NRG Oncology Appoints New Leadership for Lung Cancer and Imaging Committees

NRG Oncology, a prominent National Cancer Institute (NCI) National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) group dedicated to advancing cancer treatment through rigorous, multi-institutional clinical research, has announced significant leadership appointments that promise to invigorate its lung cancer and imaging research efforts. These strategic leadership changes align with NRG’s mission to transform cancer care by fostering innovative clinical trials that address some of the most challenging cancers affecting adults today.

Dr. Kristin Higgins has been appointed Chair of the NRG Lung Cancer Committee, an esteemed role critical to guiding future clinical trials and research initiatives focused on thoracic malignancies. Dr. Higgins, a thoracic radiation oncologist at City of Hope and Chief Clinical Officer of the City of Hope Atlanta Cancer Center, brings an impressive portfolio of expertise and experience. Her longstanding involvement with NRG has been marked by impactful contributions, including her role as Principal Investigator on the pivotal NRG-LU005 phase III trial. This landmark study investigated the concurrent addition of atezolizumab, a PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, with standard-of-care chemoradiation for patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer—a particularly aggressive subtype that historically has seen poor prognoses.

The results from NRG-LU005, presented at the 2024 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Plenary Session, revealed how the integration of immunotherapy with chemoradiation failed to significantly improve overall survival in this patient cohort. Despite this, the trial’s rigor and data provide critical insights that refine the direction of future immune-oncology combinations, underscoring the complexity of modulating the tumor immune microenvironment in small cell lung cancer. In addition to her clinical research acumen, Dr. Higgins holds a vital role on the NRG Board of Directors and contributes to several organizational committees, reflecting her dedication to advancing the group’s overall scientific mission.

Dr. Higgins succeeds Dr. Jeff Bradley, a leader who has been instrumental in propelling lung cancer research within NRG and globally. Dr. Bradley’s legacy as Chair is underscored by his dedication to expanding clinical trial accruals and pioneering studies that have broadly influenced thoracic oncology. His continued involvement with NRG ensures that institutional knowledge and momentum will be preserved as Dr. Higgins steps into her new role.

Parallel to the lung cancer leadership change, NRG also announced the appointment of Dr. Karthik Sundaram as the Chair of the NRG Imaging Committee. Dr. Sundaram is an Assistant Professor of Radiology specializing in abdominal imaging at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. He brings extensive expertise in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound technologies, and MR-guided minimally invasive interventions, particularly in the context of prostate cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. His research primarily explores molecular imaging techniques capable of not only detecting but also predicting disease behavior at a cellular and molecular level, epitomizing the next frontier of precision oncology.

Prior to his Chair appointment, Dr. Sundaram had contributed significantly to NRG as a committee member and served as a liaison between the Imaging Committee and the Gynecologic Cancer Committee. He is actively involved as the Imaging Chair of the landmark NRG-GU012 “SAMURAI” trial, which investigates the synergy of stereotactic radiotherapy and immunotherapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma—an evolving paradigm that integrates high-precision radiation with modulated immune responses. Dr. Sundaram also spearheads grant-funded projects developing photoacoustic agents with fluorescent capabilities aimed at enhancing ovarian cancer detection and treatment. His vision is expected to further embed innovative imaging modalities into NRG’s clinical trial infrastructure.

Taking over from Dr. Daniel Pryma, who has provided invaluable leadership in incorporating advanced imaging into NRG trial designs, Dr. Sundaram is poised to reinforce the scientific rigor and translational applicability of imaging research within the organization. Dr. Pryma’s stewardship ensured that imaging considerations were integrated thoughtfully across multiple disease-specific initiatives, enabling more accurate tumor characterization, response assessment, and biomarker development.

Collectively, these leadership transitions reflect NRG Oncology’s commitment to leveraging multidisciplinary expertise to optimize clinical trial design and execution. By situating clinicians and scientists at the helm of their respective committees, the organization fosters an environment focused on translational research breakthroughs that can swiftly influence clinical practice guidelines and improve patient outcomes.

NRG Oncology, established in 2012 through the merger of three legacy cooperative groups, continues to be a powerhouse in collaborative cancer research. Its network includes over 1,300 research sites globally, primarily across North America, representing a comprehensive ecosystem of multidisciplinary investigators encompassing medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, physicists, pathologists, and biostatisticians. Supported primarily through grants from the NCI, NRG executes phase II and III clinical trials that challenge and redefine standards of care across numerous malignancies, emphasizing gender-specific cancers and those localized or locally advanced.

The organization’s commitment to advancing lung cancer and imaging research through these appointments promises new directions in clinical trial innovation and translational science integration. NRG’s Lung Cancer Committee, under Dr. Higgins’ guidance, will harness data-driven approaches and emerging immuno-radiotherapy combinations to address unmet clinical needs in thoracic oncology. Meanwhile, the Imaging Committee, led by Dr. Sundaram, is anticipated to advance the incorporation of cutting-edge imaging technologies and molecular probes into trial protocols, bridging the gap from bench to bedside.

Looking ahead, NRG Oncology encourages participation and leadership within the organization’s committees, inviting collaborative efforts that mobilize expertise and resources dedicated to conquering cancer through superior clinical investigation. These leadership developments underline the dynamic evolution of cancer research at NRG and its sustained influence on the clinical trial landscape.

For professionals interested in contributing to NRG Oncology’s transformative work or assuming leadership roles, current openings are accessible on the NRG website. This call to action aligns with the organization’s collaborative ethos and its vision of cultivating a robust research community committed to translational excellence and improved cancer care worldwide.

News Publication Date: June 2024

Web References:
– https://www.nrgoncology.org/Home/News/Post/nrg-oncology-trial-implies-the-addition-of-atezolizumab-concurrently-to-standard-of-care-does-not-improve-survival-in-limited-stage-small-cell-lung-cancer
– https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Zgf3ulmPLpP5oPgxYFPDl?si=ywmGzaznTU2lM3AJ3Kiwmg
– http://www.NRGOncology.org/Current-Openings