Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Across the Consortium: February

February 19, 2026:

In this month’s Across the Consortium, The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium highlights the innovation, discovery, and impact happening across our member institutions. From novel therapies to tools that guide personalized care, this issue highlights the wide-range of research and initiatives across Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium member institutions, all aimed at improving prevention, detection, and treatment for cancer patients.

University of Illinois Cancer Center

Director of Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Clinical Programs Pamela Ganschow, MD, MPH, is helping lead a collaborative onco-generalist training program designed to strengthen cancer prevention and survivorship care by preparingprimary care and preventive medicine clinicians to better support patients. The program equips trainees to address the complex needs of cancer survivors while expanding access to prevention services for underserved populations.

Cancer Center at Illinois

Erik Nelson, PhD, and his research team identified a new role for the ABCA1 protein in helping release molecular “brakes” that limit immune responses against solid tumors. Their study found that increasing ABCA1 activity shifts these immune cells into a cancer-fighting state, improving support for T cells, and potentially enhancing the effectiveness of immune checkpoint therapies that have shown success in several breast cancers.

Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center

Jianjun Zhang, MD, PhD, and collaborators identified a set of biomarkers that could improve early detection of pancreatic cancer by revealing warning proteins, metabolic changes, and new ways to use existing blood tests. The research focuses on identifying pancreatic cysts and tracking changes in biomarkers over time to improve screening accuracy. These findings may help advance non-invasive detection strategies and improve outcomes for a cancer that is often diagnosed too late for effective treatment.

University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center

Michelle Howard, PhD, is leading research to improve treatment options for children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) by exploring how Auranofin and Cu-ATSM can enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy. Her team discovered that targeting the tumor’s redox vulnerability may significantly increase treatment sensitivity and slow tumor growth in preclinical studies. Howard’s work reflects aims to move promising laboratory findings toward future clinical trials.

University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center

Graeme Woodworth, MD, chair of neurosurgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and director of the Brain Tumor Program at the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, led a clinical trial using ultrasound to temporarily open the blood-brain barrier and improve chemotherapy delivery for patients with glioblastoma, including participant Becca Valle, whose survival story was featured by CBS News. The study she participated in showed early evidence of a survival advantage among patients receiving the ultrasound treatments alongside standard therapy.

University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center

Wajd N. Al-Holou, MD, and colleagues have developed a machine-learning “digital twin” that simulates an individual patient’s brain tumor metabolism to predict how it will respond to dietary interventions and drugs. Using patient data, the model accurately forecasts which tumors are likely to respond to specific therapies and allows clinicians to personalize treatment plans. The study, published in Cell Metabolism, confirmed predictions in both patient data and mouse experiments.

Michigan State University Cancer Research

Emily Burns, an elementary school teacher from Ferndale, Michigan, was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2024. Through NIH-funded research at Michigan State University, Charles “Chaz” Hong, MD, PhD, FAHA, FACP, chair of the Department of Medicine, discovered a compound that blocks a protein called GPR68, which helps cancer cells survive. Burns met with Hong and his team to learn how the research could improve treatment options for glioblastoma. Burns is now in stable condition after surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, and says MSU research has given her family renewed hope.

Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota

Researchers at the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, in collaboration with Emory University and Georgia Tech, have developed an AI biomarker tool that may predict how ovarian cancer patients will respond to therapy at diagnosis. The tool analyzes cell shapes and patterns on routine lab slides, helping doctors identify which chemotherapy is most likely to work. The team, led by Martina Bazzaro, PhD, and Emil Lou, MD, plans to move the tool into clinical trials, aiming to improve outcomes and reduce both emotional and financial burdens for patients.

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center (University of Nebraska)

Mariah Jackson, PhD, and Corrine Hanson, PhD, of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center are leading a 12-week pilot study comparing standard care to a personalized program featuring nutrition counseling, telehealth follow-ups, and hands-on cooking classes. Funded by FPBCC and the American Cancer Society, the study aims to help survivors maintain a healthy diet, reduce inflammation, and enhance concentration and memory after treatment.

Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University 

Seth Pollack, MD, the Steven T. Rosen, MD, Professor of Cancer Biology, is leading research on an all-oral combination of cabozantinib and temozolomide for advanced leiomyosarcoma. In a recent study published in The Lancet Oncology, 74% of patients showed progression-free survival at 12 weeks, and the regimen was well tolerated. Dr. Pollack’s work highlights the potential of targeted combination therapies to improve outcomes for patients with this aggressive soft tissue cancer.

The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute

Kyle VanKoevering, MD, otolaryngologist and medical director of the M4 Lab at OSUCCC – James, is pioneering the use of 3D-printed models to guide complex head and neck cancer surgeries. His recent study demonstrates how visual aids help surgeons remove tumors more accurately while preserving healthy tissue, achieving complete tumor removal in 92% of cases with bone invasion.

Penn State Cancer Institute

Giselle Saulnier-Sholler, MD, MSc, Four Diamonds Endowed Chair for Pediatric Oncology Research at Penn State College of Medicine, is leading a collaboration to accelerate GB13 toward clinical trials. GB13, a novel targeted immunotherapy for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), is designed to attack tumor cells while sparing healthy brain tissue. With support from Targepeuticsand Four Diamonds, Dr. Sholler’s team is completing the final preclinical studies needed to bring this therapy to patients.

Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research

Kyle Cottrell, PHD, assistant professor of biochemistry at Purdue University, and graduate student Addison Young have discovered a new therapeutic target for triple-negative breast cancer. Their research, published in RNA, highlights the role of a protein called PACT in suppressing double-stranded RNA-sensing pathways, which are critical in cancer cell survival. By preventing PACT from dimerizing, Cottrell’s team hopes to block its function and develop targeted therapies that could reduce reliance on broad-acting chemotherapies.

Rutgers Cancer Institute

Subhajyoti De, PhD, a member of the Genomic Instability and Cancer Genetics Program at Rutgers Cancer Institute, and his team have developed PRISM, a computational tool that distinguishes microbial signals in tumor DNA from contamination. By analyzing thousands of existing cancer genomic datasets, PRISM can identify which microbes may influence tumor growth, immune evasion, or treatment response. The tool could help explain why some patients respond differently to treatment and streamline research without additional lab costs. PRISM is freely available for academic use via GitHub.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Led by Ulrike “Riki” Peters, PhD, MPH, researchers at Fred Hutch have launched MyGeneRisk, a free online tool that allows individuals to assess their colorectal cancer risk using genetic and lifestyle information. The tool provides personalized risk scores and guidance for preventive actions, helping users start informed conversations with their healthcare providers. The team plans to expand MyGeneRisk to other cancers in the future.

University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center

Led by Dustin Deming, MD, the University of Wisconsin–Madison has partnered with ImmutoScientific to identify novel therapeutic targets in colorectal cancer. The collaboration will use Immuto’s AI-enabled structural surfaceomics platform to explore patient-derived organoids and reveal disease-specific surface protein conformations that could enable safer and more precise treatments.

About the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium: The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium was created in 2013 to transform the conduct of cancer research through collaborative clinical trials and observational studies that seek to improve the lives of cancer patients in the diverse communities we serve by leveraging the scientific and clinical expertise of Big Ten universities. The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium creates a unique team research culture to drive science rapidly from ideas to treatment and prevention. Within this innovative environment, today’s research leaders collaborate with and mentor the research leaders of tomorrow. Since its founding, the Big Ten CRC has activated nearly 40 clinical trials across a wide range of cancer types, more than 1,000 participants have enrolled in Big Ten CRC studies, and more than 500 researchers have joined Big Ten CRC Clinical Trial Working Groups.

About the Big Ten Conference: The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional, and undergraduate teaching, and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness, and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 18 Big Ten institutions provide direct financial support for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women. For more information, visit www.bigten.org.

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Across the Consortium: February

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Maryland

Michigan

Michigan State

Minnesota

Nebraska

Northwestern

Ohio State

Penn State

Purdue

Rutgers

Washington

Wisconsin

UIC