Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · 7d

📢🔬 Join Our Team! #MC3Institute is hiring 2 paid, full-time Clinical Research Fellows! Help improve #MerkelcellCarcinoma care thru patient support, clinical trials, & research, under the mentorship of Dr. Paul Nghiem. @fredhutch.org

Apply 👉 mc3institute.uw.edu/apply-mc3-clinical-research-fellowship

2 2

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · 13d

✨Poster Spotlight ✨

Tomas Bencomo, grad student in the #NghiemLab, shares his poster from last week’s 2025 Merkel CELLebration, on #spatialtranscriptomics which helps identify why some patients respond to #immunotherapy & others don’t.

#merkelcellcarcinoma #cancerresearch

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · 13d

👏 Congratulations to Dr. Bhatia on this well-earned recognition! Your work continues to fuel progress in the fight against #Merkelcellcarcinoma — and we’re proud to be your partners.

Fred Hutch @fredhutch.org · 20d

Congrats to Dr. @bhatia-s-md.bsky.social on being named the inaugural holder of the Lyn and Daniel Lerner Endowed Chair in #MerkelCellCarcinoma at Fred Hutch. Read more: https://bit.ly/3IwHQFp

2

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · 14d

✈️🌍 Last month, #MC3Institute members joined 70+ clinicians, trainees, & researchers in Stockholm for the 9th Nordic/2nd European Merkel Cell Carcinoma Meeting.

Together we shared discoveries, sparked collaborations, & pushed the boundaries of what we know about #MCC.

🔗 tinyurl.com/mpupdjvv

2

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · 15d

✨ Poster Spotlight ✨
Kate Biese shares her poster from last week’s #MerkelCELLebration on this summer’s @fredhutch.org @obliteride.bsky.social! 🚴‍♂️

⏳ 1 week left to support our team—Donations accepted thru 9/30. tinyurl.com/obiteride-mc3

#Obliteride #CureCancerFaster #merkelcellcarcinoma

2

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · 20d

Watch the full presentation on YouTube 💻
youtube.com/watch?v=lVJcEn9gVVw

2025 Merkel CELLebration

YouTube video by Seattle Team Merkel

youtube.com

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · 20d

🎉🔬 #MC3Institute proudly hosted our 20th annual #MerkelCELLebration on 9/15—welcoming over 240 guests to learn more about the latest research & advances in #MCC treatment.

📖 Event recap: tinyurl.com/3zpkufm3
@uwmedicine.bsky.social @fredhutch.org
#cancerresearch #merkelcell

1 3

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · Sep 8

✈️ Emily Gong, former #MC3Institute undergrad research assistant, took her passion for research to France to study #Merkelcell carcinoma under Dr. Mahtab Samimi of the Université de Tours.

Keep Reading 👉 tinyurl.com/mr5x6dur
@uwmedicine.bsky.social @fredhutch.bsky.social

1 1

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · Sep 4

In a study of #MCC patients, researchers found stopping immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is associated w/ a higher risk of disease progression — 39% at 2 years compared w/ 14% among those who continued treatment.

Learn More 👉 tinyurl.com/ydnr2fck
@uwdermatology.bsky.social @fredhutch.bsky.social

3 3

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · Aug 25

🚀🌟 We're excited to launch our official #MC3Institute Instagram account, instagram.com/mc3institute/!

Follow us to stay updated on the latest:
🔬 Research projects
🤝 Collaboration & training opportunities
✨ Member spotlights
📅 Upcoming events

@uwmedicine.bsky.social @fredhutch.bsky.social

1 2

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · Aug 21

🧡 Heartfelt thank you to the 80+ donors who have already supported our team! Together, we’ve raised more than $54K to advance #MCC research.

Donations will still be accepted thru 9/30. We invite you to contribute or share our cause.

Donate 👉 tinyurl.com/obiteride-mc3

1

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · Aug 21

🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️🚶 We were proud to once again take part in @obliteride.bsky.social, @fredhutch.bsky.social's annual fundraising bike ride & 5K walk/run, on 8/9 in Seattle!

👏 Congratulations to Team “Skin In The Game!”
#Obliteride #CureCancerFaster @uwmedicine.bsky.social @uwsom-wwami.bsky.social

1 1 4

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · Aug 12

The grant will power 3 projects aimed at understanding how #MCC evades the immune system & new treatments to overcome resistance to immunotherapies.

👏 Huge congrats to the MCC research community!

@uwmedicine.bsky.social @justintaylorlab.bsky.social @uwdeptmedicine.bsky.social

1

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · Aug 12

🎉 Thrilled to announce the #NCI has renewed a $14.3M project grant — “Immunobiology & Immune Therapy for Merkel Cell Carcinoma” — led by Dr. Paul Nghiem!

🔗 tinyurl.com/y62adf2f

Funding will support 60 scientists at:
@fredhutch.bsky.social
@uofwa.bsky.social
@uofmichigan.bsky.social
Uni of Virginia

1 7 17

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · Aug 5

☀️🧴 With @obliteride.bsky.social coming up this Sat, we spent time selling popsicles & sunscreen to raise funds & build awareness around #Merkelcell carcinoma. #CureCancerFaster

🧡 Donate or Join Team 'Skin in The Game' tinyurl.com/obiteride-mc3

@fredhutch.bsky.social @uwmedicine.bsky.social

1

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · Aug 1

🗞️ Fresh off the press! #MC3Memos newsletter vol 2 is here—packed w/ stories, latest advancements, & opportunities within the Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MC3) Institute.

📰 mc3institute.uw.edu/news/mc3-memos-vol-2

@fredhutch.bsky.social @uwmedicine.bsky.social
#merkelcellcarcinoma #cancerresearch

2 3

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · Jun 13

Dr. Paul Nghiem spoke to @endpts.com on how proposed budget cuts to federal #cancerresearch threaten life-saving projects & drive top scientists out of the field. #ResearchImprovesLives @uwmedicine.bsky.social @fredhutch.bsky.social

endpoints.news/federally-fu...

Federally-funded cancer research comes to a perilous crossroads

Paul Nghiem and MC3 Institute await $15.7M NCI funding decision for Merkel cell carcinoma research amid Trump budget cuts. Endpoints founder John Carroll watches research future unfold.

endpoints.news

1 2

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · Jun 11

💜 Yesterday marked the final day for our clinical research fellows — Dr. Ariel Finberg & Peter Ch’en! Together they've made a lasting impact on our #MCC clinic @fredhutch.bsky.social, guiding patients w/ compassion & curiosity.

Proud to watch them take the next step in their medical careers.

1 1

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · Jun 10

Congratulations Dr. Akaike! 👏

UW Dermatology @uwdermatology.bsky.social · Jun 10

🔬🗾 Dr. Tomoko Akaike delivered a compelling oral presentation at Annual Meeting of the Japanese Dermatological Association in Yokohama last week on, “Circulating Tumor DNA Predicts Immunotherapy Outcomes in Merkel Cell Carcinoma Patients.” #JDAannualMTG @uwmedicine.bsky.social @fredhutch.bsky.social

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · Jun 5

Grateful to our Director, Dr. Paul Nghiem, for his leadership in advocating for science & standing up for the research community. 👏🔬 #sciencenotsilence #supportscientists

UW Dermatology @uwdermatology.bsky.social · Jun 3

Last night, Dr. Paul Nghiem asked a question at the Community Impact Town Hall, hosted by @atg.wa.gov @agrobbonta.oag.ca.gov & @ordoj.bsky.social — urging AGs to help release approved federal research funds.

👉 www.youtube.com/live/xYY6G_6...

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · May 29

🌞🧴 Last Fri, our team spent the afternoon selling popsicles to raise funds for @fredhutch.bsky.social #Obliteride & build awareness around Merkel cell carcinoma.

So proud to ride, walk, & run in support of life-saving cancer research. Support our team 👉 tinyurl.com/obiteride-mc3

2

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · May 8

🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Nghiem on this well deserved recognition! #AAP

UW Dermatology @uwdermatology.bsky.social · May 8

⚕️🌟 Proud share that Dr. Paul Nghiem, Chair of UW Derm & Director @mc3-institute.bsky.social, has been inducted into the prestigious Association of American Physicians #AAP! @uwmedicine.bsky.social @fredhutch.bsky.social

👉 derm.uw.edu/news/paul-nghiem-inducted-association-american-physicians

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · May 7

👏 Thrilled to announce that Ankita Menon, our former #undergrad research assistant, will be joining us full-time as a Research Study Coordinator! @fredhutch.bsky.social

Welcome Q&A 👉 mc3institute.uw.edu/news/ankita-menon-transitions-research-study-coord

1 2

Reposted by Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute

nerdygeekgirl.bsky.social @nerdygeekgirl.bsky.social · May 2

This is an amazing group studying a rare, aggressive #SkinCancer called Merkel cell carcinoma #MCC. The Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative #mc3institute is a relatively new, international endeavor coming out of the #NghiemLab at #UW in #Seattle. @paulnghiem.bsky.social 🧪

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · May 2

🎥 Dr. Nghiem & Krista Lachance recently joined #JNCCN360 for a virtual interview to share their vision for the new institute. 🙏 A big thank you to JNCCN for spotlighting our mission & work ahead! @uwmedicine.bsky.social

👉 jnccn360.org/advanced-skin-cancers/videos/introducing-the-mc3-institute/

2 1 7

Merkel Cell Carcinoma Collaborative (MC3) Institute @mc3-institute.bsky.social · May 2

Thank you for your support! 💜

1 1