Developmental Therapeutics

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UWCCC DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPEUTICS (DT) PROGRAM Co-leaders: Christian Capitini, Beth Weaver, and Dustin Deming PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The discovery, development, and translation of new biomarkers and therapeutics are critical to improve the clinical outcomes for patients with cancer in our catchment area and beyond. The mission of the UW Carbone Cancer Center (UWCCC) Developmental Therapeutics (DT) Program is to improve cancer patient outcomes by discovering new targets, developing new therapies and biomarkers, and translating preclinical research into phase I-III clinical trials. The DT Program provides translational direction not only for DT members, but also for the basic science programs within the UWCCC, including GEM, VR, and TM. Our community influenced bench- to-bedside and bedside-to-bench research enables a greater understanding of mechanisms of response and resistance which enable the discovery and development of new drugs, biomarkers, and therapeutic strategies. The DT Program has 56 core members, representing 20 departments and 5 different schools/colleges. Research impacts of DT members are evidenced by research awards totaling $20.8M in annual direct cost of peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed funding (including $5.41M NCI, $5.06M cancer-related other NIH agencies, $3.25M peer- reviewed non-NIH sources, $7.05M non-peer reviewed funding) and a significant number of publications (1,011 publications, 12% of which result from intra-programmatic collaboration, 31% from inter-programmatic work and 55% from inter-institutional work). Of note, 29% were publications in high impact journals (impact factor > 10). The thematic aims of the DT program are to: 1) discover and develop combination immunotherapy approaches that bridge innate and adaptive immunity for treatment of advanced cancers; 2) discover and develop new drug molecular targets, precision medicine therapies, and biomarkers; and 3) translate new immunotherapeutic approaches and precision medicine therapies to clinical trials, including phase I-III studies. To address these aims, members of the DT Program come from basic science, applied science, and clinical departments. This program has expertise in therapeutic discovery and development across immunotherapy/cell therapy and precision medicine therapies. Additionally, translational and clinical research DT program members apply intra- and inter-programmatic research discoveries in clinical trials. DT members are performing the majority of investigator-initiated early phase studies and advance UWCCC science into phase II and III clinical trials with an emphasis on diseases that are high priority for our catchment area, including breast cancer, lymphoma/myeloma, prostate, and head and neck cancers. Finally, the DT program is dedicated to the mentorship of junior investigators as part of formalized training programs, and also through DT-led meetings, pilot grants, and mentorship from the DT leadership.