Research Programs

The physicians and scientists at the Lurie Cancer Center study the causes and behavior of cancer to develop more effective approaches to prevention, detection and treatment.

With significant research in basic, clinical, prevention and control, behavioral and population-based investigations, in addition to interactive research that bridges these scientific areas, the Lurie Cancer Center upholds its
National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The Lurie Cancer Center's research programs are organized around members' strengths and foster interdisciplinary coordination and collaboration.

Basic Sciences Research Division		Clinical Sciences Research Division
	Investigate all aspects of cell function from misappropriated extracellular matrix to nuclear transcription factors, from biomaterials to cutting edge imaging techniques, and from prognostics, diagnostics, to therapeutics.		The Clinical Sciences Division seeks to enhance cancer care through innovative research into cancer genetics, novel therapies and stem cell transplants as well as finding better treatment options across all disease areas.

Cancer Prevention & Control Science Research Division
	Focuses on identification of modifiable lifestyle factors, gene-environment interactions and chemopreventive agents for cancer prevention, development of state-of-the-art technologies.

Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNE)		Physical Sciences Oncology Center (PS-OC)
	Led by Principal Investigator, Chad A. Mirkin, a National Cancer Institute-funded collaboration between the Lurie Cancer Center and the International Institute for Nanotechnology.		Brings together physical scientists and cancer biologists to use non-traditional, physical sciences-based approaches to understand and control cancer.

Innovation and New Ventures Office (INVO)		Prostate Cancer SPORE
	The Innovation and New Ventures Office inspires and nurtures a culture of innovation, bridging Northwestern research with its practical use for public benefit.		In 2001, the Lurie Cancer Center was one of eleven cancer centers to receive a $12.5 million five year award from the National Cancer Institute for a SPORE (Specialized Program of Research Excellence) in Prostate Cancer.

Affiliated Research Programs and Centers		Multidisciplinary Research Institutes
	The research efforts of the Lurie Cancer Center are greatly enhanced by our partnerships		The research efforts of the Lurie Cancer Center are enhanced by multidisciplinary Institutes that support specific research disciplines or disease types. The Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute (NBTI) Northwestern Institute for Comparative Effectiveness Research (NICER)