Cancer Therapeutics Program

University Of California At Davis, Davis CA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

CANCER THERAPEUTICS PROGRAM (CTP) PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Cancer Therapeutics Program (CTP) is one of two clinical research programs of the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCDCCC). The mission of CTP is to discover new molecular biomarkers and targets for cancer therapeutics, to accelerate the rate of new agent development, and to translate basic science and preclinical findings made at UCDCCC into clinical trials to ultimately benefit patients in the catchment area. CTP is led by Kit Lam, MD, PhD, an expert in drug discovery and development, and Richard Valicenti, MD, an experienced clinical trialist. Together, they bridge the spectrum of cancer research that facilitates the integration and translation of basic science discoveries, drug development, and preclinical research to directly inform human studies and clinical trials. CTP has three Specific Aims: Aim 1 is to develop and apply new tools for discovery of new biomarkers, therapeutic targets, novel imaging techniques, and lead compounds. Aim 2 is to develop new anti-neoplastic drugs and innovative drug-delivery modalities. Aim 3 is to develop and conduct hypothesis-driven clinical trials based on strong preclinical rationale. In the past four years, CTP investigators have developed novel enabling technologies such as the new intravital microscope EyePod, novel inhibitors against new targets (e.g., galectin-1), and innovative drug delivery platforms such as bioengineered RNAs (BERAs) and receptor-mediated transformable peptides. Some of these agents are in the pre-IND and IND stages. In addition, two clinical trial awards (UM1 and UG1 LAPS) were renewed which fully integrates CTP investigators into NCI’s clinical trial networks (ETCTN and NCTN). CTP has 41 Full members from five schools/colleges and 15 diverse academic departments at UC Davis, highlighting the multidisciplinary nature of the program. As a clinical program, CTP has a mix of MDs (22), PhDs (14), MD/PhDs (5). CTP’s total cancer relevant funding is $12M annual direct cost, including $7.7M in peer-reviewed funding and $2.1M in NCI funding. CTP members are highly productive, publishing 739 articles this cycle, of which 31% are intra- programmatic, 31% inter-programmatic, 50% multi-institutional, and 26% published in high impact journals.