Translational Research and Interventional Oncology Research Program

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville TN

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PROJECT 006 – TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AND INTERVENTIONAL ONCOLOGY RESEARCH PROGRAM PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Translational Research and Interventional Oncology Research Program (TR) is an integrated transdisciplinary program that provides the opportunity for clinical investigators and laboratory scientists to collaboratively address the rapidly changing landscape of cancer therapy. TR traverses multiple disciplines, including precision oncology, clinical trials, cellular therapy, immuno-oncology and immune-toxicity, and TR leaders aim to enhance the vital cross-fertilization across disparate fields that can improve oncologic practice. Over the past five years, TR members have continued to lead large, multi-center clinical trials and have remained scientifically productive with increased funding. The prior funding cycle has seen growth at both ends of that spectrum in addition to strong productivity in terms of publications and federal grant funding. TR aspires to promote and advance all facets of bi-directional translational oncology in solid and hematological malignancies with the main purpose of optimizing patient outcomes that align with serving the needs of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) catchment area and beyond. The specific aims are targeted to lead development and implementation of practice-changing discoveries, including the oversight of clinical trials that are innovative, investigator-initiated and/or accrue on national and international stages. The translational scientists in TR aim to perform paradigm-shifting research that further informs the next generation of clinical trials. The advent of immuno-oncology has identified a rapidly evolving unmet need to address the identification of patients at risk of immune-toxicity and to standardize best practices for management of those toxicities. TR membership is well- positioned to lead the field of immune-toxicity across the spectrum of checkpoint inhibitors, immune-cellular therapy and allogeneic stem cell transplantations. There are 37 program members from seven departments and two schools with $5.5M in total peer-reviewed funding and NCI making up 47% ($2.6M). Out of 826 publications, 16% are intra-programmatic and 24% are inter-programmatic. Members also have 546 collaborative publications with investigators at other NCI-designated cancer centers.