Impact Report 2026

The University of Illinois Cancer Center is pleased to share our Impact Report 2026. You will see highlights of how our multi-year efforts have led to discoveries and new ways to improve cancer health outcomes for all.

Our pursuit of Excellence in Precision Oncology is rooted in our innovative “community to bench” model that centers community involvement in cutting-edge advances in cancer research, from education, screening, and disease prevention to diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

The Cancer Center is proud to be part of the University of Illinois Chicago and its academic health enterprise, UI Health.

Photo of the University of Illinois Cancer Center building with two medical professionals approaching the front door. — The Cancer Center is located at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and is part of UIC's academic health enterprise, UI Health.

Cancer Center Priorities

Our scientists, the next generation of cancer researchers and physicians we are training, and our communities drive the Cancer Center priorities that coalesce around four transcenter themes and depend on us all working together.

Theme 1: Cancer metabolism and the tumor microenvironment.

Theme 2: Factors that influence cancer risk and outcomes across populations.

Theme 3: Research focused on late-stage cancer and metastatic disease.

Theme 4: Survivorship and reducing recurrence after cancer treatment.

How We Do It

The Cancer Center is organized around three research programs: Cancer Biology, Cancer Prevention and Control, and Translational Oncology.

Our seven working groups foster multi-disciplinary collaborations among scientists in three research programs around prostate, breast, lung, gastrointestinal and liver cancers, as well as cancer metabolism and the tumor microenvironment.

This teamwork results in a wide array of research, discovery, and grants that can lead to new approaches to prevent or treat cancer.

Scientists having a discussion in their laboratory — Cancer Center Director Jan Kitajewski, PhD, (third from left) leads our member scientists and physicians who collaborate across disciplines to prioritize advancing cancer research and treatments for all.

A Cancer Center staff member holding a clipboard and speaking with a community member during a summertime health fair. — Our Community Outreach and Engagement Team meets people where they are to truly understand the needs of our communities.

Meeting Community Needs

We listen to the voices of our communities: those at risk for cancer, those experiencing cancer, and cancer survivors who want to thrive. One way we do this is by conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment every two years to understand the cancer-related health needs and priorities in our communities. Community respondents increased by 36% in 2025 compared to the prior survey.

We depend on the guidance of our Cancer Center Community Advisory Board (CAB), which serves as an essential connection between the Cancer Center and the community, promoting equitable and consistent exchange of information and ideas to address the cancer burden faced by our communities.

Training Future Generations

We believe it is critical to increase the number of trainees, from high school to junior faculty, who pursue cancer research as a career path and are grounded in a commitment to improving cancer health outcomes for all. We also provide training and information on programs that introduce graduate and professional students to cancer-focused education and research. Through strategic partnerships and multiple learning pathways, we support faculty in becoming independent researchers through mentorship and collaboration with multidisciplinary researchers.

Female scientist instructing a female student by zooming in on a computer screen showing images of cells. — Our members mentor students and trainees across all ages to strengthen and empower the next generation of cancer researchers and physicians.

Group photo of the 2025 Cancer Center 5K participants at Curtis Granderson Jr. Stadium at UIC. — Signature events, such as the annual Cancer Center 5K, help to raise crucial funds to support our work.

Thank You For Your Support

The work of the Cancer Center and our scientists is supported by federal research dollars, the State of Illinois, the American Cancer Society, and philanthropic support from individuals, foundations, and corporate donors.

These investments support research, community outreach and engagement, education, seed funding for early-career scientists, investigator-initiated trials, pilot projects, funding for trainees, a collaborative seed grant program managed by UIC's campuswide drug discovery enterprise, and much more.

The exponential growth across all areas of philanthropic support in recent years makes evident a belief in the impact of our researchers and clinicians. For example, a $1.5 million grant from Eli Lilly and Company enables us to address an identified gap in providing trainees with exposure to safety-net healthcare delivery models in an underserved community-based environment. Additionally, gifts to a fund totaling more than $330,000 pay expenses related to the medical treatment of uninsured and underinsured patients at high risk for breast cancer. Named for former Cancer Center Director, Gary D. Kruh, MD, PhD, the fund was initiated by the late former Cancer Center member Richard B. Warnecke, PhD, and his contemporaries to ensure no patient in need of treatment would be turned away.

Impact Report 2026