Development Therapeutics Branch-Translational Medicine and Therapeutics Group

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The DTB-TMT operates as a central translational facility within CCR, contributing to over 60 clinical trials to date and actively involved in several ongoing ones. The group contributes in clinical trials by developing and implementing innovative assays to identify and measure pharmacodynamic (PD) markers using blood, body fluids and tumor samples from patients. It specializes in high-dimensional immunophenotyping, circulating rare cell analysis (e.g., CTCs, fibroblasts, macrophages, endothelial cells), and liquid biopsy assays that directly inform clinical correlates. The group is expanding its capabilities to include downstream assays such as CTC culture, scRNA-seq, ddPCR, multiplex flow assays and spatial proteomics using multiplex IHC. The DTB-TMT group is expanding its research programs, exploiting chromosomal instability (CIN) as a target for therapeutic intervention and understanding roles of macrophages in tumor development, a few among others. Through these efforts, the aim is to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into tangible improvements in cancer care and treatment strategies.