UCSF Health

It's been a decade since clinical practice guidelines for differentiated thyroid cancer received an update. Now new guidelines, co-developed and co-led by UCSF DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY's Dr. Julie Ann Sosa, highlight the importance of patient-centered care, shared patient and clinical decision-making and more personalized management approaches. “The new guidelines bring important and significant evidence-based change,” Dr. Sosa says. Learn more ➡️ https://ucsfh.org/3KfONvq

A simple blood test can detect a novel biomarker called CXM, potentially helping clinicians measure the long-term progress of bone fracture healing earlier than ever before, UCSF-led research finds. “This study not only deepens our scientific understanding of fracture healing but may lead to better tools for clinicians to monitor and support bone healing in real time and personalize patient care,” Dr. C. Benjamin Ma says. More on this exciting UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery research in the first comment.

Mutations in the KRAS gene cause roughly a quarter of all cancerous tumors, and for decades, scientists they were impervious to treatment. But new discoveries from University of California, San Francisco's Kevan Shokat have produced the world’s first drugs that target KRAS, ushering in a new era in cancer treatment. More on this important work ➡️ https://ucsfh.org/4recbdy

Edith is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of her double lung transplant —please congratulate her! In 2015, Edith’s lung collapsed, and doctors diagnosed her with a rare disease that primarily affects women called lymphangioleiomyomatosis. The condition unfortunately causes progressive lung damage. Edith spent five months in our hospital hooked up to machines and on oxygen waiting for a transplant. Since her successful transplant, Edith has been living life to the fullest, and she has developed a special bond with her donor’s family. To celebrate her 10-year transplant-iversary, Edith hosted a pool party with her donor’s family in attendance. She also has continued her yearly tradition of running the Donor Network West 5K with her mom!

By targeting aging (senescent) cells inside the body, UCSF researchers reversed the metabolic and cellular changes that drive aggressive lung cancer, a study in Cell Stem Cell by Cell Press finds. The discovery marks the first time scientists have confirmed the decades-old theory outside of a lab setting — offering “a new path toward translating basic aging biology into clinical oncology,” Dr. Tien Peng says. https://ucsfh.org/4pfiqfe

When doctors diagnosed Lee with an aggressive blood cancer called multiple myeloma, they gave him at most four years to live. Fourteen years later, he's still here, thanks to a series of medications and treatments at UCSF with Dr. Jeffrey Wolf. “Every time I relapsed, there would be a new course of therapy, a new drug would be available,” he says. “I feel very lucky. I never thought I’d live to see my kids get married or see my grandchildren." Read Lee's story ➡️ https://ucsfh.org/4975zai

In a UCSF first, our specialists performed a pancreatic islet transplant using islets produced in a lab from stem cells. Islets are clusters of insulin-producing cells, which the surgeon transplants into the recipient’s liver to spur natural insulin production. The minimally invasive procedure aims to help type 1 diabetes patients become insulin-independent and eliminates the need for invasive surgery or waiting for a human donor to become available, Dr. Andrew Posselt says. https://ucsfh.org/4nAcjkg

👏 So proud that our Parnassus, Mission Bay, Mount Zion and Stanyan hospitals all earned an “A” rating for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group! That’s the highest safety grade possible! 🎉 More about the ratings ➡️ https://ucsfh.org/47HCrFp

🐇 Meet Alexis Row, an "ear-resistible" Flemish Giant rabbit! She visited us for the first time and received lots of snuggles and kisses. Alexis is a 16-week-old baby still, but could grow to 20 pounds/2.5 feet! 
Alexis is baby sister to Alex the Great, who used to visit our patients but sadly passed away earlier this year. Luckily, Alexis’ handlers are preparing her to start visiting UCSF patients next year!

UCSF researchers developed a new way to help people with Parkinson's disease walk better. They used AI to measure gait performance and fine-tuned electrical pulses from deep brain stimulation to individual patients' needs. “The personalized settings for each patient led to meaningful improvements in walking, such as faster more stable steps, without worsening other symptoms,” Dr. Doris Wang says. https://ucsfh.org/4otDMWf UCSF Department of Neurological Surgery