Cancer Research Initiatives

We continue to lead national efforts in using cancer bioinformatics and cloud computing to get an in-depth view of cancer genomics, epigenetics, proteomics and gene expression.

Research has shown that some racial and ethnic sub-groups are more prone to certain diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Our community outreach and engagement programs are essential to addressing these disparities.

Our researchers are developing technologies and chemistry methods to detect different epigenetic marks to understand how they impact gene and cellular function.

Our researchers are pioneering new imaging techniques that are helping specialists diagnose cancer in its early, less harmful stages.

Immunotherapies are revolutionizing the way we treat cancer. These promising and potent drugs aim to harness the body’s immune system, directing it to attack tumors. From basic science to clinical trials, Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers are conducting innovative studies to optimize the use of current immunotherapies.

The deadliest aspect of cancer is metastasis — a process by which tumor cells break away from their neighbors and travel to distant organs. Our researchers are invested in unraveling the molecular and genetic basis of this process, a key to developing successful treatments that will prevent cancer from spreading.

A person’s precise genetic makeup can significantly impact the way they respond to drugs, such as chemotherapy. Our scientists are uncovering differences in the DNA sequence that differ among individuals and confer sensitivity or resistance to various chemotherapeutic agents, in terms of antitumor activity and the adverse effects they cause (called toxicities).

Precision medicine — which uses information about a person’s genes, proteins, and environment to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease — continues to be a primary focus of the Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The best way to fight cancer is to prevent it from developing. Our specialists are developing new prevention strategies based on leading-edge research and are applying these strategies to high-risk individuals.

The cancer survivor population continues to grow. We provide support services and long-term care plans and research centered on survivorship for both adult and pediatric cancer survivors.