Cancer Therapeutics

Stanford University, Stanford CA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY The Cancer Therapeutics (CT) Program has been reconfigured from the previous Molecular Oncology Program to unite an exciting new opportunity in drug development with ongoing research in the areas of biomarker design and new diagnostic approaches to cancer, the ultimate objective being the development of clinical trials with high impact for cancer patients with solid tumors. In conjunction with a University-wide initiative to enable drug discovery to improve human health, the Stanford Cancer Institute (SCI) Strategic Plan has made the discovery of new approaches to cancer treatment one of its major pillars. This new emphasis on drug development has been enabled by the recruitment of Nathanael Gray, PhD, co-leader of the program and a pre-eminent researcher in the development of novel therapeutic agents for cancer. Program co-leader, George W. Sledge, MD, has more than three decades of experience as a clinical trialist involved in Phase I, II, and III trials, including trials that have led to the FDA approval of new agents in breast cancer, as well as significant experience in the development of biomarkers for breast cancer. This complementary leadership team, in conjunction with a diverse and talented program membership, integrates highly relevant basic science research with the development and implementation of impactful clinical trials across the spectrum of solid tumors. With the addition of 24 new members since the last review, the 67 program members represent 3 schools and 18 departments across the University and are supported by peer-reviewed research totaling $10M, including 20 R01s. Peer-reviewed funding consists of $4.8M from the NCI, other NIH support amounts to $3.3M, and other peer-reviewed support to $1.8M. CT program members are highly motivated and interactive in their goal of bringing forward novel therapeutic options for cancer patients. Since 2015, members of the CT Program have published 814 manuscripts. Of these, 21% represent intra-programmatic, 42% represent inter-programmatic, and 95% represent multi-institutional collaborations. The SCI has fostered the CT Program by greatly expanding its potential through new recruitments, providing innovation fund support for new projects, as well as funds for retreats and seminars. SCI’s support has been instrumental in promoting intra- and inter-programmatic collaborations and in the planning and submission of two SPORE applications. The CT Program plans to accelerate investment in the discovery of new small molecule therapeutics, expand our clinical Early Drug Development Program, and pioneer high-impact clinical trials.