Bridge the gap between laboratory discovery and cancer care and control

While molecular understanding of cancer has expanded exponentially, clinical progress has been more gradual. Introduction to Translational Cancer Research provides a primer for new investigators that focuses on accelerating progress in cancer care, detection and control. Written by physician-scientists with combined expertise spanning biomarker discovery, drug development, and cancer prevention, this volume describes the bidirectional flow between laboratory discoveries and clinical and community applications.

The book examines how human cancer biology and molecular diagnostics have driven the development of molecular therapeutics, leading to personalized treatment, detection and prevention. Translation across the full spectrum of cancer management is described including medical, surgical, radiation and pediatric oncology as well as cancer imaging. Coverage spans drug and biologics development and the application of AI to accelerate the delivery of new agents with greater efficiency. The inter-related roles of academe, pharma and government are considered.

Readers will also find:

• How our deepening understanding of cancer biology and immunology have informed the development and use of targeted drugs and biologics, individually and in combination.
• Career development of physician-scientist and members of translational teams
• Research on dissemination of new ideas and agents
• Impact of translational research on underserved patients
• Ways to accelerate progress in cancer research.

Clinical and research oncologists, medical students, graduate students and fellows, biomedical scientists, and pharmaceutical professionals will find this a valuable guide for understanding how translational research transforms laboratory discoveries into improved patient and population-level outcomes.

Robert C. Bast Jr., MD, is Director of Translational Cancer Research Career Development programs at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he previously served as Vice President for Translational Research for over two decades. His group discovered the CA125 biomarker for ovarian cancer and pioneered targeted therapy approaches for ovarian and breast cancers.

Maurie Markman, MD, is President of Medicine and Science at City of Hope Atlanta, Chicago, and Phoenix. With more than 300 original research articles and over 20 books, he brings four decades of clinical investigation in gynecologic oncology and new drug development from leadership roles at Memorial Sloan-Kettering and MD Anderson.

Ernest Hawk, MD, MPH, is Vice President for Cancer Prevention and Head of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. He has authored over 200 original research articles and leads community outreach efforts delivering evidence-based cancer prevention programs to reduce the burden of cancer and its associated risks at the population level.