Cancer Research Programs
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.
Program Leaders
Program Co-Lead of Translational Research
Shu-Hsia Chen, PhD
Emily Herrmann Chair in Immunology Research, Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center
Professor of Immunology in Medicine, Academic Institute
Full Member, Research Institute
Emily Herrmann Chair in Immunology Research, Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center
Professor of Immunology in Medicine, Academic Institute
Full Member, Research Institute
Program Co-Lead of Translational Research
Polly A. Niravath, MD
Lois E. and Carl A. Davis Centennial Chair in Cancer Research, Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Academic Institute
Department of Medicine
Lois E. and Carl A. Davis Centennial Chair in Cancer Research, Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center
Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Academic Institute
Department of Medicine
Program Lead of Cancer Biology
Keith Syson Chan, PhD
Research Scientist, Research Institute
Director, Translational Research, Department of Urology
Research Scientist, Research Institute
Director, Translational Research, Department of Urology
Associate Director for Cancer Control & Population Science.
Jennifer Cullen, PhD, MPH
Research Scientist, Research Institute, Academic Institute
Associate Director, Cancer Control and Population Science, Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center
Houston Methodist
Program Team Members
Innovative Therapeutics
Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy
Cancer Prevention & Control
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