Developmental Research Program

The Developmental Research Program (DRP) will support the efforts of the Genetics and Genomics of Leiomyosarcoma (LMS): Improved understanding of cancer biology and new approaches to diagnosis and treatment SPORE. This DRP will complement or enhance the variety and depth of sarcoma translational research, seeking to ensure continual renewal of high-quality translational scientific investigation. The DRP supports short-range studies to establish the data needed to facilitate hypothesis-driven translational projects. Although the DRP will fund established investigators, an important goal is to identify and stimulate interest in sarcoma research among groups whose current focus may be different but sufficiently and transitionally related. Co-directing this program will be Steven Robinson, Associate Professor of Medicine at Mayo School of Medicine. For the past 4 years, Dr. Robinson has been supported by career development grants to Mayo Clinic including the institutional K12 as well as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Amos Medical Faculty Development Program. Dr. Robinson is recent recipient of Department of Defense IDEA Award. He also leads an ETCTN clinical trial that evaluates the combination of TVEC with radiation therapy for localized sarcoma. Dr. David M. Thomas is the Co-Director of this DRP. He is the Co-Leader of Project 2. Dr. Thomas is a Professor of Medicine (University of New South Wales), Director of the Centre for Molecular Oncology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales and the Chief Science and Strategy Officer of Omico: Australian Genomic Cancer Medicine Centre. Robinson and Thomas are joined by a highly qualified committee of experienced clinician-scientists (DRP Committee) which reviews and evaluates new pilot projects as the basis of providing recommendations to the SPORE Executive Committee (Chair, Judy Garber) and the SPORE MPIs, who bear the responsibility to select DRP projects appropriate for funding. The DRP Committee includes members from major cancer centers who possess expertise in key aspects of sarcoma science and therapeutics, including biology and genetics, correlative science, sarcoma pathology, molecular diagnostics, sarcoma drug resistance, immuno-oncology and statistical design and analysis. The DRP will provide the depth required to maintain innovation in this SPORE.