Download the cancer institutes at northwestern medicine thoracic oncology

THE INSTITUTES AT NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE
THE CANCER
INSTITUTES
AT NORTHWESTERN
MEDICINE
THORACIC ONCOLOGY
INSTITUTE
THE INSTITUTES AT NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE
THE CANCER INSTITUTES AT NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE
THORACIC ONCOLOGY INSTITUTE
Every day, 500 people in the United States die from lung cancer, and approximately 226,000 new cases of the disease
are diagnosed annually. While smoking plays a significant role in the development of a variety of thoracic cancers, a
stunning 33,000 newly-diagnosed lung cancer patients each year have never smoked. Two-thirds of them are women.
At Northwestern Medicine, we have developed a program in thoracic oncology care delivery, clinical research, and
education that draws upon the strengths of diverse clinical units. Building upon this solid foundation, we are poised to
expand upon underfunded innovations and bring new hope to patients, scientists, and medical caregivers who battle
lung cancer and other chest cancers and their complications. A new Thoracic Oncology Institute will focus our efforts
on high-impact lung cancer research linked to innovative, compassionate, and personalized clinical care.
Translating Discoveries to Clinic Care
The proposed Thoracic Oncology Institute will establish
and nurture a basic and translational laboratory effort fully
directed toward lung cancer and other malignancies of
the chest including esophageal cancer, thymoma, and
mesothelioma. Such an institute will meld clinical and
research endeavors in thoracic oncology into a cohesive
program. Our goals include:
• Developing new technologies, procedures, and
medications to better diagnose, stage, and treat
thoracic cancers;
The development of more highly-targeted therapeutics
based on tumor biology and each patient’s unique
physiology and body chemistry has the potential to vastly
improve the care of individuals with lung cancer.
However, these strategies require more labor intensive
research efforts and state-of-the-art technology that
must be supported by talented clinicians and investigators to yield results. The Thoracic Oncology Institute will
provide the critical infrastructure required to implement
these initiatives.
• Researching tumors to better understand their different design and function; and
• Applying these discoveries to the design of tailored,
individualized therapies.
“Although advances in medical, surgical, radiation, and diagnostic knowledge
and technology are improving outcomes for those battling lung and chest
cancers, we have the potential to do so much more. Achieving Institute
status will help us accelerate the process so we can help more patients live
longer and stronger through early detection and the latest therapies.”
Malcolm DeCamp, MD
Our specific plans call for:
•
Expanding clinical research through the creation of a
tissue bank and database; initiation of early-phase
clinical trials on promising drugs; and development of a
grant program to encourage innovative research in
thoracic oncology;
•
Recruiting a high level scientist to build a robust basic
and translational research program that will include
initiatives for early drug development, lung cancer
research recruitment, and growth in clinical trial volume;
and
•
Enhancing the patient experience through the addition
of a nurse navigator, smoking cessation services, and
the development of reproducible metrics to better
measure patient quality-of-life indicators.
Northwestern has many of the building blocks in place to
establish a Thoracic Oncology Institute that will, we
believe, become an International Center of Excellence. A
key component of our continued and future success is
our clinical expertise. A variety of medical and surgical
specialists contribute to the strength of Northwestern’s
comprehensive, interdisciplinary lung cancer program.
Our team includes a number of experts providing clinical
care, leading clinical trials, and initiating novel research
projects all with the aim of improving the care of patients
through simultaneous collaboration. Dedicated to delivering compassionate care, these healthcare professionals
use their different perspectives to take a holistic approach
that addresses not only the disease but also the whole
person. This philosophy engenders tremendous support
and loyalty from our patients, many who travel great
distances to be seen by our thoracic oncology team. A
new Thoracic Oncology Institute will allow us to develop
an extensive and far-reaching collaborative network of
thoracic oncology providers in the Midwest, ensuring that
patients in our region have access to the best in the field.
At the Lurie Cancer Center, we recognize that every
positive contribution we have made to the field of cancer
care, research, and education has been made possible by
donors who have entrusted us with their philanthropic
support. We invite our loyal donors and interested friends
to join us in establishing the Thoracic Oncology Institute
at Northwestern Medicine and ensuring its success
through gifts of outright support and endowment.
Northwestern Medicine
Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and Northwestern
University Feinberg School of Medicine are seeking to
impact the health of humankind through Northwestern
Medicine. We aspire to be the destinations of choice for
people seeking quality healthcare; for those who provide,
support, and advance that care through leading-edge
treatments and breakthrough discoveries; and for people
who share our passion for educating future physicians
and scientists. Our commitment to transform healthcare
and to be among the nation’s top academic medical
centers will be accomplished through innovation and
excellence.
The Cancer Institutes within our world-class Robert H.
Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern
University are providing exciting opportunities to bring our
best people, programs, and resources together to plan,
coordinate, and implement patient care, research,
education, community service, and advocacy across the
realm of cancer. In addition to creating a breakthrough
Department of Cancer Biology, we will establish several
new institutes and centers within the next few years to
facilitate the work of our cancer physicians and scientists.
These robust interfaces and collaborations will undoubtedly lead to clinical advances that benefit patients and
their families locally, nationally, and across the globe.
THE INSTITUTES AT NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE
Cancer Institutes within the Lurie Cancer Center
• Skin Cancer Institute
• Women’s Cancers Institute
• Gastrointestinal Oncology Institute
• Early Cancer Detection
• Oncology Nursing Institute
• Sarcoma Institute
Technologies Institute
• Developmental Therapeutics
Institute
• Cellular Immunotherapy Institute
•
Northwestern Brain Tumor
Institute
• Prostate and Genitourinary
Malignancies Institute
• Thoracic Oncology Institute
• Hematologic Malignancies
Institute
THROUGH NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE, WE ARE CREATING A NATIONAL
EPICENTER FOR HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, RESEARCH, COMMUNITY
SERVICE, AND ADVOCACY.
About the Lurie Cancer Center
•
The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University—one of only two National
Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in Illinois and one of 41 in the nation—is committed
to being a national leader in the battle to overcome cancer.
•
Recognized as a national leader in cancer treatment, the Lurie Cancer Center supports care for a broad scope of
cancers through comprehensive research; distinguished and dedicated faculty and staff; a world-class teaching
program; and ongoing advances in medical, surgical, radiation, and interventional oncology.
•
We are a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN): an alliance of 23 of the
nation’s leading cancer centers dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of cancer care through
development of clinical treatment guidelines and longitudinal outcomes research.
•
The Lurie Cancer Center has established major research strengths in breast, genitourinary, gastrointestinal,
aero-digestive, neurologic, and gynecologic cancers; as well as hematologic malignancies, sarcoma, melanoma,
and pediatric oncology.
•
Our basic and translational research programs in hormone action/signal transduction, angiogenesis, gene
regulation, biologic therapies, oncologic mathematical modeling, and nanotechnology are nationally and
internationally recognized.
•
Our outstanding basic, translational, and clinical research complements a full range of prevention, early detection,
treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care programs for all types of cancer.
•
Our nationally recognized supportive oncology care and survivorship programs include a Division of Fertility
Preservation for young cancer survivors.
THE
INSTITUTES
AT NORTHWESTERN
MEDICINE
Learn more about the Lurie Cancer Center’s patient care, services and programs, research
and education, clinical trials, and faculty at cancer.northwestern.edu.