Cancer Research

The Harold E. Eisenberg GI Cancer OncoSET is an extension of the Lurie Cancer Center’s breakthrough OncoSET Program. In 2014, the Lurie Cancer Center became the first academic cancer center in Chicago and one of only a handful in the nation to provide personalized medicine to patients with tumors —especially tumors that are resistant to traditional cancer therapies.

OncoSET (Sequence, Evaluate, Treat) is based on the premise that each individual and every person’s cancer is unique. It harnesses the power of precision medicine to identify tailored therapies for patients based on the abnormal genes specific to their tumor.

Located on Northwestern’s Chicago medical campus, the OncoSET Clinic combines genomic sequencing and sophisticated molecular analysis with standard pathology to identify new, individually tailored treatments and clinical trials for patients. OncoSET is an innovative approach to deliver personalized, and effective cancer treatments to patients who currently have very limited options.

We believe in the enormous potential of OncoSET at the Lurie Cancer Center and want to help courageous patients with GI cancers who are facing such limited options. We have committed millions of dollars to create The Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation GI Cancer OncoSET Program at the Lurie Cancer Center.

Now, we need you and your support!

The Harold E. Eisenberg GI Cancer Tissue Bank is the first of its kind in the Midwest and is at the forefront of cancer medicine. Samples allow researchers to study what characterizes cancer tissue to improve prevention, detection and treatment. The bank stores over 27,000 samples, growing each month.

The Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation provides support for the at the Lurie Cancer Center GI Cancer Tissue Bank.

Now, we need you and your support!

We are pleased to announce the 2024-2025 Research Scholar Award winner, Dr. Weiguo Cui. Dr. Cui is a Professor in the Department of Pathology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

Dr. Cui’s research is focused on targeting metabolism in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) to overcome resistance in colorectal cancer treatment. Colorectal cancer patients often do not respond to a type of cancer treatment called immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). The goal of ICB is to strengthen the body’s immune system and enhance its ability to fight off harmful invaders.

This treatment’s effectiveness can be hindered by MDSCs. These cells use a unique way of generating energy that helps them survive and suppress the immune system.

Researchers have identified a protein called Pim1 that plays a crucial role in the energy production and function of MDSCs. By targeting Pim1, it may be possible to overcome the resistance to ICB in colorectal cancer.

Dr. Cui’s research could lead to new strategies for improving colorectal cancer treatments by targeting the metabolism of MDSCs, thereby making the immune system more effective against tumors.

To learn more about past Scholars we’ve funded and their research findings, please check out Our Stewardship Report.

Our Cancer Care Packages are designed to help ease the side effects of cancer treatment for newly diagnosed gastrointestinal cancer patients.

Each bag is crafted with love by our Junior Board and includes items like blankets, socks, winter hats, herbal teas, playing cards, anti-nausea lozenges and more.

To make a donation to support our Cancer Care Package program, please click here.