NCI Specialized Program of Research Excellence

The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University has been awarded a new, five-year $11.5 million Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to advance translational research and improve outcomes for patients with brain cancer. Based on a highly competitive review process, Lurie Cancer Center is one of just six programs in the nation with a Brain SPORE.

Under the leadership of Maciej (Matt) Lesniak, MD, and C. David James, PhD, the Northwestern Brain Tumor SPORE will focus on improving treatment strategies for highly malignant brain tumors, with an emphasis on developing novel approaches for patients with glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and aggressive type of primary brain tumor.

The SPORE will support the combined efforts of accomplished basic scientists and physicians-scientists with complementary expertise. Taking a team science approach, our shared goal is to accelerate progress by moving discoveries from the laboratory into clinical trials for evaluating effectiveness in treating GBM.

The SPORE is comprised of four research projects, each of which is based on a novel approach for treating GBM. The SPORE also includes an administrative core, a biospecimen core, and a biostatistics and bioinformatics core. A developmental research program will also enable future translational research, and a career enhancement program will provide funding for early-stage investigators that are interested in entering the field of neuro-oncology.