Cancer Biology and Immunology Research at Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center

The strategic priority of our Cancer Biology and Immunology research at Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center is to elucidate the basic mechanisms underlying the multistep process of tumor development, tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. This research integrates investigations of both tumor cell intrinsic pathways and tumor cell extrinsic mechanisms within the tumor microenvironment (TME), including the stromal and immune components of the TME. 

Our researchers leverage the knowledge gained to facilitate the identification of promising therapeutic targets, innovative drug delivery methods and novel drug compounds. These discoveries will support clinical translation into early-phase clinical trials and investigator-initiated trials at the Neal Cancer Center for the benefit of cancer patients.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Cancer Research

With the aim of building a comprehensive approach to cancer research across basic, clinical and population-based science, physician-scientists at the Neal Cancer Center have developed three research focus areas led by renowned experts: Cancer Developmental Therapeutics, Cancer Biology and Immunology, and Cancer Prevention and Control . In particular, the purpose of the Cancer Biology and Immunology initiatives is to clarify and define:

 

• Tumor cell intrinsic molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive tumor development and treatment resistance
• Roles of key stromal TME components, such as fibroblasts, adipocytes, bone marrow and the metastatic niche, during tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance 
• Basic mechanisms governing antitumor immunity and the response to immunotherapies