As the state’s only National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey together with RWJBarnabas Health, is committed to providing the most advanced, comprehensive, and compassionate world-class cancer care to adults and children, conducting groundbreaking research, providing innovative clinical trials, and above all continuing to work together to conquer cancer. Below is a selection of our milestones and research discoveries this past year. As 2021 comes to a close, we reflect on the many achievements and look forward to a fruitful 2022.
RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Break Ground on Jack & Sheryl Morris Cancer Center
RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, n partnership with the New Brunswick Development Corporation (DEVCO), broke ground on the state’s first freestanding cancer hospital. In partnership with the City of New Brunswick and Middlesex County the project provides training and education for job applicants and an environment filled with robust educational prospects for the community.
$10M Appropriation from the State of New Jersey for Pediatric Cancer will Help Advance Research and Treatment
Aiding in the longtime mission to increase investment in cancer research, Governor Phil Murphy recently signed the fiscal year 2022 state budget, which included a $10 million appropriation to support pediatric cancer research.
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Awarded $1.3M for Cancer Metabolism and Growth Research Program
Rutgers Cancer Institute received a $1.3 million, five-year grant from the National Cancer Institute (1T32CA257957) to support the Cancer Metabolism and Growth and Tumor Host Interactions Training Program. The program, which will focus on providing postdoctoral candidates the highest quality training and research experience, leverages the unique research strengths and resources of New Jersey’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center to provide translational research training in the area of cancer metabolism.
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and RWJBarnabas Health Launch State’s First Home Infusion Program
Rutgers Cancer Institute and RWJBarnabas Health have partnered with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to launch a collaborative pilot program which provides home infusion cancer treatments for eligible patients. The Horizon Home Infusion Pilot Program delivers oncology care to patients in the comfort of their own home with the goal of preventing disruption of chemotherapy during the coronavirus pandemic and limiting exposure to hospital settings.
Ludwig Cancer Research Opens New Branch Dedicated to Cancer Metabolism at Princeton University
Combined with Ludwig’s leadership in cancer epigenetics and immunotherapy, advances in cancer metabolism generated at the Ludwig Princeton Branch will inform new strategies for cancer prevention and treatment. The clinical translation of Branch discoveries will be conducted in the tri-state area, including in partnership with RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute.
Phage Display-Based Gene Delivery: A Viable Platform Technology for COVID-19 Vaccine Design and Development
Researchers at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS) and the Center for Theoretical Biological Physics (CTBP) at Rice University in Houston, Texas, have demonstrated that a technology with favorable biological attributes known as phage display could be a viable platform for the development of new vaccines to protect against COVID-19.
RWJBarnabas Health Pioneers Innovative Pancreatic Cyst Surveillance Program
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center (SBMC) has pioneered one of the first cloud-based data management platforms in the country to identify, track, follow and monitor patients with pancreatic cysts. The Pancreatic Cyst Surveillance Program identifies patients when incidental scans detect pancreatic cysts, and at-risk people are then contacted through a nurse navigator for potential follow-up.
First Patient Recently Treated with New Non-Surgical Therapy for Urothelial Cancer at Rutgers Cancer Institute
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jerseyhas treated its first upper tract urothelial cancer patient with a recently approved therapy option known as mitomycin gel, which is the first non-surgical treatment for this type of disease.
Research Leader Named to Rutgers Cancer Institute from National Cancer Institute to Build World-Class Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey has named Christian Hinrichs, MD, as Chief of the Section of Cancer Immunotherapy and Co-Director of the Cancer Immunology and Metabolism Center of Excellence, along with Eileen White, PhD, deputy director and chief scientific officer at Rutgers Cancer Institute.
Leadership Appointments and National Recognition for Rutgers Cancer Institute Faculty
Bruce G. Haffty, M.D., Named President of the Radiological Society of North America Board
Dr. Bruce Haffty has beend named president of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Board of Directors today at the Society’s annual meeting in Chicago. As president, Dr. Haffty will focus on expanding RSNA’s profile in the broader medical community, collaborating with other major medical societies and governmental agencies in promoting the value of the radiological sciences to patients and partners in health care delivery.
New Chief of Thoracic and Head and Neck Medical Oncology Named to New Jersey’s Only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center
Expanding its multidisciplinary teams of highly specialized experts uniquely focused on the management of head and neck cancers and cancer of the lung, pleura and mediastinum, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and RWJBarnabas Health have welcomed Missak Haigentz, Jr., MD, as chief of Thoracic and Head and Neck Medical Oncology and clinical director for Oncology Integration.
RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Leader Selected to be Inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
Dr. Carolyn Hayes is one of 225 distinguished nursing leaders around the world to be selected. Induction into the Academy is a significant milestone in a nurse leader’s career in which their accomplishments are honored by their colleagues within and outside the profession. Fellows are selected based on their contributions and impact to advance the public’s health.
Rutgers Names Associate Vice Chancellor for Clinical Innovation and Data Analytics
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences’ Office of Clinical and Health Affairs has appointed Andrew M. Evens as associate vice chancellor for Clinical Innovation and Data Analytics, a new initiative harnessing evidence-based practices and artificial intelligence to identify patient needs, enhance clinical innovation and improve health outcomes.
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Clinical Leader Recognized as Fellow of the American Society of Radiation Oncology
Dr. Salma Jabbour one of 28 Members to be Named Fellows by World’s Largest Radiation Oncology Society. This distinction honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the society and to the field of radiation oncology through research, education, patient care and service to the field.
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Leader Elected as a Member to the National Academy of Sciences
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Deputy Director, Chief Scientific Officer, and Associate Director for Basic Research Dr. Eileen White has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). She is among 120 members elected this year in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Clinical Leader Recognized as Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Associate Chief of Urology and Urologic Oncology and Director of the Kidney Cancer Program Eric A. Singer, MD, MA, MS, FACS, has been named a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO). This distinction honors members for their extraordinary volunteer service and dedication to the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey Research Leader Elected as a Fellow to the American Association for Cancer Research Academy
Dr. Eileen White is one of 25 scientists from around the world to join the 2021 class of fellows. This prestigious accolade is offered only to individuals whose work has had a significant and enduring impact on cancer research.
New Director of Neuro-Oncology Named to New Jersey’s Only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center
Expanding its multidisciplinary team of professionals in the care of patients and their families with brain and spinal cord tumors, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey has named Michael E. Salacz, MD as director of its Neuro-Oncology Program.
Gynecologic Oncology Leader Named at New Jersey’s Only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center
Expanding its team of highly specialized professionals in the treatment of routine, rare and complex cancers of the female reproductive system, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), a RWJBarnabas Health facility, have named James K. Aikins, Jr., MD, FACOG, FACS chief of gynecologic oncology at Rutgers Cancer Institute and chief of gynecologic oncology services at RWJUH.