Where Collaboration Accelerates Breakthroughs
The Chicago Breast Cancer Research Consortium unites the region’s premier cancer centers—University of Chicago Medicine, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University at Northwestern Medicine, and RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center—to collaborate on groundbreaking research and expand access to innovative clinical trials.
A First-of-Its-Kind Collaboration in Chicago
The Chicago Breast Cancer Research Consortium was convened by the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation in 2024 to ensure that promising research reaches more patients, faster.
This innovative partnership brings together three of Chicago’s leading cancer centers to collaborate on breast cancer clinical trials, share scientific expertise, and expand opportunities for patients to participate in advanced research without leaving the care of their trusted physicians.
By working together across institutions, the Consortium removes long-standing barriers to collaboration and builds a more powerful and inclusive research ecosystem-one that better reflects the diversity of Chicago and delivers real hope for patients and families.
Why this Consortium Matters
By bringing leading institutions together, the Consortium expands opportunity for patients while accelerating the next generation of breast cancer treatments.
Equity
Ensures that clinical trials better reflect patients affected by breast cancer, leading to discoveries that benefit everyone.
Access
Removes barriers, provides support services, and allows patients to stay with their own physicians in their communities.
Acceleration
Helps move promising therapies from the lab to patients faster through institutional collaboration and data sharing.
Expanding Access to Clinical Trials
The Consortium is already advancing research through a multi-institution clinical trial evaluating a promising new treatment for patients with advanced ER+/HER2- breast cancer. The study combines two targeted therapies—elacestrant and ribociclib—to determine whether the combination can improve outcomes and extend survival.
By offering the same clinical trial across all three institutions, the Consortium expands access for patients across Chicagoland while accelerating enrollment and discovery. Researchers are also sharing data, biological samples, and medical imaging across sites to enable deeper collaboration and faster results.
This model allows more patients to participate in meaningful research while remaining in the care of their trusted physicians-helping ensure discoveries move from the lab to those who need them, taster.
Expert Leadership
The Chicago Breast Cancer Research Consortium is led by nationally recognized research leaders from each participating cancer center. Together, these experts bring deep experience in clinical research and a shared commitment to advancing innovative trials that improve outcomes for patients across Chicagoland.
"This Consortium came from a desire to improve breast cancer mortality and reduce disparities by offering a network of sites."
Dr. Rita Nanda
Director of Breast Oncology,
UChicago Medicine
"This Consortium will not only provide the opportunity for more patients to access clinical trials, but will also move research discoveries to innovative treatments faster."
Dr. William Gradishar
Oncology Chief,
Northwestern Medicine Hematology
"Our goal is to ensure that all of our patients are included in clinical trials and have the opportunity to benefit from the advances we are making in breast cancer treatment today."
Dr. Ruta Rao
Oncologist and Medical Director,
RUSH University Cancer Center
Philanthropy Fuels Progress
Accelerating discovery requires bold investment. Philanthropic support helps launch innovative clinical trials, expand patient access, and accelerate discoveries that would not be possible through traditional funding alone.
Together, we can bring the next generation of breast cancer treatments within reach for every patient.