Cancer


Involved in national research for more than 40 years, Carle offers our patients access to innovative ways to face cancer through clinical trials and translational research.


Cancer Research

Our oncologists actively lead and participate in investigator-initiated research studies, often in collaboration with faculty members at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This underscores our commitment to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care. Some of our current research projects include:

  • Spectroscopic imaging for precise pathological diagnosis of breast and endometrial cancers
  • Innovative approaches for non-invasive detection of head and neck cancer using saliva samples
  • Investigations into blood biomarkers to enhance breast cancer diagnostics
  • Using machine learning tools for outcome prediction in patients with brain tumor
  • Assessing the role of urinary bacterial population in prostate cancer

In collaboration with the Cancer Center at Illinois, our physicians co-mentor graduate students, providing the clinical direction needed for translational research projects. Oncologists also engage in research projects led by residents and by students from the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, further showcasing our commitment to nurturing the next generation of medical researchers and promoting a culture of innovation and discovery.

NCORP

Since 1983, Carle has been one of 32 designated National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Programs (NCORP), a national network that brings cancer clinical trials and care delivery studies to people in their own communities.

Research led by NCORP investigators is aimed at reducing cancer risk and incidence, improving cancer care outcomes, expanding access to cancer care, increasing quality, balancing cost and reducing cancer disparities.

We are recognized as an elite cancer research facility and have special access to a large number of clinical trials, with more than 100 trials enrolling patients at any given time.

The NCORP grant supports current studies in cancer screening, treatment, symptom management, diet, nutrition, exercise and scores of other trials, and allows us to expand participation to more rural and underserved areas within our Illinois and Indiana regions. View the list of our affiliate sites. It also supports Carle team members as they develop new trials to better understand cancer care delivery and to better support patients and families.

ECOG-ACRIN

Carle is a member of the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (ECOG-ACRIN), a scientific network of academic and community-based cancer centers and hospitals in the United States and around the world that designs and conducts cancer research involving adults who have or are at risk of developing cancer.

Five overarching scientific themes drive all of the Group's research:

  • Precision oncology
  • Immunotherapy
  • Reducing over-treatment and over-diagnosis
  • Leveraging novel biomarker platforms and matched novel therapies
  • Advancing standards of care in broad populations of cancer patients and those at risk

Collaboration with University of Illinois

The University of Illinois and Carle have a biomedical research alliance to create innovative translational solutions in diagnostics, imaging, materials, and drug delivery. Researchers from Carle and the Cancer Center at Illinois share space in the Biomedical Research Center at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, working jointly to address cancer health.