Dr. Lewis’s distinguished career is characterized by her extensive involvement in clinical trials that have shaped current understanding and treatment paradigms for malignancies affecting solid and blood-forming tissues. Before stepping into her new role at NCCN, she served as Senior Clinical Program Leader at Novartis Pharmaceuticals, where she facilitated the development and strategic direction of cutting-edge oncologic treatments. Her academic tenure included associate professorships at several renowned cancer centers, where she contributed to the education of a new generation of clinical investigators and the advancement of cancer biology knowledge.

Her educational journey is equally formidable, with degrees from Penn State University and Temple University School of Medicine, followed by specialized training at Rutgers University. Dr. Lewis completed her residency at the University of Rochester, a hub for clinical innovation, before undertaking fellowship at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, which notably is one of the founding Member Institutions of NCCN. This deep institutional affiliation adds a rich layer of continuity and historical perspective to her leadership.

The NCCN’s CEO, Dr. Crystal S. Denlinger, underscored the import of this appointment by highlighting the increasing complexity of cancer research and the critical need for leadership that can bridge scientific discovery with practical clinical applications. She expressed confidence that Dr. Lewis’s visionary outlook would enhance NCCN’s research programming and guideline development, especially as these are crucial in defining standard-of-care treatments and clinical decision support across oncology disciplines on an international scale.

In her role as CSO, Dr. Lewis will provide pivotal oversight and strategic guidance to several core NCCN initiatives. Among these are the NCCN Oncology Research Program (ORP), a collaborative platform fostering novel research designs and dissemination of findings; the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology®, which are the bedrock of evidence-based cancer management protocols; and the NCCN Guidelines for Patients®, aimed at empowering patients and caregivers with accessible, authoritative cancer information. Her stewardship will also extend to specialized compendia such as the NCCN Biomarkers Compendium®, NCCN Radiation Therapy Compendium™, and the NCCN Imaging Appropriate Use Criteria™, which collectively serve as critical resources for precision medicine and diagnostic standardizations.

Dr. Lewis’s appointment comes at a time when oncology is undergoing rapid transformation due to advances in genomics, immunotherapy, and personalized medicine. The integration of biomarker-driven treatment protocols, radiotherapeutic innovations, and imaging criteria under her supervision promises to reinforce NCCN’s role as a vanguard in oncologic guidelines and research. Her involvement in NCCN’s Continuing Medical Education Program further underscores a commitment to ongoing professional development and dissemination of state-of-the-art knowledge throughout the clinical community.

Highlighting her exceptional contributions to the field, Dr. Lewis has been honored with accolades from premier organizations including the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and the American Cancer Society (ACS). These recognitions reflect her impactful work not only in advancing therapeutic research but also in shaping clinical practices that influence treatment paradigms across the oncology landscape.

Dr. Lewis succinctly expressed her enthusiasm for the role, emphasizing her dedication to building upon NCCN’s legacy of fostering accessible, evidence-based cancer care. She articulated a forward-looking vision to confront emerging challenges in oncology by nurturing collaboration among clinicians, researchers, and patient communities, thereby catalyzing innovative solutions that transcend geographical and institutional boundaries.

The transition of leadership from Dr. Denlinger, who adeptly balanced her previous role as CSO before assuming the CEO position, to Dr. Lewis ensures continuity in strategy and a seamless augmentation of NCCN’s scientific mission. Dr. Lewis’s expertise and leadership qualities align with the organization’s objectives to integrate cutting-edge scientific insights with clinical application, ultimately enhancing the efficacy, equity, and accessibility of cancer care worldwide.

As a non-profit alliance of leading cancer centers, NCCN’s commitment is embodied in its comprehensive clinical practice guidelines that serve as the global gold standard for oncology treatment protocols. The guidelines and complementary resources developed under the leadership of the CSO influence clinical policies, shape healthcare delivery, and support patient education efforts, making NCCN a cornerstone of the cancer research and care ecosystem.

Dr. Lewis’s tenure heralds an era where novel cancer therapies and diagnostic modalities will be harmonized within NCCN’s framework, ensuring that innovations are rapidly translated into clinical practice with robust evidence backing. This transition reflects the increasing complexity and scope of oncology, requiring dynamic leadership equipped to navigate advances in molecular biology, clinical trial design, and health policy.

Indeed, the appointment of Dr. Nancy L. Lewis as NCCN’s Chief Scientific Officer is a milestone with implications far beyond the organization itself. It signifies a commitment to strategic scientific stewardship, fostering interdisciplinary research collaborations, and maintaining clinical relevance amidst the rapidly evolving oncology landscape. Her leadership is anticipated to catalyze groundbreaking discoveries, enhance guideline development processes, and ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of reducing the global burden of cancer through improved, evidence-based care.

Subject of Research: Cancer research focusing on solid tumors and hematologic malignancies; clinical trials; oncology guidelines; translational research in oncology.

Article Title: Nancy L. Lewis, MD, Named Chief Scientific Officer of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network: Advancing Innovation in Cancer Research and Clinical Practice

News Publication Date: April 9, 2026

Web References:
– https://www.nccn.org
– https://www.nccn.org/education-research/nccn-oncology-research-program/orp-main-page
– https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-process/about-nccn-clinical-practice-guidelines
– https://www.nccn.org/patientresources/patient-resources/guidelines-for-patients
– https://www.nccn.org/compendia-templates/compendia/biomarkers-compendium
– https://www.nccn.org/compendia-templates/compendia/radiation-therapycompendium
– https://www.nccn.org/compendia-templates/compendia/imaging-appropriate-use-criteria-nccn-imaging-auc

Image Credits: NCCN

Keywords: Cancer research, Oncology, Clinical trials, Solid tumors, Hematologic malignancies, Translational research, NCCN Guidelines, Biomarkers, Radiation therapy, Imaging criteria, Cancer care innovation, Clinical practice standards, Biomedical research, Continuing medical education

Colorectal cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early and accurate detection is pivotal to improving patient outcomes, yet conventional screening methods such as colonoscopy are invasive, costly, and often met with patient reluctance. Addressing these challenges, the new diagnostic pipeline leverages advanced computational biology to analyze biomolecular signals derived from blood samples. The platform integrates metabolite profiling and transcriptomic data, illuminating the metabolic disruptions associated with the presence and progression of colorectal cancer with unprecedented precision.

At the heart of this effort is a sophisticated bioinformatics pipeline, named PANDA, an acronym encompassing Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), and Discriminant Analysis (DA). This hybrid strategy capitalizes on the strengths of both PLS-DA, which excels at identifying overarching molecular differences in complex datasets, and ANN, which enhances predictive accuracy by isolating critical biomarker candidates within noisy biological data. This complementary methodology mitigates the limitations inherent in either approach when used independently, culminating in a robust, nuanced analysis platform.

The research team meticulously analyzed over a thousand biological samples, including 626 collected from individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer, some harboring high-risk genetic mutations known to influence disease susceptibility. These samples were compared against 402 age- and gender-matched controls devoid of the disease. Importantly, all biological specimens originated from well-curated biobanks associated with large-scale initiatives such as The Ohio Colorectal Cancer Prevention Initiative (OCCPI) and the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center’s clinical laboratory biobank. The expansive sample size and rigorous cohort matching imbue the study with substantial statistical power and potential for generalizability.

Metabolites, which are small molecules serving as intermediates and products of cellular metabolism, were profiled to elucidate the biochemical alterations characteristic of colorectal cancer states. Concurrently, transcriptomic data provided a readout of RNA expression dynamics, bridging the genomic blueprint with functional protein synthesis outcomes. This dual-omics approach allowed the researchers not only to identify distinctive molecular signatures differentiating cancer patients from healthy individuals but also to track metabolic shifts correlated with disease severity and progression.

One particularly striking finding pertained to purine metabolism, a biochemical pathway integral to DNA synthesis and degradation. The study detected heightened purine pathway activity in colorectal cancer patients compared to healthy counterparts. Intriguingly, this activity diminished as tumor stages advanced, suggesting a nuanced metabolic reprogramming underpinning tumor evolution. Such observations offer not only diagnostic insights but also mechanistic clues into tumor biology, opening avenues for targeted therapeutic intervention.

While traditional diagnostic metrics rely heavily on pathological examination and protein biomarkers, the application of metabolites as diagnostic indicators introduces a transformative paradigm. Metabolites can respond dynamically and rapidly to physiological changes, potentially enabling clinicians to evaluate treatment efficacy in near real-time. The PANDA platform could thus detect if a patient is responding favorably to a given chemotherapeutic agent earlier than conventional methods allow, facilitating personalized treatment adjustments and enhancing clinical outcomes.

Despite these promising advances, the researchers emphasize that this novel diagnostic pipeline is not designed to supplant colonoscopy, which remains the gold standard for colorectal cancer detection. Rather, it is envisioned as a complementary tool that could augment screening programs, provide supplementary diagnostic confidence, and monitor therapeutic responses noninvasively. Further validation studies, including larger cohorts and diverse populations, are planned to refine the pipeline’s accuracy and clinical applicability.

From a technical standpoint, integrating PLS-DA and ANN into a unified model was no trivial task. PLS-DA reduces the dimensionality of the metabolomic data while preserving variance associated with class separation, which is vital for distinguishing between cancerous and non-cancerous profiles. Subsequently, the ANN component enhances the system’s ability to discern subtle patterns by learning nonlinear relationships within the data. Iterative training and cross-validation ensured that the model balanced sensitivity and specificity, crucial parameters for any clinically deployable diagnostic assay.

The significance of analyzing metabolites in conjunction with transcriptomic data cannot be overstated. Metabolites reflect the immediate biochemical milieu of cells, while transcriptomes represent regulatory layers influencing protein abundance and function. By capturing this molecular interplay, the research provides a comprehensive snapshot of disease state, bridging genotype and phenotype in an integrative fashion. This holistic approach holds promise beyond colorectal cancer, potentially impacting diagnostics in other complex diseases driven by metabolic dysregulation.

However, the complexity of biomarker discovery is compounded by interindividual variability in metabolism influenced by age, gender, diet, genetics, and environmental exposures. The Ohio State team addressed this by utilizing carefully matched controls and leveraging high-throughput metabolomics technology to mitigate confounding factors. Yet, they acknowledge that the “finicky” nature of some metabolic markers and inherent biological noise necessitate ongoing refinement of the computational models and validation across broader demographic groups.

The molecular discoveries presented in this study also invite mechanistic exploration. The observed purine metabolic shifts may reveal vulnerabilities exploitable for pharmacological intervention. Understanding how these metabolic pathways are rewired during tumor progression could inform novel therapeutic targets or combination strategies designed to disrupt cancer cell survival and proliferation.

Funding for this pioneering study was provided by multiple sources, including the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, an Ohio State University fellowship, and Pelotonia — a community-driven cancer research fundraising initiative supporting statewide cancer projects like OCCPI. Additionally, institutional support through the Provost’s Scarlet and Gray Associate Professor Program bolstered the investigative team’s efforts, underscoring the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of this research endeavor.

Looking ahead, the researchers are committed to expanding their biomarker pipeline by incorporating additional types of biological signals and refining bioinformatics algorithms to enhance robustness and predictive power. These advances aim to pave the way for more effective, personalized diagnostic and monitoring tools in colorectal cancer care, ultimately contributing to improved patient survival and quality of life.

In sum, this novel application of machine learning to metabolomics in colorectal cancer diagnosis exemplifies the convergence of cutting-edge computational methods with biochemical research. The PANDA platform not only heralds a promising direction for noninvasive cancer diagnostics but also exemplifies how integrating multi-omic data can unlock deeper understanding of disease mechanisms and foster innovative approaches to clinical management.

Subject of Research: Metabolic Biomarker Discovery and Machine Learning for Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Monitoring

Article Title: Novel machine-learning bioinformatics reveal distinct metabolic alterations for enhanced colorectal cancer diagnosis and monitoring

Web References:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/imo2.70003
https://cancer.osu.edu/for-patients-and-caregivers/learn-about-cancers-and-treatments/cancers-conditions-and-treatment/cancer-types/gastrointestinal-cancers/colon-cancer
https://cancer.osu.edu/for-patients-and-caregivers/learn-about-cancers-and-treatments/specialized-treatment-clinics-and-centers/colorectal-cancer-center/genetics-and-hereditary-colorectal-cancer-syndromes
https://cancer.osu.edu/our-impact/community-outreach-and-engagement/statewide-initiatives/statewide-colon-cancer-initiative
https://www.pelotonia.org/

References: DOI: 10.1002/imo2.70003, iMetaOmics Journal

Keywords: colorectal cancer, machine learning, metabolomics, biomarker discovery, PANDA pipeline, metabolic profiling, cancer diagnostics, artificial neural networks, partial least squares-discriminant analysis, purine metabolism, transcriptomics, personalized medicine

One of the forefront efforts at Sylvester is a newly launched clinical trial targeting high-grade neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). These aggressive malignancies present substantial therapeutic challenges due to their rarity and complex biological behavior, which have historically limited treatment advancements. Led by Aman Chauhan, M.D., director of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Program, the study explores an innovative therapeutic strategy combining immunotherapy with direct intratumoral injections of oncolytic viruses. This dual approach leverages the immune system’s ability to recognize and eradicate cancer cells while simultaneously utilizing virus-mediated oncolysis to disrupt tumor integrity. The trial heralds a fresh paradigm in NET management and aspires to set new standards for outcomes in this underserved patient population.

In the domain of kidney cancer, Sylvester researchers are elucidating the intricate metabolic pathways that define renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the predominant subtype of kidney cancer. Supported by a $400,000 Sylvester Team Science Award, a multidisciplinary team integrates molecular biology, clinical intervention, and nutrition science to dissect the metabolic dependencies that RCC exploits. Spearheaded by Tracy Crane, Ph.D., R.D.N., this work capitalizes on cutting-edge dietary interventions designed to modulate tumor metabolism and potentially circumvent adaptive resistance mechanisms. By unraveling these metabolic idiosyncrasies, the research promises to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets, thus repositioning metabolic modulation at the heart of RCC treatment strategies.

Enhancing patient access to comprehensive cancer care remains a central aim for Sylvester, exemplified by the expansion of radiation oncology services at their Plantation campus. This 40,000-square-foot facility now offers a full spectrum of non-surgical oncologic therapies, providing residents of Broward County with streamlined access to advanced radiation treatments without the need to travel to the Miami main campus. As the region’s sole National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, Sylvester’s decentralization of services underscores its dedication to patient-centered convenience, equity, and multidisciplinary collaboration in oncologic care delivery.

A landmark regulatory development has further transformed the landscape of multiple myeloma clinical research. In April 2024, an FDA advisory committee endorsed the use of minimal residual disease (MRD) as a surrogate endpoint amenable to accelerated drug approval pathways. MRD assesses the minute population of cancer cells persisting after treatment, offering a highly sensitive metric of therapeutic efficacy far beyond traditional response criteria. C. Ola Landgren, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Sylvester Myeloma Institute, was instrumental in advocating for this paradigm shift. His research rigorously validated MRD as a prognostic and predictive biomarker, setting the stage for expedited introduction of novel myeloma therapies predicated on molecular remission rather than conventional clinical endpoints.

On the frontier of computational biology, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center has unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI) model that proficiently predicts DNA methylation patterns—epigenetic modifications essential for controlling gene expression. Published in Science Advances, this work highlights how machine learning can decode the genome’s complex methylation landscape, pinpointing regulatory marks that dictate cellular identity and malignancy. Maria “Ken” Figueroa, M.D., associate director of translational research, emphasizes the critical importance of epigenetic profiling in distinguishing between benign and cancerous cells. This AI-driven insight holds transformative potential for diagnostics, prognostication, and the design of epigenetic therapies.

Understanding cancer’s metabolic demands extends beyond kidney malignancies to a broader biological inquiry into tumor cell “greed.” Priyamvada Rai, Ph.D., co-leader of Sylvester’s Tumor Biology Program, investigates how cancer cells’ voracious consumption of nutrients and metabolic rewiring create exploitable vulnerabilities. Her research delineates the biochemical pathways preferentially used by tumors—such as altered glucose and amino acid metabolism—and explores therapeutic interventions that disrupt these processes while sparing normal tissues. This metabolic exploitation strategy offers a paradigm shift in precision oncology, wherein therapeutic windows are defined by cancer-specific metabolic dependencies, minimizing collateral damage to healthy cells.

Collectively, Sylvester’s multifaceted initiatives illustrate the center’s leadership in integrating clinical innovation, molecular research, and patient-centered care. The proactive launching of novel trials, dietary metabolic interventions, expanded accessible services, regulatory science involvement, AI-enabled genomic mapping, and tumor metabolism exploration exemplify a comprehensive assault on cancer’s biological complexity. Each research thread complements the others, weaving a robust fabric of translational science that bridges laboratory findings directly to patient therapies.

The clinical trial combining immunotherapy with oncolytic viral vectors represents a particularly exciting frontier, as it seeks to harness two powerful modalities synergistically. Oncolytic viruses selectively infect and lyse cancer cells, releasing neoantigens that stimulate the host immune system. When paired with immune checkpoint inhibitors or other immunotherapeutics, this dual action can potentially elicit durable tumor regression even in refractory disease. Early data from this trial could revolutionize therapeutic algorithms for high-grade neuroendocrine cancers that currently lack effective systemic options, offering new hope to a historically underserved cohort.

Sylvester’s kidney cancer metabolic research is also pioneering, particularly through its innovative application of dietary modulation as a complement to molecular characterization. By manipulating nutrient availability, researchers aim to disrupt tumor-specific metabolic pathways, potentially sensitizing cancers to systemic agents or overcoming intrinsic resistance. This approach reflects an emerging field known as metabolic precision oncology, where patient-specific metabolic profiling may guide customized therapeutic regimens—akin to molecularly targeted therapies but focused on metabolic phenotypes.

The center’s expansion of radiation oncology services exemplifies an equally important focus on healthcare accessibility and system-level improvement. By offering comprehensive oncologic therapies in community-based settings, Sylvester minimizes logistical burdens for patients and fosters earlier intervention, adherence, and multidisciplinary collaboration. This strategic decentralization aligns with a growing recognition that effective cancer care depends as much on delivery infrastructure as on novel therapies.

The adoption of minimal residual disease as a clinical trial endpoint for multiple myeloma heralds broader implications for hematologic cancers. MRD’s sensitivity transforms response assessment from morphological to molecular levels, enabling more precise determination of disease eradication. This shift not only accelerates drug development but also informs clinical decision-making, such as therapy de-escalation or intensification based on MRD status. Sylvester’s pivotal role in these regulatory discussions underscores the importance of academic-industry-government partnerships in shaping future oncology standards.

In the genomic and epigenetic realm, the AI model mapping DNA methylation advances our ability to interpret the human genome’s functional regulation. Epigenetic alterations like methylation contribute substantially to oncogenesis by silencing tumor suppressor genes or activating oncogenes, but deciphering their genome-wide distribution and impact is challenging through conventional methods. Through machine learning, Sylvester scientists can now predict methylation landscapes with unprecedented accuracy, enabling new biomarkers for early detection and defining novel therapeutic targets within the epigenome.

Finally, the tumor metabolic research led by Dr. Rai addresses one of cancer’s most fundamental hallmarks: its altered metabolism. By dissecting how malignant cells exploit metabolic pathways differently from normal counterparts, this work promises interventions that can selectively starve tumors or impair their biosynthetic capabilities. Such strategies could synergize with existing chemotherapies and immunotherapies, constituting a new armory in oncologic precision medicine.

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s April 2025 tip sheet encapsulates a holistic, forward-looking vision that integrates cutting-edge science with patient-centered care innovations. Through diverse yet interconnected research and clinical initiatives, the center not only pushes scientific boundaries but also ensures that discoveries translate into tangible benefits for patients across the cancer care continuum.

Subject of Research: High-Grade Neuroendocrine Tumors, Kidney Cancer Metabolism, Radiation Oncology Access Expansion, Minimal Residual Disease as a Clinical Endpoint in Multiple Myeloma, AI Prediction of DNA Methylation, Cancer Cell Metabolic Vulnerabilities.

Article Title: Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Advances April 2025: Clinical Trials, Metabolism, AI, and More in Cancer Innovation

News Publication Date: April 2025

Web References:

• https://news.med.miami.edu/clinical-trial-opens-for-patients-with-high-grade-neuroendocrine-cancer/
• https://news.med.miami.edu/new-team-science-award-aims-to-unlock-mysteries-of-kidney-cancer/
• https://news.med.miami.edu/sylvester-comprehensive-cancer-center-plantation-expands-with-radiation-oncology/
• https://news.med.miami.edu/cancer-research-in-the-wake-of-a-key-fda-decision-on-minimal-residual-disease/
• https://news.med.miami.edu/ai-model-finds-marks-on-dna/
• https://news.med.miami.edu/q-and-a-with-cancer-researcher-priyamvada-rai-ph-d/

References:

• AI methylation study published in Science Advances: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt4152

Image Credits: Photo by Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Keywords: Kidney cancer, Clinical trials, Food science, Clinical research, Artificial intelligence, Genomic DNA, DNA methylation, Multiple myeloma, Cancer research