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Battling Cancer On All Fronts

At the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, our vision is to reduce the suffering and mortality caused by cancer. Achieving this vision is complex and multifaceted, which is why we're attacking cancer at every level possible.

 

In our laboratories, we're delving into the molecular level to uncover the biological origins and evolution of cancer. In our clinics and hospitals, we're implementing innovative treatments and conducting clinical trials to improve patient outcomes. And in our community, we're educating people about cancer prevention and reduction initiatives.

At the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, we're committed to fighting for every person affected by cancer, and we won't stop until cancer does.

Accelerating Cancer Discoveries

The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center unifies cancer research across three institutions under one umbrella. By working together, we can seize opportunities to drive cancer research and patient care forward more quickly.

 

In 2022, we concentrated our organizational work in four areas:

PEOPLE

Over the past year, we focused on recruiting key researchers and clinicians to propel our research forward and expand our capacity to serve patients. Every new employee — at all levels — is mentored by senior leaders to understand our values of outstanding care, community and teamwork.

COLLABORATION

Through ongoing communications and in-person professional events, we are connecting researchers from different organizations, colleges and disciplines to foster inter-programmatic collaborations.

RESOURCES

Cancer research and therapeutic development are expensive, complex processes. In 2022, we created shared resource programs in biospecimen collection and storage as well as biostatistics and informatics to make these tools accessible to all of our cancer researchers.

FUNDING

In 2022, we increased grant funding by more than 34%, revamped our pilot project awards process and awarded 12 pilot grants for early stage investigators to further their research.

Hover over each box to read highlights.

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2022 Accomplishments

Increased research funding by 34%

Increased research membership by 22%

Hosted 25 professional educational events

Increased active research grants by 73%

MEET THE CO-DIRECTORS

Get the News You Want

If you would like to stay informed about our clinical trials, professional development courses and community events for your patients, join our mailing list. When you sign up, you can select the topics and cancer types you are interested in.

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84

ACTIVE RESEARCH GRANTS IN 2022

$16.6m

INDIRECT COST FUNDING IN 2022

One Gene at a Time

Krushna Patra, PhD, University of Cincinnati Cancer Center member and assistant professor in the Department of Cancer Biology, has identified the function of GNAS mutation in the evolution of pancreatic cysts into pancreatic cancer, establishing an important biomarker for therapeutic targeting.

BASIC SCIENCE RESEARCH

We are focused on cancer cell signaling and metabolism, with a goal of identifying novel targets that may lead to new therapeutics.

The Impact of Lipids on Breast Cancer

Metabolic pathways could be targeted to reduce breast cancer recurrence risk.

Origins of Aggressive Medulloblastomas

Progenitor cells of childhood breast cancer identified as potential therapeutic targets.

Dr. Krushna Patra was awarded the prestigious MERIT Award from the National Cancer Institute in 2022.

Image by National Cancer Institute

CLINICAL/ TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

Our researchers have teamed with our providers at UC Health and Cincinnati Children’s to focus on emerging therapies, using technology and tools to enhance patient outcomes.

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ACTIVE RESEARCH GRANTS IN 2022

$7.8m

INDIRECT COST FUNDING IN 2022

Building a Leukemia Destination Program

Hematologic malignancy was once a diagnosis that forced Cincinnati-area patients to leave home for care. But with recent investments, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center has quickly become a destination for patients seeking the best care. The Cancer Center has invested in building a comprehensive program that offers patients 4 essential components.

Hover over photos to learn more about each component.

1

Advanced diagnostic tests and technologies, including molecular profiling, flow cytometry, cytogenetics and immunohistochemistry, to accurately identify the type and subtype of leukemia and guide treatment decisions.

2

A wide range of treatments, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplant and cellular therapies, including CAR T-cell therapy.

3

Clinical trials that offer new and promising therapies for patients who do not respond to standard treatments or who have relapsed or have refractory disease.

4

A Cancer Wellness Center that provides supportive care services, including management of coexisting health conditions, access to integrative therapies (such as acupuncture and yoga) and survivorship care.

FLASH radiation could mean cancer treatment in seconds, not weeks, proclaims USA Today as it announces FLASH radiation therapy as one of the Top 3 Advances in Cancer Treatment for 2022.

Physics World recognized the FAST-01 trial as a Top 10 Breakthrough of the Year for 2022.

First-in-Human FLASH Radiation Therapy Trial

Research findings from the world’s first-in-human clinical trial of proton FLASH therapy, which was conducted at the Cincinnati Children’s/University of Cincinnati Medical Center Proton Therapy Center, indicate the clinical feasibility and preliminary efficacy and safety of an experimental treatment for cancer patients that delivers radiation therapy at ultrahigh dose rates in less than one second.

The Cincinnati Children’s/University of Cincinnati Medical Center Proton Therapy Center, which opened in 2016, is the first proton therapy center in Ohio and one of only 39 in the U.S. It incorporates a $24 million, one-of-a-kind research facility that includes a fully operational proton treatment room dedicated to research along with integrated laboratories. The unique capabilities of the research center were instrumental in developing the world’s first and only clinical trials of FLASH proton therapy.

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PREVENTION, CONTROL & POPULATION RESEARCH

With regional cancer rates higher than national averages, we are dedicated to understanding and mitigating environmental exposures along with reducing health inequities.

TOP 10 CANCERS TREATED AT UCCC IN 2022:

  1. Breast

  2. Lung

  3. Prostate

  4. Lip, Oral Cavity & Pharynx

  5. Melanoma, Skin

  6. Lymphoid Leukemia*

  7. Brain & Nervous System

  8. Pancreas

  9. Colon

  10. Corpus Uteri

*Lymphoid leukemia was the No. 1 type of cancer for patients at Cincinnati Children's

Oncology Primary Care Clinic

Primary care clinic for cancer survivors provides expertise and approach to long-term health care that many patients can’t find in traditional settings.

7

ACTIVE RESEARCH GRANTS IN 2022

$1.1m

INDIRECT COST FUNDING IN 2022

697

ATTENDEES AT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING

21

CME, EDUCATIONAL & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS HOSTED

Engaging the Community

Working to increase participation of marginalized communities in cancer research.

Cancer Research, Training, & Education

Connecting researchers, clinicians and labs to create synergies and speed.

Young Investigators

Exposing medical students to a future in cancer research.

Scroll to the right to view more stories.

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Biospecimen

NCI U01 grant funds investigation into PBMC collection, processing and storage.

Biostatistics & Informatics

Team brings expertise in survival analysis, mixed effects models, sample survey, bioinformatics and health informatics.

SHARED RESOURCES

Shared resources provide highly specialized and sophisticated expertise and services to support the work of our scientists across the continuum of basic science, clinical and translational, and population research.

 

In 2022, we developed Biospecimen and Biostatistics & Informatics shared resources. Going forward, we are developing a Radiomics Shared Resource and exploring possible shared resource programs in organoid development, drug development and cancer metabolism.

MEMBERSHIP

96

CLINICAL/TRANSLATIONAL
MEMBERS

91

BASIC SCIENCE MEMBERS

27

POPULATION SCIENCE MEMBERS

More than 200 researchers and clinicians representing 8 UC Colleges and Cincinnati Children’s are members of the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. Hover over graphic to see breakdown.

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Stay informed.

Subscribe to our newsletter to delve deeper into the research news topics most important to you.

University of Cincinnati Cancer Center

231 Albert Sabin Way, Suite 2005, Cincinnati, OH 45267

Phone: 513-585-7333

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