The AACI Physician Clinical Leadership Initiative (PCLI) will host "Seismic Shift or Small Step Forward? Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Cancer Care and Research" at 1:00 pm eastern time on Thursday, July 20.
The webinar will describe new advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning and its impact on cancer care and research. Panelists will provide background and share the potential applications for research and discovery while highlighting the impact on clinical care and patient outcomes.
Panelists are Christopher Lieu, MD, associate director for clinical research and director of GI medical oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center, and Sean Davis, MD, PhD, professor of biomedical informatics and medicine, associate director of informatics and data science at the cancer center, and deputy director of the Center for Health AI at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine.
Registration is free. Please contact Program Coordinator Hailey Honeycutt with any questions.
AACI Update | July 2023
Headlines
UF Health Cancer Center Achieves NCI Designation
The University of Florida Health Cancer Center has joined the ranks of the country’s most distinguished cancer centers as the 72nd National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Center in the United States. Led by Jonathan D. Licht, MD, the center doubled its peer-reviewed cancer research funding since 2016, with $48.8 million in total cancer research grants and 359 active cancer research projects last year.
Submit Your Nomination for the AACI Public Service Award
AACI is currently seeking nominations for the 2023 Public Service Award, which will be presented during the 2023 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting on Monday, October 2, at the Salamander Washington DC. One Republican and one Democrat are eligible to receive the award, which recognizes leaders who demonstrate outstanding support for biomedical research in general, and cancer research in particular, and who support AACI’s mission of enhancing cancer centers and health equity.
PCLI Webinar: Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Cancer Care and Research
The AACI Physician Clinical Leadership Initiative (PCLI) will host "Seismic Shift or Small Step Forward? Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Cancer Care and Research" at 1:00 pm eastern time on Thursday, July 20. The webinar will describe new advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning and potential applications for research and discovery.
Pictured (L-R): Panelists Christopher Lieu, MD, and Sean Davis, MD, PhD.
15th Annual AACI CRI Meeting Raises Bar for Attendance, Abstracts
Pictured clockwise from top left: Patient advocate Mel Mann; poster session networking; (L-R) panelists Dr. Mark Agulnik, Dr. Shaalan Beg, moderator Angela Fritsche; plenary session attendees. Photo credit: Randy Belice.
Integra Connect: A Value-Based, Precision Medicine Company
At Integra Connect, we connect providers, payers, and life sciences with the experiences, outcomes, and costs of cancer they need to understand to improve care, embrace scientific advancements, manage costs, and deliver innovations for patients.
- Industry-leading specialty care data
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- Intelligence from unprecedented experience and expertise
News from the Centers
Cairns Elected Fellow of the Royal Society
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
The Royal Society, the world’s oldest science academy, has elected Bradley R. Cairns, PhD, to the Fellows of the Royal Society. Dr. Cairns serves as the chief academic officer of Huntsman Cancer Institute, Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Endowed Chair in Cancer Research, and investigator with Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Lee Elected American Statistical Association President
University of Florida Health Cancer Center
Members of the American Statistical Association have elected Ji-Hyun Lee, DrPH, a professor of biostatistics in the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions and the UF College of Medicine, president of ASA for the 2025 term. Dr. Lee also serves as the director of the Division of Quantitative Sciences at the UF Health Cancer Center.
Cancer Research Alliance Recognizes Young Investigator
The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai
Marta Luksza, PhD, has received a 2023 Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research. Dr. Luksza and team will use approaches from machine learning and physics to develop a predictive model for immune interactions and tumor evolution under vaccine immunotherapy. On the basis of this model, they will build a protocol for the optimal design of personalized anti-tumor vaccines.
VanBrocklin Receives Aebersold Award
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
The Aebersold Award recognizes outstanding achievement in basic science applied to nuclear medicine. For decades, Henry VanBrocklin, PhD, has led research on the preparation and application of novel radiopharmaceuticals. He received the award on June 25 at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Annual Meeting in Chicago.
Smoking Treatment Accreditation Earned
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health
Fox Chase Cancer Center has been accredited by the Smoking Treatment Accreditation & Recognition (STAR) program, a tobacco treatment initiative funded through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. STAR seeks to facilitate the integration of tobacco dependence treatment into existing health care workflows in order to elevate the level of treatment available to community members.
LeBlanc Named Education Chair, Honored for Advocacy
Duke Cancer Institute
Duke Cancer Institute Chief Patient Experience and Safety Officer Thomas LeBlanc, MD, MA, MHS, FAAHPM, FASCO, has been designated chair of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2024 Annual Meeting Education Program Committee. He was also recently named an ASCO Advocacy Champion, President's Circle for his "active engagement" in ASCO's advocacy activities.
Plimack Appointed Treasurer of ASCO
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health
Elizabeth Plimack, MD, MS, deputy director and professor in the Department of Hematology/Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center, has been appointed treasurer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). In 2019, Dr. Plimack was elected to a four-year term on ASCO’s Board of Directors.
Winship Renewed as NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
Winship Cancer Institute has received renewal of the prestigious Comprehensive Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), ensuring its continuing place in the top tier of U.S. cancer centers. Winship first earned NCI designation in 2009 and achieved comprehensive status in 2017. Suresh S. Ramalingam, MD, FACP, FASCO, is the center's executive director.
$100 Million Lead Gift to Support Transformative New Cancer Research and Care Facility
The University of Kansas Cancer Center
The Sunderland Foundation has given The University of Kansas Cancer Center a $100 million lead gift to build a new, state-of-the-art destination cancer center. This transformative gift is both the largest gift ever given by the Sunderland Foundation and the largest ever received by the University of Kansas and The University of Kansas Health System.
$50 Million State Investment to Fund Expansion of Research and Treatments
WVU Cancer Institute
West Virginia University’s efforts to reimagine and expand cancer care received a $50 million boost as Governor Jim Justice joined WVU academic and health system leaders to announce state surplus funding that will support investment to attain National Cancer Institute designation. Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, MD, FACS, is director of the WVU Cancer Institute.
Researchers Receive $2 Million to Study Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
Researchers at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer have received a $2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to understand the role myeloid cells play in how pancreatic cancer develops and progresses. They will use patient tissue samples and genetically-engineered mouse models to map myeloid cell populations and functional status in the healthy pancreas, pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, and pancreatic cancer.
Light Endoscope May Enhance Ovarian Cancer Detection and Treatment
Stony Brook Cancer Center
A major challenge in the management of advanced ovarian cancer is the detection and treatment of micrometastases within the intraperitoneal cavity. To address this clinical challenge, Ulas Sunar, PhD, has recently been awarded a $1 million grant from the National Cancer Institute.
Grant Moves Breast Cancer Drug Development Work Forward
Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina
The National Cancer Institute has awarded LoxiGen, Inc., a startup led by Ozgur Sahin, PhD, a three-year Fast-Track Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant to develop his breast cancer findings. The goal is a drug eligible for Investigational New Drug status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Advani Appointed Co-Leader of Cancer Biology and Signaling Program
UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center
As the new co-leader of the Moores Cancer Center cancer biology and signaling research program, Sunil J. Advani, MD, will join current co-leader, Jing Yang, PhD at the helm of the program. Dr. Advani studies the tumor-targeted delivery of anti-cancer agents in combination with radiotherapy for locally aggressive tumors.
Sawyer Tapped as Inaugural Chair of Bioengineering
Moffitt Cancer Center
Moffitt Cancer Center has launched the Department of Bioengineering. The new academic research department will be housed within the Division of Basic Science and led by W. Gregory Sawyer, PhD. Prior to joining Moffitt, Dr. Sawyer was a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Florida.
City of Buffalo First Deputy Mayor Joins Roswell Park as Chief Diversity Officer
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center has appointed Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney, Esq., as chief diversity officer and senior vice president. In her leadership role with the City of Buffalo, Rodriguez-Dabney steered successful efforts to engage and support richly diverse communities and organizations.
Funchain Joins Stanford
Stanford Cancer Institute
The Stanford Cancer Institute welcomes Pauline Funchain, MD. She will join in August as an associate professor of medicine/medical oncology. Dr. Funchain offers additional expertise in cutaneous malignancies, Merkel cell carcinoma, and skin cancer genomics and immunotoxicity.
New Director Joins One-Stop Resource for Integrative Cancer Care
UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
Shannon La Cava, PsyD, has been named as the new director of the Simms/Mann-UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, bringing a wealth of experience in meeting the varied emotional needs of people with cancer. Dr. La Cava is an integrative psychologist specializing in psychosocial oncology.
Inaugural Associate Director for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Named
UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center
Melody K. Schiaffino, PhD, MPH, is the new associate director for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Moores Cancer Center. She is a health services researcher and epidemiologist who specializes in health disparities as they relate to population health, health services delivery, and quality outcomes.
Avat Joins Moffitt as New Chief Business Officer
Moffitt Cancer Center
Xavier Avat has joined Moffitt Cancer Center as the new chief business officer. He will be responsible for leading the cancer center’s business development strategies and functions. Mr. Avat brings nearly 30 years of experience in marketing, operations, and business development to the role, most recently serving as chief business officer at Capricor Therapeutics, a biotech company.
Loss of Y Chromosome in Men Enables Cancer to Grow
Cedars-Sinai Cancer
As men age, some of their cells lose the very thing that makes them biological males—the Y chromosome—and this loss hampers the body’s ability to fight cancer, according to new research from Cedars-Sinai Cancer. Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer, is corresponding author of the study published in the journal Nature.
Project Stella Enables Novel Pediatric AML Immunotherapies, Potential Cure
Fred Hutch Cancer Center
Soheil Meshinchi, MD, PhD, a Fred Hutch pediatric hematologist/oncologist, studies a rare subtype of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia. His work is supported by Project Stella, a philanthropic initiative to raise funding for development of a new immunotherapy to treat this cancer. Dr. Meshinchi’s work has resulted in several potential drugs against this cancer, as well as the development of immunotherapy treatment.
Study Identifies Marked Disparities in Federal Cancer Research Funding
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami
A research team at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center compiled and analyzed statistics from federal cancer research funding sources and found that funds tend to be allocated more heavily toward cancers that occur more often in non-Hispanic white people than in other racial and ethnic groups.
Breast Density and BMI Both Play a Role in Breast Cancer Risk
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
Breast density shouldn’t be the only factor in determining whether supplemental screening is warranted, reported researchers in a large new study led by UC San Francisco and UC Davis. Lead author Karla Kerlikowske, MD, noted that incorporating breast density and BMI would better identify women with high breast density at risk of a missed or advanced cancer rather than using breast density alone.
Study Discovers That Tumor Mutation Burden Predicts Survival Outcome
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
The expected course of a patient’s cancer prognosis has traditionally been judged by its type, stage, and microscopic aggressiveness, but patients with the same presentation can still have widely divergent outcomes. Researchers from Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center have discovered that differences in tumor mutation burden are a major reason for this divergence.
Liquid Biopsy Predicts Early Disease Progression, Potential Survival in Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University
A novel, automated liquid biopsy test in development by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center can be used to predict early disease progression and potential survival among patients with metastatic breast cancer in as little as one month after starting treatment, according to a recent study.
Smart Drugs Give New Hope to Some Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
A promising new targeted cancer therapy will soon be available to certain patients with advanced pancreatic cancer – from the comfort of their home. The treatment will be available through a first-of-its-kind, entirely telehealth-based cancer clinical trial at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Study Reveals How Treatment-Resistant Prostate Cancer Provides Its Own Hormonal Fuel
Siteman Cancer Center
A new study from Siteman Cancer Center discovered that when prostate cancer cells are treated with testosterone-blocking medication, they end up producing more cholesterol to generate their own testosterone. The study reveals a possible drug combination that could stop the cancer from feeding its own growth.
Deterministic Evolution and Stringent Selection During Preneoplasia
Stanford Cancer Institute
Stanford Cancer Institute members Calvin Kuo, MD, PhD, Christina Curtis, PhD, and colleagues have published an article in Nature that provided valuable insights into the early stages of cancer development and showed that there are predictable patterns and constraints in the process. These findings have implications for detecting cancer at an earlier stage and preventing aggressive tumors.
Study Finds Functional Limitations Increasing in Survivors of Cancer
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University
The percentage of survivors of cancer reporting functional limitations in the United States has more than doubled over the past 20 years, according to a new study. The work was a collaborative effort from investigators at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, the Dell Medical School in Austin, Texas, and the University of Minnesota’s Masonic Cancer Center in Minneapolis.
AI-Driven Biomarker Predicts Optimum Length of Treatment for Prostate Cancer
Duke Cancer Institute
In an oral presentation at ASCO23, Andrew Armstrong, MD, MSc, reported that an AI-derived digital pathology tool was able to identify which men treated with radiation for high-risk localized prostate cancer could be spared long-term hormone therapy and its potential side effects. Dr. Armstrong is a Duke Cancer Institute genitourinary oncologist.
Filling the LGBTQIA+ Void in Cancer Research
University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center
When Prajakta Adsul, MBBS, PhD, MPH, at the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, learned about LGBTQIA+ communities in New Mexico, she became inspired to start filling the void of information about cancer screening and survivorship in these populations. Using a novel survey, she and her team collected information from 2,500 individuals; it's the largest volume of data of its kind.
Study Reveals a Trio of Immune Cells Vital in Response to Liver Cancer Immunotherapy
The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai
Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have uncovered a trio of immune cells within tumor niches that are associated with immunotherapy response in hepatocellular carcinoma. The findings help explain which patients benefit from immunotherapy and which do not.
Study May Provide Clues to Treating Colorectal Cancer More Effectively in Younger Patients
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
A novel study led by medical oncologists at the Gastrointestinal Center at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is shedding light on factors that may affect treatment response in younger people with colorectal cancer. That information could guide the development of new treatments for younger patients, who typically have poorer outcomes.
Cancer Cells Rev Up Synthesis, Compared With Neighbors
Siteman Cancer Center
Researchers from Siteman Cancer Center have developed a technology to study tumor growth in another dimension, establishing a new method in mouse models of glioblastoma to create a high-resolution map of the tumor ecosystem. The results shed light on how cancer cells in a brain tumor get lipids, which could help scientists slow or stop disease progression.
Cancer Experts Warn About Wave of HPV-Related Cancers in Adults
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
Experts are concerned about rapidly rising rates of HPV-related throat and mouth cancers, noting that if this trend continues they could quickly be among the most common forms of cancer in adults between the ages of 45 and 65.
Study Finds Women, Underrepresented Groups Experience Higher Rates of Workplace Mistreatment in Academic Medicine
Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
A new study led by Winship Cancer Institute researcher Reshma Jagsi, MD, DPhil, has found that women; racial and ethnic minorities; and individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer are disproportionately affected by workplace mistreatment in academic medicine, and this mistreatment negatively impacts their mental health.
New Drug Delays Glioma Progression
UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center
In an international study co-led by UCLA, scientists have shown that a new targeted therapy drug can extend the amount of time people with a subtype of glioma are on treatment without their cancer worsening. The finding suggests a possible new treatment option for people with the slow-growing but deadly brain tumor.
New Treatment Option for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Prolongs Survival
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
A new therapy is on the horizon for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have run out of treatment options. Results from an international clinical trial show that the selective targeted therapy, Fruquintinib, resulted in a statistically significant improvement in overall survival and progression-free survival.
Markey Study Reveals Persistent Cancer Disparities in Appalachian Kentucky
UK Markey Cancer Center
A recent UK Markey Cancer Center study sheds light on Appalachian Kentucky’s alarming cancer burden, revealing striking disparities compared to non-Appalachian Kentucky and the rest of the country. Kentucky ranks first in the nation for cancer incidence and mortality rates, and Appalachian Kentucky bears the state’s greatest cancer burden.
Radiation Oncologist William Blackstock Dies
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center
A. William Blackstock Jr., MD, FASCO, chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, passed away in June at age 60 due to complications from prostate cancer. He was one of the first African American chairs in the field and began his career at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Huntsman Plans for New Comprehensive Cancer Center
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah has announced plans for a new Huntsman Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center in Utah County. This second headquarters will be in Vineyard, a growing city embedded in Utah’s tech hub.
Emerging Leaders Sought to Join EAB
The University of Vermont Cancer Center
The University of Vermont Cancer Center seeks early career faculty to participate in its external advisory board. The deadline to apply is September 1. This opportunity is designed for future leaders who represent groups underrepresented in biomedical science and in cancer center leadership positions across the country.
KU Cancer Center Joins ORIEN
The University of Kansas Cancer Center
The University of Kansas (KU) Cancer Center has joined the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN), a national initiative promoting collaboration to drive research and discovery of personalized treatments for cancer. Launched in 2014 and comprised of 18 cancer centers across the U.S., it is the largest and longest-running academic cancer research consortium of its kind in the United States.
Program Gives Undergrads Pathway to Cancer Careers
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
What does it look like to work in cancer research? For two weeks this summer, 20 undergraduate students from public universities across Michigan will find out. The Rogel Cancer Center’s Pathways Undergraduate Fellowship program launched in 2022 to fill a gap in training programs that left out undergraduate students.
Survivorship Program Launched for Adolescents and Young Adults
University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center
The UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center is launching an adolescent and young adult survivorship program, coordinated by Amy Gundelach, RN, MSN, AG-CNS-BC, OCN. Individualized survivorship care plans encourage communication and collaboration among patients and their cancer treatment and primary care providers.
More Evidence Needed to Confirm Promise of Remote or Decentralized Trials
Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina
There’s one question that Jennifer Dahne, PhD, co-director of the remote and virtual trials program at the South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research Institute, hears more than any other: Will remote—or decentralized—clinical trials overcome the barriers that make it difficult for minority and underserved populations to participate in clinical research?
Novel Approaches to Help Young Adult Survivors
The University of Arizona Cancer Center
To assist cancer survivors between the ages of 18–39, Rina Fox, PhD, MPH, University of Arizona Cancer Center member, has spent several years developing an innovative, 10-week eHealth information and peer support stress management program called TOGETHER-YA (Young Adults).
Cancer Center Jobs
Meeting Announcements
PCLI Webinar: Seismic Shift or Small Step Forward? Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Cancer Care and Research
2023 Annual Conference of the Cancer Molecular Therapeutics Research Association (CMTRA)
The format of the CMTRA-2023 conference allows for 150 or fewer delegates to foster and promote both formal and informal scientific interactions.
Session highlights include:
- Targeting RAS
- Autophagy and cancer
- Target identification and discovery
- Pediatric cancers
- Targeting the cell division cycle
2023 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting
Registration is now open for the 2023 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting, October 1-3, 2023, at the Salamander Washington DC.
For those who are unable to attend the annual meeting in person, a virtual option is available. To register as a virtual attendee, select the "Member - Virtual Only" registration type. This will give you access to all sessions held in the main ballroom and a virtual breakout session. Virtual registration rates will remain the same. Login information will be provided closer to the meeting.
16th Annual AACI CRI Meeting
The 16th Annual AACI CRI Meeting will be held June 24-26 at Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel in Rosemont, IL.
2024 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting
The 2024 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting will be held October 20-22 at Loews Chicago Downtown Hotel in Chicago, IL. A virtual registration option is also available to those who cannot attend in person.