The future of cancer research, treatment and care is at Providence Swedish

[5 min read]

In this article: 

• In 2018, Providence Swedish received a $20 million personal bequest from the late philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft Paul G. Allen that gives our team of physician-researchers the freedom to transform the future of cancer care and treatment. 
• We are proud to announce the opening of the Paul G. Allen Research Center at Providence Swedish Cancer Institute, where every research and physician is committed to changing the journey of every patient with cancer.
• The center's work will focus on deepening our understanding of cancer in order to treat patients more effectively and, ultimately, to prevent cancer from ever occurring. Watch the short video below to learn more. 

The Paul G. Allen Research Center story 

Shortly after his death in 2018, the late philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen made a personal bequest of $20 million to Providence Swedish. That gift, realized in 2021, supported the formation of the Paul G. Allen Research Center at Providence Swedish Cancer Institute. We are proud to announce that after several years of painstaking work and tremendous collaboration, the center opened its doors on Oct. 30, 2024.

"Paul was grateful for the care he received at Swedish over the years," said Jody Allen, trustee of the Paul G. Allen Estate and sister of Mr. Allen. "His gift reflects his lifelong belief that to make transformational change to benefit others, you must invest in science and the researchers pushing the boundaries of conventional thinking to solve complex problems." 

Founded in 1910, Providence Swedish is the largest not-for-profit health care provider in the Pacific Northwest, focused on advancing care and increasing access for those who need it most. Swedish Cancer Institute was founded 22 years later and is the second-oldest cancer institute in the country, currently treating more people than any other cancer care center in the region. This new research center builds upon Providence Swedish's legacy, working to advance our understanding of cancer, how to treat it, and, ultimately, how to prevent it.

The location near Swedish First Hill features a 7,500-square-foot translational research lab with both biospecimen (wet) and data (dry) laboratory spaces. It currently supports 42 studies from 16 Providence Swedish physician investigators and involves more than 27 academic and commercial partners. 

 
The Paul G. Allen Research Center difference 
The translational research center is a bridge between research goals of clinical trials and laboratory work. Clinical trials typically test new technologies or treatments to investigate new drug and whether or not they perform as expected. Bench research is focused on investigating basic science, such as breast cancer cells' development and their ability to evade the immune system. Translational research applies basic science questions to help answer some of our more complex clinical questions, including why certain types of immunotherapy work for some patients with cancer but not all patients.

Unlike traditional research settings, where a lab is established for one major researcher who guides the scope of the work, there is not one single person leading the Center's research direction. Instead, Providence Swedish physician investigators and external collaborators work together to address a variety of translational research questions — all with the goal of improving patient care.  

The center is uniquely positioned to tackle some of our most challenging research questions due to its combination of biospecimens and data, as well as its direct connection to Providence Swedish, which hosts the most clinical trials of any other health system in the region. These high-quality resources and our engaged patient population mean more researchers are drawn to work with the center and bring more clinical trials Providence Swedish. This collaboration will bring some of the nation's most advanced contemporary treatment to our patients.  
 
The Paul G. Allen Research Center Pillars 
The center has three main research pillars. Each with a specific focus and shared goal of addressing the entire spectrum of cancer issues. The center is home to: 

• The Initiative for Cancer Prevention and Early Detection, led by Charles Drescher, M.D., this team investigates the genesis of cancer, focused on ways to prevent cancers before they ever start and ways to detect them at the earliest possible stage. Much of this research follows patients who are at a higher risk of developing cancer or those who have precancerous lesions.  
• The Center for Immuno-oncology, led by Kelly Paulson, M.D., Ph.D., targets treatment. Researchers use immunotherapies that train the body’s defenses to fight cancer. Some of our most promising and exciting work in this area is in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, when a receptor is added to naturally occurring immune cells so they can recognize specific antigens or markers on the surface of cancer cells. The hope is that by helping immune cells identify these cancer cells, the patient’s immune system will attack the cancer.  
• The Initiative for Molecular and Genomic Evaluation of Cancer, led by Hank Kaplan, M.D., is focused on understanding cancer, especially tumor development and growth, uses genetic and molecular testing combined with patients’ disease and treatment history to look at cancer progression and examine how cancers have evolved to evade therapies. This work improves our knowledge of how to best use current treatments to improve outcomes while also looking for new treatment targets for future therapies. 

“We can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives by expanding access to a broad range of clinical trials and the most contemporary treatment options,” said Providence Swedish Cancer Institute Executive Medical Director Ashwani Rajput, M.D. “Paul G. Allen Research Center’s novel resource combinations, personalized and data-backed approaches will help foster a new wave of cancer care.”

Learn more and find a physician or advanced practice clinician (APC) 

Swedish offers comprehensive breast cancer services tailored to your individual health needs. The multidisciplinary team at the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute offers inclusive care that provides advanced treatment and compassionate support to meet your needs during a challenging time.

Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. Contact Swedish Primary Care to schedule an appointment with a primary care physician. You can also connect virtually with your doctor to review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. And with Swedish ExpressCare Virtual you can receive treatment in minutes for common conditions such as colds, flu, urinary tract infections, and more. You can use our provider directory to find a specialist or primary care physician near you. 

About the Swedish Foundation 

Your generous gift helps support a healthy tomorrow for everyone in every community we serve.  Learn about more ways to give to the Swedish Foundation or make a direct donation online at swedishfoundation.org. You can also contact the Foundation at 206-368-2738 or email foundation@swedish.org. Thank you for helping us shape the future of healthcare. We can’t do it without you.

Information for patients and visitors

Related resources

Separating breast cancer myths from reality can help you understand you risk

Unlocking the mysteries of cancer

A new cancer screening tool helps patients understand their risk and personalize care

Radiopharmaceutical therapy offers transformative, personalized treatment

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions. 

Providence Swedish experts in the media 

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.