NYU Langone Health Bolsters Gastrointestinal Cancer Programme with New Leadership
NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer center has taken a meaningful step forward in its mission to become a global leader in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer care with the appointment of Anirban Maitra, MD, and Manuel Hidalgo, MD, as co-directors of a newly established GI Cancer Center. This initiative aims to tightly integrate research and clinical practise,accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into improved treatments for patients.
Dr. Maitra, a renowned physician-scientist specializing in pancreatic cancer, brings expertise in early detection, biomarker development, tumor microenvironment studies, and cancer interception strategies. He will also collaborate with the Department of Pathology at NYU Langone to advance programs in spatial biology,molecular diagnostics,and tissue-based analytics. Along with his role as co-director, Dr. Maitra will serve as associate director of translational research, spearheading efforts to move research findings from the laboratory to clinical application across various cancer types.
“Perlmutter Cancer Center offers an ideal habitat to build a truly world-class GI Cancer Center,” stated Dr. maitra. “The institution’s integrated structure provides a unique possibility to translate laboratory research into tangible benefits for our patients, enhancing both our understanding of these cancers and our ability to improve outcomes.”
Dr. Hidalgo, a highly respected translational researcher and clinical oncologist, has a distinguished record of leading the early clinical development of over 50 novel anticancer agents that have become standard of care for advanced cancer patients. He is a pioneer in utilizing patient-derived xenografts – a method of using a patient’s tumor sample to personalize treatment strategies – effectively bridging the gap between laboratory research and clinical practice. At Perlmutter Cancer center, Dr. Hidalgo will focus on establishing a strong infrastructure for therapeutic development, investigator-initiated clinical trials, and biomarker-driven research.
“I am honored to join Perlmutter Cancer Center and collaborate with Dr. Maitra in leading this aspiring GI Cancer Center,” said Dr. Hidalgo. “This initiative is designed to foster collaboration among the existing expertise within NYU Langone Health to better serve our patient community.”
According to John P. Leonard, MD, chief of the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at NYU Grossman school of Medicine and director of the Center for Blood Cancers at Perlmutter Cancer Center, the appointments are notably exciting given Dr. Maitra and Dr. Hidalgo’s previous accomplished collaboration in building a pancreatic cancer center. He anticipates thier renewed partnership will drive innovation within the new GI Cancer Center, leveraging the expertise of NYU Langone’s multidisciplinary teams - including surgical, radiation, and medical oncologists, as well as gastroenterologists and researchers – to rapidly translate scientific breakthroughs into improved patient care.