Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Congratulations, Dr. Mikkael Sekeres! Mikkael Sekeres, M.D., M.S., chief of the Division of Hematology and professor of medicine at Sylvester, has been elected to the Executive Committee of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), the world’s largest professional organization dedicated to conquering blood diseases. This prestigious appointment recognizes Dr. Sekeres’ leadership, expertise and contributions to the field of hematology. He will serve a four-year term as councillor beginning after the 2025 ASH Annual Meeting, taking place December 6–9 in Orlando, Florida.

When 10-year-old Diego Gonzalez had persistent leg pain, his father, Javier, knew it was more than growing pains. An MRI confirmed every parent’s worst fear, Ewing sarcoma, a rare bone cancer diagnosed in only about 200–250 young people each year. After reaching out to top surgeons, Javier connected with Dr. Francis Hornicek, director of orthopedic oncology at Sylvester, who immediately scheduled a biopsy and later performed a 10-hour surgery to remove the cancer and reconstruct Diego’s pelvis. “We were ready for him to lose a leg because we knew that was the result from other cases, but Dr. Hornicek gave him the chance to live a normal life again,” says Javier. Today, Diego is thriving, a testament to early action, expert care and hope. 💛 Learn more about Diego's cancer journey and Sylvester’s work in Ewing sarcoma research: https://loom.ly/KhVqfxs

Three recent studies by Sylvester researchers have uncovered links between breast cancer and Superfund sites. Superfund sites are contaminated areas the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified as needing cleanup due to health and environmental risks. In Florida, 52 active Superfund sites have sparked growing concern, prompting members of Sylvester’s Community Advisory Committee to raise awareness and connect with the cancer center about these issues. Two Sylvester studies led by Dr. Peter Borowsky, published in Scientific Reports and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, found that simply living near a Superfund site may increase breast cancer risk. “We need to better appreciate how environmental conditions may be driving variability in cancer outcomes,” said Dr. Erin Kobetz. Building on this work, a third study led by Dr. Aristeidis Telonis and co-led by Dr. Kobetz examined breast cancer samples from 80 Miami-area patients. The team discovered that patients from areas with fewer health-promoting resources were more likely to have molecular markers tied to aggressive cancers. This research underscores Sylvester’s commitment to community voices and scientific discovery. Learn how Sylvester researchers are uncovering the link between environment and cancer outcomes: https://loom.ly/Qd1OsUA

Sylvester researchers take center stage at the Cancer Center Informatics Society (Ci4CC) 24th Cancer Center Summit, “Precision Oncology Powered by Data Intelligence,” Nov. 7–9 in Miami. The annual summit gathers leading clinicians, researchers, technologists, and data scientists from across the country to explore how advanced analytics and real-world data are transforming cancer care. This year’s event is chaired by Dr. Stephen Nimer and co-chaired by Dr. Antonio Iavarone.

As a breast oncologist and researcher, Dr. Carmen Calfa is driven to not only solve clinical challenges and advance treatment options but also to advocate for the emotional and long-term needs of her patients and their families. At Sylvester, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Dr. Calfa serves as an associate professor in the Division of Medical Oncology and holds several leadership roles that span clinical care, research and survivorship. Her work supports patients across the spectrum, from “previvors” with genetic predispositions to individuals decades into survivorship. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁? I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. When I was 3, the only toys I had were stethoscopes and syringes. I was always drawn by connecting with people and trying to make them feel better. In school, I was good at math and science. I love solving math problems — the hardest ones. As an oncologist, you have to create treatment plans and I like to find the best answer for the situation. 🔗 Read our Q&A to learn about Dr. Calfa's work: https://loom.ly/yG8yzbU

We’re looking forward to our 4th Annual Sylvester Cancer Survivorship Symposium! 🎗️ Cancer survivor Jason Tharp will deliver a powerful keynote during the Supportive Care Sessions on October 29: "Hope as Strategy: When Impossible Becomes Optional for Everyone." Register for the symposium and learn more: https://loom.ly/Gd7s1a0.

At first, Paul Ringon thought his vertigo was just altitude sickness. The 40-year-old Fort Lauderdale realtor and his husband were vacationing in Switzerland when a blizzard trapped them at more than 10,000 feet. That’s when the pounding headache and dizziness began, and even after returning home, the symptoms didn’t fade. Paul’s father had passed away in 2009 from von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in a tumor-suppressor gene that regulates cell growth. People with VHL face a much higher risk of developing benign and malignant tumors, and each child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the condition. “When my dad went through it in the ’80s, they didn’t know what it was,” he says. Years later, after his brother’s vision problems led to a VHL diagnosis, Paul still saw no reason to get tested. “I didn’t want to say the name [VHL],” he admits. It wasn’t until his mother mentioned their family history during an ENT appointment that doctors began connecting the dots. Soon after, Paul got a call urging him to go to the ER. He was admitted to the neurology unit and prepped for emergency surgery. The next day, Dr. Ricardo Komotar, co-director of surgical neuro-oncology at Sylvester Brain Tumor Institute, successfully removed a hemangioblastoma from his brain. Genetic testing is recommended for relatives of patients with a VHL mutation, yet many delay it. “Once we know someone has VHL, there is targeted screening we can offer to ensure cancer is detected early, when it is easiest to treat,” says Dr. Nicholas Borja, cancer geneticist at Sylvester. Earlier this year, Paul underwent genetic testing and screening at Sylvester’s Genetic Predisposition Syndrome Clinic. The test confirmed the VHL mutation and five malignant tumors in his kidneys, all of which were successfully removed. He’s now enrolled in a clinical trial for the drug casdatifan, which targets kidney cancer caused by VHL. “It works on the error created by the mutation,” explains his neuro-oncologist, Dr. Ruham Nasany. “It’s a daily pill that treats his VHL-related kidney cancer like any other chronic condition and he’s doing well.” Today, Paul is channeling his experience into advocacy. He’s writing a book and launching a podcast to raise awareness and encourage genetic counseling. “Whatever your family history is,” he says, “don’t ignore it.” Read about Paul's story: https://loom.ly/dQWnIX8

Chaired by Dr. Stephen Nimer, the 24th Cancer Centers Informatics Society (Ci4CC) Symposium will convene the nation’s leading designated and community cancer centers with a central focus on advancing precision oncology. Learn more: https://loom.ly/e6CD4h4.

Sylvester will co-lead a landmark, multi-institutional clinical trial exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can support radiologists in interpreting mammograms with greater accuracy, aiming to enhance breast cancer screening while reducing unnecessary callbacks and patient anxiety. The PRISM Trial (Pragmatic Randomized Trial of Artificial Intelligence for Screening Mammography), backed by a $16 million award, will assess hundreds of thousands of mammograms across leading academic and community sites in California, Florida, Massachusetts, Washington and Wisconsin. The AI support tool, Transpara by ScreenPoint Medical, integrated through the Aidoc aiOS platform, will be evaluated to determine how AI can be responsibly and effectively used in real-world clinical workflows. “As the first major randomized trial of AI in breast cancer screening in the U.S., this study represents a pivotal step,” said Jose Net, M.D., director of breast imaging services at Sylvester and co-principal investigator. Findings from PRISM are expected to inform future policy, clinical best practices and the responsible integration of AI into patient care. In addition to Sylvester, collaborating institutions include: • UCLA Health • UC Davis Medical Center • Boston Medical Center • UC San Diego Health • University of Washington Medical Center • University of Wisconsin Health Learn more: https://loom.ly/ACFrMYM