About

Our research in oncology encompasses the full spectrum of cancer care including cancer prevention, screening and early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, as part of the Metro-Minnesota Community Oncology Research Consortium (MMCORC). Areas of focus for our group include electronic monitoring of symptoms and use of cannabis in oncology patients. Aims of the center are to promote access to clinical trials, to share the results this research, and to advance the science of cancer treatment and care delivery. 
Affiliation
people
Faculty Position
  • Anderson, Daniel M., MD, MPH, Principal Investigator, Metro-Minnesota Community Oncology Research Consortium 2003 -
  • Blazar, Michael B., MD, Research Investigator & Oncologist 2019 -
  • Chen, Cathleen, MD, Hematologist/Oncologist
  • Demel, Kurt C., MD, MBA, Investigator, Metro-Minnesota Community Oncology Research Consortium
  • Ganesan, Chitra, MBBS, Hematologist/Oncologist
  • Hurley, Peter J., MD, Research Investigator
  • Hurley, Randy W., MD, Investigator, Metro-Minnesota Community Oncology Research Consortium 1995 -
  • Jaffe, Jeffrry P., MD, Investigator, Metro-Minnesota Community Oncology Research Consortium
  • Jahagirdar, Balkrishna N., MBBS, Investigator, Metro-Minnesota Community Oncology Research Consortium
  • Ji, Yan, MD, PhD, MS, Hematologist/Oncologist
  • Kubiak, Kendra, MD, Hematologist/Oncologist
  • Larson, Brenda, MD, Oncologist
  • Lerner, Rachel E., MD, MS, Co-director of oncology research, HealthPartners Institute, and investigator, Metro-Minnesota Community Oncology Research Consortium
  • McCormack, Steve E. MD, Investigator, Metro-Minnesota Community Oncology Research Consortium
  • Menge, Mark R., MD, Oncologist
  • Moore, Kathryn, MD, Hematologist/Oncologist
  • Rabenau, Karen E., MD, Hematologist/Oncologist
  • Shapiro, Alice C., PhD, RDN, Senior Research Scientist
  • Sherman, Melissa M., MD, Hematologist/Oncologist
  • Spomer, Amy, MD, Oncologist
  • Wadhwa, Punit, MD, Hematologist/Oncologist
  • Wilkowske, Mark, MD, Oncologist
  • Zylla, Dylan M., MD, MS, Investigator, Metro-Minnesota Community Oncology Research Consortium 2012 -
    • Publications While At HealthPartners
    selected publications
    Journal Article
  • Association of financial wellness with patterns of medical cannabis use and patient-reported outcomes in adults with cancer. 
    Cannabis (Research Society on Marijuana). 2025
  • Feasibility of structuring electronic health record data to facilitate real-world data research: ICAREdata methods applied to multicenter cancer clinical trials. 
    Cancer. 2025
  • Symptom monitoring with electronic patient-reported outcomes during cancer treatment: final results of the PRO-TECT cluster-randomized trial. 
    Nature Medicine. 2025
  • Data quality in a survey of registered medical cannabis users with cancer: nonresponse and measurement error. 
    Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs. 2024
  • PRESTO: a phase III, open-label study of intensification of androgen blockade in patients with high-risk biochemically relapsed castration-sensitive prostate cancer (AFT-19). 
    Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2024
  • Perceptions, prevalence, and patterns of cannabis use among cancer patients treated at 12 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers. 
    Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Monographs. 2024
  • Randomized study of induction with bendamustine-rituximab ± bortezomib and maintenance with rituximab ± lenalidomide for MCL. 
    Blood. 2024
  • Real-world effectiveness of palbociclib plus endocrine therapy in HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer: final results from the POLARIS trial. 
    The oncologist. 2024
  • Development and validation of an integrative pan-solid tumor predictor of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade benefit. 
    Commun Med (Lond). 2023
  • Life-threatening "hyper-progression" on immunotherapy revealed as pseudo-progression in DNA mismatch repair deficiency: a case report. 
    Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology. 2023
  • Validation of immunotherapy response score as predictive of pan-solid tumor anti-PD-1/PD-L1 benefit. 
    Cancer Res Commun. 2023
  • Effect of electronic symptom monitoring on patient-reported outcomes among patients with metastatic cancer: a randomized clinical trial. 
    JAMA. 2022
  • Holy smokes! Developing a cannabis clinic for patients with cancer. 
    Oncol Issues. 2022
  • Organizational characteristics and smoking cessation support in community-based lung cancer screening programs. 
    Journal of the American College of Radiology. 2022
  • Orteronel for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: a multicenter, randomized, open-label phase III trial (SWOG-1216). 
    Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2022
  • A randomized trial of medical cannabis in patients with stage IV cancers to assess feasibility, dose requirements, impact on pain and opioid use, safety, and overall patient satisfaction. 
    Supportive Care in Cancer. 2021
  • Association of adiponectin and vitamin D with tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and survival in stage III colon cancer. 
    JNCI cancer spectrum. 2021
  • Monitoring rates of malnutrition risk in outpatient cancer centers utilizing the malnutrition screening tool embedded into the electronic health record. 
    Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2021
  • Palbociclib with adjuvant endocrine therapy in early breast cancer (PALLAS): interim analysis of a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 3 study. 
    Lancet Oncology. 2021
  • Population-adjusted indirect treatment comparison of the SOLO1 and PAOLA-1/ENGOT-ov25 trials evaluating maintenance olaparib or bevacizumab or the combination of both in newly diagnosed, advanced BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer. 
    European Journal of Cancer. 2021
  • Real-world performance of a comprehensive genomic profiling test optimized for small tumor samples. 
    JCO precision oncology. 2021
  • A randomized phase 2 study of temsirolimus and cetuximab versus temsirolimus alone in recurrent/metastatic, cetuximab-resistant head and neck cancer: the MAESTRO study. 
    Cancer. 2020
  • Apixaban and dalteparin in active malignancy-associated venous thromboembolism: the ADAM VTE trial. 
    Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2020
  • Collection of electronic patient-reported symptoms in patients with advanced cancer using Epic MyChart surveys. 
    Supportive Care in Cancer. 2020
  • Immunoglobulin restores immune responses to BTH1677 in patients with low levels of antibodies to beta-glucan. 
    Anticancer Research. 2020
  • Impact of pain, opioids, and the mu-opioid receptor on progression and survival in patients with newly diagnosed stage IV pancreatic cancer. 
    American Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2020
  • Multisite, randomized trial of early integrated palliative and oncology care in patients with advanced lung and gastrointestinal cancer: Alliance A221303. 
    Journal of Palliative Medicine. 2020
  • Performance measures based on how adults with cancer feel and function: stakeholder recommendations and feasibility testing in six cancer centers. 
    JCO Oncol Pract. 2020
  • Phase 1 study of TTC-352 in patients with metastatic breast cancer progressing on endocrine and CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy. 
    Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. 2020
  • Randomized trial of lenalidomide versus observation in smoldering multiple myeloma. 
    Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2020
  • Sequencing ipilimumab immunotherapy before or after chemotherapy (nab-paclitaxel and bevacizumab) for the treatment of BRAFwt (BRAF wild-type) metastatic malignant melanoma: results of a study of Academic and Community Cancer Research United (ACCRU) RU261206I. 
    American Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2020
  • Two malignancies with differential responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors: a case report. 
    Anticancer Research. 2020
  • A phase 1 and randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial of bevacizumab plus dasatinib in patients with recurrent glioblastoma: Alliance/North Central Cancer Treatment Group N0872. 
    Cancer. 2019
  • Impact of diabetes and hyperglycemia on health care utilization, infection risk, and survival in patients with cancer receiving glucocorticoids with chemotherapy. 
    Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications. 2019
  • Impact of medical cannabis on patient-reported symptoms for patients with cancer enrolled in Minnesota's Medical Cannabis Program. 
    Journal of Oncology Practice. 2019
  • Randomized controlled trial of individualized treatment summary and survivorship care plans for hematopoietic cell transplantation survivors. 
    Haematologica. 2019
  • Tailoring a survivorship care plan: patient and provider preferences for recipients of hematopoietic cell transplantation. 
    Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2019
  • Atezolizumab for first-line treatment of metastatic nonsquamous NSCLC. 
    New England Journal of Medicine. 2018
  • Durvalumab as third-line or later treatment for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (ATLANTIC): an open-label, single-arm, phase 2 study. 
    Lancet Oncology. 2018
  • Eating, activity, and weight-related problems from adolescence to adulthood. 
    American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2018
  • Impact of opioid use on health care utilization and survival in patients with newly diagnosed stage IV malignancies. 
    Supportive Care in Cancer. 2018
  • Nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine as first-line treatment of advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma: a phase 2 clinical trial. 
    JAMA oncology. 2018
  • Nivolumab with or without ipilimumab treatment for metastatic sarcoma (Alliance A091401): two open-label, non-comparative, randomised, phase 2 trials. 
    Lancet Oncology. 2018
  • Oncology clinicians and the Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program: a survey on medical cannabis practice patterns, barriers to enrollment, and educational needs. 
    Cannabis and cannabinoid research. 2018
  • Physical activity and outcomes in patients with stage III colon cancer: a correlative analysis of Phase III Trial NCCTG N0147 (Alliance). 
    Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention. 2018
  • Response to Osimertinib in an EGFR Exon 20 insertion-positive lung adenocarcinoma. 
    Journal of Thoracic Oncology. 2018
  • Single-agent ibrutinib in relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma: a phase 2 consortium trial. 
    Blood. 2018
  • Anaplastic mast cell sarcoma: a unique pathologic entity in mastocytosis. 
    Leukemia and Lymphoma. 2017
  • Durvalumab after chemoradiotherapy in stage III non-small-cell lung cancer. 
    New England Journal of Medicine. 2017
  • Establishment of personalized pain goals in oncology patients to improve care and decrease costs. 
    Journal of Oncology Practice. 2017
  • Family history of colorectal cancer and its impact on survival in patients with resected stage III colon cancer: results from NCCTG Trial N0147 (Alliance). 
    Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology. 2017
  • Implementation of routine postpartum depression screening and care initiation across a multispecialty health care organization: an 18-month retrospective analysis. 
    Maternal and child health journal. 2017
  • Intentional weight loss and endometrial cancer risk. 
    Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2017
  • Providing breast cancer survivorship: lessons learned from a pilot project implementation. 
    Cancer Nursing. 2017
  • Teaching quality improvement in Tanzania: a model of inter-professional partnership for global health development
    2017
  • The financial toll of cancer therapy: developing ways to help the patient. 
    Minn Physician. 2017
  • Cardiovascular complications of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. 
    Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine. 2016
  • Erlotinib, cabozantinib, or erlotinib plus cabozantinib as second-line or third-line treatment of patients with EGFR wild-type advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (ECOG-ACRIN 1512): a randomised, controlled, open-label, multicentre, phase 2 trial. 
    Lancet Oncology. 2016
  • Phase I study of pazopanib and ixabepilone in patients with solid tumors. 
    American Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2016
  • Quantification of pain in sickle mice using facial expressions and body measurements. 
    Blood Cells, Molecules, and Diseases. 2016
  • Ramucirumab combined with FOLFOX as front-line therapy for advanced esophageal, gastroesophageal junction, or gastric adenocarcinoma: a randomized, double-blind, multicenter Phase II trial. 
    Annals of Oncology. 2016
  • Randomized, blinded trial of vitamin D3 for treating aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS). 
    Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. 2016
  • Wound care: multicenter feasibility study
    2016
  • A randomized comparison of once weekly epoetin alfa to extended schedule epoetin or darbepoetin in chemotherapy-associated anemia. 
    American Journal of Hematology. 2015
  • Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with systolic dysfunction: can it be done?. 
    Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. 2015
  • North Central Cancer Treatment Group N10C2 (Alliance): a double-blind placebo-controlled study of magnesium supplements to reduce menopausal hot flashes. 
    Menopause (New York, N.Y.). 2015
  • Pre-existing diabetes and breast cancer prognosis among elderly women. 
    British Journal of Cancer. 2015
  • Utility of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T in patients receiving anthracycline chemotherapy
    2015
  • Association between diabetes, diabetes treatment and risk of developing endometrial cancer. 
    British Journal of Cancer. 2014
  • Association of opioid requirement and cancer pain with survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. 
    British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2014
  • Cancer rehabilitation: outcome evaluation of a strengthening and conditioning program. 
    Cancer Nursing. 2014
  • Diabetes, diabetes treatment and breast cancer prognosis. 
    Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. 2014
  • NCCTG N0821 (Alliance): a phase II first-line study of pemetrexed, carboplatin, and bevacizumab in elderly patients with advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer with good performance status. 
    Journal of Thoracic Oncology. 2014
  • Identification of tools to measure changes in musculoskeletal symptoms and physical functioning in women with breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibitors. 
    Oncology Nursing Forum. 2013
  • Opioid requirement, opioid receptor expression, and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced prostate cancer. 
    Cancer. 2013
  • Smoking and diabetes: does the increased risk ever go away?. 
    American Journal of Epidemiology. 2013
  • Changes in weight and body composition in women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. 
    Clinical Breast Cancer. 2011
  • Nutritional challenges during treatment for lung cancer. 
    Oncology Nursing Forum. 2011
  • N0332 phase 2 trial of weekly irinotecan hydrochloride and docetaxel in refractory metastatic breast cancer: a North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) Trial. 
    Annals of Oncology. 2010
  • Effects of exercise vs bisphosphonates on bone mineral density in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. 
    Journal of Supportive Oncology. 2009
  • Implementing a low-fat eating plan in the Women's Intervention Nutrition Study. 
    Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2009
  • Impact of chemotherapy in women with metastatic breast cancer diagnosed 1990-2003. 
    Clinical Breast Cancer. 2007
  • Interventions to prevent loss of bone mineral density in women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. 
    Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2005
  • Evaluation of the hypercoagulable state. Whom to screen, how to test and treat. 
    Postgraduate Medicine. 2000
  • The hematopoietic microenvironment: stromal extracellular matrix components as growth regulators for human hematopoietic progenitors. 
    Hematology (Amsterdam, Netherlands). 1999
    • Editorial Article
  • Response to: Challenges for clinical cannabis and cannabinoid research in the United States [editorial]. 
    Supportive Care in Cancer.  30. 2022
  • Smoking cessation, weight gain, and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus among postmenopausal women [editorial]. 
    Archives of Internal Medicine.  172. 2012
    • Chapter
  • Anemia and red blood cell disorders. 
    Immigrant Medicine. 2007
    • Conference Poster
  • Impact of diabetes and hyperglycemia on health care utilization, infection risk, and survival in patients with cancer receiving glucocorticoids with chemotherapy [poster]
    2018
  • Incidence of diabetes and hyperglycemia among patients receiving glucocorticoids with chemotherapy [poster]
    2018
  • Lung nodule care, a multidisciplinary approach to the Triple Aim [poster]
    2014
  • Validation of colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) data within the HMORN Virtual Data Warehouse [poster]
    2014
  • Psychological and spiritual well being of breast cancer survivors in a community-based cancer survivorship clinic [poster]
    2010
  • Statin use is associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer recurrence [poster]
    2008
  • Statin use is associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer recurrence [poster]
    2008
    • Review
  • Effective strategies for the prevention and mitigation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase inhibitor-associated hyperglycemia: optimizing patient care [review]. 
    Clinical Breast Cancer. 2025
  • The impact of cannabis on immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy: a systematic review of immunomodulatory effects of cannabis in patients with and without cancer [systematic review, review]. 
    Supportive Care in Cancer. 2025
  • Cannabis as an anticancer agent: a review of clinical data and assessment of case reports [review]. 
    Cannabis and cannabinoid research. 2022
  • A comprehensive review of cannabis in patients with cancer: availability in the USA, general efficacy, and safety [review]. 
    Current Oncology Reports. 2019
  • A systematic review of the impact of pain on overall survival in patients with cancer [review, systematic review]. 
    Supportive Care in Cancer. 2017
  • Pneumococcal pyomyositis: report of 2 cases and review of the literature [review]. 
    Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2012
    • Abstract
  • A randomized trial of topical cannabis balms for the treatment of aromatase inhibitor–associated musculoskeletal syndrome (AIMSS) [abstract]. 
    Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2024
  • Cannabis use for cancer-related symptoms in rural versus urban Minnesota [abstract]. 
    Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2024
  • A novel cannabis education clinic for patients with cancer: patient characteristics from initial visit [abstract]. 
    Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2022
  • Self-reported efficacy and usage of cannabis among patients with cancer within the Minnesota Cannabis Program [abstract]. 
    Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2022
  • From novice to expert: simulation-based learning raise confidence and competency levels of oncology nurses in chemotherapy-biotherapy administration [abstract]. 
    Oncology Nursing Forum. 2016
  • Medical scribes in a community oncology clinic [abstract]. 
    Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2016
  • A randomized trial of vitamin D3 in aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal symptoms [abstract]. 
    Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2015
  • Association between musculoskeletal symptoms and serum vitamin D levels in women receiving aromatase inhibitor treatment [abstract]. 
    Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2013
  • Vitamin D3 supplementation, musculoskeletal (MS) symptoms and aromatase inhibitor [abstract]. 
    Cancer Research. 2013
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