In the News

Scientists stimulate immune system, stop cancer growth: Anti-tumor immune therapy for colon cancer works in mice — ScienceDaily
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago report that increasing expression of a chemical cytokine called LIGHT in mice with colon cancer activated the immune system’s natural cancer-killing T-cells and caused primary tumors and metastatic tumors in the liver to shrink.

New Strategy Boosts Microenvironment to Promote Antitumor Immunity in GI Metastases | OncLive
Despite the promise of immunotherapy for treating patients with advanced cancers, the success of using such therapies for progressive gastrointestinal malignancies such as colorectal liver …

Adjuvant chemotherapy in early-stage colon cancer may improve survival
Researchers and physicians have grappled with the role of “adjuvant,” or post-surgery, chemotherapy for patients with early-stage colon cancer, even for cancers considered high risk. Now researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago have found an association between the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage 2 colon cancer and improved survival — regardless of a patient’s age or risk, or even of the specific chemotherapy administered.

The role of gut bacteria in health and disease is a hot topic. Jun Sun, associate professor at UIC, and Tao Pan, from the University of Chicago, are investigating the role of gut bacteria
The role of gut bacteria in health and disease is a hot topic. Jun Sun, associate professor at UIC, and Tao Pan, from the University of Chicago, are investigating the role of gut bacteria in breast cancer.

Top research projects from the University of Illinois at Chicago
Dr. Ajay Maker, associate professor of surgery at UIC, and his team are investigating ways in which the patient’s own immune system might be used to fight cancerous cells – specifically in colon cancer.
On ABC News Heathbeat Report: Targeting Cancer Cells
Anneliese Nitzschke knows the power of a tried and true recipe. But she’s not opposed to trying something new. So when doctors at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center told her about a unique formula to treat the melanoma spreading in her left leg she was game.
Interviewed on “The Doctors” TV Show
How did Kim lose 4 dress sizes in one day?! It’s not due to some rapid weight-loss secret. Kim’s swift transformation was due to the removal of a 20-pound tumor! Dr. Ajay Maker, the surgical oncologist who performed the procedure joins The Doctors to discuss Kim’s unusual case.
On ABC, NBC, CBS News
Turner returned to Chicago Friday and shared her story at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where she had surgery in August 2017. She spoke Friday afternoon, along with Dr. Ajay Maker, the surgical oncologist who performed the operation.