From left: Lauren Lemieux Antoni, Nathalie Lemieux and Mario Lemieux with Pitt faculty members Abby Overacre-Delgoffe and Diwakar Davar
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center has received a transformational $5 million gift from the Mario Lemieux Foundation to establish the Mario Lemieux Microbiome Innovation Center, a coordinated research and translational platform focused on one of the most promising frontiers in cancer science. The center will explore how the microbiome—the community of microbes living in and on the body—may affect cancer development, treatment response, inflammation, resistance and survivorship. UPMC will further amplify the impact of this gift with a $1 million contribution.
The gift, made to the University of Pittsburgh in support of UPMC Hillman, will fund research infrastructure, pilot studies, system-wide microbiome biobanking, artificial intelligence-enabled analytics and the recruitment of scientific talent. These resources will connect scientists, clinicians, data experts and translational researchers as they work to move promising discoveries toward patient care.
“UPMC Hillman investigators are already making internationally recognized discoveries in this area, with important implications for patients with both solid tumors and blood cancers,” said John C. Byrd, director, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and associate vice chancellor for cancer affairs, University of Pittsburgh. “This center will build on that momentum by providing shared tools and resources that enable researchers to collaborate more effectively. Ultimately, we aim to translate these discoveries into pilot clinical trials, new interventions and more personalized treatment strategies for patients.”
Scientists are increasingly examining the microbiome as a potential key to understanding why patients respond differently to cancer and its treatment. This rapidly developing field could reveal new ways to manage side effects, overcome treatment resistance and help more patients benefit from therapies such as immunotherapy.
“This research is important because every patient’s cancer journey is different. By bringing together information about each person’s unique biology and circumstances—including their health, treatment, lifestyle, diet and outcomes—researchers can begin to understand why some treatments work well for one patient but not another,” said Lauren Lemieux Antoni, treasurer of the board of directors of the Mario Lemieux Foundation. “The goal is simple: to learn faster and bring new discoveries to patients sooner. This research will help our amazing doctors at UPMC Hillman choose better treatments and improve how patients respond to care.”
Researchers at UPMC Hillman and Pitt will combine microbiome biology with clinical data, tumor and immune profiling, lifestyle and dietary information, and advanced analytics to better understand how patients, tumors, treatments and microbes interact. Their findings may inform microbiome-based strategies, improve responses to therapy and advance more personalized cancer care.
For the Mario Lemieux Foundation, the center represents a continuation of its long-standing commitment to advancing cancer research and care.
“When the Foundation began, we could not have imagined all the ways it would grow or the innovative research it would one day help make possible. But this is exactly why the Foundation exists: to support hope, progress and exceptional cancer care for patients and families,” said Tom Grealish, president of the board of directors of the Mario Lemieux Foundation.
“As we begin this exciting new chapter through the Mario Lemieux Microbiome Innovation Center, we do so with gratitude, optimism and renewed purpose,” said Stanley M. Marks, chair, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. “Together, we are advancing innovation, accelerating discovery and moving toward a future with better outcomes and greater hope for people facing cancer and their families.”
The gift also contributes to the University of Pittsburgh’s $3 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign, Proving Possible, which is accelerating innovation and discovery to benefit Pittsburgh, the commonwealth and the wider world.
To learn more about the Mario Lemieux Microbiome Innovation Center and how philanthropy is helping accelerate cancer research and shape the future of patient care, visit The Power of Hope.
For information on how philanthropy from grateful patients, friends and other community members can impact research and patient care initiatives at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, please contact the Development Office at +1-412-623-4700 or givetohillman@upmc.edu.