Researchers in the Department of Cancer and Cellular Biology (DCCB) at Katz seek to better understand and more effectively treat human cancer, developing laboratory insights that can be moved into clinical trials.

Since the beginning of Nixon’s War on Cancer in 1971, the outlook for patients newly diagnosed with cancer has gone from one that was almost uniformly grim to one often characterized by hope.  Intensive laboratory and clinical research efforts for over five decades have led to the identification of true cures for some forms of cancer, and effective treatments that extend life for years to decades for other cancer types.

Nevertheless, much work remains to be done. Although some breakthrough treatments, such as immunotherapies, have been transformative for many patients with cancer, these treatments do not work for all patients or all forms of cancer; reasons why are still unclear.  For some aggressive forms of cancer, there are either no effective treatments, or response to treatment is brief before resistance to therapy develops quickly.  Some treatments are effective in controlling cancers, but leave cancer survivors with lifelong challenges due to tissue damage and neuropathy. 

Researchers in the DCCB seeks to overcome these challenges. Topics investigated in DCCB laboratories include definition of the genetic, epigenetic, and immune landscape of cancer types common in Philadelphia, including leukemias, and lung, colorectal, breast, and esophageal tumors. The goal of this work is to identify new targets for design of therapies, and to do pre-clinical evaluation of potential new treatments. DCCB researchers also study the basis for nerve damage induced by some forms of cancer treatment, seeking ways to improve quality of life in cancer survivors. 

Researchers in the department have access to state-of-the-art instrumentation extensive core facilities, supporting genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analysis, as well as advanced cell sorting and bioimaging technologies.  In addition, DCCB faculty hold secondary appointments and interact regularly with researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple Health. This National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center is a hub for practice-changing clinical trials, and provides access to additional core resources for cancer research.

DCCB program members are all committed to providing the best possible training and mentorship to the next generation of researchers. The department supports a highly interactive community of graduate and undergraduate students and postdoctoral fellows, working closely with expert faculty.  Together, we hope to make cancer a disease of the past.