One of the most significant changes is the appointment of Dr. Vinai Gondi as the Chair of the NRG Brain Tumor Committee, effective March 1, 2026. Dr. Gondi, a renowned radiation oncologist and clinician-scientist, specializes in brain tumors, including primary and metastatic lesions. His innovative work on hippocampal avoidance during whole-brain radiotherapy (HA-WBRT) has revolutionized neuro-oncological treatments by minimizing cognitive decline, a common side effect of conventional brain radiation. This technique, tested in landmark clinical trials such as RTOG 0933 and NRG-CC001, exemplifies how precise targeting in radiation oncology can preserve neurological function without compromising tumor control.

Dr. Gondi’s role as Service Line Director of Radiation Oncology at Northwestern Medicine’s Proton Center showcases his expertise in proton therapy, an advanced modality that uses charged particles to deliver radiation with high precision, sparing healthy tissue and reducing toxicity. His leadership in NCI-sponsored phase II and III trials has advanced understanding of both survival benefits and neurocognitive outcomes in brain tumor patients, underscoring the critical balance between therapeutic effectiveness and quality of life. His contributions have also influenced national guidelines through major professional societies including ASTRO, ASCO, and SNO, making him a cornerstone figure in neuro-oncology.

Assuming the Chair position of the NRG Ancillary Projects Committee is Dr. Bridget Koontz, effective November 1, 2025. Dr. Koontz is a distinguished radiation oncologist whose research focuses on genitourinary malignancies, particularly prostate cancer. Her investigations into radiation-induced erectile dysfunction have provided vital insights into minimizing treatment-related toxicity while preserving sexual function, an area of growing importance given the long survivorship of prostate cancer patients. Moreover, she has been at the forefront of research into novel radiopharmaceuticals and the therapeutic challenge of oligometastatic prostate cancer, influencing national clinical trial designs and protocols.

Dr. Koontz’s leadership experience encompasses roles as Medical Director at AdventHealth Cancer Institute and former Chief Medical Officer at GenesisCare USA, highlighting her operational and clinical expertise in radiation oncology services. As Principal Investigator of the ongoing NRG-GU011 “NRG PROMETHEAN” trial, she steers efforts to optimize radiotherapy in patients with limited metastatic disease. Her role embodies the integration of clinical leadership with cutting-edge research aimed at refining personalized cancer therapy.

Dr. Priya Rastogi is set to take the helm as Chair of the NRG Breast Cancer Committee starting March 1, 2026. A professor at the University of Pittsburgh and chief executive of the NSABP Foundation, Dr. Rastogi brings over two decades of experience in medical oncology with a focus on early-stage breast cancer treatment. Her leadership in Phase II and III trials has been instrumental in the adoption of therapies such as trastuzumab for HER2-positive breast cancer and abemaciclib for hormone receptor-positive disease, therapies that have significantly improved survival outcomes.

Her extensive involvement with international research organizations and steering committees reflects her influence on shaping clinical trial design and guidelines. Dr. Rastogi’s dual role as a clinician and researcher allows her to bridge the gap between laboratory research and bedside applications. Her presence on the NRG Board of Directors and auxiliary committees further exemplifies her commitment to fostering translational research that prioritizes patient-centered outcomes.

The appointment of Lisa Lenrow, MBA, as Vice Chair of the NRG Patient Advocate Committee marks an important infusion of patient-centered leadership into the organization. With over 25 years of expertise in biopharmaceutical marketing and patient engagement strategies, Ms. Lenrow’s unique perspective as both a strategic consultant and a caregiver to a brain tumor patient provides her with unparalleled insight into patient advocacy. Her involvement with organizations such as the National Brain Tumor Society and institutional review boards ensures that patient voices are integral to clinical research design and implementation.

Ms. Lenrow’s work extends beyond traditional marketing into health policy, grant review, and public advocacy, demonstrating the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in oncology research. Her contributions help balance scientific pursuits with the lived realities of patients and caregivers, an essential element in enhancing clinical trial accessibility and relevance.

These leadership transitions reflect NRG Oncology’s strategic emphasis on integrating cutting-edge scientific research with patient-centered care delivery. The incoming chairs bring expertise in radiation oncology, medical oncology, translational research, and advocacy, positioning the organization to tackle complex problems in cancer therapy—from neurocognitive preservation in brain tumors to minimizing toxicity in genitourinary cancers, and improving survival in breast cancer.

The outgoing leaders—Dr. Minesh Mehta (Brain Tumor), Dr. Eleftherios ‘Terry’ Mamounas (Breast Cancer), and Dr. Steven Waggoner (Ancillary Projects)—have left a lasting legacy in shaping the committees’ robust research frameworks. Their dedication fostered pivotal clinical trials and collaborative networks that continue to underpin NRG Oncology’s mission.

NRG Oncology remains at the forefront of oncology research as a multi-institutional network conducting translational and clinical studies that directly impact standards of care. Founded in 2012 through the consolidation of the NSABP, RTOG, and GOG programs, NRG brings together a multidisciplinary team spanning medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, physicists, pathologists, and statisticians across more than 1,300 sites worldwide. This comprehensive network facilitates the development of gender-specific and locality-driven cancer interventions, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of treatments.

The evolving leadership will harness this extensive infrastructure, pushing forward investigations with practical clinical endpoints such as survival, toxicity reduction, and quality of life improvements. Their work exemplifies the translation of scientific discovery into tangible benefits for cancer patients and exemplifies the promise of collaborative, multi-center clinical trials under the aegis of the National Cancer Institute’s National Clinical Trials Network.

As these leaders assume their new roles, NRG Oncology’s trajectory towards groundbreaking cancer research and patient-centric innovation is assured. These developments signal exciting advancements for oncology professionals, researchers, and patients globally, fueling hope for more effective, less toxic treatment paradigms in the years to come.

Subject of Research: Leadership changes in oncology research committees; advancements in brain tumor, genitourinary, and breast cancer clinical trials; patient advocacy in cancer research.

Article Title: Transforming Cancer Care: NRG Oncology’s New Leadership Poised to Advance Clinical Research and Patient Outcomes

News Publication Date: Not specified within the provided content.

Web References:
https://www.nrgoncology.org/Current-Openings

Keywords: Cancer research, Clinical research, Brain tumor, Neuro-oncology, Radiation oncology, Prostate cancer, Breast cancer, Clinical trials, Patient advocacy, National Cancer Institute, Neurocognitive outcomes, Radiopharmaceuticals

The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, in collaboration with the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami, is set to unveil a series of pivotal research findings at ASTRO 2025, the premier conference hosted by the American Society for Radiation Oncology. Scheduled from September 27 to October 1, 2025, in San Francisco, these presentations promise to push the boundaries of current radiation oncology practices, introducing innovative techniques and enhanced treatment paradigms.

One of the key highlights involves the integration of connectomics—the comprehensive mapping of neural connections in the brain—with image-guided radiosurgery to revolutionize treatment for classical movement disorders. Markus Bredel, M.D., Ph.D., will lead the presidential symposium elucidating how advanced connectomic data can refine targeting accuracy and improve clinical outcomes in patients suffering from disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. This approach harmonizes high-resolution neuroimaging with radiosurgical precision, enabling modulation of dysfunctional neural circuits while sparing adjacent healthy tissue.

Radiation oncology’s intersection with molecular profiling is another area gaining significant momentum, particularly in the treatment of gynecologic cancers. Amanda Rivera, M.D., will present innovative community outreach initiatives targeting disparities illuminated by molecular diagnostics and targeted therapies. As patient stratification becomes increasingly personalized through genomic insights, these outreach efforts aim to bridge healthcare gaps by tailoring radiotherapy regimens that reflect the nuanced tumor biology exhibited across diverse populations.

Immunotherapy combined with localized radiation therapy is showcasing promising efficacy, especially in refractory hematologic malignancies. Alexandra Dreyfuss, M.D., M.S., will share findings from a multicenter phase II study evaluating pembrolizumab alongside involved site radiation therapy as a viable alternative to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with localized treatment failure post-chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma. The trial underscores the synergy between immune checkpoint inhibition and focused radiation in potentiating anti-tumor responses.

In the realm of prostate cancer, Alan Dal Pra, M.D., will serve as the oral discussant for biomarker breakthroughs that hold potential for early detection, prognostication, and therapeutic stratification. Advances in molecular markers indicative of tumor aggressiveness and treatment responsiveness stand to transform clinical decision-making, promoting precision medicine in a tumor type long reliant on traditional imaging and PSA monitoring.

Medical education and professional development also feature prominently through dedicated quick pitch sessions moderated by Drs. Amanda Rivera and Stuart Samuels. These sessions will dissect the evolving challenges in healthcare access, patient engagement, and radiation therapy customization in head and neck cancers. They highlight the imperative for adaptive education models that incorporate novel fractionation techniques aligned with patient-specific functional outcomes.

A dedicated special session titled “Reclaiming Balance: Evidence-based Strategies for Wellness in Radiation Oncology” will address the occupational health and equitable work environments for radiation oncologists. Led by Crystal Taswell, M.D., this session emphasizes the critical intersection between provider well-being and patient care quality, advocating comprehensive wellness programs engineered to mitigate burnout while fostering diversity and inclusivity in oncology teams.

Exemplifying translational research, several poster presentations delve into advanced imaging and molecular characterization techniques. Abram Abdou, M.S., will present on spectroscopic MRI metabolites and their alterations following radiation therapy in recurrent glioblastoma, a notoriously treatment-resistant brain cancer. This work seeks to decode metabolic shifts post-irradiation that may predict therapeutic response or resistance.

In parallel, Aren Saini, B.S., offers a comparative evaluation of proton versus photon therapy in meningioma and glioma patients, analyzing post-radiation effects with an eye toward optimizing dosimetric profiles to maximize tumor control while minimizing normal tissue toxicity. This study reflects a growing emphasis on leveraging charged particle therapy’s physical advantages for precision treatment.

David Lee, M.D., will showcase dosimetric studies exploring MRI-guided adaptive planning for extended field radiosurgery targeting spinal metastases. The adaptive protocol aims to adjust treatment parameters in real-time to account for anatomical changes and motion, thereby enhancing target coverage and sparing critical structures like the spinal cord.

The identification of radiomic features associated with vaginal stenosis in cervical cancer patients treated with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy is another critical area. Raksha Narasimhan, B.S., will present predictive modeling efforts that integrate quantitative imaging phenotypes with clinical endpoints to forecast late treatment toxicities, facilitating proactive intervention strategies.

Further molecular dissection in early-onset prostate cancer by Raksha Narasimhan emphasizes immune signatures and tumor biology distinct from traditional late-onset forms. Such insights may have profound implications for tailoring radiation and systemic therapies to younger patient cohorts with unique disease trajectories.

Amandeep Mahal, M.D., will delve into peri-pandemic trends in radiation oncology telehealth utilization, leveraging data to assess implications on access, continuity of care, and clinical outcomes. This retrospective study informs future telemedicine integration strategies within comprehensive cancer care frameworks.

The power of high-resolution multiparametric MRI, molecular biomarkers, and digital pathology in detecting early immune responses in prostate cancer patients undergoing radiation and androgen deprivation therapy is brought to the fore by Benjamin Spieler, M.D. This multifaceted approach aims to unlock precise indicators of therapeutic efficacy and resistance pathways.

Collectively, the slate of presentations from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Miller School of Medicine encapsulates a multidisciplinary push toward more personalized, efficacious, and equitable radiation oncology. By threading together cutting-edge neuroimaging, molecular profiling, immunotherapy integration, and wellness strategies, these efforts are poised to redefine standards of cancer care while addressing systemic challenges within the specialty. ASTRO 2025 is expected to serve as a catalytic platform for these transformative insights, advancing both scientific knowledge and clinical practice.

Subject of Research: Innovations and advancements in radiation oncology encompassing connectomics-guided radiosurgery, molecular profiling in gynecologic and prostate cancers, immunotherapy-radiation synergy in Hodgkin lymphoma, and wellness strategies in oncology practitioners.

Article Title: Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Unveils Pioneering Radiation Oncology Research at ASTRO 2025

News Publication Date: Not specified

Web References:
– ASTRO 2025 official session links (references embedded in presentation titles)

Image Credits: Photo by Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Keywords: Radiology, Cancer research