Comparative Oncology Program

COMPARATIVE ONCOLOGY PROGRAM (COP) PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The central theme of the Comparative Oncology Program (COP) is to conduct impactful basic and translational research, including preclinical trials in companion animals, that generates knowledge to prevent and/or reduce the cancer burden in the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCDCCC) catchment area and beyond. The Program brings together basic comparative researchers, veterinary scientists, veterinarians, and clinicians with expertise in trans-species biology and innovative animal models with the goal of generating discoveries that inform, de-risk and cross-validate early interventional investigations in a preclinical setting before and during first-in-human trials. COP has three Specific Aims that encompass the full spectrum of research performed by Program members. Aim 1 is to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which cellular and viral oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are involved in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Aim 2 is to characterize metabolic and immunologic tumor heterogeneity to inform cancer diagnostics and treatment. Aim 3 is to conduct preclinical trials using companion animal cancer patients in order to inform human cancer research and promote translation, especially in the area of innovative immunotherapy. Dr. Xinbin Chen, DVM, PhD (basic comparative scientist), Dr. Michael Kent DVM, MAS (canine clinical trialist), and Dr. Robert Canter, MD (cross-species immunology and immunotherapy) are co- leaders for COP. The Program’s research portfolio spans the comparative cancer research continuum, from studies investigating cell signaling pathways in vitro to preclinical trials in companion animals. COP has 20 full members from three schools/colleges and 12 departments at UC Davis. COP’s total cancer relevant funding is $5M annual direct cost, including $4.8M in peer-reviewed and $2.8M in NCI funding. The total number of publications is 365 of which 23% are intra-programmatic, 39% inter-programmatic, 47% multi-institutional, and 24% are published in high impact journals. As a strong Program that is expected to become even more important to the UCDCCC translational pipeline in the next reporting period, the UCDCCC has established more robust and frequent transdisciplinary fora and discretionary funding support to the COP, providing its leadership the ability to support pilot projects that will result in team science comparative cancer research.