Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD
Director, Lurie Cancer Center
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
In 2024, the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University continued to advance our understanding of cancer. Our goal, every day is to save and improve lives.
As a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, our physicians and scientists are translating discoveries into new possibilities — offering the newest, most effective treatments through clinical trials, sharing vital education and services in the larger community, and providing state-of-the-art cancer services and ongoing support to patients and families across Northwestern Medicine.
Our Year in Review highlights some of these impactful achievements and the people who make them possible.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ann Lurie, a visionary philanthropist who transformed the lives of countless people. The depth and breadth of Lurie Cancer Center's high-impact research and cancer treatment are part of her extraordinary legacy.
"Because of her advocacy and generosity many lives have been saved from cancer and the impact will be felt for years to come," said Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD, director of the Lurie Cancer Center and the Jesse, Sara, Andrew, Abigail, Benjamin and Elizabeth Lurie Professor of Oncology.
Learn more about Ann Lurie's legacy
Guided by our mission to prevent and defeat cancer, director Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD, and a world-class leadership team are transforming how we think about cancer.
Lurie Cancer Center’s status as a National Cancer Center (NCI) - designated Comprehensive Cancer Center reflects the depth and breadth of our collaborative research, spanning 29 academic departments and divisions across four schools at Northwestern. In addition to our Basic, Clinical and Population Sciences Research Programs, Lurie Cancer Center supports a diverse range of innovative research hubs and key initiatives focused on exploring new ways to bridge these scientific areas.
The Chan Zukerberg Initiative selected Northwestern University to co-lead its new biomedical research hub in Chicago, uniting investigators to study human tissue with unprecedented resolution. Shana O. Kelley, PhD, co-leader of Lurie Cancer Center’s Cancer & Physical Sciences Program, is the hub’s president.
CZ Biohub Chicago Chicago has funded its first cohort of Investigators. Nine Lurie Cancer Center members were selected to work either solo or in teams on projects related to inflammation and the functions of the immune system.
The following data helps to illustrate the impact of our efforts against cancer.
The Lurie Cancer Center provides scientific leadership in developing and conducting NCI-funded clinical research within the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN). Based on our demonstrated expertise, our members serve as chairs and co-chairs of the NCTN steering committees committed to setting strategic priorities and increasing collaboration at an early stage of clinical trial development.
The Clinical Trials Office, led by Devalingam Mahalingam, MD, PhD, provides a centralized resource to conduct and coordinate Phase I through Phase III clinical trials, with more than 500 clinical trials providing access to a full spectrum of novel diagnostic and treatment strategies.
Learn more and search cancer clinical trials at Lurie Cancer Center
As part of the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium, a network of academic institutions working together on collaborative clinical trials, we foster a unique team culture to drive science rapidly from ideas to improve the lives of patients in the diverse communities we serve.
“We are curing more cancers and we are extending life for many more people,” said Maha Hussain, MD, deputy director of the Lurie Cancer Center. “All of that did not happen accidentally, and it didn’t happen because of wishful thinking. It happened because of clinical trials.”
Watch this video about our collaborative clinical trials teams
A cornerstone of the NCI's efforts to promote collaborative, interdisciplinary research, SPORE grants support basic and clinical scientists working together on new and diverse approaches to the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
Lurie Cancer Center has two NCI-funded SPOREs:
The Lurie Cancer Center Brain Tumor SPORE is led by Maciej Lesniak, MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, with projects led by members of the Departments of Neurosurgery and Neurology. It's one of just six in the U.S., and the only one in Illinois.
The Lurie Cancer Center Prostate Cancer SPORE is led by co-Principal Investigators, Sarki Abdulkadir, MD, PhD, Professor of Urology, and Maha Hussain, MD, Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology. It's one of only seven in the country, and the only one in Illinois.
Our investigators benefit from access to strong infrastructure for interdisciplinary programs and initiatives, including 14 shared resources and facilities that foster basic, clinical and population science research programs. Our new Core Navigator Service can help Northwestern investigators find the equipment, assay, and services they need in Lurie Cancer Center’s Core facilities.
Designed to catalyze interdisciplinary translational research, the goal of our Translational Bridge Program is to propel basic science research into clinical trials and educate a new generation of translational investigators by supporting teams made up of a trainee paired with a laboratory scientist and a clinical investigator.
Our 2024 Translational Bridge in Malignancies Symposium, held to spark collaboration and inform Northwestern’s research community about translational opportunities, was focused on resistance to cancer treatment. Read about the featured speakers and topics.
Watch this video to see how our doctors are changing lives.
Below, explore some of the transformative breakthroughs from the last year. Read more high-impact stories in the Lurie Cancer Center News Archive.
A study published in JAMA Oncology suggests that using an alternative approach to prostate biopsy is as effective at detecting cancer as the current approach, but without the risk of infection or need for prophylactic antibiotics.
A new treatment regimen for patients with locally advanced bladder cancer is the first to show improved survival by adding immunotherapy to chemotherapy, according to results of a clinical trial in the New England Journal of Medicine.
A protein in a deadly type of lung cancer can control how the immune system responds to the tumor. “It’s my intention to continue to explore the potential for clinical translation of these findings.”
In a major advance for the treatment of glioblastoma, Adam Sonabend, MD, and collaborators used ultrasound technology to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and provide a small dose of a chemotherapy and immunotherapy drug cocktail.
A new blood test may help reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies and can detect prostate cancer with similar sensitivity to standard screening in patients across racial and ethnic groups, according to a multi-center trial.
“KRAS inhibitors are the new frontier in pancreatic cancer. They may have a big impact, but we also know that resistance will be inevitable.” Findings highlight the potential of a novel combination therapy as an effective treatment approach.
Scientists have discovered the Achilles heel of chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer — its hunger for cholesterol — and how to sneakily deploy a synthetic nanoparticle to destroy it.
A new synthetic biology technique, developed to identify individual cells for RNA sequencing, will empower scientists to gather more accurate and precise scientific data.
Lurie Cancer Center's faculty is comprised of clinicians and scientists from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, and other academic units. Together they bring their combined knowledge and expertise directly to our patients at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center.
"The strengths, commitment and expertise of these individuals will enable us to make an even greater impact,"" said Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD, announcing these key appointments.
Jochen Lorch, MD / Associate Director for Clinical Research
Enhancing strategies to optimize clinical research and accelerate clinical trial development in the Lurie Cancer Center.
Sophia Garcia, PhD / Director, Cancer Survivorship Institute
Advancing translational research and specialized survivorship care to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.
Susan Quaggin, MD
Hidayatullah Munshi, MD
Sara Becker, PhD
Director, Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science
Lurie Cancer Center congratulates our highly innovative thought leaders who are transforming cancer research and treatment around the world. Learn more about some of their recent honors and national leadership roles, including:
Donald F. Hunt Distinguished Contribution in Proteomics Award
Innovative Research Award, Associate Board of Lurie Cancer Center
Eight Lurie Cancer Center members were named to the 2023 list of Highly Cited Researchers published by Clarivate Analytics. "Our innovative research teams are driving advances in scientific knowledge and discovery," said Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD. "I congratulate our highly cited faculty for their global impact against cancer."
The Lurie Cancer Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital is dedicated to caring for each patient from diagnosis through treatment to rehabilitation. Our specialists provide the full spectrum of medical, surgical and radiation oncology treatment options, as well as exciting new immunotherapy approaches (including CAR T-cell therapy), precision medicine, interventional radiology, the region's largest stem cell transplant program, and advanced technologies to improve diagnosis and treatment. They continue to extend the reach of emerging cellular therapies that help the immune system fight cancer through the Matthews Center for Cellular Therapy, the Rube Walker Blood Center, and the Clinical Research Unit.
Our comprehensive Supportive Oncology Program and a wide range of specialized programs and services support state-of-the-art cancer treatment and the overall well-being of our patients and families.
View specialized clinical services
Founded by medical oncologist Claudia Tellez, MD, the Lurie Cancer Center Hispanic Breast Cancer Clinic is breaking down barriers to breast cancer screening, treatment and research.
“Many Hispanic women in Chicago struggle to access care or are not receiving the highest standard of care because of language barriers, financial limitations and other factors,” says Dr. Tellez. “Our team is dedicated to addressing these disparities and improving access by providing culturally sensitive care, bilingual support and educational resources tailored to the needs of Hispanic patients.”
Since its launch in September 2023, the clinic has served over 150 patients and connected more than 70 to critical navigation services for financial, insurance, psychological, and food-related needs. The clinic’s efforts have also led to increased Hispanic participation in clinical trials and research.
At Lurie Cancer Center, our commitment to providing patients with seamless, state-of-the-art cancer care can be seen across Northwestern Medicine. By extending our innovative treatment approaches and integrating clinical teams throughout the Cancer Care Network, we are able offer patients the same highly coordinated care and novel therapies they have come to expect, no matter where they enter our health system.
Led by Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD, the Clinical Cancer Executive Council was established to guide and facilitate collaboration. Dean Tsarwhas, MD; Christopher George, MD; and Alan Wan, DO, are an integral part of the process to integrate oncology teams across all 14 locations of cancer care at Northwestern Medicine.
To ensure that more patient have access to the best treatment options available, Lurie Cancer Center has successfully integrated all locations into our clinical trials operations – a fundamental part of our role as a Lead Academic Participating Site (LAPS) within the NCI's National Clinical Trials Network. Patients also benefit from the collective expertise of our multidisciplinary Tumor Boards across Northwestern Medicine, providing a unique opportunity for clinicians to collaborate, share resources and determine the optimal treatment plan.
We are excited about plans for additional locations that will enable us to better serve our communities and eliminate disparities in cancer care. In September 2025, Northwestern Medicine will open the 120,000-square-foot Bronzeville Outpatient Center on Chicago's South Side, including a cancer center with diagnostic and chemotherapy services.
As a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research and education, Lurie Cancer Center is defining, improving and facilitating effective and accessible cancer care so all patients can live better lives.
Our experts help to develop and update the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines, recognized as the standard for evidence-based cancer treatment throughout the world.
In this video, Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD, highlights the Power of Collaboration
Lurie Cancer Center has a deep and long-standing commitment to advocacy, education, outreach and engagement. Together with our community collaborators, researchers and expanding networks, we are leading initiatives to make a meaningful impact on health and well-being in and beyond the communities we serve.
Our community partnerships benefit from shared priorities and programs to identify and address cancer disparities and improve outcomes in traditionally underserved neighborhoods. Led by Associate Director of Community Outreach and Engagement, Melissa Simon, MD, MPH; Assistant Directors, Marquita Lewis-Thames, PhD, and Adam Murphy, MD, MBA, MSCI; and Administrative Director, Tarneka Manning, MEd, Lurie Cancer Center's Office of Equity and Minority Health (OEMH) is focused on reducing the burden of cancer in our large and diverse catchment area.
Working together with new and existing community organizations, our efforts include:
A new grant to Lurie Cancer Center from the NCI aims to address cancer disparities and structural inequities through community-engaged research capacity building and outreach.
The $10 million grant will support the creation of a center focused on “Advancing Cancer Control Equity Research Through Transformative Solutions in Patient Navigation (ACCERT PN),” led by Principal Investigators Melissa Simon, MD, MPH, and Betina Yanez, PhD, Northwestern’s ACCERT PN Center is one of four centers in the country established to target the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on cancer health care and outcomes.
"Marginalized communities are often left behind with AI and other advanced technologies. This grant connects AI tools with the people to help ensure technological advances benefit everyone,” said Simon.
Learn more about the ACCERT PN Center’s projects, faculty leaders and community partners.
Increasing understanding of the biological factors and social drivers of health inequities is vital to achieving cancer health equity. A few recent examples of our work are highlighted below:
Patricia Robinson, MD, is leading Lurie Cancer Center's efforts to increase the diversity of the research workforce and promote career-enhancing research opportunities for early-and mid-career investigators from diverse backgrounds.
In addition to our events held throughout the year, our initiatives to foster diverse and exceptional talent in an inclusive environment include:
“During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Lurie Cancer Center teamed up once again with the Blue Hat Foundation and the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium to spread the word that screening saves lives! Learn about “Screening Madness,” and why it matters.
Throughout the year, Lurie Cancer offered a wide range of educational workshops, webinars and interactive opportunities for cancer patients to learn, connect and make informed decisions about their care.
Programs and events included:
Lurie Cancer Center provides a variety of educational opportunities to advance professional development and training throughout the year. In 2024, more than 150 distinguished speakers from other academic institutions and nearly 125 thought leaders from across Northwestern shared expert perspectives and information on innovations in cancer research and treatment.
Educational opportunities included:
For 26 years, the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium has welcomed leading experts to Chicago to present, debate, discuss and evaluate state-of-the-art breast cancer treatment strategies. Hosted by the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University and Northwestern Medicine in partnership with the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation and Chicago Sister Cities International, the meeting enables physicians and trainees from around the world to collaborate and fuel progress.
550 attendees and presenters, including 19 international physicians from 18 of Chicago’s sister cities, joined us in downtown Chicago from October 24-27 for interactive sessions focused on practice-changing research and patient care.
Advances in immunotherapy, AI, survivorship, pathology and breast cancer risk, the multi-disciplinary management of early-stage disease, and tailoring local therapy were all the focus of discussions. “The takeaway messages are multiple, but in each of those areas of specialty, we have changed how we do things,” said William Gradishar, MD, Chair of the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium since its inception. “Not just compared with 20 years ago, but even within the last year,”
The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University hosted the Midwest Metabolism Meeting (M3) on September 19. Designed to facilitate the exchange of cutting-edge knowledge and discoveries, the symposium brought together students, postdoctoral fellows, and leading scientists from labs across the Midwest to explore the role of metabolism in cancer and other diseases.
Richard DiMarchi, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University, delivered the keynote lecture. His insights from decades of pioneering metabolic research underscored the importance of peptide-based therapies for treating obesity and diabetes.
Learn more about the 2024 Meeting
Hear New Insights Into Cellular Metabolism from Issam Ben-Sahra, PhD
Our Supportive Oncology Program provides emotional and practical support for Lurie Cancer Center's patients and families coping with the challenges of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. A multidisciplinary team, including oncology social workers, psychologists, dietitians, a fertility preservation navigator, palliative care clinicians, adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer navigators and tobacco treatment specialists, is dedicated to listening and responding to patient concerns, promoting well-being and treating each individual with respect and compassion.
The Cancer Survivorship Institute helps patients transition to life after cancer with a wide range of services, including treatment summaries, care plans that include steps for follow-up care, and tools to manage the physical and emotional challenges. An evidence-based approach to symptom monitoring was introduced to help connect patients with personalized services and supportive care.
Disease-specific survivorship clinics within the Cancer Survivorship Institute include the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Survivorship Program, as well as Lurie Cancer Center’s Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Program and the STAR Program (Survivors Taking Action and Responsibility) for adult survivors of childhood cancer.
On Sunday, June 2, our 31st Annual Cancer Survivors' Celebration Walk & 5K brought together more than 3,800 cancer survivors and supporters in Grant Park to connect as a community, celebrate milestones, and change the future of cancer care. Through the generosity and commitment of our fundraising teams, donors and sponsors, this year's event raised a record-breaking $550,000!
Our signature event is a "unique opportunity to celebrate together and look toward the future," said Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD, as he welcomed participants on National Cancer Survivors Day. "Our clinicians and scientists are focused on advancing life-changing discoveries to better prevent and treat cancer — and ensuring that everyone has access to the care and support they need." We can't wait to celebrate with you Sunday, June 1, 2025!
As we reflect on a year of milestones and discoveries, we are looking forward to new opportunities made possible through the shared commitment of Lurie Cancer Center's members, collaborators across Northwestern University and Northwestern Medicine, and our community of donors, advocates, supporters, and friends.
Fueled by philanthropy, we are empowered to push boundaries, break down barriers, and transform the future of cancer care.
Watch this video to see how our physicians and scientists are saving and improving lives.
Learn about our Campaign for the Future
Founded in 1974, Northwestern’s Cancer Center was dedicated in 1991 through a gift of endowment from Ann and Robert H. Lurie.
The title was modified in 1997, when the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University received the NCI’s prestigious “Comprehensive” designation, a reflection of our dedication to the highest standards of cancer research, patient care, education, and community outreach.
“Is the Lurie Cancer Center a ‘better place’ for cancer care than it was 30 years ago? Of course. The irony of cancer care is that if you are ‘good’ but not ‘getting better,’ you're not doing your job! And if you operate by this ever-evolving concept of ‘getting better,’ HOPE is a constant.” - Ann Lurie
© Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
of Northwestern University
cancer.northwestern.edu | cancer@northwestern.edu