Oct. 7, 2025
At the 2025 Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Summit on September 12, investigators from member institutions shared updates on several Big Ten CRC studies. These presentations underscored the collaborative, investigator-initiated work that drives the Big Ten CRC’s mission.
Nelson Yee, MD, PhD, of Penn State University.
BTCRC-GI15-067
Nelson Yee, MD, PhD, of Penn State University, presented on BTCRC-GI15-067, a phase II study evaluating the efficacy of liposomal irinotecan in combination with oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFIRINOX) for patients with locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma. This study explores an intensified treatment approach designed to improve outcomes for patients with this challenging disease.
Learn more about Penn State Cancer Institute.
BTCRC-GU15-023 (DUART)
Debasish Sundi, MD, of The Ohio State University.
Debasish Sundi, MD, of The Ohio State University, presented research utilizing samples from BTCRC-GU15-023 (DUART), led by Monika Joshi, MD, MRCP, of Penn State University. His presentation, “The Potential for Urine Derived Lymphocytes to Reflect Bladder Cancer Biology and Serve as a Non-Invasive Clinical Biomarker,”
examined how urine-derived immune cells may offer insight into tumor biology and support the development of less invasive tools for disease monitoring.
Learn more about BTCRC-GU15-023.
BTCRC-BRE16-042
Coral Omene, MD, PhD, of Rutgers University.
Coral Omene, MD, PhD, of Rutgers University, shared updates from BTCRC-BRE16-042, a phase II study of
pembrolizumab plus fulvestrant in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer patients. This trial investigates whether combining immunotherapy and endocrine therapy can enhance clinical benefit for a population with limited targeted treatment options.
Learn more about BTCRC-BRE16-042.
Learn more about Rutgers Cancer Institute.
The Big Ten CRC is proud to highlight these studies and the highly engaged investigators leading them. Their work reflects the strength of the consortium’s collaborative network and its shared commitment to advancing cancer research through investigator-initiated clinical trials.
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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