Neal Cancer Center Basic Research Programs

  • Translational Research
  • Cancer Biology
  • Cancer Prevention and Control
  • Translational Research

    Translational Research

    A major focus of the immunotherapy research happening at Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center is on the tumor immune microenvironment and understanding mechanisms of tumorigenesis. Tumor cells evade immune surveillance at multiple stages of cancer progression. The program aims to identify key factors that participate and/or regulate in the cross-talk between tumor initiating cells/stem cells and host immune cells. Knowledge gained from members in this program will help counteract tumor mediated immune suppression to develop impactful novel immunotherapies.
  • Cancer Biology

    Cancer Biology

    Tumor cells develop resistance to anti-cancer therapies through intricate and multifaceted mechanisms, which can be tumor cell intrinsic or extrinsic, and include the stromal tumor microenvironment (TME) components in the primary tumor and distal metastatic sites. The overreaching goal of the HMNCC Innovative Therapeutics (IT) Program is to elucidate and target mechanisms of therapy resistance, with emphasis on both tumor cell intrinsic and TME-associated resistance mechanisms, using state-of-the-art spatial biology technologies and cutting-edge drug targeting or delivery approaches, as well as developing innovative anticancer treatments notably for cancer types of importance to the catchment area.
  • Cancer Prevention and Control

    Cancer Prevention and Control

    The primary goals of the Cancer Prevention and Control program at the Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center are to Identify, understand, and mitigate factors that contribute to cancer risk and to develop and evaluate new strategies for early cancer detection, including novel biomarkers.

Our Comprehensive Approach

With a goal of building a comprehensive approach to cancer research across basic, clinical, and population-based science, Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center has developed three Research Programs led by renowned experts: Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapeutics, Innovative Therapeutics, and Cancer Prevention and Control. The overall specific aims of these programs are to:

  • Develop novel therapeutics for cancer treatment and care using a combination of cutting-edge translational science techniques in the areas of innovative personalized therapeutics, and immunotherapy. 
  • Translate basic science and population science discoveries into early phase clinical trials and interventions. 
  • Promote cancer awareness through community engagement in urban and rural areas of Texas with the highest incidence of cancer and provide improved cancer prevention and screening options through the regional branches of the Houston Methodist Hospital.

Cancer Research Programs Research in Methodology

Clinical Research in Methodology
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