2023 Highlights
In the past year, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center has made significant advances in cancer care and research and in serving patients in the Bronx, Westchester, and lower Hudson Valley. By emphasizing a robust integration of clinical and translational research, we have accelerated scientific breakthroughs and specialized treatments for over 200 types of cancer and have significantly improved patient outcomes. Our 2023 NCI designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center acknowledges our excellence in research and patient care, positions us as a national model for community outreach, engagement, and catchment area research, and reflects our deep commitment to advancing biomedical research and serving our diverse community.
DATA & STATISTICS
MECCC by the numbers
See how the past few years have been a remarkable time of vision and growth
Explore the numbers
$53M
in cancer-related research funding
1,000+
patients enrolled in clinical research studies
400
papers published annually in high impact peer-reviewed journals
200+
types of cancer treated
Team News
Maria Soledad Sosa, PhD
Assistant Professor, Microbiology & Immunology, Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Roger L. Chang, PhD
Assistant Professor, Systems & Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Lindsay M. LaFave, PhD
Assistant Professor, Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Satish K. Nandakumar, MBBS, PhD
Assistant Professor, Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Maria Marianovich, PhD
Assistant Professor, Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Praveen Agrawal, PhD
Assistant Professor, Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Fernand Bteich, MD
Attending Physician, Medical Oncology, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center
Assistant Professor, Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
David B. Levitz, MD
Attending Physician, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center
Assistant Professor, Hematology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Innovations, Honors, and Achievements
Cancer Center Director Chu Elected to Association of American Cancer Institutes' Board of Directors
Edward Chu, MD, MMS, Director of Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, has been elected by the members of the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) to serve on their board of directors. AACI, which represents 100+ academic and freestanding cancer research centers in the United States and Canada, strives to increase the impact of academic cancer centers and increase health equity.
- Read moreRedefining Comprehensive Lung Cancer Care at Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer CenterMontefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Lung Cancer Team is making remarkable strides in improving early detection and outcomes in lung cancer. The team has increased enrollment in its lung cancer screening program and high-risk pulmonary nodule clinic by over 50% since 2019, enabling the diagnosis of lung cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages.
Britta Will, PhD, Receives Prestigious Lymphoma & Leukemia Scholar (LLS) Award
Dr. Will, co-leader of MECCC’s Stem Cell and Cancer Biology Research Program and Associate Professor of Cell Biology and Oncology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, is studying how protein turnover and metabolism mediate cellular drug resistance mechanisms in acute leukemic cells. The five year LLS Scholar Award supports rising stars in the blood cancer research field.
Demystify Lifesaving Colorectal Cancer Screening Through Community Events in the Bronx
When detected early, colorectal cancer is one of the most treatable cancers. To help dispel myths, encourage early detection and save lives, MECCC Screening Program partnered with New York GI Center (NYGI), the Westchester Bronx Society of Black Physicians and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East on a series of events in March (Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month). The overarching goal to reach as many people as possible is aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of screening.
Brendon M. Stiles, MD, Appointed as International Director for the European Society of Thoracic Surgery Board
Brendon M. Stiles, MD, Chief, Thoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Montefiore Einstein, Associate Director, Surgical Oncology, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Professor, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, was appointed in May as International Director for the European Society of Thoracic Surgery (ESTS) Board—the only North American surgeon on the board. The ESTS is the largest international general thoracic surgery organization.
Lindsay M. LaFave, PhD, Notified of Three Prestigious Awards in Three Months
Dr. LaFave has been honored with a remarkable number of prestigious awards and grants: MECCC’s Dempsey Scholar Award, AACR Career Development Award in Lung Cancer Research, and the V Foundation's 2023 V Scholar Program. Dr. LaFave is a member of MECCC’s Stem Cell and Cancer Biology Research Program.
David Loeb, MD, PhD, Honored with Sarcoma Foundation of America’s Nobility in Science Award
This award is given annually to a "visionary" and leading sarcoma researcher who has contributed in a significant way to the advancement of the science, care, and treatment of this condition. Dr. Loeb is Chief of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Cellular Therapy, Professor of Pediatrics and Developmental and Molecular Biology, and a member of the MECCC Tumor Microenvironment & Metastasis Research Program. He accepted the award at the Stand Up to Sarcoma Gala on September 19.
Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center is honored to be recognized for its unique and special contributions as one of the nation’s 56 comprehensive cancer centers.
Research Review
Improving care and outcomes through research
We continue to publish on a wide variety of topics, including CAR T-cell therapies, new cancer therapies and the impact of COVID-19 on cancer patients.
Clinical Trials
We focus on clinical research studies for the types of cancers that most commonly affect our community—lung cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer. More than 80% of patients enrolled on MECCC clinical trials are from underrepresented groups. However, our clinical investigators are conducting research in many other types of cancer as well, and all patients have access to novel cutting-edge agents through our clinical trials. Given the promising results of CAR-T therapy in blood cancers, our Phase I team is now focused on bringing this remarkable treatment to patients with solid tumors (breast cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer).
Highlights from our current 300+ active clinical trials include:
A Study of SNDX-5613 in R/R Leukemias Including Those With an MLLr/KMT2A Gene Rearrangement or NPM1 Mutation
Ioannis Mantzaris
Study of Palbociclib Combined With Chemotherapy In Pediatric Patients With Recurrent/Refractory Solid Tumors
Alice Lee
A Phase 1 in Patients With HLA-A*0201+ and WT1+ Recurrent/Metastatic Cancers
Yvonne Saenger
An Open Label, Randomized Study of Neoadjuvant Nivolumab and Chemotherapy, With or Without Sub-ablative Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy, for Resectable Stage IIA to IIIB Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Brendon M Stiles
ONC201 in H3 K27M-mutant Diffuse Glioma Following Radiotherapy (the ACTION Study)
Adilia Hormigo
Study of Sacituzumab Govitecanhziy and Pembrolizumab Versus Treatment of Physician's Choice and Pembrolizumab in Patients With Previously Untreated, Locally Advanced Inoperable or Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Jesus Anampa Mesias
Access matters. We are located in the Bronx, the northernmost of the five counties that comprise New York City, and we are rapidly expanding the number of locations where people can easily be seen throughout the Tristate area—no matter what the level of income, cancer risk, or cancer diagnosis.As of 2023: MECCC has 20 outpatient and community-based locations.
At Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, we know that providing patients with the best possible care includes teamwork and trust. We work closely with our valued referring physicians to ensure open communication and reliable expertise.
Call us today
Contact us
Anne McDarby
Associate Director, Network Program Management
Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center
1-718-862-8840 /ext. 5034
amcdarby@montefiore.org
Andrea Peirce
Assistant Director, Communications
Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center
andrea.peirce@einsteinmed.edu
