Research Experience Component
This component of the training
program unites the trainees and the four subprograms through the active mentoring of
physician-scientists whose careers demonstrate a proven commitment to translational
oncology research. Trainees, in connection with the TROTP director and advisory committee
will determine their program placement--and thus their laboratory assignment--at the onset
of their trainee ships.
Program 1: Mechanism-Based Therapeutics
Leaders: James K.V. Willson, MD
and Scot C. Remick, MD
The Mechanism-Based Therapeutics
Program is designed to engage trainees in the discovery and evaluation of new therapeutics
for the cancer patient. The program brings together biochemical pharmacologists, cancer
biologists, clinical pharmacologists, and clinical investigators, who themselves are
working together to develop mechanism-based therapeutics. This highly interactive
environment provides unique opportunities for trainees to interface simultaneously with
basic scientists and clinical investigators in order to develop the experience and
knowledge required to initiate novel mechanism-based therapeutics.
Program 2: Cancer Genetics
Leaders: Sanford
Markowitz, MD, PhD
and Kurt Stange, MD, PhD
The Cancer Genetics Program fosters
investigation of the genesis and incidence of human cancers with three distinct research
foci. Trainees may study
•the role of mutant genes in the genesis of human
colon cancer
•the role of genetic defects in DNA repair and
environmental carcinogens in the
genesis of familial and sporadic human cancer
•the population genetics of defects that induce
cancer susceptibility in human
populations, with specific emphases on studies of
colon cancer susceptibility in
genes, and on methods of population genetics and
linkage analysis.
Program 3: Hematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology
Leader: Stanton L. Gerson, MD
The Program in Hematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology fosters
investigation of three principle themes in order to create a vital and dynamic means
of linkage between basic oncology research and clinical oncology treatment. These
themes are:
• Understanding the basic principles of stem cell
proliferation and
differentiation, particularly as they relate to experimental
and therapeutic
programs in transplantation.
• Understanding the basic biology of mesenchymal
progenitor cells derived
from the bone marrow as stromal support cells with
multilineage differentiation
capacity, and development of translational strategies for
therapeutic use of
mesenchymal progenitor cells in support of
hematopoiesis.
• Development of gene therapy strategies of
hematopoietic progenitor cells and
mesenchymal progenitor cells .
Guided by these themes, the program's laboratory findings are actively translated into clinical investigations that are directed by physicians who work closely with their basic-science counterparts through a variety of regularly-held forums for interaction. Current examples of these forums include the monthly Stem Cell Biology and Bone Marrow Transplant conference, the monthly Developmental Therapeutics Conference, and the weekly Bone Marrow Transplantation Conference.
Program 4: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Program
Leader: Kevin D. Cooper, MD
This program's emphasis is on
development of institutional expertise in understanding and manipulating the tumor antigen
presenting cell and the T cell response to tumors. The Cancer Center Immune Cell Biology
Program has created an applied immunology focus that directs basic research expertise
toward translational research applications, resulting in a number of preclinical and
clinical trials using immunotherapeutic or inflammation-modulating agents. The
multidisciplinary Cutaneous Oncology Program, which emphasizes tumor immunobilogy,
molecular immunodiagnostics, and clinical trials using immunointerventions, provides an
excellent milieu for interdisciplinary training of physician investigators.
•A Formal
Curriculum Component