Experimental Therapeutics Program

Research in this program aims to identify novel molecular targets and pathways that will be used to develop the next generation of cancer therapeutics and diagnostics. At the core of the experimental Therapeutics Program is a robust drug discovery pipeline consisting of in silico-based drug discovery, biophysical characterization of drug-target interactions, structural determination of drug-target interactions, advanced medicinal chemistry for structure-based activity and in vitro and in vivo preclinical testing. This pipeline has contributed significantly to the BCC’s emergence as a leader in experimental therapeutics research. To date, there are more than two dozen new lead compounds against new drug targets that are in various stages of the drug discovery pipeline.

Other important advances to date include:

Two novel drugs that have successfully “graduated” from preclinical tests in animal models to clinical trials in humans (AS1411 and PFK-158)
Two novel drugs that are now licensed by the pharmaceutical industry and undergoing pre-clinical FDA evaluation for phase I trials (CKa15 and PU27).
Multiple lead compounds have garnered industry/pharmaceutical interest and have been further developed by industrial partnership funding.
The first demonstration that advanced-stage cervical cancer, melanoma, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer can be detected with a single drop of blood in an assay called a plasma thermogram
Exciting evidence that the presence of specific compounds called carbonyls in exhaled breath can be used to diagnose early-stage lung cancers
Virtual screening has led to more than two dozen new lead compounds against new drug targets. These lead compounds are in various stages of the drug discovery pipeline.

Researchers focused on Experimental Therapeutics and Diagnostics include: