Holden is part of the Big Ten team—a network of Big Ten university cancer centers combining their resources and expertise to launch innovations in research and treatment approaches. It’s a team of 2,600 cancer researchers and involves the care of more than 50,000 new cancer patients each year.

Cancer affects animals, too. Holden researchers wondered whether breakthroughs in animal cancer care have implications for humans. Thus, an innovative program was born between Holden and veterinary oncologists at Iowa State University. Together, they seek to improve the lives of both people and their pets by better understanding environmental cancer causes, such as radon.

Holden has been a long-time partner of the Iowa Cancer Consortium. The Consortium is a coalition of health care providers, public health professionals, caregivers, researchers, cancer survivors, and volunteers who work together to reduce the burden of cancer in Iowa. Consortium members engage in collaborative efforts to ensure coordinated care for patients, along with advancing initiatives in cancer screening, prevention, treatment, quality of life, and health equity.

Holden researchers are part of ORIEN (the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network). Working with several leading national cancer centers, we use data collected from thousands of patients to identify very complex details about the molecular makeup of cancer. Our work with ORIEN promotes collaboration in discovering treatments and eventual cures.

At Holden, patients are considered active collaborators in advancing cancer research and care. Participation in clinical trials contributes to the collection of new evidence guiding clinical practice. In addition, the Iowa Cancer Registry plays a critical role in compiling population-based data that inform statewide trends in cancer incidence, treatment, and outcomes. This resource has become an essential tool for tracking progress in cancer prevention and control across Iowa.

Holden physicians and researchers collaborate with their peers through several professional organizations and industry experts. One example of this is our partnership with OncLive, which shares oncology industry information and news.