Football rivalries may pit Big Ten schools against each other in competition on the field, but research scientists in different universities team up for the sake of cancer research.

A story about the Big Ten Cancer Consortium in light of the University of Wisconsin versus University of Michigan football game in late November 2017 highlighted research and clinical trials collaborations across the Big Ten. 

Sam Lubner, MD (pictured at upper right), assistant professor (CHS), Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care described how work on three-dimensional tumor culture techniques in the laboratory of Dustin Deming, MD (pictured at lower right), assistant professor, Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care is advancing pancreatic cancer research. 

The group frequently meets with scientists in the laboratory of Cliff Cho, MD, professor of surgery, University of Michigan. Dr. Cho - who did his residency training at UW-Madison and had previously been a member of the UW faculty - leads a research team focused on immunotherapy approaches to melanoma. 

With regard to collaboration with University of Michigan scientists, Dr. Lubner said, "We have to fight it together, all of us across the Big Ten. Because our clinics are full of patients who need treatments now." 

Resources:

• "Big Ten Wisconsin & Michigan collaborate on pancreatic cancer research," WKOW 27, November 15, 2017
• Big 10 Cancer Research Consortium