Cancer Research Initiatives

Cancer Research Initiatives

Pathologist Peter Pytel, MD, and neuro-oncologist Deric Park, MD

Our cancer specialists, including surgical, medical and radiation oncologists, are some of the world's leading experts in cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment. They are committed to unlocking the mysteries of this disease and are behind some of the most important advances in cancer therapy and research.

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Cancer Research Programs

Big Data

We continue to lead national efforts in using cancer bioinformatics and cloud computing to get an in-depth view of cancer genomics, epigenetics, proteomics and gene expression.

Cancer Disparities

Research has shown that some racial and ethnic sub-groups are more prone to certain diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Our community outreach and engagement programs are essential to addressing these disparities.

Epigenetics

Our researchers are developing technologies and chemistry methods to detect different epigenetic marks to understand how they impact gene and cellular function.

Cancer Imaging

Our researchers are pioneering new imaging techniques that are helping specialists diagnose cancer in its early, less harmful stages.

Cancer Immunotherapy

Immunotherapies are revolutionizing the way we treat cancer. These promising and potent drugs aim to harness the body’s immune system, directing it to attack tumors. From basic science to clinical trials, Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers are conducting innovative studies to optimize the use of current immunotherapies.

Metastasis

The deadliest aspect of cancer is metastasis — a process by which tumor cells break away from their neighbors and travel to distant organs. Our researchers are invested in unraveling the molecular and genetic basis of this process, a key to developing successful treatments that will prevent cancer from spreading.

Pharmacogenomics

A person’s precise genetic makeup can significantly impact the way they respond to drugs, such as chemotherapy. Our scientists are uncovering differences in the DNA sequence that differ among individuals and confer sensitivity or resistance to various chemotherapeutic agents, in terms of antitumor activity and the adverse effects they cause (called toxicities).

Precision Medicine

Precision medicine — which uses information about a person’s genes, proteins, and environment to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease — continues to be a primary focus of the Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Cancer Risk and Prevention

The best way to fight cancer is to prevent it from developing. Our specialists are developing new prevention strategies based on leading-edge research and are applying these strategies to high-risk individuals.

Cancer Survivorship

The cancer survivor population continues to grow. We provide support services and long-term care plans and research centered on survivorship for both adult and pediatric cancer survivors.

Cancer Articles

Anita S. Chong, PhD standing in her laboratory.
New cancer drug shows promise in pancreatic tumors
Jincong "Jason" Freeman presents his work on breast cancer disparities at several national oncology conferences.
Seeking solutions to make breast cancer care equitable
Portrait of Stella Seay
UChicago Medicine program helps lung cancer survivor stay smoke-free
Young Female Doctor Examine Mri Picture
Brain Cancer: What to watch out for and other FAQs
spreading cancer cells
Disrupting cancer cell-fat cell interactions prevents metastasis in ovarian cancers
Anne Kelley, BS, Kiranj Chaudagar, PhD, and Akash Patnaik, MD, PhD, MMSc
Personalized combination treatment turns on an immunometabolic switch to effectively control an aggressive form of prostate cancer
Breast cancer survivor Kathleen Humphries, front row, second from left, celebrates with her friends who helped her during her treatment.
A caregiver got breast cancer. Then a community of survivors and friends stepped up to help.
Gabrielle Silverman is now cancer-free, but her emotional journey inspired her to start a unique charity to help Comer Children
How my cancer journey led me to help patients facing food insecurity
A breast cancer survivor talks with a physician and a genetic counselor in a roundtable setting.
Roundtable Talk with UChicago Medicine: Genetics and Family History of Breast Cancer