AACI will host a Catchment Area Research and Data Science (CARDS) webinar titled "Exploring U.S. Neighborhood-Level Cancer Risk Factor Datasets" at 1:00 pm eastern time on Wednesday, December 4. The webinar will be divided into three parts: PLACES: Local Data for Better Health; The Environmental Justice Index: Advancing Environmental Justice and Health Equity Through Data Visualization; and Health Atlas: Visualizing Place-Based Data Across the United States.
AACI Update | December 2024
Headlines
AACI Welcomes New Members to PCLI and CTI Steering Committees
In 2025, the AACI Physician Clinical Leadership Initiative (PCLI) and Cellular Therapy Initiative (CTI) will welcome newly-elected steering committee members. Joining PCLI are Bhavana Bhatnagar, DO, and Rachna Shroff, MD, MS, FASCO. New CTI members are Michael E. Hurwitz, MD, PhD; Barbara Ma, MD, MS; and Erin Winters, BSN, RN, BMTCN. The new members’ terms begin on January 1.
CADEx Sessions Highlight Geospatial Tools, Measuring Impact on Catchment Area
In the November AACI Commentary, co-authors Debby Oh, MSc, PhD, of UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Susan T. Vadaparampil, PhD, MPH, of Moffitt Cancer Center, highlighted two sessions at the 2025 Catchment Area Data Excellence (CADEx) Conference: “The Spatial Context of Cancer: Leveraging Geospatial Tools for Better Outcomes” and “Measuring Impact on Your Catchment Area: Data Tools and Analytics at Cancer Centers.” Register for the January 29-31 conference.
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News from the Centers
Bhardwaj Elected to National Academy of Medicine
The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai
Nina Bhardwaj, MD, PhD, Ward-Coleman Chair in Cancer Research and director of the Vaccine and Cell Therapy Laboratory at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine for her pioneering work in cancer immunotherapy.
Editor-in-Chief of Journal of the American College of Surgeons Appointed
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Thomas Varghese Jr., MD, MS, MBA, FACS, has been named the new editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, effective March 1, 2025. Dr. Varghese currently serves as associate chief medical quality officer at Huntsman Cancer Hospital, chief value officer at Huntsman Cancer Institute, and chief of general thoracic surgery at the University of Utah.
Bleicher Appointed Vice Chair of NAPBC
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health
Richard J. Bleicher, MD, FACS, chief of the Division of Breast Surgery and clinical director of the Breast Service Line at Fox Chase Cancer Center, has been appointed vice chair of the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) and chair of its executive committee.
Maihle Receives Mayo Clinic Distinguished Alumni Award
UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute
Nita Maihle, PhD, has won a Mayo Clinic Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Maihle is a professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). She is a pioneer in the field of translational cancer research, working to improve cancer detection, prevention, and treatment, particularly in cancers that affect women.
Cancer Care Team Wins IASLC Award
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health
A team of lung cancer specialists from Fox Chase Cancer Center and Temple Health was recently recognized by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) as the winner of the North American Cancer Care Team Award during this year’s annual meeting in San Diego.
UNM Reaccredited by Commission on Cancer
University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center
The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center has successfully received reaccreditation from the Commission on Cancer (CoC), a quality program of the American College of Surgeons. The CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for patients with cancer by setting and raising standards.
UCLA, Parker Institute Continue Collaboration to Advance Next-Generation Cancer Immunotherapies
UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
UCLA and the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) have renewed their alliance to advance research in cancer immunotherapy and accelerate the development of curative treatments for the most difficult-to-treat cancers. The collaboration is backed by a substantial new investment from PICI, which recently committed $125 million to expand research efforts across a collaborative consortium of immuno-oncology academic research institutions.
$75 Million Donation from AbbVie Foundation to Support New Cancer Pavilion
The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
The AbbVie Foundation has made a $75 million donation to the University of Chicago to support the construction of UChicago Medicine’s new cancer pavilion. The donation helps fund the $815 million, 575,000-square-foot building, set to open in 2027.
$50 Million Gift Received to Revolutionize Pancreatic Cancer Care, Research
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
With a $50 million gift from Richard and Susan Rogel (pictured), the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center aims to revolutionize how the world detects, treats, and ultimately cures pancreatic cancer. The gift will create the Rogel and Blondy Center for Pancreatic Cancer in honor of Max Rogel and Allen Blondy, Richard and Susan Rogel’s fathers, both of whom died from cancer.
Accelerating the Discovery of New Cancer Therapies Using AI
The University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
Researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCCCC) will explore ways to arrest tumor growth that doesn't respond to medication by using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and high-performance computing capabilities found at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory. The UCCCC will receive $6 million as part of an up to $15 million project funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).
Winship Leads LLS Team Science Grant Tackling Health Disparities in Lymphoma
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
Lymphoma researchers from Winship Cancer Institute, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, and the Georgia Institute of Technology have been awarded a five-year, $5 million grant from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Specialized Center of Research Program. This funding supports a collaborative initiative to better understand and reduce health disparities in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
$3.5 Million Gift to Launch Breast and Ovarian Cancer Prevention Program
Stanford Cancer Institute
Stanford Cancer Institute members Allison Kurian, MD, MSc, and Jennifer Caswell-Jin, MD, received a $3.5 million legacy gift to launch the Bright Pink Preventive Risk Outreach And Cascade Testing Program. The program aims to lower the burden of cancer for individuals and their families by providing easy access to education and genetic testing.
$3.1 Million Grant to Study Head and Neck Cancer Incidence in People Living With HIV
LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center
LSU Health New Orleans has been awarded a five-year, $3.1 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. The grant will be used to conduct new research in conjunction with the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center. The project, titled the ROPINA trial, will study the increased risk of human papillomavirus related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in people living with HIV.
New Funding Drives Six Breast Cancer Studies
Fred Hutch Cancer Center
Six Fred Hutch/University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Cancer Consortium scientists received $1.7 million in grants from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to launch or continue studies aimed at improving outcomes in breast cancer.
Grant Funds Quest to Expand Immunotherapy Efficacy for Colorectal Cancer
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
The Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation has awarded a $1 million grant to support research at Vanderbilt aimed at dramatically expanding the efficacy of immunotherapy for colorectal cancer. The work is the latest collaboration between Robert Coffey, MD (pictured, right), and Ken Lau, PhD, to understand the mechanisms of colorectal cancer.
New NCI Award Recognizes the Importance of Scientific Community
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
In the lab of Minna Roh-Johnson, PhD, great science and great mentorship are inseparable. Now, a new National Cancer Institute (NCI) award has made that philosophy concrete. The award is is an administrative supplement to recognize excellence in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility mentorship.
Eng Named Associate Director of Strategic Relations and Research Partnerships
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Cathy Eng, MD, has been named associate director of Strategic Relations and Research Partnerships for Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. It is an expanded role for Dr. Eng, who has served as director for Strategic Relations and is an internationally known expert on colorectal cancer and early-onset cancers.
Hitchcock Named Associate Director for Access and Opportunities
University of Florida Health Cancer Center
UF Health radiation oncologist Kate Hitchcock, MD, PhD, has been named associate director for Access and Opportunities at the UF Health Cancer Center. In this role, she will use her expertise in leading clinical trials to help the center train the next generation of cancer researchers, preparing them to lead advancements in the field.
Konopleva Joins Break Through Cancer TeamLab in Fight Against Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center
Marina Konopleva, MD, PhD, director of the Leukemia Program and co-director of the Blood Cancer Institute at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, has joined forces with Break Through Cancer, a collaborative medical research foundation. Dr. Konopleva will play a pivotal role in the Eradicating Minimal Residual Disease in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia TeamLab.
Heath Appointed Associate Director for Clinical and Translational Research
The University of Vermont Cancer Center
Jessica Heath, MD, associate professor of pediatrics and vice chair of research for the Department of Pediatrics, has been appointed associate director for Clinical and Translational Research at the University of Vermont Cancer Center. Dr. Heath's laboratory research program focuses on high-risk pediatric leukemia.
How Hypoxia Helps Cancer Spread
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University
Scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have identified 16 genes that breast cancer cells use to survive in the bloodstream after they’ve escaped the low-oxygen regions of a tumor. Each is a potential therapeutic target to stop cancer recurrence, and one—MUC1—is already in clinical trials.
Research Shows Success in National Smoking Assessment Program
UK Markey Cancer Center
A new study highlights the success of the largest-ever quality improvement initiative to focus on the critically important issue of smoking among cancer patients. Led by UK Markey Cancer Center researcher Jessica Burris, PhD, the study analyzed outcomes from the American College of Surgeons’ "Just Ask" quality improvement program.
Suicide Rates for Young Male Cancer Survivors Triple in Recent Years
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Research from USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center suggests that among all cancer survivors, male adolescents and young adults (AYA) have the highest rate of death by suicide. The study also reports that the number of suicide deaths in the AYA male cancer survivor group (ages 15-39) increased three-fold during the 21-year-study period.
New Treatment Target Discovered for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
UK Markey Cancer Center
UK Markey Cancer Center researchers identified a protein that could be key to developing new treatments for triple-negative breast cancer. The new study reveals that a protein called NAC1 plays a role in helping triple-negative breast cancer cells spread by maintaining their cancer stem cell properties and altering the immune system’s response to the tumor.
Study Shows AI Accuracy in Screening Patients for Clinical Trial Portfolio
Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center
Researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center, The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai, and Triomics recently published a study demonstrating how a large language model fine-tuned on EMR datasets can automatically read a complete patient record, including free-text notes, and identify top-matching trials for cancer patients from a portfolio of ongoing oncology trials at the bedside with 95 percent accuracy.
KU Leads National Trial Testing Vaccine for Colon Cancer in People With Lynch Syndrome
The University of Kansas Cancer Center
Colon cancer is largely preventable for most people who get regular colonoscopy screenings. For people with a genetically inherited disorder known as Lynch syndrome, however, colon cancer is much harder to prevent. Lynch syndrome affects 1 of 279 Americans. Caused by mutations in one of four associated genes, Lynch syndrome greatly increases the risk for colon cancer.
High-Dose IV Vitamin C Plus Chemotherapy Doubles Survival in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa
A randomized, Phase II clinical trial shows that adding high-dose, intravenous (IV) vitamin C to chemotherapy doubles the overall survival of patients with late-stage metastatic pancreatic cancer from eight months to 16 months. The finding adds to mounting evidence of the benefits of high-dose, IV vitamin C in treating cancer.
Vaccine Shows Promise Against Aggressive Breast Cancer
Siteman Cancer Center
A small clinical trial shows promising results for patients with triple-negative breast cancer who received an investigational vaccine designed to prevent recurrence of tumors. Conducted at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis with a therapy designed by Washington University researchers, the trial is the first to report results for this type of vaccine—known as a neoantigen DNA vaccine—for breast cancer patients.
Clinical Trial Points Toward Promising Therapy for Most Aggressive Type of Breast Cancer
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
A new treatment approach developed at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center has shown promising results in a Phase I clinical trial for patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Five of nine patients enrolled in the study achieved complete remission and another patient achieved near-complete remission.
Researchers Uncover Why Some Leukemia Cells May Resist Treatment
The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai
Research from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai provides new insights into acute myeloid leukemia and its resistance to a common treatment. The study, titled "RAS-mutant leukemia stem cells drive clinical resistance to venetoclax," was led by Eirini Papapetrou, MD, PhD, professor of Oncological Sciences at Icahn Mount Sinai.
Engineered Receptors Help the Immune System Home in on Cancer
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
UCSF and University of Washington researchers developed synthetic receptors on the surface of immune cells that could make cancer immunotherapies more targeted. This could yield cancer therapies that are precisely delivered to tumors, making them more effective and giving them fewer side effects than today’s treatments, and could lead to new, targeted therapies for other diseases.
Clinical Trial Results Show Low-Intensity Therapy Can Achieve Positive Outcomes for Certain Pediatric Leukemia Subtypes
Comprehensive Cancer Center St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
New results from a St. Jude Total Therapy clinical trial uncover the benefits of using genomics and early treatment response to guide the risk classification of children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Researchers treated patients who were traditionally considered high-risk with low-intensity chemotherapy and achieved positive outcomes, including excellent event-free survival rates.
Immune Cell Discovery Offers New Potential for Cancer Immunotherapy
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
Researchers at Winship Cancer Institute have identified a novel type of immune cell, called the stem-like CD4 T cell, that plays a pivotal role in anti-tumor immunity. The pre-clinical findings highlight the potential to activate these cells to fight tumors more effectively, offering new hope for broader treatment success, particularly in patients with cancer that is unresponsive to current immunotherapies.
Study Finds Common Breast Cancer Treatments May Speed Aging Process
UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
A new study led by the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has revealed that common breast cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, may accelerate the biological aging process in breast cancer survivors.
Survey: Dangerous Gap in Knowledge About Pancreatic Cancer Among Adults Under Age 50
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
While pancreatic cancer rates are rising in people under age 50, a new survey conducted by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute shows most people continue to believe that pancreatic disease affects only the elderly – and that there is nothing they can do to reduce their risk.
Cell Therapy Fights Lethal Childhood Brain Cancer in Clinical Trial
Stanford Cancer Institute
A Stanford clinical trial is among the first successes for CAR T-cell therapy against solid tumors. Nine of the 11 patients showed benefit with one having a complete response. This therapy received the selective Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation to expedite U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.
Experts to Showcase Hematology Research at ASH Annual Meeting
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center experts representing various specialties will highlight innovative research and advancements in hematology and hematologic cancers at the 66th annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology. Roswell Park will present findings in areas including CAR T-cell therapy, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and innovative immunotherapies.
In 10 Seconds, AI Model Detects Cancerous Brain Tumor Often Missed During Surgery
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
Researchers have developed an AI powered model that—in 10 seconds—can determine during surgery if any part of a cancerous brain tumor that could be removed remains, a new study suggests. The technology, called FastGlioma, outperformed conventional methods for identifying what remains of a tumor by a wide margin, according to the research team led by University of Michigan and University of California San Francisco.
Traumatic Childhood Events May Increase Risk for Long-Term Health Effects in Breast Cancer Survivors
The University of Kansas Cancer Center
Childhood trauma can increase a breast cancer survivor’s chance of experiencing more severe and longer-lasting treatment-related anxiety, depression, and fatigue, as well as reduced cognitive function, years after cancer treatment has ended, according to a preliminary study.
This AI Tool Helps Neurosurgeons Find Sneaky Cancer Cells
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
A new study, led by UC San Francisco and University of Michigan, has demonstrated that using an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered diagnostic tool helps neurosurgeons identify invisible cancer that has spread nearby. The technique has the potential to delay the recurrence of high-grade tumors and it could prevent it in lower-grade tumors.
New Grant Opportunities to Support Studies on Liquid Biopsy in Primary Brain Tumors, CNS Metastasis Research
Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative
The Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative has announced two $500,000 research grants for multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary research projects focusing on liquid biopsy for primary brain tumors. In addition, the Metastatic Brain Tumor Collaborative also recently announced a $50,000 research grant to fund high-risk, high-impact CNS Metastasis Research.
Community Partnerships Built to Address Health Equity
Cedars-Sinai Cancer
Cedars-Sinai is expanding its long-standing commitment to local nonprofits through grantmaking and shared learning opportunities, as a way to promote greater health equity in the areas of homelessness and housing, access to care, and other community response categories.
Cancer Center Jobs
Senior Administrator, Oncology
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University
Read moreMeeting Announcements
CARDS Webinar | Exploring U.S. Neighborhood-Level Cancer Risk Factor Datasets
December 4, 2024
1:00 PM
Equitable Access to Clinical Trials (EACT) Webinar for Trial Site Staff
December 11, 2024
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Join a multi-stakeholder initiative hosted by LUNGevity Foundation and Oncology Nursing Society for a 90-minute webinar on the topic of mitigating financial barriers for patients who participate in oncology clinical trials as we review Equitable Access to Clinical Trials (EACT) initiative materials and resources and provide education for clinical trial site staff.
2025 AACI Catchment Area Data Excellence (CADEx) Conference
January 29, 2025
The 2025 AACI Catchment Area Data Excellence (CADEx) Conference will be held January 29-31, at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa in Coronado, CA.
Frontiers Symposium on Transformation in Cancer Care Delivery
February 17, 2025
This premier symposium held at the Marriott Downtown City Creek in Salt Lake City, Utah, will showcase emerging new models in cancer care across the continuum including; screening, risk identification, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Provocative presentations and facilitated discussions will explore the essential frameworks for transformative thinking to improve care and outcomes. Come be a part of the discussion as we shape the future of cancer care delivery.
2025 AACI Leadership Diversity and Development Workshop
March 11, 2025
Save the date for the 2025 AACI Leadership Diversity and Development Workshop, March 11-12, at the Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel in Rosemont, IL. More details and registration information are forthcoming.
2025 AACI/AACR Hill Day
May 22, 2025
Save the date for the 2025 AACI/AACR Hill Day, Thursday, May 22, in Washington, DC. More details and registration information are forthcoming.
17th Annual AACI CRI Meeting
June 23, 2025
Save the date for the 17th Annual AACI CRI Meeting, June 23-25, 2025, at Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel in Rosemont, IL.
2025 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting
October 19, 2025
Save the date for the 2025 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting, October 19-21, at Salamander Washington DC.