The major goals of the Molecular and Cellular Oncology (MCO) Program are to investigate molecular mechanisms involved in cancer cell formation and evolution, and to delineate how interactions between tumor cells and their environment--both local and systemic--impact cancer initiation, progression, and responses to treatments.
MCO Leadership and Scientific Members work closely with the other AHWFBCCC programs to achieve the strategic priorities of improving health for everyone.
Specific Aims
Aim 1: Discover key molecular drivers of cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis to innovate in the areas of cancer prevention, diagnostics, and therapeutics (cancer cell focus). Thematic areas include studies of intra-cellular communication, genetic and epigenetic dysregulation in cancer cells, cell metabolism and oxidative stress, and signaling pathways critical for cancer cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis. This research leads to new molecular targets and/or novel drugs as well as to advancements in precision oncology (i.e., discovery of mutations rendering cancel cells susceptible to specific treatments).
Aim 2: Investigate tumor microenvironment dynamics (tumor focus).
Research in this aim investigates the regulation of inter-cellular communication, vascular and fluid dynamics, and immune cell recruitment within the tumor. Direct analysis and cutting-edge tumor modeling that employs patient-derived organoid technology, novel imaging with subcellular resolution, response to ablative technologies, spatial single-cell genomics, and machine learning data analytics are advancing our capabilities to predict therapeutic response and to unveil novel vulnerabilities.
Aim 3: Determine the mechanisms involved in host responses to the tumor, therapies, and exposures and their impact on tumor progression and quality of life (host focus). This aim investigates basic mechanisms involved in systemic responses to the tumor and therapies, including their impact on tumor progression, normal tissue toxicities, and quality of life. Included are studies of inter-related host factors and environmental exposures such as aging, chemoradiation, diet, microbiome, substance/alcohol use, and obesity in shaping tumor progression and treatment outcomes.
