AACI Commentary

About Our Editorial Series

Exploring Topics That Matter to AACI Cancer Centers

AACI Commentary is a monthly editorial series focusing on major issues of common interest to North American cancer centers. Each AACI Commentary is written by a cancer center leader or subject matter expert and distributed by email to more than 5,000 subscribers of the AACI Update newsletter. 

The publication is designed to cover a specific topic in 750-1,000 words. Recommendations for topics and authors are encouraged. 

Please submit suggestions to: 

Chris Zurawsky
Director of Communications
[email protected] 

Emily Stimmel
Communications Manager
[email protected]
 

December 2024

The Role of Data and Data Science in Cancer Research

By W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, MHHC, and Warren A. Kibbe, PhD

Drs. W. Kimryn Rathmell and Warren A. Kibbe

2024 has been the year of artificial intelligence (AI). The 2024 Nobel prizes in Physics and in Chemistry recognized and emphasized the fundamental research that has led to modern AI and the application of this research to designing and predicting protein structure. Both achievements have fundamentally changed our work to understand, control, and eradicate cancer. Therefore, it is timely to elevate the National Cancer Plan goal to “Maximize Data Utility” for our national network of cancer centers.

Read the December 2024 Commentary

The Role of Data and Data Science in Cancer Research
By W. Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, MHHC, and Warren A. Kibbe, PhD
December 2024

Acquisition, Analysis, Action: Harnessing the Power of Catchment Area Data 
By Debby Oh, MSc, PhD and Susan T. Vadaparampil, PhD, MPH
November 2024

Changing Needs for a Growing Population: Shared Decision Making for People Living With Cancer as a Chronic Disease
By Gwen Darien and Christine Wilson, MA, MS
October 2024

Tracking National and State Cancer Policy
By Jaren Love and Omasan Richardson
September 2024

Transcending Language and Other Barriers to Boost Clinical Trial Participation 
By Eneida Nemecek, MD, MS, MBA
August 2024

Building Patient Partnerships: A Roadmap for Meaningful Collaboration
By Anne Marie Mercurio
July 2024

AACI Initiative at the Forefront of Cellular Therapeutics Revolution
By Peter Riedell, MD, and Joseph McGuirk, DO, FACP
June 2024

How a Robust Strategic Planning Process Can Advance the Mission of Your Cancer Center
By Erin Bank, PhD; Kate Shumate, MPA, CCRP; Eric Small, MD; and Alan Ashworth, PhD, FRS
May 2024

Global Oncology: Shifting From a Transactional Model to Mutually Beneficial Partnerships
By Patrick J. Loehrer, Sr., MD; Satish Gopal, MD, MPH; Stephen Kimani, MD, MSc; Martin Lajous, MD; and Elias Melly, MD
April 2024

The Urgency of Now: Improving Cancer Outcomes Through Professional and Reimbursable Oncology Navigation
By Arif Kamal, MD, MBA, MHS, and Karen Knudsen, MBA, PhD
March 2024

Advancing the Discourse Around Cancer Center Catchment Areas
By Katherine Tossas, PhD, MS, and Robert A. Winn, MD
February 2024

Joining Forces to Drive Progress Against Pediatric Cancer
By Charles W.M. Roberts, MD, PhD, Kimberly Stegmaier, MD, and Francisca Vazquez, PhD
January 2024

A Professional Development Initiative for Clinical Research Professionals
By Terease S. Waite, PhD, RN, JD, MBE, and Dan T. Vogl, MD, MSCE
December 2023

Collaborating to Reduce Disparities in Cervical Cancer
By Deanna Kepka, PhD, MPH, and B.J. Rimel, MD
November 2023

From Community Outreach to Global Oncology: Perspectives on the 2023 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting
By Primo N. Lara Jr., MD
October 2023

No Time to Waste: Now is the Time to Advocate for Federal Funding to Support Cancer Research
By Jennifer W. Pegher, MA
September 2023

Aging in Cancer: Preparing for the Silver Oncologic Tsunami
By Andrew Chapman, DO, FACP, FCPP
August 2023

Taking Cancer Clinical Research From Abstract to Reality: Reflections on the 15th Annual AACI CRI Meeting
By Thomas J. George, MD, FACP
July 2023

Beyond the Rainbow Flag: Topics and Outcomes From the First National LGBTQ+ Cancer Symposium
By B.J. Rimel, MD, and Zul Surani
June 2023

A Call for Engagement: AACI Cancer Centers and the National Cancer Plan
By Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD
May 2023

Collaborating to Improve Clinical Trial Activation Timelines
By Tara L. Lin, MD, and Theresa L. Werner, MD
April 2023

Fostering DEI, Providing Culturally Competent Care, and Eliminating the "Minority Tax" at AACI Cancer Centers
By Yolanda Sanchez, PhD
March 2023

Time to Step Outside the Box, Look Back, and PAUSE
By George J. Weiner, MD
February 2023

Best Practices for Maximizing the Value Added By External Advisory Boards
By Anita L. Harrison, MPA
January 2023

Low NCI Paylines and Grant Success Rates Compromise Research Potential
By Roy A. Jensen, MD; Steven K. Libutti, MD, FACS; Thomas J. Lynch, Jr., MD; and Leonidas
C. Platanias, MD, PhD
December 2022

Collaboration is Key to Advancing Precision Medicine in Prostate Cancer Treatment
By Heather Cheng, MD, PhD, and Channing Paller, MD
November 2022

The 2022 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting: Cancer Center Collaboration Meets Federal Cancer Policy
By Cornelia Ulrich, MS, PhD
October 2022

CTO Staff Retention Task Force Recommendations: Retaining and Recruiting Top Talent Amid the Great Resignation
By Leonidas C. Platanias, MD, PhD
September 2022

Democratizing Artificial Intelligence: Bringing Automated Machine Learning Technologies to Basic, Translational, and Clinical Cancer Researchers
By Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, and Jason H. Moore, PhD
August 2022

Enhancing the Diversity of the Cancer Leadership Pipeline
By Caryn Lerman, PhD
July 2022

2022 AACI/AACR Hill Day Highlights Importance of Strong Funding, Continued Advocacy
By Jaren Love
June 2022

Driving Change in Lung Cancer: Cancer Centers Must Ensure That Lung Screening Reaches Those Who Can Benefit Most
By Candace S. Johnson, PhD
May 2022

Marketing and the Physician Outreach Team
By Erin McElwain, MHA, and Heidi Findlay
April 2022
 
Repairing Damage to Clinical Trials Office Staffing
By Kristie Moffett
March 2022

Our Best Defense Against Cancer: Robust Funding is Essential to Continued Research Progress
By Roy A. Jensen, MD
February 2022

Promoting Equity by Design in Cancer Trials
By Barbara E. Bierer, MD, and Timothy Rebbeck, PhD 
January 2022

AACI and the Early Years of the National Cancer Act
By AACI Staff
December 2021

Reflecting on 50 Years of Progress and Looking Ahead to the Future: Highlights of the 2021 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting
By Robert A. Winn, MD
November 2021

Leadership Development and Diversity in Cancer Centers
By Caryn Lerman, PhD
October 2021

Confronting Delayed Cancer Screening and Cancer Disparities During the COVID-19 Pandemic
By Chyke A. Doubeni, MBBS, MPH
September 2021

Learning From the Pandemic: Reflections on the 13th Annual AACI CRI Meeting
By Theresa L. Werner
August 2021

A “Delicate Dance”: Establishing a Process for Assessing and Endorsing Cancer-Related Policy
By John DeMuro
July 2021

Engaging Advanced Practice Providers in Cancer Clinical Trials
By Christa Braun-Inglis, MS, APRN-Rx, FNP-BC, AOCNP
June 2021

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies to Enhance Cancer Treatment
By Rohit Bhargava, PhD
May 2021

Who Was First? The National Cancer Act of 1971 and the Birth of NCI-Designated Cancer
Centers
By Donald L. Trump, MD, FACP, FASCO and Eric T. Rosenthal
April 2021

The Little State That Could: How West Virginia Became a National Model for COVID-19 Vaccination
By Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, MD, FACS
March 2021

From Pre-Pandemic Politics to a "New Normal": Cancer Policy Priorities for the Biden Presidency
By AACI Staff
February 2021

Sustaining the Use of Telemedicine in Post-Pandemic Cancer Care
By Karen E. Knudsen, MBA, PhD; Cheryl L. Willman, MD; and Robert A. Winn, MD
January 2021