Cancer Therapeutics Program

CANCER THERAPEUTICS PROGRAM: ABSTRACT The overarching goal of the Cancer Therapeutics (CT) program is to translate discoveries through: 1) development of new therapeutic agents, 2) biotechnology and bioengineering approaches, and 3) innovative clinical trials in order to enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment and improve patient outcomes. CT is a new program in this CCSG application, resulting from the significant growth of clinical and translational research across solid and hematologic tumors and a strategic realignment of the SCC’s former three programs. It better positions the SCC for strategically driven growth in these areas and allows for greater catchment area impact. The CT program is led by Lacey McNally, PhD and Kathleen Moore, MD, who bring complementary expertise in developing agents and technologies and translating these into clinical trials that can have a positive impact on patients with cancer. In 2021, the CT program had 38 members (23 full, 15 associate), representing 13 academic departments at two campuses (31 at OUHSC; 7 at OU Norman). Of these 38 members, 20 are MDs, underscoring the need to have a programmatic home within the SCC for clinical trialists and clinician scientists focused in all cancer types. An additional 75 CT affiliate members (non-CCSG category), including many SCC clinician investigators, help advance CT program aims. Total peer-reviewed research funding was $6.54M, of which $4.33M was from NCI (annual, direct cost). Significantly, NCI funding accounts for 66% of total peer-reviewed funding, highlighting the strong cancer-focus of the CT program. Total peer-reviewed research funding increased by 29% over the grant cycle ($5.06M to $6.54M), with NCI increasing by 34% ($3.23M to $4.33M). The number of peer-reviewed projects rose from 23 (2017) to 35 (2021), a 52% increase highlighting programmatic growth and diversity of research activity. CT members published 755 manuscripts in peer- reviewed journals over the past five years (3.97 / member / year). Of these, 154 (20%) were intra- programmatic, 190 (25%) were inter-programmatic, and 570 (75%) were multi-institutional, demonstrating the high degree of collaboration between CT members, with members in other SCC programs, and with investigators at other institutions. Importantly, 161 (21%) of CT member publications were published in high- impact journals (impact factor ≥10). During the reporting period, 3,652 patients were accrued to CT clinical trials, including 3,095 to interventional treatment trials. The number of annual active CT member interventional treatment IITs increased from 4 (2017) to 21 (2021), highlighting the expanding depth and breadth of translational activity emanating from the program.