Ludimila Cavalcante, MD, Named Director of Lurie Cancer Center OncoSET Precision Oncology Program

Ludimila L. Cavalcante, MD, has been named director of the Lurie Cancer Center OncoSET Precision Oncology Program. She joins Erica Vormittag-Nocito, MD, who will continue in her role as director of Cancer Molecular Diagnostics and co-chair of the OncoSET Molecular Tumor Board.

The OncoSET (Sequence, Evaluate, Treat) Program uses genomic sequencing and sophisticated molecular analysis to identify personalized treatment options and clinical trials for patients whose cancers are not responsive to standard therapies. The program’s multidisciplinary Molecular Tumor Board brings together medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, molecular pathologists, radiologists, pharmacogenomics specialists and other experts to evaluate each patient’s tumor profile and develop individualized treatment recommendations.

Dr. Cavalcante is an associate professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. In her new role, she will lead the OncoSET Precision Oncology Program  help advance its clinical and precision medicine efforts.

“OncoSET reflects our commitment to bringing advances in precision medicine directly to patient care,” said Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD, director of Lurie Cancer Center. “Dr. Cavalcante’s leadership will help build on the program’s strong foundation and further advance personalized treatment options for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.”

Dr. Cavalcante succeeds David VanderWeele, MD, PhD, who previously served as director of the OncoSET Precision Oncology Program. The Lurie Cancer Center thanks Dr. VanderWeele for his leadership and contributions to the continued development of OncoSET.