Oct. 1, 2017:

Investigator Spotlight

Hamid Band, MD, PhD, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center

Educational background: M.D. Medical College, Srinagar,, Kashmir University, India; Ph.D. Immunology, All-India Insitute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India

Research interests: Our research focuses on two major topics, both geared to understand, and potentially target, the intracellular traffic of cell surface receptors coupled to activation of tyrosine kinase signaling: the CBL-family of ubiquitin ligases, which provides an essential mechanism of negative regulation of receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases through ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal and lysosomal degradation; and members of the EHD family of endocytic regulatory proteins, which control subcellular traffic of cell surface receptors involved in a variety of fundamental cellular processes. We use mouse genetic models, cell biology, biochemistry and molecular biology approaches to investigate the roles of these protein families in the context of epithelial (mammary and intestinal) and hematopoietic stem cell homeostasis, immune responses in cancer, and tumor progression and metastasis in breast cancer and myeloid leukemia. A newer interest in the laboratory is on cancer immunology, with a focus on enhancing the efficacy of CAR T-cell immunotherapy of solid tumors.

Little-known facts about Dr. Band: 

• As a child, I walked a mile and a quarter each way to attend middle school, rain or shine. Thank God, they gave us six weeks off in winter.
• In 1980/1981, I applied to Ph.D. programs at five U.S. universities and was rejected by all. About eight years later (three years after receiving my official Ph.D. degree from India), I accepted my first Ph.D. student and taught a course in immunology at one of those universities — Harvard.
• Except for Wheatfield’s Bakery in Omaha, I rarely buy foods without scanning the nutritional information on the package.

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Sept. 25, 2017:

The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium (Big Ten CRC) announces the opening of a clinical trial for patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.

The study, known as BTCRC-GYN15-013, involves pembrolizumab, one of a new class of drugs called PD-1 inhibitors, given in combination with routine care using paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy. [Pictured: Study sponsor-investigator Daniela Matei, MD of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.]

The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University in Chicago is currently enrolling subjects in this study. Additional member sites within the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium will open the trial in the coming months. Read More

Sept. 20, 2017:

Each month, the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium highlights advances in research and treatment led by our member institutions. Following are recent developments from Across the Consortium:

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Aug. 26, 2017:

The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium‘s Across the Consortium is your front row seat to the latest in Big Ten CRC news. This month we highlight new discoveries from our member institutions, celebrate awards, and feature outstanding researchers as well as volunteers from across the consortium. 

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Aug. 2, 2017:

Investigator Spotlight

Barbara Pro, MD, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University

Educational background: MD, University La Sapienza in Rome Italy; Residency: Mount Sinai Hospital, New York

Research interests: Dr Pro’s research focus has been on the development of new therapies for the management of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She has served as the PI on numerous clinical trials, including three trials that led to the approval of novel agents for the treatment of T-cell lymphomas. Dr. Pro is an internationally renowned clinician and researcher and her work has been published extensively.

Little-known facts about Dr. Pro: 

• When my father died from colon cancer at the age of 42 I decided to become an oncologist and help cure cancer.
• I love teaching and sharing my experience with our Fellows.
• I wish I’d studied English sooner! I went to medical school in Italy and had no idea I would eventually practice in the U.S.

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July 20, 2017:

Did you hear the latest news from across the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium? While it may seem impossible to keep pace with the member institutions in their fight against cancer, you do not have to miss the action. From historic moments, to monumental studies, to game-changing discoveries, you can celebrate the latest wins every time you tune in for another monthly edition of Across the Consortium!

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July 16, 2017:

The Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center hosted Doug Lowy, the acting director of the National Cancer Institute, for a full-day visit on June 28.

(Photo: Drs. Schneider (left) and Milan Radovich (middle) explain their work on the next generation of personalized medicine with Dr. Doug Lowy, acting director of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Lowy visited the IU Simon Cancer Center on June 28. Photo credit: IU Simon Cancer Center)

In a series of small-group discussions in the morning, he met with cancer center members (members’ names appear in bold) and others to learn about:

• Pediatric genomics with D. Wade Clapp, MD, and Jamie Renbarger, MD, MS
• Breast cancer research program with Hari Nakshatri, PhD
• Komen Tissue Bank at IU Simon Cancer Center with Anna Maria Storniolo, MD
• Precision health with Bryan Schneider, MD, and Milan Radovich, PhD
• Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium and the Hoosier Cancer Research Network with Bert O’Neil, MD, Cynthia Burkhardt, RN, and Chris Fausel, PharmD
• Kenya and cancer with Patrick Loehrer, MD, Bob Einterz, MD, and Terry Vik, MD

In the afternoon, Dr. Lowy presented “NCI-supported Research: Concepts, Opportunities, and Applications” to cancer center members and others. Watch.

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June 20, 2017:

Summer is officially here and so is the hottest news in cancer research – at your fingertips in this month’s edition of Across the Consortium. Get up to date on the latest discoveries, game-changing breakthroughs, and big-time funding achievements. Don’t miss the inspirational moments that go down in history, from the dedication of the “Search” Tower to a discussion with family of Henrietta Lacks – source of the HeLa cell line.  All this and more as we take you Across the Consortium!

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June 7, 2017

The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium recently welcomed Diane M. Hershock, MD, PhD, of Penn State Cancer Institute, as a member of its Steering Committee. The committee consists of one representative from each member institution and is responsible to decide matters of policy for the consortium.

Hershock is co-director for experimental therapeutics and medical director in the Clinical Trials Office at Penn State Cancer Institute. She earned her Bachelor of Science in biology from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and spent four years doing biochemistry in the thrombosis and hemostasis department at Temple University Medical School. “We were trying to develop an antibody to the GPIIb/IIIa receptor as well as to isolate/elucidate the mechanisms of action of platelet factor 4 and thrombospondin, advancing platelet research knowledge.” She knew then that she wanted to continue her studies at a graduate level. Read More

June 2, 2017:

Investigator Spotlight

Dr. Ryan Alan Wilcox

Ryan Alan Wilcox, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of hematology, University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center 

Member of the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Lymphoid Malignancies Clinical Trial Working Group 

Interests: T-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas 

• Medical School or Training
  • Mayo Medical School, 2004
• Residency 
  • Mayo Clinic, Internal Medicine, MN, 2007
• Fellowship
  • Hematology/Oncology, Mayo Clinic, 2011
• Board Certification
  • Internal Medicine
  • Medical Oncology
  • Hematology 

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