Laboratory

Patel Lab

Cancer Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics

The Jai Patel Lab is driven by a commitment to transforming cancer care, our program unites cutting-edge research, clinical innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration to pioneer the future of precision medicine.

Mission and Vision

Our mission is to advance the science and application of precision medicine by studying and integrating pharmacogenomics, cancer pharmacology, and innovative therapeutic management strategies to improve cancer and supportive care treatment outcomes. Our vision is to be a global leader in transforming cancer care through precision pharmacology and pharmacogenomics, where every patient receives tailored therapy guided by genomic and molecular insights.

Goals

Advance Translational Research: Discover and validate pharmacogenomic biomarkers associated with drug pharmacokinetics and treatment response. Conduct collaborative translational & clinical pharmacogenomics research, including implementation science to improve patient care.
Integrate Precision Medicine into Clinical Practice: Demonstrate the clinical utility of precision medicine diagnostics and implement tailored treatment strategies to optimize cancer care.
Foster Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Build strong partnerships among researchers, clinicians, pharmacists, and data scientists to accelerate innovation and streamline the bench-to-bedside pipeline.
Educate and Empower the Next Generation: Train future leaders in cancer pharmacology, pharmacogenomics, and precision medicine through educational programs, mentorship, and hands-on research opportunities.

Division of Cancer Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics

The Division is led by Dr. Patel applies innovative study designs in pharmacogenomics research to advance precision medicine across Advocate Health. Pharmacogenomics is the study of how one’s genetics influence drug metabolism and response. Dr. Patel’s team leads translational and clinical pharmacology research at the cancer center, with an emphasis on pharmacogenomics research and implementation, including integration of pharmacogenetic testing across the health enterprise.

Awards and Recognition

The team has received numerous awards including two from the American Society of Health System Pharmacists for implementation of DPYD genetic testing, which has demonstrated reduced toxicities and hospitalizations in patients receiving pharmacogenomics-guided dosing, and the STRIPE Double Helix Award for Excellence in Advancing Pharmacogenomics Through Collaboration.

Collaborations

The team collaborates extensively with the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Cancer Genomics Shared Resource to develop, validate, and conduct genotyping assays for pharmacogenomics testing.

Funding Sources

The team’s pharmacogenomics research has been funded through various organizations including Atrium Health Foundation, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, American Society of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, American Society of Health System Pharmacists, Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association, Heineman Foundation of New York, Leukemia Research Foundation, and Swim Across America.

Research Focus

Projects include gene discovery and translational studies to identify genetic predictors of drug metabolism, toxicity, and/or response, and prospective interventional trials using pharmacogenomics to optimize anticancer and supportive care therapies.

Services Provided/Areas of Research

Translational Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics/Pharmacogenomics Research

Pharmacokinetic sample collection/processing and modeling, pathway analyses, specimen biobanking, gene discovery/validation and identification of SNPs of interest, collaborate with Cancer Genomics Shared Resource for genotyping services, pharmacogenomics results translation and data interpretation

Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacogenomics

Pharmacokinetic-guided busulfan dosing, methods development for genomics-guided trials and clinical pharmacogenomic tests, provide clinical consultations for patients receiving pharmacogenomic testing, implement clinical decision support tools for pharmacogenomics

Clinical Trials Support

Pharmacokinetic processing lab, Phase I PharmD, investigational order set development, protocol review

Supportive Care Research

Develop translational and clinical projects to improve cancer symptom management

Pharmacy Support

Provide clinical pharmacy support for pharmacogenomics implementation and precepting/mentoring pharmacy students.

Summary of Activities

Translational PK/PD/PGx research
Clinical PGx research
PGx implementation & clinical decision support
Supportive care research
Clinical trials support (PK/PD/PGx)
Committee membership& leadership
Pharmacy and clinical support
Academics (teaching, precepting, etc.)

Advancing Precision Medicine Through The Translational Pipeline

Genome Wide Association Studies

(Examples: neuropathy, hemorrhage, thrombosis)

Gene Discovery

Candidate Gene Studies

(Examples: tacrolimus, voriconazole, busulfan, cyclophosphamide, ibrutinib, venetoclax, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, opioids)

Gene Validation and Replication

Prospective Clinical Trials

(Examples: CYP2C19-guided voriconazole, DPYD-guided fluoropyrimidines, UGT1A1-guided irinotecan, multi-gene testing for pain management, multi-gene testing in palliative medicine, multi-gene testing in transplant)

Determine Clinical Utility

Implementation Science

(Examples: DPYD testing, multi-gene panel testing)

Integration into Clinical Practice

Technology Transfer and Commercialization

Research Focus Areas

Translation to Care

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