A Tradition of Excellence: Groundbreaking Research Past and Present (continued)

The Evolution of a Tradition

UCCRC researchers are continuing to build on its tradition of exceptional accomplishment. The UCCRC is one of the premier cancer research facilities in the world.

Our basic science laboratory research programs have pioneered studies in the molecular genetics of hematological cancers (leukemias, lymphomas), cancer immunology, hormonal therapy, bone marrow transplantation, cell signaling, and advanced imaging techniques. Major areas of clinical research include leukemia, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, prostate cancer, mesothelioma, cancer genetics, and new drug development. Cancer prevention and control research at the UCCRC focuses on identifying genetic risk factors for cancer, investigating potential chemoprevention agents, early detection, health disparities, and quality of life issues.

Following are a few examples of some of our strengths:

Our staff includes world-renowned experts in advanced imaging and radiation treatment.

Our cancer specialists and scientists are among the world's leaders in development of novel anticancer drugs and the emerging field of pharmacogenomics.

    Mark J. Ratain, MD, has set the standard for studying and understanding human variability in responses to drugs. He chairs the Pharmacogenomics of Anticancer Agents Research Group (PAAR) study. This $14-million, four-year study is investigating how genetic differences affect an individual's response to cancer drugs. The team begins with human tissue samples to evaluate the diverse ways our bodies absorb, distribute, break down and eliminate medications.

    Chuan He, PhD is probing the mechanism of DNA repair in the search for new DNA repair proteins that initially recognize damage. He has recently reported the crystal structure of a human DNA repair protein bound to DNA.  This structural data will not only provide insight into the normal functioning of this protein, but it can be used to develop agents that block the protein in cancer cells to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

  • M. Eileen Dolan, PhD and her lab are studying the relationship between one’s genetic make-up and drug activity – a field know as pharmacogenetics.  Her lab has shown that Caucasian and African populations have different genetic profiles associated with sensitivity to the toxic effects of common chemotherapeutic drugs.  This knowledge could lead to more efficacious use of current and new/future chemotherapeutic agents based on an individual’s genetic profile.
  • Dr. Ratain, Michael Maitland, MD, PhD, and Federico Innocenti, MD, PhD, have identified and characterized genetic differences that cause some patients to experience severe adverse affects when administered irinotecan, a drug used for the treatment of metastatic colon cancer.  This work led the FDA to change the label on the drug insert for irinotecan indicating that a specific genetic make-up is associated with severe adverse affects.

Ralph Weichselbaum, MD, and his team have harnessed a cancer-killing protein, naturally produced in the body, to increase the sensitivity of various tumor to radiation therapy.

Thomas F. Gajewski, MD, PhD, and his team explore ways to control, manipulate and enhance immune responses against cancer. Their findings enable them to develop vaccines and other immune therapies. Approaches that reduce tumors in mice then become candidates for human testing. The team already has shown tumor shrinkage in patients with a vaccine against melanoma and are also investigating new vaccines in patients with pancreatic and kidney cancers. This work relies on the collaboration of basic immunology researchers, medical oncologists, surgeons, and pathologists.

Marsha Rosner, PhD, and Ezra Cohen, MD, are working together to move basic biological observations from the lab to the clinic. For example, their collaboration has shown the proteins that regulate the life cycle of a cell can be used to stop the growth the head and neck cancer cells in the lab.  The pair is now investigating if these proteins can be used as cancer therapies in the clinic.

Geoffrey L. Greene, PhD, continues to make breakthroughs in our understanding of how female steroid hormones regulate cellular growth in hormone-responsive tissues and cancers. This research is helping us not only understand the processes that initiate breast cancer, but also to develop novel drugs, which we can use to treat and prevent breast and uterine cancers. Some of these drugs might have application in hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women.

Michelle M. Le Beau, PhD, identifies recurring chromosomal abnormalities in patients with cancer and correlates them with physical and clinical aspects of their diseases. She uses this information to determine the most appropriate drugs for treating particular tumors and to better assess the unique hazards faced by individual patients. Dr. Le Beau's current research emphasis is secondary leukemia, which is an unfortunate side effect of some cancer treatments. By delineating the etiology (or molecular basis) of the disease, she hopes to develop procedures to identify patients at greater risks for contracting the disease and to minimize its hazards.