Narrowing In on the Target
With Every Breakthrough, Simmons Draws Closer to a Cure
HIPEC, Cytoreductive Surgery Combination Promising for Gastrointestinal Cancers
Theranostics: 40 Years of Imaging Breakthroughs
Taking Aim at Phosphatidylserine to Enhance Liver Cancer Immunotherapy
NARROWING IN ON THE TARGET
As I survey our work across the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, I see discovery, progress, and optimism everywhere I look. We’re driven by an urgency to impact the lives of patients near and far and to see today’s discoveries become tomorrow’s cures. Every day, we get closer.
This issue of CancerAnswers@Simmons serves as a snapshot of our journey and progress toward finding new ways to identify and treat cancer. I’m so proud of the innovation and teamwork that’s happening here.
On page 4, you’ll meet Jason B. Fleming, M.D., who joined Simmons Cancer Center in 2024 to serve as Deputy Director for Clinical Affairs. Dr. Fleming is strategically leading our clinical enterprise into the future of cancer care by championing adaptability, inclusivity, and cooperation.
In the spirit of cooperation and innovation, UT Southwestern radiation oncologists and radiologists are leading two groundbreaking radiation oncology trials for breast and kidney cancer. On page 6, you can learn more about the promise of these clinical trials, which have been awarded nearly $4 million in combined funding.
Also in our pursuit of new discoveries, we continue to explore the potential of immunotherapies. On page 8, David Hsieh, M.D., shares his team’s research into combining a novel phosphatidylserine antibody with existing immunotherapies to treat liver cancer.
We can’t look ahead without looking back at how far we’ve come. One field that has come a long way is theranostics. On page 12, Martin Pomper, M.D., Ph.D., our new Chair of the Department of Radiology, walks us through the rise of theranostics, which combines therapies with diagnostics, and provides a glimpse into its future and the applications that lie ahead.
Finally, the story on page 14 of an ovarian cancer patient who struggled to get an accurate diagnosis before coming to UT Southwestern and meeting Jayanthi Lea, M.D., drives home the reminder of just how important our work is right now, not just in the future.
Thank you for joining me in celebrating our continuous innovation with this issue of CancerAnswers@Simmons
Sincerely,
CARLOS L. ARTEAGA, M.D.
Director, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center
Associate Dean of Oncology Programs
Annette Simmons Distinguished University Chair in Breast Cancer Research
Innovation in Your Inbox Scan the QR code to receive Cancer Answers and other Simmons Cancer Center updates via email.
4 A Vision for the Future
Deputy Director for Clinical Affairs Jason B.
Fleming, M.D., shares about meeting the needs of patients, fostering a culture of cooperation, and empowering new leaders.
6 Radiation Oncology Clinical Trials
Home In on Personalized Treatments
Research into noninvasive breast and kidney cancer treatments has been awarded nearly $4 million in combined funding.
8 Targeting Phosphatidylserine to Boost Immunotherapy Activity
A clinical trial combined antibody-based therapeutics with existing immunotherapies to treat hepatocellular carcinoma.
10 HIPEC and Cytoreductive Surgery
Combination Shows Promise
Simmons Cancer Center is pioneering a multidisciplinary two-step procedure to benefit patients with advanced cancers in the belly cavity.
11 Bringing Cancer Screenings to the Underserved
Our community outreach efforts have screened more than 100,000 Texans since 2010.
12 The Rise of Theranostics: A 40-Year Journey
A theranostics expert walks through the history and growth of the field dedicated to diagnosing and treating cancers.
14 Diagnosis of Rare Cancer Led to Lifesaving Surgery and Access to Clinical Trial Treatment
After seeking help for months, a patient found a diagnosis and treatment at Simmons Cancer Center and is now in remission.
16 News, Honors + Awards
Simmons Cancer Center spotlights people doing great work.
WINTER 2025
A Vision for the Future
Acclaimed pancreatic surgeon Jason B. Fleming, M.D., discusses the importance of strategic leadership in cancer care and the role of inclusivity in team success.
Jason B. Fleming, M.D., who recently joined UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons
Comprehensive Cancer Center as Deputy Director for Clinical Affairs and Professor of Surgery, has his eye on the future of cancer care.
Ever-increasing expenses and the rapid adoption of digital technology are changing the landscape of cancer care delivery from conventional provider-centric models to team-based ecosystems. The challenge for Simmons Cancer Center will be to embrace the change as an opportunity to recast cancer care with an emphasis on individual goals and needs of each patient.
“Moving beyond traditional boundaries is essential for effective leadership in cancer care,” says Dr. Fleming, who is a surgical oncologist specializing in pancreatic cancer. “As health care leaders, we must strategically adapt to emerging trends with flexibility, resiliency, and efficiency.”
As Deputy Director for Clinical Affairs, Jason B. Fleming, M.D., works with Simmons Cancer Center leadership to promote cooperation across specialties.
“We have a unique organizational culture here that has attracted faculty and researchers of the highest caliber. We grant our teams a high level of autonomy in making decisions about their work and responsibilities. This plays a key role in driving performance.”
— JASON B. FLEMING, M.D.
Meeting Changing Needs
According to Dr. Fleming, this involves expanding services to meet the changing needs of patients and survivors, striving for equal access to these services, and promoting inclusivity in the workforce.
“In the years ahead, cancer care will continue to progress rapidly, highlighting the need to address the financial aspects of such progress and realign organizational priorities to achieve optimal outcomes,” he says.
In his new role, he has been implementing patient-centered cancer care strategies, explaining that few institutions prioritize inclusive care to the level that UT Southwestern does. Key aspects include recognizing that staff members have diverse requirements and abilities, honoring the rights of every person, and involving individuals from various backgrounds and communities in all services.
“Effective teams are built on inclusivity,” Dr. Fleming says. “The cornerstone of fostering inclusivity in health care teams is a backbone of strong leadership.”
Culture of Cooperation
As Deputy Director, Dr. Fleming partners with Carlos L. Arteaga, M.D., Director of Simmons Cancer Center, and Kyle A. Taylor, Associate Vice President of Clinical Cancer Programs, to oversee all of the clinical services provided to cancer patients, along with affiliated services such as psycho-oncology, physical medicine, palliative care, supportive oncology, and genetics counseling. He manages the entire organizational structure, including distributed care sites and financial aspects of care delivery.
“I work alongside our organizational leaders to ensure cooperation across specialties, foster
accountability, and facilitate alignment with strategic priorities,” he explains.
Additionally, in alignment with the Center’s strategic plan, he works to attract and recruit new talent and expert faculty.
“We have a unique organizational culture here that has attracted faculty and researchers of the highest caliber,” Dr. Fleming says. “We grant our teams a high level of autonomy in making decisions about their work and responsibilities. This plays a key role in driving performance.”
Empowering the Next Generation
With over 25 years of leadership experience, Dr. Fleming is passionate about sharing that knowledge, which he says is essential for developing the next generation of administrators.
“Clinicians and researchers are not typically trained in leadership,” Dr. Fleming explains. “In collaboration with other leaders at UT Southwestern, my goal is to equip the best and brightest from within the organization. We want to help our employees advance their careers with us.”
He advises clinicians who are interested in future leadership roles to start taking small steps, like reading the Harvard Business Review or managing a local department. A strong advocate for lifelong learning, Dr. Fleming recommends clinicians and researchers alike treat leadership development as they would academic pursuits.
Putting his own advice into action, he is on track to receive a master’s degree in business administration from the Miami Herbert Business School.
“Just because you excel in surgery or research doesn’t automatically make you a proficient health care administrator,” Dr. Fleming says. “It is important to invest in resources and approach leadership study just like we have learned any other subject.”
Jason B. Fleming, M.D., is Deputy Director for Clinical Affairs at Simmons Cancer Center, where he is a member of the Experimental Therapeutics Research Program. Also a Professor of Surgery at UT Southwestern, he is an internationally recognized surgical oncologist specializing in pancreatic cancer.
Radiation Oncology Clinical Trials Home In on Personalized Treatments
Nonsurgical approaches could transform breast and kidney cancer care.
Collaborating UT Southwestern radiation oncologists and radiologists have been awarded nearly $4 million in combined funding to support new clinical trials in breast and kidney cancer therapies.
Seeking Alternatives to Breast Cancer Surgery
A multiple principal investigator grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) will fund a phase two clinical trial evaluating preoperative stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) at a single fraction of 30 Gy in patients with early-stage estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer.
The trial builds on encouraging preliminary data from an ongoing phase one study that was presented as a late-breaking abstract at the 2023 American Society for Radiation Oncology Annual Meeting. Asal Rahimi, M.D., M.S., Professor of Radiation Oncology at UT Southwestern, is the study’s co-principal investigator with Basak Dogan, M.D., Professor of Radiology and Director of Breast Imaging Research, and Prasanna Alluri, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology.
According to Dr. Rahimi, surgery stands as the cornerstone of treatment for patients with localized
breast cancer. But nonsurgical modalities like SABR could reduce treatment-related side effects while maintaining effective disease control.
“If successful, our study could pave the way for a paradigm shift in treatment by eliminating the need for surgery, providing an alternative option to the current standard-of-care treatment, which is lumpectomy plus sentinel lymph node mapping as well as one to four weeks of breast radiation,” Dr. Rahimi says.
In the trial, patients will be evaluated for lymph node involvement using a novel nonsurgical approach called microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasound prior to SABR. Optoacoustic ultrasound imaging will be used to evaluate a patient’s response.
“Two novel imaging modalities seemed like the best fit for this trial,” Dr. Dogan says. “With the assistance of microbubble ultrasound contrast, the patients could potentially avoid surgical sentinel lymph node biopsy. We could noninvasively detect metastatic nodes without the need for radioactive dye injection, general anesthesia, or surgery. Optoacoustic imaging shows the cancers’ oxygenation status and can help us distinguish patients who are most likely to benefit from SABR as well as detect their response after therapy.”
Dr. Alluri will lead translational studies aimed at understanding the determinants of response or resistance to radiation therapy in breast cancer patients. These studies will employ innovative technologies, such as spatial transcriptomic and proteomic profiling in tumor samples collected from patients participating in this trial.
“Traditionally, patients receive breast radiation to eliminate any residual microscopic disease after they have undergone surgery,” Dr. Alluri says. “This makes it challenging to assess how a certain patient has responded to their radiation treatment as the visible portion of the tumor has already been removed at the time of surgery.
“This novel clinical trial will offer an unprecedented opportunity to unravel the underlying biology that drives the variability in response between patients to breast radiation, thereby enabling us to develop future treatments that are personalized to the individual biology of each patient,” he adds.
Next Generation of Kidney Cancer Immunotherapies
The second clinical trial, called SPARK, will test a novel STING agonist, developed at UTSW, and personalized ultrafractionated stereotactic adaptive radiotherapy (PULSAR®) in combination with immune checkpoint
inhibition in patients with metastatic kidney cancer. It will be co-funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Kidney Cancer SPORE, CPRIT, and ImmuneSensor Therapeutics. Raquibul Hannan, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Radiation Oncology, Immunology, and Urology; Hans J. Hammers, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Internal Medicine; and James Brugarolas, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Kidney Cancer Program and Professor of Internal Medicine, are co-investigators on the trial.
This phase two clinical trial will evaluate combination IMSA101, SABR/PULSAR, and maintenance nivolumab in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) who have been previously treated with immunotherapy.
“We’re setting the stage for the next generation of immunotherapies in RCC where simultaneous activation of the innate and adaptive immune systems unleashes the full anti-tumor potential of immunotherapy,” Dr. Hannan says.
Improving Response to Immunotherapy
According to Dr. Hannan, there is an unmet need in RCC to develop more effective strategies to amplify
Asal Rahimi, M.D., M.S., is Professor of Radiation Oncology at UT Southwestern and a member of the Experimental Therapeutics Research Program at Simmons Cancer Center. She is Chief of the Breast Radiation Oncology Service, Medical Director of the Simmons Cancer Center Clinical Research Office, and Associate Vice Chair for Program Development in Radiation Oncology.
response to immunotherapy. He believes that the simultaneous activation of the innate and adaptive immune systems together with immune system priming by stimulating antigen presentation with SABR/PULSAR could be an effective strategy.
“IMSA101 is a novel activator of the STING pathway,” Dr. Hannan says. “Our study is evaluating the impact of combining innate immune system activation, with the STING activator, that facilitates antigen release and adaptive immune system activation. This is the rationale for combining IMSA101 and PULSAR with maintenance nivolumab.”
In addition to assessing standard efficacy and safety endpoints, the team will perform single-cell RNA sequencing and immune profiling on tumor samples to determine the expression of STING target genes and several additional parameters that would provide insights into the mechanisms of induction of an anti-tumor immune response.
“This will be the first trial to combine a STING agonist with stereotactic radiation for patients with metastatic kidney cancer,” Dr. Hannan says.
Basak Dogan, M.D., is Professor of Radiology in the Breast Imaging Division and Director of Breast Imaging Research at UT Southwestern. She is a Eugene P. Frenkel, M.D. Scholar in Clinical Medicine. She is an affiliate member of the Cellular Networks in Cancer Research Program at Simmons Cancer Center.
Prasanna Alluri, M.D., Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at UT Southwestern and a member of the Experimental Therapeutics Research Program at Simmons Cancer Center. He specializes in the treatment of breast cancer.
Raquibul Hannan, M.D., Ph.D., is Professor of Radiation Oncology, Immunology, and Urology at UT Southwestern, where he serves as Chief of the Genitourinary Radiation Oncology Service. He specializes in the treatment of genitourinary cancers, including kidney cancer, and is a member of the Experimental Therapeutics Research Program at Simmons Cancer Center.
Targeting Phosphatidylserine to Boost Immunotherapy Activity
Adding antibody-based therapeutics shows promise in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center are investigating whether treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be improved by combining existing immunotherapies with a drug that targets a cytoplasmic-facing anionic phospholipid called phosphatidylserine.
New research published in Nature Communications by David Hsieh, M.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology, reveals that the phosphatidylserine-targeting antibody bavituximab may boost the effects of existing immunotherapies without increasing side effects often seen with other drug combinations.
“We hypothesized that targeting phosphatidylserine may be an effective strategy to enhance immunotherapy activity in HCC and other tumors,” Dr. Hsieh says. “The diverse proinflammatory and -immune stimulating effects of bavituximab on tumor cells, immune cells, and stroma point toward possible synergy with immune checkpoint inhibitors.”
“The diverse pro-inflammatory and -immune stimulating effects of bavituximab on tumor cells, immune cells, and stroma point toward possible synergy with immune checkpoint inhibitors.”
— DAVID HSIEH, M.D.
Clinical Trial Shows Promise
Dr. Hsieh and his team tested their hypothesis in a singlearm, phase two trial that evaluated the efficacy and safety of frontline bavituximab plus pembrolizumab in patients with unresectable HCC.
Among 35 patients enrolled in the study, 28 were evaluable for the primary analysis. The investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR) was 32.1%; the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.3 months.
With respect to safety, treatment-related adverse events of any grade occurred in 46% of patients, with grade 3 or greater adverse events in only 14% of patients.
“The ORR was similar to that of other dual immunotherapy approaches in HCC,” Dr. Hsieh says. “The response rate of the combo might be due to genuine synergy but warrants confirmation.”
Insights From Correlative Studies
The researchers also explored pretreatment characteristics of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that might play a role in modulating antitumor immunity.
According to Dr. Hsieh, infiltrating B cells have been associated with tumor response in certain solid tumors treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. These data suggest that B cells may be implicated in mechanisms of cancer rejection.
In contrast to prior research, researchers found that cancers that responded positively to bavituximab and
pembrolizumab were linked to low CD20 expression among immune cells. The results indicate that bavituximab could be effective even in tumors with a low B cell presence.
“Due to the widespread expression of phosphatidylserine and its receptors in active immune cells within the TME, bavituximab has the potential to trigger immune responses that involve multiple immune cell types,” Dr. Hsieh adds.
Next Steps
While these findings are encouraging, additional research is needed to better understand the role of anti-phosphatidylserine agents in combination with immunotherapies over existing treatment regimens. Dr. Hsieh notes that the future clinical development plans for bavituximab and pembrolizumab in HCC are being discussed, but correlative studies are ongoing.
“These studies are likely to reveal more mechanistic insights,” Dr. Hsieh says.
David Hsieh, M.D., is Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Oncology and a member of the Experimental Therapeutics Research Program at Simmons Cancer Center. He specializes in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinomas, and gallbladder cancers and leads clinical trials to test new drugs or drug combinations in these cancers.
Light micrograph section through a liver tissue with a hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of primary liver cancer.
Alex Kim, M.D., Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, at UT Southwestern. He specializes in complex gastrointestinal oncology and advanced cancer management for appendiceal cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and mesothelioma.
HIPEC and Cytoreductive Surgery Combination Shows Promise
A two-step procedure could benefit patients with peritoneal metastases from gastrointestinal or gynecologic malignancies.
UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons
Comprehensive Cancer Center is the first medical center in North Texas to offer a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to treat certain advanced cancers that spread in the belly cavity.
This emerging therapeutic approach for peritoneal metastases from advanced appendiceal, colorectal, gastric, gynecologic, and mesothelial cancers involves surgery to remove visible tumors. It is then followed by a heated chemotherapy bath to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
Alex Kim, M.D., Ph.D., a Eugene P. Frenkel, M.D. Scholar in Clinical Medicine and Assistant Professor of Surgery at UT Southwestern in the Division of Surgical Oncology, specializes in peritoneal surface malignancy and performs cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). He explains that for certain cancers, complete removal of visible cancers during surgery followed by delivery of heated chemotherapy
directly to the affected area can dramatically improve outcomes in patients.
“Patients with peritoneal metastases from gastrointestinal cancers have a grim prognosis,” Dr. Kim says. “Cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC is an aggressive treatment that has demonstrated improved overall survival compared with systemic chemotherapy alone.”
Hope Through Innovation
Dr. Kim is leading a comprehensive and multidisciplinary team at Simmons Cancer Center and is accepting referrals from community physicians. But there is more research to be done. Dr. Kim explains that the field needs to continue to advance with better techniques, the discovery of new drugs, and innovative research.
“The novel treatment strategies are diverse, although many are preliminary and still preclinical,” he says. “New treatments offer patients hope for improved outcomes and quality of life.”
Pioneering Clinical Trials
In addition to his surgical practice, Dr. Kim is pioneering new clinical trials for peritoneal metastases from gastrointestinal malignancies. He and his team will be opening new clinical trials involving mucin-degrading agents as well as evaluating pressurized intraperitoneal chemotherapy for patients who have failed the current standard of care.
“Our goal is to establish these therapies for patients who do not qualify for the current standard of care and otherwise have no options,” Dr. Kim says. “All of these trials will open late 2024 to early 2025.”
Alex Kim, M.D., Ph.D., performs cytoreductive surgery at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital in Dallas.
Bringing Cancer Screenings and Prevention Tools to the Underserved
Fort Worth-based team has screened more than 100,000 underserved Texans since 2010.
Since 2007, UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center’s primary mission via its nonprofit, community-based arm in Fort Worth, Moncrief Cancer Institute, has been to bring cancer prevention and early detection clinical services to uninsured and underinsured patients in North Central Texas.
Keith Argenbright, M.D., Director of Moncrief Cancer Institute and Professor in the Simmons Cancer Center and in the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, is at the helm of this effort, which has screened more than 100,000 people since 2010.
Dr. Argenbright explains that Simmons Cancer Center through Moncrief offers free screenings for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers to rural and medically underserved populations across 67 counties in Texas, with the catchment area covering almost a third of the state.
In addition to leading a dedicated community outreach team, Dr. Argenbright and his team have helped Simmons build a network of rural hospitals and health care providers who regularly refer patients for screenings and follow-up care.
The effort has received nearly $50 million in grant funding over the years from
The two mobile screening clinics used by Moncrief Cancer Institute are equipped with advanced 3D mammography equipment.
the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. It also receives federal funding through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and financial support through foundations and organizations such as the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Reducing Cancer’s Impact
Unsurprisingly, detecting cancer early leads to longterm cost savings. According to Dr. Argenbright, the program saves individuals and health systems between $5 and $6 for every dollar invested.
“Philanthropy allows us to lead efforts to reduce cancer’s impact and close the gaps in cancer screening and support services in North Texas and beyond,” he says.
On the clinical side, many Texans lack access to preventive care and cancer screenings for a variety of reasons, including cost, lack of transportation, limited health literacy, and language barriers, Dr. Argenbright says, explaining that mobile screening clinics remove obstacles to care and help reduce the impact of cancer through early detection.
Simmons Cancer Center through Moncrief utilizes two mobile screening clinics to provide breast, cervical, and prostate screenings for patients across North and Central Texas. The clinics are equipped with private exam rooms and advanced 3D mammography equipment. In 2023, 2,028 patients were screened at 134 mobile screening events, and 248 patients were served through the Primary Care Clinic for Cancer Survivors.
“We began with a modest breast outreach initiative and a small colorectal screening program,” Dr. Argenbright says. “Gradually, we expanded to include more locations and screening sites.”
Keith Argenbright, M.D., is Director of Moncrief Cancer Institute and a Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Simmons Cancer Center, Family and Community Medicine, and the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health. At Simmons Cancer
Center, he is a member of the Population Science and Cancer Control Research Program.
The Rise of Theranostics
Renowned
theranostics
expert discusses the evolution of the field and its expanding applications.
The Division of Nuclear Medicine, working with the UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, has made significant inroads into molecular imaging and therapy for cancer.
Martin Pomper, M.D., Ph.D., Chair and Professor of Radiology at UT Southwestern, has dedicated many years of his life to the development and translation of molecular imaging and theranostic (e.g., therapeutic and diagnostic) agents. His work led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approving the first commercial prostatespecific membrane antigen (PSMA) imaging agent, PYLARIFY® (piflufolastat F 18), in 2021. A drug with a similar chemical structure, PLUVICTO® (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan), which is a PSMA-targeted molecular radiotherapeutic, was approved in 2022. Both are used widely for diagnosing and treating prostate cancers, respectively.
“The field of theranostics is not new. It goes back to the 1940s with the treatment of thyroid cancer with
radioactive iodine. By the 1980s, receptor-based imaging and therapeutic agents – for example, those targeting the estrogen receptor (ER) to image and potentially treat ER-positive breast cancer – were under development. My initial graduate thesis project was to develop Auger electron emitters targeting the ER,” Dr. Pomper says.
Discovering the Target
As a junior faculty member at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Pomper was interested in developing positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents to study glutamatergic neurotransmission in the brain.
“Back in those days I would find targets for imaging by reading the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry or Cancer Research,” Dr. Pomper says. “One that caught my eye was about high-affinity inhibitors for a brain enzyme that generates glutamate, called N-acetylated α-linked acidic dipeptidase (NAALADase).”
Upon further investigation, Dr. Pomper discovered that the brain enzyme was homologous to PSMA. From there, he and his team pivoted from focusing on
Patient
Maria Hernandez discusses theranostics treatment for her neuroendocrine tumor with Orhan K. Oz, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Division of Nuclear Medicine.
“The field of theranostics is not new. It goes back to the 1940s with the treatment of thyroid cancer with radioactive iodine.”
— MARTIN POMPER, M.D., PH.D.
NAALADase in the brain to PSMA in the periphery, specifically to target prostate cancer. Over the next two decades, his group developed a variety of radiohalogenated and radiometalled agents to image and treat prostate cancer by targeting PSMA.
“We discovered that the radioactive small molecules we developed could accurately image PSMA,” Dr. Pomper explains. “The primary indications for PSMA PET are for staging patients with prostate cancer who might have high-risk disease based on biopsy of their primary tumor, and for detecting new lesions in patients with biochemical recurrence, namely, in those who have had their prostate removed but present with a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level measured in blood.”
Commercial Interest Takes Off
According to Dr. Pomper, the acquisition of two startups by a large pharmaceutical company was a key milestone in the renaissance of molecular imaging and therapy for cancer, ultimately leading to the FDA approval of LUTATHERA®, for neuroendocrine tumors, in 2018 and PLUVICTO® in 2022.
“Because of that recent commercial interest, the field has skyrocketed in growth,” he says, with dozens of new companies dedicated to theranostics forming continually. “As for imaging, PYLARIFY® remains a dominant force in the U.S. market. There is also a growing market in Australia, New Zealand, and, more recently, in Europe. Other imaging and theranostic agents targeting PSMA – as well as a wide variety of other key targets in cancer –are under development worldwide.”
Collaboration Will Foster Innovation
Beyond PSMA-targeted radionuclide therapy, Dr. Pomper and his team are also looking at a number of imaging agents to evaluate neuroinflammation and biological processes in the central nervous system. Moreover, he has a keen interest in applying artificial intelligence in radiology, with a focus on using precision imaging agents to predict outcomes and select patients for appropriate therapies.
“In addition to the proliferation of precision imaging and theranostic approaches, in the future, minimally invasive procedures will also become increasingly common so that the work of interventional radiologists will begin to converge with that performed today by surgeons,” Dr. Pomper says. “Precision image-guided, robotassisted biopsies will be routine. We will see more quantitative lesion characterization through photon-counting CT, MR fingerprinting, and an array of new molecular imaging agents against targets identified through proteogenomics.”
Dr. Pomper explains that these advances will result from transdisciplinary collaboration among fields, including biomedical engineering, materials science, chemistry, computer science, informatics, and medicine.
Martin Pomper, M.D., Ph.D., is Chair and Professor of Radiology at UT Southwestern. He holds the Effie and Wofford Cain Distinguished Chair in Diagnostic Imaging. He is an organic chemist specializing in the development and clinical translation of radiopharmaceuticals and molecular radiotherapeutics. He is also a Professor in the Advanced Imaging Research Center and the Department of Biomedical Engineering and a member of the Chemistry and Cancer Research Program at the Simmons Cancer Center.
Dr. Pomper is a coinventor on a U.S. patent covering PYLARIFY® and, as such, is entitled to a portion of licensing fees and royalties generated by this technology. This arrangement has been disclosed to UT Southwestern in accordance with its conflict-of-interest policies.
PSMA-PET images of a patient before (left) and after (right) five infusions of PLUVICTO® (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan). Arrows in the left image point to tumors that are absent on the follow-up scan.
Diagnosis of Rare Cancer Led to Lifesaving Surgery and Access to Clinical Trial Treatment
With the expertise of Jayanthi Lea, M.D., a patient with low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma is now in remission.
Alaine Hardesty knew something was wrong as she became progressively unwell, experiencing loss of appetite, overwhelming fatigue, and debilitating fluid retention that left her legs swollen and abdomen distended.
Despite visiting multiple physicians over a period of six months, she received no answers. The lack of definitive results from an echocardiogram, a colonoscopy, a Pap smear, and an enterovaginal ultrasound left her puzzled.
“I went from traveling, coaching volleyball, and making the most of life to the confines of a chair, unable to move,” Ms. Hardesty says. “After visiting multiple specialists without a diagnosis, I was eventually referred to UT Southwestern.”
At Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, she met with Jayanthi Lea, M.D., Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Chief of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology. “A CT scan showed evidence of metastatic disease,” says Dr. Lea, who ordered a CA-125 blood test and performed surgery that then led to a diagnosis of low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC).
According to Dr. Lea, LGSC is a rare subtype of ovarian carcinoma that has a specific molecular profile, arising de novo or after a serous borderline tumor. The median age at diagnosis for LGSC is 45 years old. Ms. Hardesty was 58 at the time of treatment.
“Distinguishing between LGSC and other histological subtypes of ovarian carcinoma is paramount,” Dr. Lea explains. “The treatments are markedly different. We opt for upfront surgery in LGSC whenever possible, as the response to chemotherapy is inferior to that of other subtypes. LGSCs are also highly sensitive to aromatase inhibitors.”
A Complex Procedure
With a presumed diagnosis of ovarian cancer, Dr. Lea devised a plan for surgery. The procedure would be complex and best handled by a specialized group of gynecologic cancer experts.
“The procedure was lengthy, lasting five to six hours, but we achieved our goal of removing the cancer and draining her fluid,” Dr. Lea says.
Ms. Hardesty had a strong postoperative recovery, and despite her cancer being diagnosed at an advanced stage, she was able to achieve an excellent
Alaine Hardesty is in remission after treatment at Simmons Cancer Center.
outcome that would not have been possible without the right diagnosis and treatment. This story could have easily gone a different direction, Ms. Hardesty says. “Not only did the surgery remove my cancer, but I also dropped 70 pounds in five hours because they drained 23 liters of fluid from my body. I couldn’t believe it.”
Testing a Novel Therapy
The second part of Ms. Hardesty’s treatment involved chemotherapy to prevent a recurrence. Patients at UT Southwestern often have the opportunity to join clinical trials that enable access to treatments not yet widely available. Ms. Hardesty was eligible for a clinical trial in which she would be randomized to receive either the standard chemotherapy or a new adjuvant therapy with the goal of lowering the risk that the cancer would come back.
“Clinical trials play a crucial role in advancing the understanding and treatment of ovarian cancer. This clinical trial was testing an aromatase inhibitor,” Dr. Lea explains. “In the phase three randomized trial, letrozole was compared to standard chemotherapy in women with advanced stage LGSC. It has distinct advantages compared to chemo, like no hair loss, no myelosuppression, and no fatigue.”
Ms. Hardesty joined the clinical trial and received the new agent. Now two and a half years since the surgery, she has regained her quality of life and is once again traveling and coaching volleyball.
“I’m happy to report that I’m in remission and feeling great,” she says. “I’m going off on adventures, making the most of life, and relishing in every moment.”
Jayanthi Lea, M.D., is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UT Southwestern, where she serves as Chief of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology. She specializes in the treatment of ovarian, endometrial, cervical, and other gynecologic malignancies. Dr. Lea is a member of the Experimental Therapeutics Research Program at Simmons Cancer Center and holds the Patricia Duniven Fletcher Distinguished Professorship in Gynecological Oncology.
SIMMONS CANCER CENTER JOINS ACCESSHOPE NETWORK
UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center has joined the AccessHope network to provide more patients living with complex cancer with access to specialized insights on treatments and clinical trials from oncology experts at Simmons Cancer Center.
Founded by City of Hope, AccessHope delivers a cancer benefit to approximately 7 million members through more than 400 employers, bringing the expertise of major medical centers to patients so they don’t have to travel to receive the most innovative cancer expertise.
“Since its inception, AccessHope’s mission has been to deploy the latest cancer care knowledge to the places and people who need it most, when it is most valuable – ensuring that every member, no matter where they live, has access to the best treatment knowledge to meet their unique needs,” says AccessHope CEO Brad Kreick.
Simmons Cancer Center is a foundational partner in the
network, joining six other National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers: City of Hope, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Emory Healthcare and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, and Northwestern Medicine and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
Cancer specialists from Simmons Cancer Center will provide expert clinical insights for AccessHope’s employer plan members and their treating oncologists in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.
“Through our groundbreaking research and exceptional patient care, we strive to ease the burden of cancer in North Texas and beyond‚” says Carlos L. Arteaga, M.D., Professor and Director of Simmons Cancer Center. “By joining forces with AccessHope, we are able to further broaden our impact by providing more patients with recommendations of the most up-to-date and impactful treatments.”
NEWS, HONORS + AWARDS
SARKARIA JOINS UTSW AS CHIEF OF DIVISION OF THORACIC SURGERY
Inderpal Sarkaria, M.D., has joined UT Southwestern as Professor of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery and Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Sarkaria comes to UT Southwestern from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where he held the Endowed Chair of Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery and served in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Dr. Sarkaria is an international leader in thoracic surgery and surgical robotics, having performed more than 2,000 robotic operations, including procedures for several types of cancer, hernias, gastroesophageal reflux disease, thoracic outlet syndrome, and other diseases of the esophagus.
In his new role, Dr. Sarkaria aims to promote UT Southwestern’s world-class care, specifically its multidisciplinary approach with experts from several specialties –including gastroenterology, pulmonology, radiation oncology, and others – to take on complex cases.
“The key at UT Southwestern is that the caregivers in all these fields represent the best of the best in their professions,” he says. “And that is the ‘magic sauce’ when it comes to providing not only the most advanced and up-to-date care, but the right care the first time.”
Arteaga, Mangelsdorf Elected to National Academy of Medicine
Carlos L. Arteaga, M.D., Director of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and Associate Dean of Oncology Programs at UT Southwestern Medical Center, and David Mangelsdorf, Ph.D., Chair and Professor of Pharmacology and Professor of Biochemistry, have been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine.
Dr. Arteaga, also a Professor of Internal Medicine, is recognized for advances in breast cancer research that have led to the development of targeted therapies, including PI3K inhibitors, which slow cancer progression. Dr. Mangelsdorf has made significant contributions to lipid biology, with discoveries that could lead
to new treatments for diabetes, obesity, cancer, parasitism, and more.
“The elections of Dr. Arteaga and Dr. Mangelsdorf to the National Academy of Medicine are a reflection of scientific excellence and the significant contributions they have made, respectively, to the fields of breast cancer research and metabolic disease,” says Daniel K. Podolsky, M.D., President of UT Southwestern and also a member of the NAM.
With the elections, UT Southwestern has 24 members of the National Academy of Medicine – more than any other institution in Texas – along with 25 members of the National Academy of Sciences and 14 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators.
VHL ALLIANCE FAMILY WEEKEND HOSTED IN DALLAS
UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons
Comprehensive Cancer Center partnered with the VHL Alliance to host its 2024 Family Weekend in Dallas. UT Southwestern is a comprehensive clinical care center for von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, as designated by the VHL Alliance, signifying our depth of expertise and experience treating VHL and our dedication to a true team approach for VHL patients.
Carlos L. Arteaga, M.D.
David Mangelsdorf, Ph.D.
from the front lines of cancer care
HONORS MEMBERS OF HAROLD C. SIMMONS COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER
Zhijian “James” Chen, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Biology, has been awarded the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award in recognition of his discovery of the cGAS enzyme. Dr. Chen is a member of the Cellular Networks in Cancer Research Program at Simmons Cancer Center and Director of the Center for Inflammation Research at UT Southwestern
Rodney Infante, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Center for Human Nutrition, has been elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation. Dr. Infante’s research focuses on cachexiaassociated adipose wasting associated with oncologic, liver, infectious, and rheumatologic diseases. He is a member of the Cellular Networks in Cancer Research Program at Simmons Cancer Center.
Jun Wu, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, has been selected to receive the 2024 Outstanding Young Investigator Award from the International Society for Stem Cell Research for his achievements in stem cell research in the early stages of his independent career. Dr. Wu is a member of the Development and Cancer Research Program at Simmons Cancer Center.
James J. Collins III, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology, has been named a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator for his research into schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that infects people in subSaharan Africa and parts of South America and Asia. Dr. Collins is a member of the Development and Cancer Research Program at Simmons Cancer Center.
Andrew Wang, M.D., Professor of Radiation Oncology, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Wang’s work aims to develop novel cancer diagnostics and therapeutics to improve cancer treatment. He is a member of the Chemistry and Cancer Research Program at Simmons Cancer Center.
Suzanne Conzen, M.D., Professor of Internal Medicine, has been appointed to serve as a member of the National Cancer Institute Board of Scientific Advisors. Dr. Conzen’s research focuses on the role of the glucocorticoid receptor in prostate, breast, and ovarian cancers. She is Division Chief of Hematology and Oncology at UT Southwestern.
Kathryn A. O’Donnell, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Molecular Biology, has been appointed chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Lung Cancer Research Foundation. Dr. O’Donnell’s research studies lung tumor development and the regulation of immune checkpoint pathways. She is co-leader of the Development and Cancer Research Program at Simmons Cancer Center.
John Abrams, Ph.D.
Transposon Restriction, Tumor Suppression and p53 Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
Esra Akbay, Ph.D.
Overcoming Therapy Resistance in SCLC, Small Cell Lung Cancer National Cancer Institute
Kiyoshi Ariizumi, Ph.D.
Biomarkers and Mechanisms of Acquired Resistance to Immunotherapy for Renal Cell Carcinoma
U.S. Department of Defense
Carlos L. Arteaga, M.D.
Resistance to CDK4/6 Inhibitors in Estrogen ReceptorPositive Breast Cancer Komen
Robert Bachoo, M.D., Ph.D.
Modulation of Blood-Spinal Cord Barrier for Tumor Treatment Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
Sheena Bhalla, M.D.
Examining Epigenetic Determinants of Racial Disparities in Lung Cancer Screening American Lung Association
Rolf Brekken, Ph.D.
Inhibition of Pleiotrophin to Combat Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis National Cancer Institute
Rolf Brekken, Ph.D., and Jerry Shay, Ph.D.
Translational Cancer Biology T32 Training Program National Cancer Institute
Michael Buszczak, Ph.D., and Vincent Tagliabracci, Ph.D.
Developing Ribosome Biogenesis Inhibitors for the Prevention of Cancer National Cancer Institute
KEY RESEARCH GRANTS
Ling Cai, Ph.D.
Construction of a Lung Cancer Preclinical Model Cross-Comparison Platform National Cancer Institute
Kenneth Chen, M.D.
Developmental Transcription Factors in Drosha-Driven Cancer
National Cancer Institute
Melanie Cobb, Ph.D.
Diversity in Cancer Research
Post-Baccalaureate at UTSW Medical Center
American Cancer Society
Maralice Conacci-Sorrell, Ph.D.
Elucidating the Molecular Functions of the Tryptophan Metabolite Indole-3-Pyruvate The Welch Foundation
Kevin Courtney, M.D., Ph.D.
Identifying and Exploiting Novel Metabolic Vulnerabilities in the Treatment of Kidney Cancer Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
Jef De Brabander, Ph.D.
Benzothiazepines as First-inClass Inhibitors for the Ribogenesis Factor NVL and Evaluation in Preclinical Colorectal Cancer Models Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
Jinming Gao, Ph.D.
Precision Engineering of STING-DC Immunity to Overcome Tumor Immune Evasion National Cancer Institute
Jinming Gao, Ph.D., and Gang Huang, Ph.D.
Tumor-Activatable Interleukin-2 Superkine Nanoparticle Therapy National Cancer Institute
Javier Garcia-Bermudez, Ph.D.
High-Resolution Approaches to Dissect the Role of Subcellular Redox Circuits in Vivo National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Javier Garcia-Bermudez, Ph.D. Targeting Tumor Glycosaminoglycans for Anti-Cancer Therapy American Cancer Society
Joshua Gruber, M.D., Ph.D.
Molecular Mechanisms of VISTA Immunoreceptor in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer National Cancer Institute
Hans Hammers, M.D., Ph.D.
Clinical Trial Site Application for Kidney Cancer Research Consortium U.S. Department of Defense
Raquibul Hannan, M.D., Ph.D.
Maximizing Anti-Tumor Immunity Through Simultaneous Activation of the Innate and Adaptive Immune System Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
Gerta Hoxhaj, Ph.D.
Harnessing the Metabolic Dependencies of Mitochondrial NADK2 as a Therapeutic Strategy for Lung Cancer Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
Amy Hughes, Ph.D., and Rasmi Nair, Ph.D.
Early Onset Colorectal Cancer: From Symptoms to Treatment in a Large, Safety-Net Cohort National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Andrew Koh, M.D.
Investigating the Mechanisms of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy Resistance in Pediatric Solid Tumors V Foundation for Cancer Research
William Kraus, Ph.D.
PARP16-Mediated Ribosome MARylation and Translation Control in Ovarian Cancer Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
William Kraus, Ph.D.
Ribosome MARylation and Stress Responses in Ovarian Cancer: New Therapeutic Opportunities
U.S. Department of Defense
Shuang Liang, Ph.D.
Restoring TREM2-Dependent Efferocytosis to Inhibit ObesityInduced Liver Inflammation and Cancer Development American Institute for Cancer Research
Restoring TREM2-Dependent Efferocytosis to Inhibit ObesityInduced Liver Inflammation and Cancer Development Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
Xin Liu, Ph.D.
Understanding Molecular Crosstalk Between EZHIP and PRC2 in PFA Ependymoma National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Weibo Luo, Ph.D.
Defining the Role of RCOR2 in Hypoxia-Induced Immune Evasion and its Therapeutic Potential in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
U.S. Department of Defense
Targeting DNA Damage Response to Treat Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
U.S. Department of Defense
Jacques Lux, Ph.D.
Ultrasound-Mediated Activation of STING Using a Clinical Scanner for the Immunotherapy of Cancer American Cancer Society
Engineering a Targeted, Acoustically Responsive ImageGuided GBM Immunotherapy American Brain Tumor Association
The following list features grants awarded to Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center members from January 2024 to September 2024 for research that is entirely cancer-specific:
Peter Ly, Ph.D.
Mechanisms of Chromosome Shattering From Defective DNA Replication
National Cancer Institute
Srinivas Malladi, Ph.D.
Uncovering the Molecular Determinants of Metastatic Recurrence and Impaired NK Cell Function
National Cancer Institute
Ram Mani, Ph.D.
Mapping Multivalent Chromatin Interactions to Define the 3D Genome of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
Kevin Mark, Ph.D.
Recruitment of First-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty Members Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
Elisabeth Martinez, Ph.D.
Jumonji Enzyme Action in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Onset
National Cancer Institute
Samuel McBrayer, Ph.D.
Targeted Therapies for Glioma – Project 3: Targeting IDH Mutant Gliomas
National Cancer Institute
David McFadden, M.D., Ph.D., and Joseph Ready, Ph.D.
Targeting Transcriptional Addiction in FusionDriven Sarcoma
National Cancer Institute
Ping Mu, Ph.D.
Deciphering the Impact of ZNF397-Deficiency in Promoting TET2-Driven Epigenetic Rewiring, Lineage Plasticity, and Therapy Resistance in Prostate Cancer National Cancer Institute
Unveiling the Role of UBE2J1 as the E2 Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzyme in Androgen Receptor Degradation National Cancer Institute
Deepak Nijhawan, M.D., Ph.D.
Development of LSS Inhibitors for the Treatment of Glioblastoma
Harrington Discovery Institute
Evan Noch, M.D., Ph.D.
Targeting Cysteine Susceptibility in Glioblastoma
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Martin Pomper, M.D., Ph.D.
Enhanced Imaging and Treatment of Aggressive Subtypes of Prostate Cancer National Cancer Institute
Recruitment of Distinguished Researcher Governor’s University Research Initiative Recruitment
Small Molecule PSMATargeted Alpha Therapy
National Cancer Institute
Multimodal Dendrimer Theranostics Targeting Aggressive Subtypes of Prostate Cancer
National Cancer Institute
Tian Qin, Ph.D.
Targeting PARP1 Trapping to Overcome PARP Inhibitor Resistance for BRCAmut Ovarian Cancer U.S. Department of Defense
Asal Rahimi, M.D., M.S. Towards Non-Operative Management of Early Stage ER-Positive Breast Cancer Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
Ashish Ranjan, Ph.D., B.V.Sc.
Novel Focused Ultrasound Enhanced CalreticulinNanoparticle for Immune Primed Melanoma Immunotherapy
National Cancer Institute
Role of Histotripsy Synergized CD40 Signaling in the Re-Engineering of Cold Tumors
National Cancer Institute
James Stimpson, Ph.D.
The Joint Influence of Health Insurance and Sick Leave on Colon Cancer Screening American Cancer Society
Lu Sun, Ph.D.
Molecular and Genetic Decoding of NeuronGlial Interactions National Institute of Mental Health
Uttam Tambar, Ph.D.
National I-Corps Program: High Throughput Discovery of Protein Degraders
National Science Foundation
Erdal Toprak, Ph.D.
Development of a PlateletBased Electrochemical Assay for Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis
The Welch Foundation
Andrew Wang, M.D.
Tumor Surface Biomarker Independent Targeting of Kidney Cancer to Improve Immunotherapy U.S. Department of Defense
Tissue Engineered OrganSpecific Cancer Metastasis Model for Cancer Research National Cancer Institute
Sam Wang, M.D.
Using Artificial Intelligence to Discover Spatial, Genomic, and Pathologic Biomarkers to Guide and Augment Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy for Gastric Cancer National Cancer Institute
Yingfei Wang, Ph.D.
Targeting DNA Damage Response to Treat Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
U.S. Department of Defense
Tuoqi Wu, Ph.D.
Define the Humoral Immunity in Kidney Cancer Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors U.S. Department of Defense
Lin Xu, Ph.D.
Omics-Based Strategy for Precision Targeting of FusionPositive Rhabdomyosarcoma Sam Day Foundation
Nan Yan, Ph.D.
STING Signaling in Health and Disease
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Tao Yue, Ph.D.
Leveraging the Immune System for the Treatment of Metastatic Osteosarcoma Rally Foundation
Qing Zhang, Ph.D.
JMJD6-DGAT1 Signaling Axis Regulates Lipid Droplets and Tumorigenesis in ccRCC Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
New von Hippel-Lindau, VHL Tumor Suppressor Signaling in Renal Cancer National Cancer Institute
Targeting Acquired Resistance to HIF2a Inhibition in Kidney Cancer American Association for Cancer Research
Tian Zhang, M.D.
Tumor Surface Biomarker Independent Targeting of Kidney Cancer to Improve Immunotherapy U.S. Department of Defense
You Zhang, Ph.D., and Weiguo Lu, Ph.D.
High-Precision Lung Radiotherapy by Intra-Treatment Dynamic ConeBeam CT Imaging and DosimetryGuided Plan Adaptation
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
Yuan Zhu, Ph.D.
Recruitment of Established Investigator Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas
5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-8519
UT Southwestern is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Our team welcomes the opportunity to partner with physicians in the care of patients with cancer.
If you would like to refer a patient to Simmons Cancer Center, please call 214-645-HOPE (4673) or 866-460-HOPE (4673)
Insurance and medical records information are requested with new patients, and we will schedule an appointment within a few days of referral. Once we have been able to schedule a time convenient for your patient, we will notify you.
WHY REFER TO SIMMONS CANCER CENTER
UT Southwestern respects the relationship you have with your patients, and we are committed to open communication throughout the course of treatment. We look forward to collaborating with referring physicians to provide the highest quality of care to your patients.