Oncology
Pioneering leading edge cancer care, research and innovation
Indiana University Health Medical Center is redefining what is possible in cancer care through precision treatments and innovative research. With nationally accredited programs of excellence, we are driven to shape the future of cancer.
Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our recognition as high performing in cancer by U.S. News and World Report. Since 2012, Indiana University Health Medical Center has been ranked #1 in Indiana.
Recognized as high performing in 11 adult procedures and conditions by US News & World Report, IU Health Medical Center stands as Indiana’s most comprehensive healthcare system, dedicated to delivering cutting-edge medicine and treatments.
As state's only academic medical center and in partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine—one of the nation’s leading medical schools—enables patients access to groundbreaking research and innovative treatments that complement high-quality patient care. Awarded $243.6 million in total funding from the National Institute of Health in 2023, it secured its rank as the #13 NIH-funded public school.
Highest Level of Care
Recognized as high performing in 11 adult procedures and conditions by US News & World Report, IU Health Medical Center stands as Indiana’s most comprehensive healthcare system, dedicated to delivering cutting-edge medicine and treatments.
As state's only academic medical center and in partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine—one of the nation’s leading medical schools—enables patients access to groundbreaking research and innovative treatments that complement high-quality patient care. Awarded $243.6 million in total funding from the National Institute of Health in 2023, it secured its rank as the #13 NIH-funded public school.
Grants Received
High-Tech Shared Research Support Facilities
Actively Recruiting Clinical Trials
Patents Issued
External Research Funding
For more than 100 years, our nationally recognized cancer program has been at the forefront of cancer care, continuously developing new methods in prevention, detection, and treatment. Our collaborative research, ranging from molecular investigations to targeted therapies, addresses global health disparities and leads to protocol-defining discoveries that shape treatments and save lives.
IU Health Medical Center treats the full range of complex cancers—including leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, breast, kidney, colon, prostate, pancreatic, head and neck, orthopedic, uterine and ovarian cancers—using the latest therapies.
- Cutting-Edge, Patient-Centric Therapies:
- Developed High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) as a non-invasive therapy for prostate cancer.
- Largest and most experienced percutaneous nephrolithotomy program.
- Nationally Recognized Urology Expertise:
- Pioneered platinum combination chemotherapy, elevating testicular cancer survival rates from 10% to 95%.
- Developed the surgical technique of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for metastatic testicular cancer and one of the world’s largest referral centers for the RPLND procedure.
- Unmatched Breast Cancer Research Resources:
- Home to the Komen Tissue Bank, the only repository globally for normal breast tissue, essential for breast cancer research breakthroughs.
- Leading research in personalized therapies, especially for triple-negative breast cancer, by analyzing genetic data and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the bloodstream.
- Global Impact Through Partnerships:
- Collaborative research initiatives with Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center and AMPATH in Kenya to advance innovative cancer care worldwide.
Our Groundbreaking Cancer Program
For more than 100 years, our nationally recognized cancer program has been at the forefront of cancer care, continuously developing new methods in prevention, detection, and treatment. Our collaborative research, ranging from molecular investigations to targeted therapies, addresses global health disparities and leads to protocol-defining discoveries that shape treatments and save lives.
IU Health Medical Center treats the full range of complex cancers—including leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma, breast, kidney, colon, prostate, pancreatic, head and neck, orthopedic, uterine and ovarian cancers—using the latest therapies.
- Cutting-Edge, Patient-Centric Therapies:
- Developed High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) as a non-invasive therapy for prostate cancer.
- Largest and most experienced percutaneous nephrolithotomy program.
- Nationally Recognized Urology Expertise:
- Pioneered platinum combination chemotherapy, elevating testicular cancer survival rates from 10% to 95%.
- Developed the surgical technique of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) for metastatic testicular cancer and one of the world’s largest referral centers for the RPLND procedure.
- Unmatched Breast Cancer Research Resources:
- Home to the Komen Tissue Bank, the only repository globally for normal breast tissue, essential for breast cancer research breakthroughs.
- Leading research in personalized therapies, especially for triple-negative breast cancer, by analyzing genetic data and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the bloodstream.
- Global Impact Through Partnerships:
- Collaborative research initiatives with Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center and AMPATH in Kenya to advance innovative cancer care worldwide.
Comprehensive Clinical Trials and Research
Our leadership in cancer care is rooted in our commitment to rigorous research. As Indiana’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center, and one of 57 nationwide, IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center leads transformative clinical trials.
A Core Institute in the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network, FACT accredited and a National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) member, our research spans molecular targeting, immunotherapy and precision medicine, setting new standards in cancer care.
- The $12 million PERSEVERE trial explores personalized TNBC treatments using genetic data and ctDNA, while the EAZ171 study highlights improved outcomes for Black patients with reduced side effects from docetaxel.
- Leading the $3.7 million NIH-funded multi-site study using privacy-preserving AI, called federated learning, to enhance breast cancer risk prediction and reduce health inequities.
- The Platinum Study follows over 2,000 testicular cancer survivors, using genetic research to develop interventions that reduce chemotherapy-related hearing loss, tinnitus and neuropathy.
- Spatial transcriptomics reveal unique tumor ecotypes in primary and metastatic pancreatic cancer, identifying new immunotherapy targets and advancing personalized treatment strategies in precision oncology.
- Led the first-in-human clinical trial of immunotherapy REGN5459 for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma, achieving a 90.5% response rate
- Identified the TONSL gene as a key factor in early breast cancer initiation, revealing a new therapeutic target and advancing potential treatments for metastatic and early-stage breast cancer.
- With a $2.4 million grant from the NCI, researchers are advancing therapies that target Ref-1—a critical pathway in pancreatic cancer survival—paving the way for innovative combination treatments to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis.
- Leveraged advanced multiomic techniques to reconstruct complex structural variants in multiple myeloma, revealing how templated insertions and chromosome swaps drive tumor growth – offering potential new targets for therapy.
Clinical Research
Comprehensive Clinical Trials and Research
Our leadership in cancer care is rooted in our commitment to rigorous research. As Indiana’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center, and one of 57 nationwide, IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center leads transformative clinical trials.
A Core Institute in the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network, FACT accredited and a National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) member, our research spans molecular targeting, immunotherapy and precision medicine, setting new standards in cancer care.
- The $12 million PERSEVERE trial explores personalized TNBC treatments using genetic data and ctDNA, while the EAZ171 study highlights improved outcomes for Black patients with reduced side effects from docetaxel.
- Leading the $3.7 million NIH-funded multi-site study using privacy-preserving AI, called federated learning, to enhance breast cancer risk prediction and reduce health inequities.
- The Platinum Study follows over 2,000 testicular cancer survivors, using genetic research to develop interventions that reduce chemotherapy-related hearing loss, tinnitus and neuropathy.
- Spatial transcriptomics reveal unique tumor ecotypes in primary and metastatic pancreatic cancer, identifying new immunotherapy targets and advancing personalized treatment strategies in precision oncology.
- Led the first-in-human clinical trial of immunotherapy REGN5459 for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma, achieving a 90.5% response rate
- Identified the TONSL gene as a key factor in early breast cancer initiation, revealing a new therapeutic target and advancing potential treatments for metastatic and early-stage breast cancer.
- With a $2.4 million grant from the NCI, researchers are advancing therapies that target Ref-1—a critical pathway in pancreatic cancer survival—paving the way for innovative combination treatments to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis.
- Leveraged advanced multiomic techniques to reconstruct complex structural variants in multiple myeloma, revealing how templated insertions and chromosome swaps drive tumor growth – offering potential new targets for therapy.
Our Physician Leaders
IU Health Medical Center is home to world renowned physician experts and care teams who work in collaboration with the IU School of Medicine, the largest medical school in the country. Our multidisciplinary oncology experts collaborate with IU School of Medicine’s extensive network, driving patient care and research forward.
