Experimental Therapeutics

University Of Michigan At Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor MI

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The overarching goal of the Experimental Therapeutics Program (ETP) is to build a world-class academic center dedicated to bridging basic and translational science for the design of Innovative and Impactful cancer therapies. This program, originally named the Molecular Therapeutics program, was established in December 2004 and brings together an interdisciplinary group of 41 investigators from 15 different departments. Since the last funding cycle the research base of the Experimental Therapeutics Program increased 104% from $7,878,482 to $16,042,852 total annual direct support with a total annual direct research support, of which $3,683,482 is from the NCI. Over the last grant period, there were a total of 539 publications of the Experimental Therapeutics Program members, of which 9.3% are intra-programmatic and 21.1% are inter-programmatic. Led by Shaomeng Wang, Ph.D. and Judith Sebolt-Leopold, Ph,D., the ETP has a strong focus on the rational design and development of small-molecule targeted therapies and serves as a critical link between the basic science and clinical programs. The ETP has four major research themes: I) Identification of novel therapeutic agents and approaches that target key signaling pathways dysregulated in human cancer, II) Improvement of drug delivery systems to address tumor inaccessibility using nanotechnology platforms, III) Execution of lead optimization and preclinical biomarker studies to guide development candidate selection and clinical trial design, IV) Translation of these new cancer medicines and approaches into the clinic.