Gastrointestinal Cancer Program

Project Summary/Abstract: Gastrointestinal Cancer Program (GICP)
Established in 2013, the Gastrointestinal Cancer Program (GICP) is the newest Program in the Fred & Pamela
Buffet Cancer Center (BCC). The research and clinical efforts of the GICP focus on pancreatic and colorectal
cancer, two cancers that are highly relevant to our state of Nebraska catchment area. The mission of the GICP
is to better understand the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of pancreatic and colorectal cancers, identify and
validate new diagnostic and prognostic tools for these diseases, and develop new therapeutic options for patients
with these malignancies. To address these goals, the GICP has been organized into three interacting themes,
each of which integrates basic and translational science: 1) Mechanisms of GI Tumorigenesis, 2) Biomarkers,
and 3) Novel Treatment Approaches. The establishment of the GICP reflects the success of a longstanding
Working Group in Pancreatic Cancer, the foundation of which includes an internationally recognized Rapid
Autopsy Program for comprehensive collection of tissues from pancreatic cancer patients. Additional support for
research initiatives in pancreatic cancer comes from several multi-investigator grants focusing on target
identification, biomarker discovery and validation, and novel treatment approaches, which highlight the
interactive nature of the GICP membership. Accomplishments in pancreatic cancer have recently been extended
to colorectal cancer, with the recruitment of several investigators with expertise in colorectal cancer research
serving to enhance this focus area since the last review. The Program is co-led by a clinician scientist, Chi Lin,
MD, PhD and a basic scientist, Jennifer Black, PhD, with complementary expertise in radiation oncology and
clinical trials and signal transduction mechanisms in colorectal and pancreatic cancer, respectively. The Program
has 27 members, 14 basic scientists and 13 clinician scientists. The Co-Directors leverage their expertise to
enhance intra- and inter-programmatic collaboration through the development of new shared resources, the
evaluation and funding of pilot projects supporting the GICP mission, the attraction of high profile speakers for
Grand Rounds and regular seminar series, the organization of regular programmatic meetings, and the
identification of opportunities for clinical advancement of research findings. These activities have promoted a
strongly collaborative group as demonstrated by inter- and intra-programmatic publications and grants. Clinical
investigators have facilitated the translation of recent preclinical findings into new investigator-initiated
therapeutic trials. Cancer relevant peer-reviewed funding (annual direct costs) for the program is currently
$5.59M; of which ~82% is from the NCI. 406 manuscripts were published by GICP investigators during the
current funding period, of which 50% are intra-programmatic, 48% are inter-programmatic, and 34% are inter-
institutional. Future plans include development of novel models for pancreatic and colorectal cancer research,
expansion of biomarker validation and development efforts, growth of the colorectal cancer research focus,
recruitment of additional clinical faculty, and continued strengthening of the GICP clinical trial portfolio.

Grant Number: 5P30CA036727-39
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Jennifer Black