The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center
Northwestern Medicine is proud that Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University at Northwestern Memorial Hospital has received the highest rating of “Exceptional” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The Northwestern Memorial Hospital Oncology programme is ranked No. 6 in the U.S. according to U.S. News & World Report, 2021-2022, and remains the highest-ranked cancer programme in Chicago and Illinois. Treating more than 10,000 patients each year for both common and rare cancers, Northwestern Memorial Hospital gives patients access to leading-edge technologies and advanced treatments. Services include all surgical interventions, minimally invasive surgery, BMT, CAR-T, chemo, radiation, precision (personalized) medicine, and the only Proton Center in Illinois.
Northwestern Medicine doctors help write the NCCN patient guidelines for each cancer type. The Feinberg School of Medicine’s Division of Hematology and Oncology in the Department of Medicine is certified by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative, an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, for meeting the highest standards for quality in cancer care.
Innovations in oncology:
- Precision (Personalized) Medicine Programme
- Nano-oncology Center – NM has a very strong nanotechnology programme, and we are doing a study using the gold nanoparticle with conjugated spherical nucleic acid that targets bcl2l12
- Developmental therapeutics
- 3D Printing – Study enabled infertile mice to give birth after ovary implants made with a 3D printer restored fertility. NM scientists hope the research will help restore fertility and hormone production in women who have undergone cancer treatments.
- Proton Center – A global destination for proton therapy treatment
– The Chicago Proton Center is the first and only proton therapy centre in Illinois to bring this innovative radiation treatment to patients. The Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center has treated hundreds of adults and children from the U.S. and multiple countries since it opened in 2010.
– Only proton centre in the U.S. using vertical CT scanner and thoracic treatment chairs that scan and treat patients in the seated position providing better patient comfort and more targeted treatments for head and neck and some thoracic tumours.
– One of only a few U.S. proton centres accredited by the American College of Radiology.
– Among the first proton centres in the U.S. to deploy Pencil Beam scanning technology.
– Pioneered a treatment protocol for ocular melanoma patients.
Feature care areas of oncology
a. AIDS-related cancers
b. Blood cancers
c. Brain and spine cancers
d. Breast cancer
e. Colon Cancer Center
f. Dermatologic cancers
g. Gastrointestinal cancers
h. Genitourinary cancers
i. Gynaecologic cancers
j. Head and neck cancers
k. Leukaemia
l. Lung cancer
m. Orthopaedic and rheumatologic cancers
n. Precision medicine and genetic testing
o. Immunotherapy
Oncology physician pioneers
Dr. Leonidas Platanias – In addition to providing leadership as Director of the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Platanias’ molecular biology and biochemistry research, spanning more than 20 years and published in more than 250 scientific papers, focuses on signalling pathways in cancer cells and developing novel therapies that target those pathways to treat malignancies. Among his many career honours, Dr. Platanias received the 2013 Seymour & Vivian Milstein Award for Excellence in Cytokine Research. The Milstein Award represents the pinnacle of scientific achievement in cytokine and interferon research. A member of various scientific societies, Dr. Platanias served as president of the International Cytokine and Interferon Society in 2010-2011.
Dr. Maha Hussain – Dr. Hussain is a practicing oncologist, internationally renowned expert, and clinical researcher in genito- urinary oncology particularly prostate and bladder cancer. Her clinical research has contributed to impacting the standards of care for patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive and castration-resistant prostate cancer. The research protocol also reduced the risk of developing metastases or death by 71% compared to the standard of care.
Dr. Jayesh Mehta (left) & Dr. Seema Singhal (right) – Northwestern is a destination for myeloma, amyloidosis, and other plasma cell diseases nationally and internationally due to the expertise of Dr. Jayesh Mehta (Chez Family
Professor of Myeloma Research, Director, HSCT Program) and Dr. Seema Singhal (Chez Family Professor of Myeloma Research, Director, Myeloma Program) who have been involved with developing cutting-edge treatments in myeloma for the last 20 years. They were the first to use thalidomide and lenalidomide (Revlimid) in myeloma and participated in the earliest clinical trials of all other new drugs in myeloma. Dr. Mehta sees patients with all hematologic malignancies requiring stem cell transplantation and Dr. Singhal’s practice is confined to plasma cell disorders.
Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli – Director of the OncoSET Precision (Personalized) Medicine Program. He has led the development of novel diagnostic and prognostic markers in primary and metastatic breast cancer. His research is focused on advancing a patient-centred, biology-driven model of cancer care, combining sophisticated tissue and blood-based molecular diagnostic technologies and innovative treatments. Prior to joining the Lurie Cancer Center, Dr. Cristofanilli was director of the Breast Care Center and deputy director for Translational Research at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University. He previously served as chair of the Department of Medical Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center and executive director of the Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Program and Clinic at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Dr. Leo Gordon – Dr. Gordon is a world-renown physician in lymphoma. The overarching goal of his translational research is to improve the outcome of patients with lymphoma. He is currently investigating novel signalling pathways in lymphoma, using cell lines and animal model systems. Clinical research interests include the study of novel immune stimulatory strategies following stem cell transplant in lymphoma with collaborators in Israel, Europe, and the US, new approaches to the use of radio-immunotherapy (RIT) in lymphoma, and new treatment paradigms based on the basic investigations described above.
Dr. William Gradishar – Chief of Hematology and Oncology in the Department of Medicine and is among the top 27 academic breast oncologists in the country identified in Forbes Magazine, based on “big data” analysis from Grand Rounds.
Dr. Ryan Merkow – Surgical oncologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. His clinical practice focuses on complex upper gastrointestinal malignancies including pancreas, liver, biliary, gastric, small bowel, metastatic colorectal as well as peritoneal surface cancers. He is one of a few surgeons in the United States who is experienced in the application of regional therapeutic techniques, including hyper thermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and liver-directed chemotherapy. Dr. Merkow uses advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques including robotic surgery when appropriate. In addition to his clinical practice, he is a health services researcher in the Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center (SOQIC) in the Center for Healthcare Studies at Northwestern University with a focus on surgical outcomes, quality improvement, and patient safety.
Northwestern Medicine International Health
Northwestern Medicine International Health helps to connect patients and caregivers to the most advanced medical care at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and its affiliates, while driving innovation and growth in hospitals and clinics worldwide.
With a dual focus on the patient and supporting the global development of healthcare, Northwestern Medicine International Health works to create outstanding patient care worldwide.
Serving patients and caregivers from over 100 countries, those coming to Northwestern Medicine for treatment are welcomed with personal support and assistance throughout their healthcare journey.
For more information:
Hassan El Banna, MD, MSHSM
Chief International Executive
Business Development
International Health
Northwestern Medicine
+1 202 812 8822
hassan.elbanna@nm.org https://www.northwesterninternationalhealth.com/
