Clinical Trials Search at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Clinical Trials Search at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Meet the Program Members
The Signal Transduction and Chemical Biology program, led by Ian Macara, Ph.D., and Stephen Fesik, Ph.D., is an active group of more than 40 basic, translational, and clinical scientists whose goal is to understand how signaling networks control cell proliferation and function, to identify drug leads, and to develop new cancer therapeutics.
Meet the Program Members
The Translational Research and Interventional Oncology Program is the largest of the cancer center's formal research programs, representing a range of clinical and translational cancer research areas. The program is led by Douglas Johnson, M.D., M.S.C.I. and Christine M. Lovly, M.D., Ph.D.
Hereditary Cancer Program
Hereditary cancers result from a genetic change, or mutation, that is passed down in a family. People with a change in one of these genes have a hereditary cancer syndrome and a higher chance of getting certain cancers.
The Clinical and Translational Hereditary Cancer Program encompasses research, clinical, and educational efforts to generate and translate new insights in hereditary cancer genetics into clinical care. The program is directed by Georgia Wiesner, M.D., and includes physicians, nurse practitioners, and genetic counselors with expertise in hereditary cancer.
Hereditary Cancer Research Team
Hereditary Cancer Research
- The Vanderbilt Hereditary Cancer Registry: The overall purpose of this registry is to identify genetic factors that predispose to tumor development and affect outcomes.
- Inherited Cancer Registry (ICARE) Initiative: The purpose of the Inherited CAncer REgistry (ICARE) Initiative is to provide individuals interested in participating in studies focused on inherited cancer predisposition the opportunity to enroll in a research registry. For more information or to enroll, visit the ICARE website. Read the latest ICARE Newsletter. CARE Newsletter
- Colon Cancer Research: It is well established that germline mutations of some of the already known colon cancer susceptibility genes confer a marked risk of early onset colon cancer. We are interested in identifying additional genetic variants that contribute to the risk for developing colon cancer.
- Lung Cancer Research: We are trying to understand whether inherited factors may partly explain the development of lung cancer in patients who did not smoke.
Cancer Health Disparities
Cancer affects everyone – but the burden is often much higher in certain ethnic and socioeconomic populations.
According to the National Cancer Institute, death rates from cancer are higher in African Americans, particularly African American males, compared to any other racial or ethnic group. Hispanics and Latinos have the highest rates for cancers associated with infection (such as liver, stomach, and cervical cancers) and are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stages of the most common cancers than non-Hispanic whites.
Through our research, education and outreach programs, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center is committed to reducing these disparities and improving cancer health equity in our community, nationwide, and globally. Our multi-faceted approach includes:
- Encouraging cancer screening and prevention strategies, e.g., HPV vaccination and smoking cessation, in disproportionately affected communities
- Communicating the critical importance and supporting the inclusion of minorities in cancer research and clinical trials
- Designing and conducting large-scale studies to identify key cancer risk factors and the most promising strategies for improving cancer health equity among minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations
Meharry-Vanderbilt-Tennessee State Cancer Partnership
The Meharry-Vanderbilt-Tennessee State Cancer Partnership (MVTCP) brings together members of three institutions to address the disproportionate impact of cancer on minority and/or underserved populations through research, training and community outreach.
