Dr. Eric Singer advances breakthroughs in urologic cancer care at OSUCCC – James 

At The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James), Eric A. Singer, MD, MA, MS, is leading efforts to transform care for patients facing kidney cancer. As director of the Division of Urologic Oncology at the OSUCCC – James, Dr. Singer and his team are working to develop treatments that are both more effective and easier for patients to tolerate. 

One of the division’s most promising studies is exploring “histotripsy,” a noninvasive technique that uses sound waves to destroy tumor tissue without surgery. The multicenter trial has already seen several successful procedures completed at the OSUCCC – James and could offer a less invasive alternative for some patients with kidney cancer. 

Another ongoing study, known as the Cyto-KIK trial, is testing a combination of targeted therapy and immunotherapy in people with metastatic kidney cancer. In this approach, patients receive medication before undergoing surgery to remove the primary tumor and resume systemic treatment afterward. Researchers believe that exposing patients to medicines before the tumor is removed may help the immune system better recognize and attack the disease after surgery. 

Dr. Singer’s group is also leading a new trial combining medications for patients at high risk of kidney cancer recurrence after surgery, an approach that builds on earlier single-drug studies and could establish a new standard of care.  

In addition, the OSUCCC – James played a key role in a National Cancer Institute-led study that showed strong responses in patients with aggressive papillary kidney cancers using a similar two-drug combination. Dr. Singer was a senior co-author of the study, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. 

Beyond research, Dr. Singer is expanding the Division of Urologic Oncology, recruiting additional specialists and leading a fellowship program to train the next generation of experts. Most recently, he was named chair of the Board of Directors of the Kidney Cancer Association, which has been supporting patients and providers in the kidney cancer community since 1990. 

Dr. Singer received Pelotonia funds for his research startup at the OSUCCC – James and is now a three-year Rider. He rides for his patients and for progress, embodying the connection between Pelotonia-funded research and discoveries that change lives. 

Read the full story on Health & Discovery here.