Molecular and Cellular Oncology Program

Each of the research highlights below focuses on cutting-edge research, aiming to improve cancer understanding through novel technologies, precision medicine, and mechanistic insights.

• Precision Medicine:
• Utilizing precision medicine to reduce treatment differences in non-small cell lung cancer by tailoring treatments based on genetic insights;
• Cataloging actionable genetic alterations that could be targeted for treatment, improving diagnosis and therapy for appendiceal adenocarcinoma.
• Systems Biology and Targeted Mechanistic Studies:
• Investigating the roles of mitochondrial bioenergetics and redox metabolis in tumor progression and resistance to radiation or targeted therapies, with a focus on overcoming this resistance (e.g., KRAS G12C NSCLC);
• Combining modeling and experiments to study the evolution of cells with altered ploidy;
• Mathematical modeling of spatiotemporal and mechanical processes in cellular functions.
• Innovative Technologies and Data Analytics:
• Microfluidic technologies for single-cell epigenomic and multi-omics profiling for low-quantity tumor samples (e.g., MOWChIP-seq, endogenous lncRNA Binding).

The following highlights demonstrate cutting-edge advancements in exploring the tumor microenvironment and leveraging new discoveries to stop tumor progression.

• Advanced Tumor Organoid Models:
• Science in Space to Cure Disease on Earth: NASA-backed research is exploring how microgravity affects tumor survival by studying patient-derived tumor organoids launched to the international space station national lab (ISSNL);
• Development of a parallelized computational microscope platform for high-throughput, live imaging of tumor organoids;
• Creation of a multifunctional acoustofluidic 3D bioprinter with single-cell resolution for advanced tissue engineering and cancer research.
• Tumor Microenvironment and Immunity:
• Examining how interstitial fluid flow influences CAR T cell trafficking, distribution, and effectiveness in targeting cancer;
• Developing nanoparticles that respond to ATP to reverse immune evasion in breast cancer, enhancing therapeutic outcomes;
• Intrapleural immunotherapeutic nanoparticles are being developed for treating malignant pleural effusions (MPE).

These highlights examine the dynamics of host-tumor interactions and explore their influence on tumor suppression, immunity, therapeutic effectiveness, and associated toxicities.

• Host Microbiome Impact on Therapeutic Response and Normal Tissue Toxicity:
• Investigating how the gut microbiome can be leveraged to enhance the response to endocrine-targeted therapies in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer;
• Studying the impact of microbiota in breast tissue on the response to immune checkpoint blockade therapies in triple-negative breast cancer;
• Investigating changes in oral microbiome with radiation therapies for head and neck cancer to discover novel solutions for prevention of oral mucositis, xerostomia (dry mouth), anosmia (loss of smell), and ageusia (loss of taste).
• Mechanistic and Technology Advances for Prevention of Normal Tissue Toxicities:
• Alleviation of Pain, Cachexia, and other side-effects of cancer treatments:
• Contributions of sensory nerves to bone metastasis and associated bone pain;
• Endoplasmic reticulum stress responses in pain;
• Anti-nociceptive activity of CART II in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy;
• Prevention of muscle wasting with chemotherapy.
• Technology advances:
• Development of histotripsy as a completely non-invasive, non-thermal, and non-ionizing method for tumor ablation, avoiding the adverse effects associated with traditional thermal ablation techniques;
• Optimization of High Frequency Irreversible Electroporation (H-FIRE) for tumor ablation and immune system activation in pancreatic cancer.
• Mechanistic Studies of the Role of Host Immunity in Cancer:
• Innovating biobanking technology using a biocompatible cryopreservation method to preserve T and NK cells, along with their CAR-engineered products, for adoptive immunotherapy applications;
• Identifying mechanisms regulating B cell responses to tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) to orchestrate an effective anti-tumor immune response;
• Targeted immunotherapy of breast cancer brain metastasis by chimeric antigen receptor macrophages.