Pilot Projects and Trans-Network Activities

PILOT PROJECTS AND TRANS-NETWORK ACTIVITIES CORE University of California and UT Southwestern Diversity Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) Development and Trial Center (UCaTS) to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The goal of the Pilot Projects and Trans-Network Activities Core (PPTNAC) is to contribute to the achievement of the University of Californiaand UT Southwestern Diversity Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) Development and Trial Center (UCaTS) overall objectives of developing PDX trial strategies for preclinical testing of single agents and drug combinations. This D-PDTC focuses on the predominant racial/ethnic minority populations residing in California and Texas, namely, Latinos, African American [AAs] and Asian American/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander [AANHPIs]. The focus will be on gastric cancer which disproportionately affect Latinos and all populations of color, and lung cancer, which has a high burden in Latino and AANHPI women. Key personnel for this Core include the PPTNAC Lead Moon S. Chen, Jr., who has successfully led PPTNAC in our ongoing UCaMP PDX Development and Trial Center (PDTC), all Site PIs, Contact PI and Administrative Core Lead Luis Carvajal-Carmona, and UCaTS Grant Administrator. As such, PPTNAC investigators reflect multiple relevant disciplines that foster the evaluation of pilot studies and trans-network activities including cancer health disparities, pre-clinical studies, pathology, and basic cancer research. PPTNAC will also facilitate the interaction of UCaTS with NCI, PDXNet Data Commons and Coordinating Centers (PDCCC), other PDTCs, and non- PDXNet investigators through funded projects. Specifically, the PPTNAC Aims are to: (1) Facilitate Internal Pilot Projects; (2) Facilitate Cross-PDXNet Activities (Pilot Studies Development and Evaluation); and (3) Engage Non-Network Investigators; and (4) Share Innovative Technologies using PDXs (Collaboration with non-PDXNet investigators).