2024 Highlights
Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center
Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center is among the elite 1% of National Cancer Institute-designated centers (NCI) in the United States. For more than 50 years, we have been at the forefront of cancer research and patient care. We provide highly specialized multidisciplinary team-based care for people in our diverse Bronx community and beyond. This includes providing access to cutting-edge treatments through hundreds of clinical trials.
DATA & STATISTICS
MECCC by the numbers
See how the past few years have been a remarkable time of vision and growth
Explore the numbers
$69M
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
Additions to our distinguished faculty
Theofano Orfanelli, MD, PhD
Attending Physician, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s Health, Montefiore Einstein
Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women's Health (Gynecological Oncology)
Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Ethan M. Ravetch, MD
Attending Physician, Breast Surgery
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Rebeca San Martin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Oncology (Medical Oncology)
Assistant Professor, Department of Cell Biology
Co-Chair, Women’s Initiative Network, Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center
Zijie Sun, M.D., Ph.D.
Joanne Zhung, MD
Attending physician, Radiation Oncology
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center
Innovations, Honors, and Achievements
Pioneering the future of treatment and care
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.
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.
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.
Juan Pablo Maianti, Ph.D., Awarded Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Cancer Research
The Cancer Center’s Dr. Maianti was one of only five New York City area-based scientists to receive this 2024 award providing $750K over three years for innovative basic science cancer research.
Kira Gritsman, MD, PhD, Elected to American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI)
Dr. Gritsman was among 100 physician-scientists from 50 institutions selected.
Among Multi-Institutional “Break Through Cancer Grant” Recipients
The Cancer Center’s Marina Konopleva, MD, PhD, received part of a multi-institutional, $10M award over three years aimed at identifying, understanding, and eradicating measurable residual disease in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Tamar Nobel, MD, MPH, Receives LUNGevity’s Prestigious Career Development Award
One of three recipients of 2024’s $300K LUNGevity Foundation Career Development Awards, the cardiothoracic surgeon will work on a project to reduce disparities for patients undergoing adjuvant therapy following surgery for early-stage NSCLC.
Evripidis Gavathiotis, PhD, Keynote Speaker at the 9th European Congress of Pharmacology in Athens, Greece
The Professor of Biochemistry and Co-Leader of our Cancer Therapeutics Research Program spoke on “Exploiting Mitochondrial Dysfunction for Cancer Therapy.” Also awarded the Julius Marmur Mentorship Award for Outstanding Mentoring in Graduate Research.
Selected as Lymphatic Education & Research Network “Conservative Care Center of Excellence in Lymphatic Disease"
We’ve been recognized for our “dedication to providing the highest quality of care to those living with lymphatic diseases.” Our Sheldon Feldman, MD, was a senior author on international guidelines for the treatment of breast cancer-related lymphedema.
Research Review
Improving care and outcomes through research
We strive to improve cancer care and outcomes through multiple transdisciplinary research programs and initiatives funded by the National Cancer Institute, major foundations, pharmaceutical companies, and others. We are home to one of the world’s only institutes focused on cancer dormancy—the Cancer Dormancy Institute directed by Dr. Julio Aguirre-Ghiso. This institute integrates and applies our deep expertise in epigenetics, systems biology, the biology of aging, to answer questions about the influence of residual cancer dormancy, aging, lifestyle, genetics, and treatments on the recurrence of multiple cancers.
Clinical Trials
Advancing care through 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, and prostate cancer. More than 80% of patients enrolled in 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 leading-edge agents through our clinical trials. MECCC investigators have been busy developing novel trials through our investigator-initiated trials program and conducting studies on agents that have been developed through Albert Einstein College of Medicine research laboratories.
Highlights from our current 302 active clinical trials include:
Danvatirsen Monotherapy Followed by Combination With Venetoclax in Relapsed/Refractory MDS & AML | Montefiore Einstein Clinical Trials
Aditi Shastri
Scalp Cooling for Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Patients of Color | Montefiore Einstein Clinical Trials
Beth Mclellan
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 | Montefiore Einstein Clinical Trials
Brendon M Stiles
A Study of NPX267 for Subjects With Solid Tumors Known to Express HHLA2/B7-H7 | Montefiore Einstein Clinical Trials
Haiying Cheng
Venetoclax Plus Intensive Chemotherapy in AML and Advanced MDS | Montefiore Einstein Clinical Trials
Ioannis Mantzaris
A Phase 1 in Patients With HLA-A*0201+ and WT1+ Recurrent/Metastatic Cancers | Montefiore Einstein Clinical Trials
Yvonne Saenger
Expanded access
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.
Patient referrals
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.
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