Molecular Medicine Aims

Using a team science approach, the Molecular Medicine Program integrates biologists, chemists, and clinical researchers to create unique opportunities to rapidly translate novel strategies into the clinic, while conversely also increasing the flow of observations from the clinic back to the laboratory for mechanistic testing. Program members have had a major impact on discerning mechanisms of drug resistance, identifying new vulnerabilities as anti-cancer targets, developing new small molecules as future cancer treatments, and testing new therapeutic and biomarker strategies in early-phase clinical trials. Continued success in these areas, as well as progress in new initiatives, is informed by the Program Specific Aims:

Aim 1: Identify and validate pathways and targets of refractory and metastatic cancer and therapy resistance. MM couples system-level unbiased genomics- and high-resolution protein mass spectrometry approaches, as well as novel targeted approaches such as proximity ligation analyses and chemical proteomics, as tools for assessing signaling circuits and for target discovery. Genetic studies are used to validate targets and these approaches define mechanisms of tumor initiation, progression and metastases and modes of acquired drug resistance in refractory cancers. These strategies define and validate new targets for small molecule drug discovery and novel therapeutic approaches for treating patients afflicted with these malignancies.

Aim 2: Characterize mechanisms of action and optimize existing drugs and lead compounds. MM members have developed high-quality lead compounds targeting key effectors that drive cancer metastasis and tumor resistance. Using structure-guided design and a battery of biochemical and cell-based assays integrated within a rigorous research-operating plan (ROP), the MM advances work to improve selectivity and potency while improving drug-like properties of new analogs. Using iterative medicinal chemistry and guided by structure activity relationships (SAR), and with support of the cancer pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (CPP) developing shared resource, MM strives to improve microsomal stability, CYP450 inhibition, protein binding, P-glycoprotein efflux, and PK parameters until criteria for a safety assessment candidate and optimal drug-like properties are attained. Efficacy of improved analogs are tested in validated mouse models and PK parameters are correlated with biologically effective dose by assessing on-target modulation in vivo.

Aim 3: Design and implement therapeutic trials with a precision medicine approach. New therapeutic strategies and new MM-generated anti-cancer agents are moved into mechanism-based clinical trials in hematological malignancies and solid tumors. The MM faculty are responsible for translating the scientific findings through the design, formulation, and execution of innovative clinical trials. Genomic and proteomic technologies are used to enrich patient enrollment onto clinical trials, and to study drug mechanisms of action and mechanism that drive primary and secondary drug resistance within tumor and blood. The clinical discoveries are then shared in disease agnostic, multidisciplinary forums to foster further collaborations, synergy and advance development of new treatments for our patients.

Impact: Molecular Medicine Program high priority research on melanoma, lung cancer, and cancers in elderly patients have addressed key health disparities within our catchment area and beyond. Moreover, basic and translational research into cancers disproportionally affecting minorities in Moffitt’s catchment area such as triple negative breast and ovarian cancer are being vigorously persuaded. These achievements highlight bench-to-bedside/bedside-to-bench medicine as well as global trials through personalized medicine approaches. Importantly, these efforts have resulted in updates to NCCN guidelines and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals.