Genomic and Microenvironmental Determinants, Temporal Dynamics, and Treatment Efficacy of Radiation-Based Combination Therapies

PROJECT SUMMARY
Cross-Training Core
Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide and is the second leading cause of death in the US. Advances in our understanding of the biology of cancer have the potential to lead to significant breakthroughs in cancer diagnosis, detection, and treatment. However, the translation of basic science discoveries to clinical advancements has been slow and inefficient. The translation of molecular insights from the lab to clinical trials and ultimately to clinical practice relies on the close collaboration of scientists (radiation biologist and medical physicist) and physicians (radiation oncologist) with relevant training backgrounds. A major barrier to the integration of these basic scientists and physicians in translational settings is the lack of enhanced mentored training opportunities focused on radiation biology workforce development. To address the urgent need for well-trained independent investigators in cancer research who can bridge the gap between scientific discovery and clinical advancement, we propose the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF)- Emory Cross-Training Program in ROBIN that will take advantage of the outstanding resources, high caliber of investigators, and close collaboration between cancer biologists, clinicians and physicists at the Cleveland Clinic Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. The CCF/Emory Cross-Training Core will provide a unique, individualized, and multi-faceted cross-training experience to support the development of trainees (PhD and/or MD) in acquiring the knowledge and skills to address the most important biological questions and clinically significant problems so that they can make transformative discoveries to improve quality of care for patients with cancer. The primary objective of the Cross-Training Core is to develop and sustain a collaborative environment that encourages the center membership to increase interactions, sharing, and rapid adoption of concepts and approaches. The cross-training core will establish and accelerate advances from projects to paradigms by providing training and expertise with an overall trajectory that promotes wider adoption by the oncology community to improve patient outcomes. We will operationalize the mission of the cross-training core through integrated training opportunities for radiation biologists, medical physicists, and radiation oncologists with the goal of engaging trainees in research across the ROBIN Center’s multiple cores and projects. Building on a strong existing culture of education and training, we propose the following specific aims: (1) Develop a centralized radiation biology integration network to facilitate scientific cross- pollination between radiation oncology, radiation biology, and medical physics within the ROBIN Center; (2) Disseminate clinical / translational data from Cores, Projects, and Molecular Characterization Trials across the center with the broader mission of fostering cross disciplinary training and collaboration; (3) Develop a ROBIN center wide workforce development program relying on interdisciplinary training for clinicians, physicists and
radiation biologists in translational radiation biology.

Grant Number: 5U54CA274513-04
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Timothy Chan