through my eyes. Each of you has inspired me as I've watched you over the last four years. I am better for having known each and every one of you." 

Class of 2026

Dr. Megan Ritting, the student speaker from Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, spoke to the power of persistence and perspective.

"Each of us arrived here on a different path — different backgrounds, different disciplines, different stories of how we got to this stage today. But while those journeys may look very different, they share something important in common. Every one of us has proven that we can persist through things we didn't know we were capable of," said Dr. Ritting. "Here, science is not separate from impact —it's deeply connected to it. It represents perseverance in the face of uncertainty, curiosity that refused to fade, and proof — to ourselves more than anyone else — that we can do hard things."

Dr. Nneka Comfere, the new Waugh Executive Dean of Education, encouraged graduates to embrace the challenges ahead with confidence and purpose. 

"Graduates, your ability to become an extraordinary physician or scientist is not defined by a location, a title or a reputation. It is defined by your habits, your character and your unwavering commitment to your patients," she said. "What comes next will challenge you, but it will also shape you. We look forward to the discoveries you will make, the innovations you will lead, and the difference you will create. Your journey is just beginning, and we are proud to call you Mayo Clinic alumni."

Commencement recordings and livestreams

Visit the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science website to view the commencement ceremony recordings and future livestreams from Arizona, Florida and Minnesota.

Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic"

About Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine is preparing the next generation of physician leaders through excellence in education and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. As part of the integrated Mayo Clinic enterprise, the school delivers a learner-centered curriculum grounded in strong scientific foundations, ethical practice and real-world clinical experience. Small class sizes, a 3:1 faculty-to-student ratio, and a national multi-campus model foster close mentorship with world-renowned physicians and scientists. Graduates are equipped to deliver high-value, evidence-based care while leading improvements in compassionate healthcare delivery and scientific discovery.

About Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (MCGSBS) is revolutionizing healthcare by catalyzing multidisciplinary science and preparing the next generation of leaders in biomedical research. Embedded within Mayo Clinic's integrated model of research and patient care, the school delivers innovative, individualized and technologically advanced training that advances discovery and improves lives worldwide. Across its campuses in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, students work alongside internationally recognized mentors to translate scientific breakthroughs into meaningful impact. MCGSBS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission as an independent Ph.D. and M.S. degree-granting institution.

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

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ROCHESTER, Minn. — Research from Mayo Clinic is helping refine how multiple myeloma is diagnosed and treated, with findings that support more personalized therapies and identify promising immunotherapy strategies for aggressive forms of the disease.

The research led by Sikander Ailawadhi, M.D., Shaji Kumar, M.D., Akhilesh Pandey, M.D., Ph.D., and Richard Kandasamy, Ph.D. in the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, focuses on tailoring treatment based on disease biology and improving outcomes for patients living longer with the cancer.

Treating multiple myeloma as a chronic disease

Multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow, can cause abnormal proteins to accumulate and damage organs. At Mayo Clinic, patients with multiple myeloma receive tailored treatment that varies from person to person based on how the disease develops and progresses.

Care strategies continue to evolve, including immunotherapy and clinical trials that study the most effective order to use available treatments. One approach uses monoclonal antibodies given in sequence to better target cancer cells and improve outcomes for patients whose disease has returned.

"We take into account the risks, but also what the patients' wants, needs and aspirations are, and make a decision about treatment that brings all this together," says Dr. Ailawadhi, a hematologist and oncologist. "Much has been learned about the best use of novel treatments such as CAR-T and other immunotherapy approaches."

New immunotherapy strategies show promise

In one area of research, Dr. Kumar, a hematologist, and colleagues published a study in the New England Journal of Medicine showing that an off-the-shelf dual-antibody immunotherapy can produce deep and durable responses in extramedullary multiple myeloma, a form of the disease with historically limited treatment options.

"We are seeing powerful responses in a disease that historically has resisted every therapy," says Dr. Kumar.

The approach uses two engineered antibodies to engage T cells through separate immune pathways, directing an immune response against myeloma cells. The treatment is administered in a standard infusion setting, in contrast to more complex cell therapies.

In early results, a majority of patients responded to the treatment, and many achieved no detectable disease, suggesting a potential new option for patients with resistant disease.

Seeing what standard tests miss

Understanding the full genetic profile of multiple myeloma remains a key challenge in care.

Dr. Pandey, a clinical pathologist in Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, and Dr. Kandasamy, a systems biologist, are collaborating with other researchers to study a potential new approach to defining the disease. Multiple myeloma is driven by changes in chromosomes that affect prognosis and treatment decisions. Standard testing uses fluorescence in situ hybridization, or FISH, which looks for specific known changes but may not capture the full picture.

A newer method, Genomic Proximity Mapping (GPM), analyzes a patient's entire genome. It can identify structural changes, gains or losses of genetic material and complex rearrangements, including high-risk features. In early studies, GPM confirmed results from standard testing and identified additional clinically important changes.

"This approach could improve risk assessment and help doctors choose treatments that are better tailored to each individual," says Dr. Pandey.

Researchers are now studying GPM testing in larger patient groups and exploring its use in other cancers.

“Beyond multiple myeloma, GPM can identify complex and hidden genetic changes. This means it could be useful across many types of cancer and help give a clearer picture of each person’s disease,” says Dr. Kandasamy.

Looking ahead toward precision care

As multiple myeloma care continues to evolve, new therapies will expand options for resistant disease and advances in testing will help guide treatment decisions. Comprehensive tools such as Genomic Proximity Mapping (GPM) may further refine risk assessment and support earlier, more precise care for patients.

Other clinical trials are evaluating the benefits of earlier use of immunotherapies in treatment and improved supportive care.

While multiple myeloma is considered treatable but not curable, these developments may help extend survival and improve quality of life, with a growing subset of patients achieving long-term remission.

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Julie Ferris-Tillman, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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ROCHESTER, Minn. — In a study published in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation Open (JHLT Open), Mayo Clinic researchers found that remote patient monitoring (RPM) is a feasible and effective way to detect early health changes and support care decisions for lung transplant recipients during their first year after discharge from the hospital.

Lung transplant recipients require intensive, ongoing monitoring after transplant to detect complications such as rejection or infection.

"Many of these patients live far from the transplant center, making frequent in-person follow-up challenging," says Cassie Kennedy, M.D., co-senior author and medical director of the lung transplant program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. "In recent years, we have transplanted patients from 25 states, including Hawaii. RPM allows us to stay closely connected to our patients — no matter where they live — after they return home and respond quickly when changes occur."

While remote patient monitoring has shown benefits in other patient populations, evidence in lung transplant recipients has been limited.

Throughout the 12-month study, researchers monitored 116 lung transplant recipients who lived a median distance of 234 miles from Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Patients used a home device kit to track symptoms and physiological data, including lung function, vital signs and weight, with results transmitted to their electronic health record and care team.

When abnormal values were detected, alerts were generated and reviewed by the clinical team to determine next steps. In total, nearly 470 alerts were triggered during the study. Most alerts were managed with continued monitoring, while about 1 in 4 prompted changes in care, including earlier clinic visits, diagnostic testing, medication adjustments or emergency evaluation.

"Just as important, when no abnormalities are detected, patients can be reassured and remain at home," says Dr. Kennedy.

Nearly half of hospitalizations among patients with available monitoring data were preceded by an RPM alert within the prior week, suggesting the system may help identify early signs of clinical deterioration and support earlier intervention.

"This study shows that a multiparameter, at-home monitoring approach can be successfully implemented in a high-risk population and generate actionable data to support clinical care," says Ali El Mokahal, M.D., first author and pulmonary and critical care medicine fellow at Mayo Clinic.

In addition to supporting earlier detection, the program demonstrated strong patient participation and ease of use. Of the 116 patients enrolled, only 15 discontinued participation during the study period.

"These findings provide important real-world evidence supporting the use of remote patient monitoring in lung transplant recipients," says Kelly Pennington, M.D., co-senior author and pulmonologist in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Mayo Clinic. "As these models evolve, they have the potential to transform how we deliver transplant care — expanding access, reducing burden and improving outcomes for patients."

The team will continue to monitor RPM program participants while exploring opportunities to expand this approach across Mayo Clinic sites and transplant programs.

For a complete list of authors, review the study.

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

About Mayo Clinic Transplant Center
Mayo Clinic Transplant Center is one of the largest and most comprehensive transplant programs in the world. With programs in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, Mayo Clinic provides seamless, coordinated care across adult heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas transplantation. Guided by a commitment to innovation, research and education, Mayo Clinic Transplant Center delivers world-leading outcomes, compassionate patient care and advances that shape the future of transplantation worldwide.

Media contact:

• Kelley Luckstein, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post Mayo Clinic study finds remote monitoring may detect early complications, reduce burden for lung transplant patients appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A Mayo Clinic-developed artificial intelligence (AI) model can help specialists detect pancreatic cancer on routine abdominal CT scans up to three years before clinical diagnosis. It identifies subtle signs of disease before tumors are visible, when curative treatment may still be possible. The findings, published in Gut, mark a milestone in Mayo Clinic's multiyear research effort to enable earlier detection of one of the deadliest cancers.

The study validates this next-generation AI model using data and workflows that mirror clinical practice, including CT scans from multiple institutions, imaging systems and protocols.

Researchers used the AI model to analyze nearly 2,000 CT scans, including scans from patients later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer — all originally interpreted as normal. The system, called the Radiomics-based Early Detection Model (REDMOD), identified 73% of those prediagnostic cancers at a median of about 16 months before diagnosis — nearly double the detection rate of specialists reviewing the same scans without AI assistance.

The advantage was even greater at earlier time points. In scans obtained more than two years before diagnosis, the AI identified nearly three times as many early cancers that would otherwise go undetected.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers because it rarely causes detectable signs in its earliest stages. More than 85% of patients receive a diagnosis after the disease has already spread, and five-year survival rates remain below 15%, according to the National Cancer Institute. Projections show it will become the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. by 2030.

"The greatest barrier to saving lives from pancreatic cancer has been our inability to see the disease when it is still curable," says Ajit Goenka, M.D., the study's senior author, and a Mayo Clinic radiologist and nuclear medicine specialist. "This AI can now identify the signature of cancer from a normal-appearing pancreas, and it can do so reliably over time and across diverse clinical settings." 

REDMOD measures hundreds of quantitative imaging features that describe tissue texture and structure, capturing faint biological changes as cancer begins to develop. The model is designed to analyze CT scans already obtained for other reasons — particularly in high-risk patients, such as those with new-onset diabetes — and flag elevated risk before any visible mass appears. 

The model runs automatically without time-intensive manual preparation. The team validated the model across CT scans from multiple institutions, imaging systems and protocols, demonstrating consistent performance beyond a single dataset.

The model's predictions also remained stable over time. In patients with multiple scans, the AI produced consistent results months apart, supporting its use for longitudinal monitoring and early detection. 

"This AI can now identify the signature of cancer from a normal-appearing pancreas, and it can do so reliably over time and across diverse clinical settings."  - Dr. Ajit Goenka

Researchers are advancing this work into clinical testing through Artificial Intelligence for Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection, or AI-PACED. This prospective study evaluates how clinicians can integrate AI-guided detection into care for patients at elevated risk. The study combines AI analysis of routine imaging with longitudinal follow-up to assess performance, including early detection, false positives and clinical outcomes. 

This research is part of Mayo Clinic's Precure initiative, which aims to predict and prevent disease by identifying the earliest biological changes in the body before symptoms begin. It also reflects Mayo Clinic's Clinical Impact strategy, accelerating the translation of discovery into patient care. 

The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Hoveida Family Foundation, the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Champions for Hope Pancreas Cancer Research Program of the Funk-Zitiello Foundation. 

For a complete list of authors, disclosures and funding, review the study. 

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About Mayo Clinic  
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.  

About Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center  
Designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center is defining the cancer center of the future, focused on delivering the world's most exceptional patient-centered cancer care for everyone. At Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, a culture of innovation and collaboration is driving research breakthroughs in cancer detection, prevention and treatment to change lives. 

Media contact:   

• Julie Ferris-Tillman, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu  

The post Mayo Clinic AI helps specialists detect pancreatic cancer up to 3 years before diagnosis in landmark validation study appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.