HICCC Top Stories of 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on the remarkable milestones achieved at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC). Guided by our mission to empower innovation and discovery in cancer research, prevention, early detection, therapy, and survivorship, our researchers, clinicians, trainees, and staff work together to reduce the burden of cancer for patients, our community, and beyond. Join us in celebrating the top stories of the year—stories that highlight groundbreaking advancements, transformative care, and the enduring commitment of our team to make a difference in the fight against cancer.
Ken Olive: Making a Long-Awaited Breakthrough in Pancreatic Cancer
For over a decade, cancer researchers have known that if they could target the infamously "undruggable" gene encoding mutation in the KRAS protein, it would unlock tremendous possibilities for treating pancreatic cancer. In a multi-institutional study with Revolution Medicines, Ken Olive, PhD, co-leader of the Precision Oncology and Systems Biology program, found tumor-fighting abilities of a potential new drug that could target the protein to treat nearly all pancreatic tumors, marking a revolutionary breakthrough in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
New Discovery Could Land One-Two Punch Against Cancer
A multinational team of researchers led by Alberto Ciccia, PhD, member of the Cancer Genomcis and Epigenetics program, has discovered that tumors can use a single protein to hide from the immune system and avoid destruction. Dr. Ciccia’s lab found that if they were able to “turn off” this protein, the immune system can better recognize and attack tumors, striking a double blow against many cancers and making immunotherapy even more effective.
Reducing Tobacco-Related Cancer Risks in LGBTQ+ Communities
Tobacco is the leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., and LGBTQ+ groups are especially high risk. HICCC scholar-activist Phoenix Matthews, PhD (they/them), member of the Cancer Population Science (CPS) program, works to shrink this glaring divide through community-based health interventions tailored to LGBTQ+ populations. Using a mix of traditional academic and boots-on-the-ground approaches, they develop culturally-targeted health promotion interventions like smoking cessation treatment to reduce cancer risk and improve cancer outcomes in vulnerable communities.
Improving Cell Therapy by Creating T-cell “Super Soldiers”
Researchers at the HICCC, led by Ben Izar, MD, PhD, member of the Tumor Biology and Microenvironment (TBM) program, have found that by re-engineering cancer patients’ own immune cells, they can make cancer fighting “super soldiers”. Using CRISPR-based base editing, the team discovered that altering just a single DNA letter in selected genes of T cells can enhance the effectiveness of these therapies. This innovation could "supercharge" immune cell treatments, potentially making them more effective for a wider range of patients and cancers, addressing a key challenge in cancer immunotherapy.
Lewis Silverman, MD: Improving the "Quality of the Cure" in Pediatric Cancer
Meet Lewis Silverman, MD, Columbia’s new director of the Hope and Heroes Division of Pediatric Oncology. A Boston native, he shares how he finds joy inguiding patients and their families through the other side of a devastating illness. As associate director of pediatric cancers at the HICCC, Dr, Silverman aims to take advantage of the innovative resources at Columbia to address new treatment advances and expand access to new therapies for patients.
Putting Research Into Action: Community Outreach and Engagement
The Community Outreach and Engagement Office (COE) facilitates a link between the HICCC and the population it serves, putting research into action through events and programs centered around cancer prevention, screening, education, and more. Two COE staff, Maya Lipsman and Nicole Bayne, share more about how COE works with community partners to reduce the burden of cancer.
Velocity 2024: Lydia’s Story
Lydia Cunningham knew exactly where she wanted to be treated when she learned she had breast cancer in 2013. As a nurse at Columbia/NYP, choosing Columbia for her cancer care was an easy decision during a very difficult time. With Katherine Crew, MD, as her oncologist, she underwent treatment and remained cancer free for over a decade. During her second cancer diagnosis, she learned cancer research had advanced significantly since her last treatment over a decade ago, and her care team at Columbia was able, once again, to save Lydia’s life. Lydia bravely shared her story at Velocity 2024.
EClose: Shaping Future Scientists
Twenty-eight middle and high school students throughout Washington Heights spent their holiday breaks last year learning critical lab skills through a fruit fly science experiment to study cancer. The eClose program provides budding scientists experience in research, science, and medicine, with the goal of supporting local and diverse students who may not have the resources to gain hands-on lab experience.
Cancer Immunotherapy Pioneer Michel Sadelain Joins Columbia University
Michel Sadelain, MD, PhD, joins Columbia as the inaugural director of the new Columbia Initiative for Cell Engineering and Therapy (CICET) and director of the Cancer Cell Therapy Initiative at the HICCC. Dr. Sadelain, a physician-scientist known for his breakthrough work on CAR-T therapy, will drive CICET in its mission to amplify Columbia’s revolutionary research efforts across systems biology, synthetic biology, and AI.
Hacking Bacteria to Attack Cancer
Columbia researchers led by Nicholas Arpaia, PhD, and Tal Danino, PhD, members of the TBM program, have engineered probiotic bacteria that educate the immune system to destroy cancer cells, opening the door for a new class of cancer vaccines that take advantage of bacteria’s natural tumor-targeting properties. This ground-breaking vaccine, tested in mouse models, targets each tumor uniquely, allowing researchers to engineer better therapies that stimulate a patient’s own immune system to “seek and destroy” their cancer cells.