Molecular Oncology

Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

MOLECULAR ONCOLOGY (MO) RESEARCH PROGRAM PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Molecular Oncology (MO) Research Program serves as the dynamic engine of basic cancer research within the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC). Comprising a cadre of exceptional basic and translational scientists, this program explores a spectrum of topical areas in contemporary oncology. The primary objective of the program is to unravel the fundamental mechanisms of cancer, focusing on tumor cell autonomous and non-autonomous regulation of cancer initiation, development, and progression. This is organized around 3 scientific aims: (1) To interrogate cancer stem cell (CSC)-driven mechanisms of tumor initiation, growth, and progression; (2) To reveal tumor microenvironment interactions that promote tumor initiation, growth, and progression; (3) To discover novel molecular vulnerabilities intrinsic to tumor cells. These aims support the key function of the MO program to serve as an incubator to develop and nurture new research initiatives expected to mature into new research themes. Extensive use of an array of shared resources facilitate member discoveries. Under the new leadership of PLs Justin Lathia and Quintin Pan, the MO program has reorganized around a series of themes anchored by the above specific aims. MO program leaders have fostered enhanced membership engagement through topic-specific quarterly meetings and workgroups, and social events. The MO program has four strategic initiatives: facilitating bench-to-bedside translation, promoting catchment-related research activities, fostering and supporting multi-disciplinary investigative teams, and spearheading targeted recruitments in thematic areas including novel animal models development. Program Leaders engage closely with the Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) and Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) teams to ensure support of these initiatives. With a robust membership of 52 full members representing 16 departments across all three consortium institutions, the MO program has demonstrated growth, recruiting 17 new members since 2018. During the current cycle, MO program members have published 907 cancer-focused peer-reviewed manuscripts, with 29% published in high impact journals. Inter- and intra-programmatic publication rates were 31% and 19%, respectively. Current cancer-relevant funding totals $13M (direct), with $12.5M in peer-reviewed funding and $5.3M in NCI funding. Moreover, MO has played a pivotal role in catalyzing multi-PI programmatic grant submissions, which culminated in the successful funding of 2 new NCI P01s and facilitating bench-to-bedside translation leading to 5 new IITs that were designed and managed by Developmental Therapeutics colleagues. This highly effective program has made major advances to contemporary cancer research. Examples include: revealing the therapeutic potential of BMX nonreceptor tyrosine kinase inhibition to target glioma stem cells in combination with radiotherapy, uncovering a new structural-based function of the Eph-Ephrin signaling network in cancer cell invasion, and identifying novel mechanisms of PD-1 and PD-L1 in treatment response and resistance.