Cancer Center at Illinois

12/19/2025

Check out the festive creations from students who attended the CCIL Winter Social ❄️

12/18/2025

The Ira R. Cohen Chair in Computer Science and Cancer Research has been created by a generous gift from Debra Cohen in memory of her late husband, Ira.

This chair will be held by a faculty member in the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science, who is also a CCIL member.

“Ira would hope with this funding that the professor would have the impact on future students that his professors had on him during his time at the university.” -- Debra Cohen

🔗 https://go.illinois.edu/IraRCohen

12/16/2025

A new study from researchers found that patients with ER-positive breast cancer who lived in disadvantaged neighborhoods showed higher levels of inflammation- and stress-related biomarkers compared with those in more affluent areas.

These findings can lead to new ways to address cancer disparities, from prevention to treatment.

🔗 https://go.illinois.edu/HannahHeath

12/14/2025

CCIL researcher and Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute Director Stephen Boppart appeared on WCIA 3 News to discuss Margin Diagnostics - a comprehensive system that will drastically improve surgical outcomes for cancer tumor removal.

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CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Each year, millions of people across the world are diagnosed with cancer. It’s a phrase no one wants to hear, but several University of Illinois research…

12/12/2025

Fighting tumors with radiation while protecting nearby healthy tissue and organs can be tricky - but improvements are on the way. Researchers at are collaborating with scientists from Siteman Cancer Center to develop a method that makes the therapy more precise by placing tags on immune and cancer cells.

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

12/10/2025

Pet owners will soon be able to utilize the new Animal Cancer Care Clinic at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, an expansion project that will allow the oncology team -- including several CCIL researchers -- to continue providing innovative cancer care to patients and owners. 🐕

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

12/09/2025

New findings from researchers show that a small molecule in our DNA (snaR-A) could drive cancer growth.

“There seems to be crosstalk between snaR-A and splicing — another hotspot in cancer, as lots of cancer mutations converge on the same splicing machinery that snaR-A disrupts." -- CCIL researcher Kevin Van Bortle

🔗 https://go.illinois.edu/VanBortle

12/08/2025

SCIENCE SIMPLIFIED 🔶🔷

This week's topic is immune checkpoint blockade, a type of immunotherapy.

CCIL researchers have developed a method that can help determine how effective immune checkpoint blockade therapy will be for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

🔗 https://go.illinois.edu/KunWang

Is there a cancer related term you want to know more about? Comment below!

12/05/2025

👏 Congratulations to CCIL Program Leader Erik Nelson on his recent investiture as the Keith W. and Sara M. Kelley Endowed Professor of Immunophysiology in the Department of Animal Sciences!

"It is a true honor to be recognized in this manner. It is especially special since Dr. Kelley defined the field of immunophysiology – the concept that immune cells are not isolated, nor do they only attack infection. As an endocrinologist, I appreciate this context where immune cells are both regulated and regulate the larger homeostatic ecosystem." -- Nelson

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

12/02/2025

Join our team!

The Cancer Center at Illinois and University of Illinois Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment are looking for a candidate with graphic design expertise!

➡️ Deadline: December 7, 2025 | 6 p.m. CST

🔗 https://loom.ly/NfctY1o

The Strategic Content Specialist will:
🔶 Implement designs for print, web, and other media
🔷 Assist with the creation of a style guide
🔶 Collaborate with vendors on print projects
🔷 Create graphics and vector illustrations for print and digital materials
🔶 Assist with the creation and maintenance of a database of images
🔷 Stay abreast of print and web design trends and Illinois branding standards

12/01/2025

NEW: researchers have developed a simpler and faster way to build DNA nanostructures, allowing them to perform better in biological environments.

CCIL member Xing Wang has used DNA nanostructures for virus rapid detection tests and targeted cancer drug delivery.

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

11/29/2025

🦠 Researchers are developing new ways to fight infections without relying on antibiotics, which kill both harmful and helpful bacteria. They plan to use phages, viruses that destroy only bad bacteria.

The project is starting in the mouth, where bacteria can contribute to diseases like oral and colorectal cancer. CCIL researcher Cecilia Leal will develop a delivery method for phages, like a chewable gummy.

🔗 https://go.illinois.edu/Leal