Etiology and Pathogenesis of Oral Cancer ARC Funded For a Third Year
The Etiology and Pathogenesis of Oral Cancer (EPOC) Affinity Research Collaborative (ARC) was recently successful in its application for a third year of funding. The EPOC ARC is co-funded by the Evans Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research and the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM). The group is made up of a number of investigators who work collaboratively on multidisciplinary projects with the overarching goal of deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying oral cancer development and progression to metastasis, and identifying novel druggable targets for effective and lasting oral cancer therapies.
The ARC is led by Dr. Maria Kukuruzinska, Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology at GSDM; Dr. Avrum Spira, Director of the Boston University Cancer Center; and Dr. Maria Trojanowska, Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM). ARC members include a number of faculty from GSDM, Boston University School of Public Health, BUSM, and Boston University College of Engineering, as well as from the Forsyth Institute.
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is responsible for the majority of head and neck cancers, with a high death rate and increasing incidence worldwide. The EPOC ARC’s goals are to generate new insights into the key mechanisms behind OSCC and to identify new critical regulators for improved targeted therapies. The specific ARC aims are to determine the mechanisms of OSCC development and progression; identify drivers of remodeling and activation of OSCC tumor stroma; and apply personalized early detection and treatment of oral cancer.
EPOC ARC members meet on a monthly basis to review research progress and discuss how to optimize multidisciplinary collaborations. The ARC has seen many accomplishments during its short existence including developing mouse models for preclinical studies, establishing biospecimen resources, producing numerous collaborative publications and hosting several symposia. The ARC has also provided training opportunities for graduate students and postdocs on both Boston University campuses.
ARCs form part of the Evans Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research. Each ARC consists of a team of investigators from different disciplines focused on a research theme. ARCs provide an opportunity for faculty to form new collaborations, develop current and new institutional research cores, enhance the educational mission of graduate and post-graduate programs, and become affiliated with the Evans Center.
“I am delighted that the EPOC ARC has been funded for a third year” said Dr. Kukuruzinska. “This success is testament to the enthusiastic participation of all of our team members as well as their commitment to our team science approach. I am very grateful to Dean Hutter and the Evans Center for their continued support of our efforts.”