The Translational Oncology (TO) Program aims to facilitate a seamless transition of scientific discoveries, guiding them from bench side to clinical application across the full spectrum of cancer research at the AHWFBCCC.
The TO Program conducts highly innovative and integrated research in cancer therapeutics, bioengineering, biotechnology, tumor markers, and tumor model development to address key issues and unmet needs within the AHWFBCCC catchment area.
Specific Aims
Aim 1 – Translate Novel Therapeutic Discoveries: Accelerate the development of novel small molecules, biologics, cell-based therapies, and immunotherapeutic agents for clinical translation. Research focuses on several key areas, including novel chemotherapeutic agent analogs, multi-targeted small-molecule inhibitors against critical signaling pathways, and next-generation cellular immunotherapy platforms using natural killer cells and CAR-macrophages.
Aim 2 – Develop Novel Bioengineering and Biotechnology: Leverage innovative imaging, surgical, radiotherapeutic, device, and drug-delivery technologies to transform cancer care outcomes. Specifically, TO Program members are developing nanotechnology-based drug-delivery systems and novel tumor ablation methods using histotripsy and high-frequency irreversible electroporation (H-FIRE).
Aim 3 – Advance Novel Tumor Markers and Tumor Models: Facilitate the translation of advanced computational, preclinical, and clinical cancer modeling to clinical applications. Research in this area is focused on preclinical model development (e.g., tumor organoids and spontaneous tumor models in nonhuman primates) as well as high-throughput assay platforms and clinical trial development.
In collaboration with members of the Molecular and Cellular Oncology (MCO) and Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) Research Programs, the TO Program accelerates scientific discoveries generated from the above aims and translates them into clinical applications through trials and correlative studies.
