Cancer Center at Illinois

05/11/2026

NEW: Researchers have developed an mRNA cancer vaccine technology that helps the immune system better recognize and target tumors. Next, the team will refine the technology and test it in more advanced models.

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Wang Lab Publishes Novel Method of mRNA Cancer Vaccination Apr 29, 2026 | Cancer Center News Therapeutic cancer vaccines that train the body’s immune system to recognize and respond to tumor-associated antigens have shown great promise for treating various types of cancer. Now researchers in the l...

05/09/2026

Cancer Center at Illinois Program Leader Viktor Gruev was recently inducted into the 2026 class of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) Fellows.

Gruev was elected for his work in imaging - specifically developing advanced camera technology that helps surgeons distinguish between healthy and cancerous tissue in real time.

🔗 https://go.illinois.edu/GruevAIMBE

05/08/2026

⭐ Get to Know a Cancer Researcher!

Connect with the CCIL's researchers in this new series. This week's installment features Matthew Dean!

🔗 Click through to learn more, or click here: https://go.illinois.edu/MatthewDean

05/07/2026

Researchers are uncovering why some testicular cancers respond to cisplatin, a common chemotherapy drug, while others become resistant. Scientists studied gene activity inside cancer cells to reveal how changes influence success, and are using their findings to investigate new treatment strategies.

🔗 https://go.illinois.edu/SinghSpinellaTesticularCancer

05/06/2026

New research sheds light on how cancer cells respond to low oxygen, a critical factor in tumor development. The findings offer new insight into the mechanisms behind cancer growth.

🔗 https://go.illinois.edu/Prasanth

05/05/2026

Congratulations to Rohit Bhargava, Phillip and Ann Sharp Director of the Cancer Center at Illinois (CCIL), who was recently honored by Illinois Human Resources with the 2025 Executive Officer Distinguished Leadership Award! 👏

WATCH to to learn more about the CCIL founder's journey: https://youtu.be/NUBRTtrnzKM?si=YR0HuAyv39uNhSk-

05/01/2026

Researchers in Cancer Center at Illinois labs have developed a new way to chemically tag red blood cells so they can carry drugs longer in the body. The breakthrough could improve delivery for a wide range of anticancer therapies.

🔗 https://go.illinois.edu/WangRedBloodCells

04/24/2026

Save the date for Cancer Voices🧡

📍April 29 | 6:00 p.m. | Lincoln Hall Theater
📍May 1 | 6:00 p.m. | Station Theatre, Urbana
Performances are free and open to the public❗

Cancer Voices is a powerful storytelling project that brings together experiences from survivors, researchers, doctors, and others affected by cancer. The performances and following community discussions aim to strengthen conversations between stakeholders and work toward a more aware, effective, and just healthcare system.

This project is supported by a Call to Action Research Award from the Chancellor’s office, the Cancer Center at Illinois, and a team of contributors who shared their stories.

04/22/2026

EXCITING NEWS! 🎉🏃

The Cancer Center at Illinois is now the official sponsor of the hydration stations at Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend! We’re proud to partner with this incredible community event and support participants throughout race weekend.

You can find a team from the CCIL at the 5K hydration station on Friday night - be sure to say hello! 💧

04/21/2026

One more day. It's been great connecting with researchers at AACR.

04/20/2026

THIS WEEK! ⭐🎥

Thursday, April 23 | 4 p.m. | Beckman Institute

The Cancer Center at Illinois will host a screening of "Cracking the Code: Phil Sharp the Biotech Revolution." The film details the life and work of Nobel Laureate and Illinois alumnus Phillip Sharp.

*Auditorium seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

🔗 Please register here for reception planning purposes: https://go.illinois.edu/CrackingtheCode