Roswell Park Researchers to Discuss Discoveries and Critical Issues in Oncology at AACR 2025
Dr. Rodney Haring to outline model for partnerships between cancer centers and Indigenous nations
Dr. Jain reports results of phase 1 study for non-small cell lung cancer
Poster presentations highlight latest findings across a range of disease sites
Annual meeting takes place April 25-30 in Chicago
BUFFALO, N.Y. and CHICAGO — Researchers from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center will report their latest findings to colleagues from around the world at the 2025 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in Chicago, Illinois, April 25-30. The event brings together more than 21,000 professionals from the oncology field — as well as patients, survivors and advocates — to share and learn about recent discoveries.
Invited Talk: A Model for Meeting the Needs of Indigenous Communities.
In 2020, Rodney Haring, PhD, MSW, launched the nation’s first center for Indigenous cancer research at Roswell Park. Now Chair of the Department of Indigenous Cancer Health at the Buffalo cancer center, he will trace the expanding scope of his department’s influence during his invited talk “Nation to nation to cancer centers: Exemplars of sovereignty across the cancer care continuum” on Wednesday, April 30, from 11:10-11:30 a.m. CDT in Room S106, McCormick Place South, Level 1.
“Our work isn’t just research,” says Dr. Haring, an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians (Beaver Clan). “It’s also service, education, patient navi gation and creating opportunities for the next generation of cancer scientists.” He adds that other cancer centers in North America, Australia and New Zealand have begun creating partnerships with Indigenous nations to address tribal needs and priorities in their respective areas.
“It’s important to talk about what is important to our communities and how we have embedded those priorities into our work, to learn what our colleagues at oth er sites and centers are doing, to share what we’re doing,” notes Dr. Haring. “All the knowledge that comes back to us goes back to our communities, across the U.S. and beyond.”
Findings of Phase 1 Clinical Tri al for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
First author Prantesh Jain, MD, FACP, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Department of Medicine, will present abstract CT137, “Initial results from a phase 1 study of an A2a receptor antagonist, administered as monotherapy and in combination with anti-PD1 therapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer,” Tuesday, April 29, 9 a.m. noon CDT, in Section 48, board 3. He will outline findings from a phase 1 clinical trial conducted by Johnson & Johnson.
Late-Breaking Research on Breast Cancer, Multiple Myeloma, Lung Cancer
Three members of the Roswell Park faculty will be featured in sessions on late-breaking research:
First author Gokul Das, PhD, Professor of Oncology and Co Director of the Breast Trans lational Group, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, will present abstract LB005, “Synergistic effect of tamoxifen and doxorubicin on a novel estrogen receptorβ-p53-p73 axis: A new therapeutic strategy against triple negative breast cancer,” Sunday, April 27, 2-5 p.m. CDT, in Section 50, board 5. Chetan Oturkar, PhD, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, is first author on the study.
Senior author Scott Olejniczak, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology, Department of Immunology, will discuss abstract LB037, “CD28 drives CAR T cell responses in multiple myeloma,” Sunday, April 27, 2-5 p.m. CDT, in Section 51, board 14.
Senior author Sayan Chakraborty, PhD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, will present abstract LB069, “Anagrin mechanotransduction for EGFR-addicted cancers,” Sunday, April 27, 2-5 p.m. CDT, in Section 53, board 5.
Featured Posters Highlight Other Roswell Park Research
Several other Roswell Park experts will present posters documenting findings that advance our understanding in key areas of oncology:
Abstract 221 — First author Bhavisha Doshi, MS, Predoctoral Trainee, Department of Phar macology & Therapeutics, will present “Investigating sex dis parities in bladder cancer using carcinogen induced bladder can cer mouse model” Sunday, April 27, 2-5 p.m. CDT, in Section 9, board 15. Anna Woloszynska, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 285 — First author Deepak Vadehra, DO, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Department of Medicine, will present “Integration of serum and tumor metabolomics reveals distinct metabolic profiles in early onset colorectal cancer” Sunday, April 27, 2-5 p.m. CDT, in Section 12, board 7.
Abstract 663 — First author Andrei Bakin, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology, Department of Cancer Genetics & Genomics, will present “A novel combination immunotherapy for p53 mutant metastatic breast cancer lever aging vulnerabilities in the DNA damage response” Sunday, April 27, 2-5 CDT, in Section 28, board 29. Christos Fountzilas, MD, FACP, Associate Professor of Oncology, Department of Medicine, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 5991 — First author Mohammed Alruwaili, MS, Pred octoral Trainee, Department of Cancer Genetics & Genomics, will present “Novel triple-drug combination strategy for p53 mutant cancers leveraging their DNA damage response liabilities” Tuesday, April 29, 2-5 p.m. CDT, in Section 34, board 18. Andrei Bakin, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology, Department of Cancer Genetics & Genomics, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 92 — First author Dineen Vogler, predoctoral trainee, Department of Cancer Genet ics & Genomics, will present “The role of AKT3 in prostate cancer” Sunday, April 27, 2-5 p.m. CDT, in Section 4, board 15. Irwin Gelman, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Oncology, Department of Cancer Genetics & Genomics, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 1259 — First author Bradley Balk, Predoctoral Trainee, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, will present “Study ing the role of chromatin acces sibility in lineage plasticity of Rb1-deficient EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma” Monday, April 28, 9 a.m.-noon CDT, in Section 2, board 20. David Goodrich, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Oncology, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 1328 — Senior author Gal Shafirstein, DSc, MSc, Direc tor of PDT Clinical Research, Department of Cell Stress Biology, will present “Imaging tumor oxy genation during interstitial photo dynamic therapy” Monday, April 28, 9 a.m.-noon CDT, in Section 6, board 1. The study first author is Emily Oakley-Gawrys, PhD, Post doctoral Affiliate, Department of Cell Stress Biology.
Abstract 1329 — Senior author Gal Shafirstein, DSc, MSc, Direc tor of PDT Clinical Research, Department of Cell Stress Biol ogy, will present “Intraoperative light transmission: A translation al dosimteric marker for tumor response in interstitial photody namic therapy” Monday, April 28, 9 a.m.-noon CDT, in Section 6, board 2. The study first author is Christopher Lawson, Predoc toral Trainee, Department of Cell Stress Biology.
Abstract 1340 — First author Kohei Chida, Postdoctoral Affili ate, Department of Surgical Oncology, will present “Inter stitial photodynamic therapy enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor in estrogenreceptor high-expressing breast cancer” Monday, April 28, 9 a.m. noon CDT, in Section 6, board 13. Kazuaki Takabe, MD, PhD, FACS, FSSO, Chief of Breast Surgery, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 1350 — First author Jun Arima, MD, PhD, postdoctoral researcher, Department of Surgi cal Oncology, will present “ESR1 expression as a predictive bio marker for immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy in estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer,” Monday, April 28, 9 a.m.-noon CDT, in section 7, board 5. Kazuaki Takabe, MD, PhD, FACS, FSSO, Professor of Oncology, Department of Surgery, and Clinical Chief of the Depart ment of Breast Surgery, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 1422 — First author Sarah Athans, Predoctoral Train ee, Department of Pharmacol ogy & Therapeutics, will present “STAG2-mediated gene expres sion programs promote invasion in muscle invasive bladder can cer” Monday, April 28, 9 a.m.-noon CDT, in section 10, board 19. Anna Woloszynska, PhD, Associate Pro fessor of Oncology, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 2009 — First author Masanori Oshi will present “Intra tumoral NK cell number is associ ated with immune response, and combination of it and clinical fea tures is a strong prognostic bio marker in gastric cancer” Monday, April 8, 9 a.m.-noon CDT, in sec tion 30, board 10. Kazuaki Takabe, MD, PhD, FACS, FSSO, Professor of Oncology, Department of Surgery, and Clinical Chief of the Department of Breast Surgery, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 2039 — First author Takumi Sato will present “High mesothelin expressing triple neg ative breast cancer is associated with enhanced cell proliferation but without impact on survival outcomes” Monday, April 28 CDT, 9 a.m.-noon, in section 31, board 8. Kazuaki Takabe, MD, PhD, FACS, FSSO, Professor of Oncology, Department of Surgery, and Clinical Chief of the Department of Breast Surgery, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 2283 — First author Peter Fiorica, Predoctoral Trainee, Department of Cancer Prevention & Control, will present “Ancestral and genetic determinants of pathologic tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in a large multi-ethnic population of women with breast cancer” Monday, April 28, 9 a.m. noon CDT, in section 39, board 24. Song Yao, MD, PhD, Director of Molecular Epidemiology and Vice Chair of Clinical Research, Department of Cancer Prevention & Control, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 3837 — First author Kavin Velur Ganesan, Predoctoral Trainee, Department of Cancer Genetics & Genomics, will present “Defining the mechanism of semaphorin4D tumorigenesis in prostate cancer models” Tuesday, April 29, 9 a.m.-noon CDT, in sec tion 1, board 2. Kent Nastiuk, PhD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, departments of Urology and Cancer Genetics & Genomics, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 4800 — Payal Goala, MS, Predoctoral Trainee, Depart ment of Medicine, will present “Modulation of Th1/Th17 axis through IFNβ-blockade alleviates Anti-CD19 CAR-T associated tox icities in a pre-clinical immune competent model” Tuesday, April 29, 9 a.m.-noon CDT, in section 37, board 3. Marco Davila, MD, PhD, Rustum Family Endowed Chair in Translational Research, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 4897 — Chi-Chen Hong, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology, Department of Cancer Prevention & Control, is senior author of “Self-reported experiences of discrimination and inflammatory-related biomarkers among Black breast cancer survivors,” Tuesday, April 29, 9 a.m. noon CDT, in section 4, board 8.
Abstract 5154 — First author Dongbo Xu, PhD, Research Asso ciate, Department of Urology, will present “Modeling luminal urothelial carcinoma in the blad der and the upper tract” Tuesday, April 29, 2-5 p.m. CDT, in section 3, board 2. Qiang Li, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology, Department of Urology, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 5991 — First author Mohammed Alruwaili, MS, Pred octoral Trainee in Cancer Genet ics & Genomics, will present “Novel triple-drug combination strategy for p53 mutant cancers leveraging their DNA damage response liabilities” Tuesday, April 29, 2-5 p.m. CDT, in section 34, board 18. Andrei Bakin, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology, Department of Cancer Genetics & Genomics, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 6509 — First author Gabrielle Kennelley will present “Carcinogen withdrawal in the BBN induced mouse model of bladder cancer mimics cigarette smoking cessation in humans with decreased tumor progression” Wednesday, April 30, 9 a.m.-noon CDT, in section 3, board 20. Wen dy Huss, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology, Department of Cell Stress Biology, is senior author of the study.
Abstract 6713 — First author Mauricio Flores, Predoctoral Trainee in Pharmacology & Ther apeutics, will present “RB1 and TP53 restrict lineage plasticity in prostate cancer by regulating chromatin accessibility” Tuesday, April 29, 9 a.m.-noon CDT, in sec tion 3, board 29. David Goodrich, PhD, Professor of Oncology in the Departments of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Urology, is senior author of the study.