A new Big Ten CRC study of plinabulin, nivolumab, and ipilimumab in small cell lung cancer, led by Jyoti Malhotra, MD, MPH, of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, is now open to accrual at Rutgers. The phase I/II study is expected to enroll about 15 subjects in phase I and another 40 subjects in phase II. The study aims to demonstrate reduction in immune-related adverse events while adding to anti-cancer immune effects for patients. Additional Big Ten CRC sites will open soon.

"Our collective mission is to bring the best possible therapy to SCLC patients around the world as quickly and efficiently as we can," said Dr. Malhotra. "There is a need to explore novel immunotherapy combinations with the goal of improving clinical outcomes as well as reducing side effects."

The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium recently welcomed three new members to the Steering Committee. The committee comprises one representative from each member institution and meets regularly to review activities and guide policies for the consortium.

Kari Wisinski, MD  (top), a breast cancer specialist and co-chair of the Big Ten CRC's Breast Cancer Clinical Trial Working Group, joins the Steering Committee as the representative for the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center.  Read more about Dr. Wisinski .

Thomas G. Sors, Ph D  (center), assistant director of the Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Disease (PI4D) and co-chair of the Big Ten CRC's Correlative Sciences Clinical Trial Working Group, joins the Steering Committee as the representative for Purdue University Center for Cancer Research.  Read more about Dr. Sors .

Get to know Pavankumar Tandra, MBBS (left),  and learn about the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center's multi-disciplinary approach to tackling CAR-T therapy toxicity, in an article by Matthew Lunning, DO (center), and David Anderson, PhD (right).