Overview

Since 1972, The Wistar Institute has been a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and has focused its basic biomedical research on understanding the causes and treatment of cancer. Today, The Wistar Institute Cancer Center includes preeminent researchers studying melanoma, lung cancer, brain tumors, and a variety of other cancers.

The Cancer Center has a history of significant advances in cancer genetics, cancer biology, and tumor immunology and virology. Its accomplishments include:

• Identification of genes associated with breast, lung, and prostate cancer
• Development of monoclonal antibodies used to study the pathways and proteins involved in tumor development
• Contributions to improved cancer treatments and diagnostic tests

Cancer Center scientists conduct research on gene expression and regulation, molecular and cellular oncogenesis, and immunology. Scientists benefit from shared facilities that provide essential technical support and instrumentation and improve researchers’ efficiency. One of the great strengths of the Center is its emphasis on collaboration, both internally and with external organizations.

The Center is led by director Russel E. Kaufman, M.D., who is also president and CEO of The Wistar Institute. Dr. Kaufman is trained as both a basic scientist and a clinician and is experienced in hematology and oncology.