University of Michigan Creates Cancer Research Hub

“Traditionally, basic scientists have worked in labs while clinicians worked separately with patients,” says Diane Simeone, MD, director of the newly formed Translational Oncology Program at the University of Michigan (UM) Comprehensive Cancer Center in Ann Arbor. “We want to change that and integrate these 2 groups and other experts into working teams using a disease-based approach. And we have a newly renovated space to accomplish this.”

UM's North Campus Research Complex, formerly the Pfizer campus, is offering 2.2 million square feet of research space to UM researchers and private companies. As the Translational Oncology Program ramps up over the next 2 years, approximately 40 researchers from UM's Medical School, College of Engineering, School of Dentistry, and College of Pharmacy, among others, will be housed at 2 of the complex's buildings. “In this space, we plan to create interactive teams that will focus on some of the major cancers,” says Simeone.

The program will expand UM's strong basic research capabilities, with a focus on molecular and cellular biologic processes, genomics, molecular imaging, cancer stem cells, and novel preclinical models of cancer.

Simeone is particularly encouraged about giving researchers access to the preclinical models at a central location, which she says will make it easier for researchers to gather pertinent data. “We have 2 different types of mouse models—a primary tumor mouse xenograft model and a genetically engineered mouse model,” she explains. “Both have advantages and disadvantages from a research standpoint. Our plan is to put these 2 models together and study them side-by-side to improve our understanding of a particular type of cancer before we move a clinical trial into the patient setting.”

The program emphasizes the development of experimental therapeutics and new treatment options. “Our approach is not only to improve preclinical work, but also to close the loop, by identifying new therapeutic targets and drugs and designing clinical trials,” says Simeone.

To better navigate the business aspects of drug development and tap the potential for offshoot companies, researchers will collaborate with UM's Ross School of Business and the Medical School's business development team.

“Our approach to drug development is 2-pronged,” says Simeon. “We want to identify therapeutic targets and develop drugs in-house, so we will have an in-house drug discovery team of about a dozen researchers who will work with basic and clinical investigators to determine the best therapeutic targets and potential new agents. We also aim to partner with pharmaceutical companies to identify existing drugs and targets that may benefit patients.”