IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center

IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center Indiana's only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center | A leader in cancer research To learn more, visit www.cancer.iu.edu.

The Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is Indiana’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center and a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Based at Indiana University, we focus on cancer research, education and clinical trials—not patient care. Our researchers and physician–scientists are discovering how cancer works, developing new therapies,

and training the next generation of cancer researchers. While our healthcare partners provide treatment, we lead the research that fuels tomorrow’s cures. To learn about our patient care partner, IU Health, visit www.iuhealth.org.

Thank you to everyone who came out, walked alongside us and helped make every step count. From families to teams to four...
05/19/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out, walked alongside us and helped make every step count. From families to teams to four-legged friends, your support powers cancer research at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center—including End Lung Cancer Now and the MOVE program.

Because of you, we’re moving closer to better outcomes and new discoveries in cancer research.

05/18/2026

Cancer research can feel complex, but every breakthrough starts with seemingly simple questions: How do new ideas become studies? What happens before a discovery ever reaches patients? And why does the research process take time?

In “Cancer Research 101,” Kelvin Lee, MD, director of the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, hosts a conversation about how cancer research moves from concept to care. Joined by Rohan Maniar, MD, an oncologist and cancer researcher, this session walks through the full research journey — from early lab discoveries and clinical trials to new approaches that improve treatment and outcomes.

This discussion pulls back the curtain on how cancer research works, why it matters, and how today’s questions shape tomorrow’s care. Whether you’re simply curious about cancer science or want a clearer picture of how research leads to real‑world treatments, this session offers a welcoming introduction to the process behind progress.

Oxygen does more than help us breathe—it may also shape how stem cells behave. Researchers at the IU Simon Comprehensi...
05/18/2026

Oxygen does more than help us breathe—it may also shape how stem cells behave.

Researchers at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and Indiana University School of Medicine found that human hematopoietic stem cells, which create the body’s blood and immune cells, are highly sensitive to oxygen, and even short exposure to changing oxygen levels can significantly alter how the cells grow and function.

The study examined stem cells from donor umbilical cord blood, circulating blood and bone marrow to better understand how these cells respond to conditions similar to those inside the human body.

The findings could help guide future work in stem cell transplantation, cancer immunotherapy, gene therapy and more.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/PRYo50Z16Xn.

Cancer research depends on strong federal investment. More than 100 cancer center leaders, researchers, clinicians and p...
05/15/2026

Cancer research depends on strong federal investment.

More than 100 cancer center leaders, researchers, clinicians and patient advocates gathered in Washington, D.C., for the 2026 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)-Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) Joint Hill Day yesterday to advocate for stable, predictable funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Cancer Institute.

Representing the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center were Kelvin Lee, MD, center director; Hari Nakshatri, PhD; Rich Zellars, MD; Eric Vachon, PhD, and Trisha Wise-Draper, MD, PhD.

Held during National Cancer Research Month, Hill Day is an opportunity to celebrate progress in cancer research, honor patients and advocate for continued support that helps advance discoveries, clinical trials and future cancer treatments.

Pictured: Hari Nakshatri; Rich Zellars; Andrew Mesecar, Purdue Institute for Cancer Research director; and Eric Vachon.

Every cancer treatment begins with a question and research is how we find the answers. At the IU Simon Comprehensive Ca...
05/14/2026

Every cancer treatment begins with a question and research is how we find the answers.

At the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, discoveries move from the lab to life through a research pipeline that connects scientists, clinicians, and patients. Each step from uncovering how cancer starts to testing new therapies in clinical trials brings us closer to making cancer a disease of the past.

Learn more about cancer research at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center: https://ow.ly/Tew150YNalw.

05/13/2026

What does progress in cancer research look like in one day?

Cancer Research Day—our signature research event—brought together researchers, fellows and students from across Indiana and set a new record with 194 abstract submissions. From posters to presentations, the day highlighted the work shaping the future of cancer research.

This year also introduced new moments, including a patient panel where three advocates shared their cancer journeys and connected directly with researchers during a Q&A. A new lightning session featured junior faculty delivering fast-paced talks on their work.

For the first time, we also welcomed 40 high school students. They explored how cancer affects people and communities, experienced a live poster session where they could ask questions, connected with researchers and professionals to learn about careers in science and medicine.

We are proud to see how our research community continues to move cancer forward.

What if doctors could better predict whether cancer will spread—and avoid unnecessary treatments? Researchers at IU Simo...
05/12/2026

What if doctors could better predict whether cancer will spread—and avoid unnecessary treatments?

Researchers at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and Indiana University School of Medicine are working to make that possible. Their new platform analyzes signs of damage in cancer and normal cells to help identify which tumors are likely to become life-threatening.

This work could help more patients safely choose active monitoring instead of aggressive treatment.

Learn how this research is shaping the future of cancer care decisions: https://ow.ly/vW1450YV8x8.

This month’s Simon Says Expert Series session—Cancer Research 101—will be at 1 p.m. ET Monday, May 18. Submit your quest...
05/11/2026

This month’s Simon Says Expert Series session—Cancer Research 101—will be at 1 p.m. ET Monday, May 18. Submit your questions and register now: https://ow.ly/4ZMu50YV9aa.

Cancer research can feel complex, but every breakthrough starts with seemingly simple questions: How do new ideas become studies? What happens before a discovery ever reaches patients? And why does the research process take time?

In “Cancer Research 101,” Kelvin Lee, MD, director of the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, hosts a conversation about how cancer research moves from concept to care. Joined by Rohan Maniar, MD, an oncologist and cancer researcher, this session walks through the full research journey — from early lab discoveries and clinical trials to new approaches that improve treatment and outcomes.

This discussion pulls back the curtain on how cancer research works, why it matters, and how today’s questions shape tomorrow’s care. Whether you’re simply curious about cancer science or want a clearer picture of how research leads to real‑world treatments, this session offers a welcoming introduction to the process behind progress.

Turn your next meal into support for cancer research.For a limited time, order the Conor Daly, the Nate Spangle, or the ...
05/08/2026

Turn your next meal into support for cancer research.

For a limited time, order the Conor Daly, the Nate Spangle, or the Kevin Bowen burgers from ClusterTruck.

Now through May 31, 20% of proceeds support cancer research at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Then keep the momentum going—join us at Burger Bash delivered by ClusterTruck from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 21 at the United States Auto Club in Speedway.

Order today and be part of something bigger: https://ow.ly/zzhR50YOBkj.

Our advancement team—made up of communications and development professionals behind our fundraising and storytelling—rec...
05/07/2026

Our advancement team—made up of communications and development professionals behind our fundraising and storytelling—recently joined peers from NCI-designated cancer centers at the National Association of Cancer Center Development Officers-Cancer Marketing and Communications Association (NACCDO-CMCA) Conference in Toronto.

This annual conference brings together communications and gift development professionals from cancer centers from across the country to share ideas, build partnerships and support cancer research progress.

We were proud to celebrate Tricia Bowen, event coordinator for the cancer center’s gift development team, who received the prestigious Patrick Mulvey Scholarship to attend this year's conference. The scholarship recognizes emerging professionals who demonstrate a deep commitment to the field.

We’re excited to bring that energy home. In 2027, the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center will host the national conference right here in Indianapolis and welcome colleagues from across the country.

Cancer Marketing & Communications Association

First photo by Courtney Colvin, University of Illinois Cancer Center | Second photo by Bob Kalsey Photography

If you have skin, you're at risk.Skin cancer doesn't discriminate—it can affect anyone, regardless of age, race or gende...
05/06/2026

If you have skin, you're at risk.

Skin cancer doesn't discriminate—it can affect anyone, regardless of age, race or gender. It's also the most common cancer in the United States.

The good news? When caught early, it's often highly treatable.

Learn more about steps to protect your health: https://ow.ly/zKpJ50YNa0q.

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