Supported by Advarra
AACI's Physician Clinical Leadership Initiative (PCLI) will host "On the Frontlines of Cancer Care: Exploring Urgent Care Models in Oncology" on Thursday, May 9 at 1:00 pm eastern time. The webinar will be moderated by Theresa L. Werner, MD, Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. Presenters are William Dunson, MD, Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah; Kinsey Wimmer, MS, PA-C, University of Colorado Cancer Center; Elizabeth Jewell, MD, MHSc, FACOG, FACS, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; and David Brauer, MD, MPHS, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota. This webinar is free to all AACI members.
AACI Update | May 2024
Headlines
SKCC at Jefferson Health Earns Comprehensive Designation From NCI
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) at Jefferson Health has earned a National Cancer Institute (NCI) "Comprehensive" Cancer Center designation, the highest recognition awarded by the NCI. This recognition places SKCC among an elite group of only 57 cancer centers nationwide. Andrew Chapman, DO, FACP, is director of the cancer center.
Register Today for the 2024 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting
Registration is now open for the 2024 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting, which will take place October 20-22 at the Loews Chicago Downtown Hotel. Preceding the meeting, AACI will host the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Summit, in partnership with the American Cancer Society and the Cancer Center DEI Network. The DEI Summit is scheduled October 19-20 in Chicago.
Abstract Winners Announced for the 16th Annual AACI CRI Meeting
The AACI Clinical Research Innovation (CRI) Steering Committee, with the assistance of peer reviewers from CRI committees and volunteers, have selected three abstracts from 154 submissions for formal presentation on Tuesday, June 25, during the 16th Annual AACI CRI Meeting. Winning abstract authors represent Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa; UK Markey Cancer Center; and Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center.
CRI Annual Meeting: Support Opportunities
AACI invites you to promote your cancer center or company by purchasing an ad in the 16th Annual AACI CRI Meeting digital program book. Your program ad may highlight a conference or a new initiative, or celebrate the success of your cancer center’s clinical trials office. The deadline to submit a program ad is 5:00 pm eastern time on Friday, May 24.
Sen. Durbin, Rep. Wittman to Receive Cancer Research Ally Award
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA) will be honored with the Cancer Research Ally Award before the 2024 AACI/AACR Hill Day, which will be held on Thursday, May 16. The awards will be presented during an evening reception on Wednesday, May 15.
PCLI Webinar: Exploring Urgent Care Models in Oncology
AACI's Physician Clinical Leadership Initiative (PCLI) will host a webinar titled "On the Frontlines of Cancer Care: Exploring Urgent Care Models in Oncology" at 1:00 pm eastern time on Thursday, May 9. Panelists will offer invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of oncology care and strategies for delivering high-quality, patient-centered services in urgent care settings. This webinar is supported by Advarra.
AACI CAR T Initiative Renamed Cellular Therapy Initiative
Recognizing the evolution of immunotherapies over the past several years, the AACI CAR T Steering Committee recently voted to change the name of the CAR T Initiative to AACI Cellular Therapy Initiative. Along with the new name, the steering committee will expand to include experts in other cellular-based therapies.
AACI Introduces Tech Gold Membership
AACI is pleased to announce Tech Gold, a new membership category designed especially for technology companies whose products and services benefit cancer centers. This membership provides a forum for AACI cancer centers and these companies to exchange ideas and imagine new possibilities for enhancing oncology through technology. The 2024 Tech Gold members are Caris Life Sciences, Cognizant, and Yunu.
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News from the Centers
Ulrich Receives Governor's Medal
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, chief scientific officer and executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, has been awarded the 2024 Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology.
Licht Named AAAS Fellow
University of Florida Health Cancer Center
Jonathan D. Licht, MD, director of the UF Health Cancer Center, has been named a 2023 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), a distinguished lifetime honor within the scientific community.
Dickson, Khabele, Longmore Elected to Association of American Physicians
Siteman Cancer Center
Three Washington University physician-scientists at Siteman Cancer Center—Patricia I. Dickson, MD, Dineo Khabele, MD, and Gregory D. Longmore, MD—have been elected to the Association of American Physicians. Membership in the organization is an honor bestowed on physicians who lead innovative scientific research to improve health care.
Kaelin Recognized With Reimann Honor Award
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health
William Kaelin Jr., MD, physician, scientist, and Nobel laureate, was recognized at Fox Chase Cancer Center with the Stanley P. Reimann Honor Award, the center’s highest distinction. The award was presented while Dr. Kaelin was visiting Fox Chase to deliver a scheduled lecture.
Bondy Receives ASPO Award
Stanford Cancer Institute
Melissa Bondy, PhD, received the American Society of Preventive Oncology Joseph F. Fraumeni, Jr. Distinguished Achievement Award. The award is extended annually to an outstanding scientist in the areas of preventive oncology, cancer control, and/or cancer prevention.
Sharma Named President of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
The University of Kansas Cancer Center
Prateek Sharma, MD, FASGE, has been elected president of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy for 2024-2025. Dr. Sharma is a member of The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s Cancer Prevention and Control research program. His term begins in May.
Researchers Receive Team Science Award From Melanoma Research Alliance
UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
A multidisciplinary team of investigators from the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center was awarded a Translational Melanoma Research Alliance Team Science Award to identify small-molecular compounds that will prevent cancer cells from developing resistance to current mutation-targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
NCI ESSP 2024 Cohort Selected
Stanford Cancer Institute
Candice Thompson, MD, was selected to participate in the NCI Early-stage Surgeon Scientist Program (ESSP), which is designed to train surgeon-scientists and retain them in basic/translational cancer research. This program brings together surgeon-scientists from across the United States and builds cohorts that will be trained together for up to three years.
Perlmutter Earns Redesignation as Comprehensive Cancer Center
Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone
NYU Langone Health’s Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center has again been designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest ranking awarded by the National Cancer Institute. The competing renewal of the center's Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) will provide nearly $20 million over five years in new funding for research programs, infrastructure, and technology.
Hollings Achieves its Highest Score, Receives NCI Designation Renewal
Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina
MUSC Hollings Cancer Center has received the renewal of a five-year grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and achieved its best score ever of "outstanding performance." This NCI Cancer Center Support Grant renewal will provide Hollings with almost $11 million over the next five years to advance cancer research discoveries.
Charitable Trust Makes $50 Million Gift to Build New Cancer Hospital
WVU Cancer Institute
The cancer care available to West Virginians took a dramatic positive turn with a gift of $50 million that the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust has made to the West Virginia University (WVU) Cancer Institute.
Scientists Build a Molecular GPS to Guide Cell Therapies
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Wendell Lim, PhD, earned a $30 million contract from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to develop a cellular toolkit for therapies targeting diseases of the brain and lung. The system uses engineered T cells to guide therapies directly to their targets in the brain to treat neurological diseases.
New Lung Cancer Research Center to Be Established With $20 Million Gift
Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center will expand its lung cancer research through a $20 million gift that will advance discoveries related to lung cancer prevention, detection, and treatment and establish the Tom and Julie Wood Center for Lung Cancer Research.
Researcher Awarded $3 Million to Study New Target for Melanoma Treatment
UK Markey Cancer Center
Jin-Ming Yang, PhD, was recently awarded a $3 million, five-year grant from the National Cancer Institute to support research focused on improving the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatment for melanoma.
Zhou Receives $2.9 Million to Develop System to Predict Multiple Myeloma Outcomes
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
By combining data from MRI scans and clinical tests, Chuan Zhou, PhD, will develop a decision support tool to tailor treatment for individual patients with multiple myeloma. He received $2.9 million from the National Cancer Institute for the project.
$1 Million Pledged to Support Regional Campus, Cancer Patients
UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has announced that the Judd Hill Foundation has pledged $1 million to establish the Judd Hill Foundation Fund for Excellence in support of the UAMS Northeast Regional Campus and cancer patients in the region.
Researchers Receive Grant to Study Role of Obesity in Colorectal Cancer
University of Florida Health Cancer Center
A team of UF Health Cancer Center researchers led by Young-Rock Hong, PhD, has received a three-year grant from the Florida Department of Health Bankhead-Coley Research Program to study the relationship between obesity and colorectal cancer.
Winkfield Named Associate Director for COE
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Karen Winkfield, MD, PhD, executive director of the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, has been named associate director for Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Earlier this year, Dr. Winkfield delivered the keynote talk at the 2024 AACI Leadership Diversity and Development Workshop.
New Director of Melanoma Research
Cedars-Sinai Cancer
Bin Zheng, PhD, a specialist in targeted therapies and immunotherapy, has joined Cedars-Sinai Cancer as director of Melanoma Research in the Department of Biomedical Sciences.
NRG Oncology Announces New Committee Leadership
The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai
Stephanie Blank, MD, has been appointed vice chair of NRG Oncology’s Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) Committee. NRG Oncology is a NCI National Clinical Trials Network group; the CPC Committee focuses on reducing cancer risk through optimal screening, biomarker evaluation, and risk reduction strategies.
Kaumaya to Continue Cancer Therapy Work at IU
Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
Pravin Kaumaya, PhD, recognized for creating a cancer treatment blueprint that uses peptides in vaccines to block the growth and spread of cancer, has been named the Vera Bradley Foundation Professor of Breast Cancer Innovation at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Thompson Named Pediatric Neurosurgery Director
Siteman Cancer Center
Eric Thompson, MD, will join Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children's Hospital on August 5 through his appointments at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Siteman Kids is the pediatric oncology program of Siteman Cancer Center.
Blackmon Named Director of Lung Institute
Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine
Shanda H. Blackmon, MD, MPH, specializing in minimally invasive lung segmentectomy and complex thoracic surgery, has been named director of the Lung Institute at Baylor Medicine. She is returning to Houston from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
Director for Research Education Named
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Chris Williams, MD, PhD, associate dean for Physician-Scientist Education and Training at Vanderbilt University, has been named to lead Research Education at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC). He succeeds Scott Hiebert, PhD, who will continue to serve as associate director for Shared Resources at VICC.
Enhanced Melanoma Vaccine Offers Improved Survival for Men
University of Virginia Cancer Center
A second-generation melanoma vaccine developed at UVA Cancer Center improves long-term survival for melanoma patients compared with the first-generation vaccine, new research shows. Interestingly, the benefit of the second-generation vaccine was greater for male patients than female patients. That finding could have important implications for other cancer vaccines, the researchers say.
Team Identifies New Approach to Boosting Effectiveness of Chemotherapy in Hematologic Cancers
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
A team of researchers from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Markey Cancer Center report that the efficacy of doxorubicin, a widely used chemotherapy drug, was enhanced in preclinical lymphoma models when it was combined with propranolol, a beta-2 adrenergic receptor (β-AR) blocker commonly used to treat high blood pressure, and which also blocks the effects of stress in the body.
Colorless, Odorless Gas Likely Linked to Alarming Rise in Non-Smoking Lung Cancer
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
Doctors say that a concerning rise in non-smoking lung cancer cases is likely linked to long-term, high exposures of radon gas. A new consumer survey conducted on behalf of OSUCCC – James showed that a stunning 75 percent of Americans have not had their homes tested for radon.
Research Suggests Interventions to Address Higher Mental Health Care Needs in Parents Caring for Children With Cancer
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
A new study examines the prevalence of mental health challenges faced by parents caring for children diagnosed with cancer. The research, which analyzed data from privately insured parents across the United States spanning from 2010 to 2018, challenges previous studies on self-reported mental health conditions and provides the first evidence of actual mental health service utilization among parents of children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S.
New Plan Seeks to Improve Cancer Prevention, Clinical Trial Access
University of Virginia Cancer Center
Two University of Virginia Cancer Center experts in gynecologic cancer have outlined simple steps to improve cancer prevention for millions of rural and medically underserved Americans, as well as increase access to clinical trials that are the proving grounds for cutting-edge treatments.
Personalized Vaccine for Liver Cancer Shows Promise in Clinical Trial
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University
Adding a personalized anti-tumor vaccine to standard immunotherapy is safe and about twice as likely to shrink cancer as standard immunotherapy alone for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, according to a clinical trial led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and its Convergence Institute.
Study Shows Resistance to Chemotherapy May Point Toward Favorable Outcomes in Bilateral Wilms Tumor
Comprehensive Cancer Center St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Resistance to chemotherapy is typically associated with poor outcomes for patients with cancer. However, scientists at St. Jude found that bilateral Wilms tumor (cancer in both kidneys) that was resistant to chemotherapy was typically a subtype with ultimately better outcomes.
Investigators Develop Novel Treatment for T-cell Leukemias and Lymphomas
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University
A novel treatment for leukemias and lymphomas that arise from immune system T cells, developed by investigators at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and its Ludwig Center and Lustgarten Laboratory, was found to be effective at killing these cancers in mice bearing human T-cell tumors.
New Urine-Based Test Detects High Grade Prostate Cancer
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
Researchers at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center have developed a new urine-based test that addresses a major problem in prostate cancer: how to separate the slow growing form of the disease unlikely to cause harm from more aggressive cancer that needs immediate treatment.
Bacteria Subtype Linked to Growth in Up To 50 Percent of Human Colorectal Cancers
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center have found that a specific subtype of a microbe commonly found in the mouth is able to travel to the gut and grow within colorectal cancer tumors. This microbe is also a culprit for driving cancer progression and leads to poorer patient outcomes after cancer treatment.
Novel Approach Shows Promise in Enhancing Radiotherapy Efficacy for Squamous Cell Head and Neck Cancer
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
Recent research findings from Winship Cancer Institute provide a molecular basis for exploring the synergy of HSP90 inhibitors with radiotherapy and offer potential avenues for improving outcomes in patients with squamous cell head and neck cancer.
Predicting Ovarian Cancer Relapse
Cedars-Sinai Cancer
Using spatial analysis of tissue samples, Cedars-Sinai investigators have identified patterns that could predict whether patients with the most common type of ovarian cancer will experience early relapse after treatment.
CAR T Cell Therapy Targeting HER2 Antigen Shows Promise Against Advanced Sarcoma
Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine
Researchers at Texas Children’s Cancer Center and the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Houston Methodist have published results of a Phase I clinical trial of a novel immunotherapy for high-risk sarcomas.
FDA Approves Immunotherapy Drug Combo for Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the immunotherapy-boosting drug N-803, marketed under the brand name Anktiva, to be used in combination with the immunotherapy Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) for the treatment of patients with BCG-unresponsive non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Gene Therapy Is Halting Cancer. Can It Work Against Brain Tumors?
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Enrollment is open for a clinical trial that is using CAR T technology for the first time in people with glioblastoma. This new more powerful version of CAR T employs a novel technology developed at UCSF called synthetic notch (synNotch) that both protects healthy tissue from damage and enables the treatment to work more effectively.
The Surprising Connection Between Male Infertility and Family Cancer Risk
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute have found a surprising trend in families with male infertility: an increased risk of certain cancers. This discovery could lead to a more personalized approach to cancer risk assessments, making cancer prevention more effective.
Cancer Administrators Convene in Philadelphia
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health
The Association of Cancer Center Administrators welcomed over 400 attendees to its inaugural meeting in Philadelphia, March 17-19. The conferenced was chaired by Matthew Huesser, DBA, vice president for Cancer Research Administration at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health.
Construction Begins on New Cancer and Advanced Ambulatory Building
UK Markey Cancer Center
The University of Kentucky has broken ground on the new UK Cancer and Advanced Ambulatory Building. The 550,000-square-foot facility will become the new home of the UK Markey Cancer Center. The building and an adjacent 2,400-space parking structure are slated for completion in 2027.
Clinic Focuses on Immunotherapy Side Effect Management
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
A new clinic at OSUCCC – James and Pelotonia Immuno-Oncology Institute aims to help manage the autoimmune side effects of immunotherapy-based cancer treatment and allow patients to live the fullest life possible both during cancer treatment and long-term as a survivor.
Fox Chase Opens First New Jersey Location
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health
Fox Chase Cancer Center is welcoming patients to its newly opened office in Voorhees, New Jersey. The site is the first that Fox Chase has opened in the state. Approximately 20 percent of patients at Fox Chase's Philadelphia locations travel from New Jersey.
Cold Spring Harbor, Northwell Extend Affiliation Agreement
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Cancer Center
The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory-Northwell Health affiliation agreement, first signed in 2015, has been updated with the aim to bring cutting-edge biology research to the bedside of tens of thousands of cancer patients in diverse communities across New York.
Cancer Center Jobs
Professor/Associate Professor, Physiology (Translational Cancer Chemoprevention/Immunoprevention)
The University of Arizona Cancer Center
Read moreAdult Transplant and Cell Therapy Medical Director
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center
Read moreBone Marrow Transplant Park Ridge
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center
Read moreAssistant, Associate or Full Professor, Medical and Cancer Genetics Programs
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Read moreMeeting Announcements
PCLI Webinar | On the Frontlines of Cancer Care: Exploring Urgent Care Models in Oncology
May 9, 2024
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
2024 AACI/AACR Hill Day
May 16, 2024
Register today for the 2024 AACI/AACR Hill Day, Thursday, May 16, in Washington, DC. Registration closes at 5:00 pm eastern time on Tuesday, May 7.
16th Annual AACI CRI Meeting
June 24, 2024
The 16th Annual AACI CRI Meeting will be held June 24-26 at Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel in Rosemont, IL.
The Cancer Prevention Research Conference
June 25, 2024
The American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute, and Cancer Research UK are holding a new annual conference on prevention research, June 25-27, in Boston.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Summit
October 19, 2024
In partnership with the American Cancer Society and the Cancer Center DEI Network, AACI will hold the 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Summit on October 19-20 in conjunction with the 2024 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting. Attendees may choose to register for the DEI Summit only, or for both the DEI Summit and the annual meeting.
2024 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting
October 20, 2024
The 2024 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting will be held October 20-22 at Loews Chicago Downtown Hotel in Chicago, IL.
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.