Theme 1: Mechanisms and Host Biomarkers of Cancer Initiation & Progression

Theme 2: Cancer Interventions: Harnessing Host & Tumor Characteristics

Theme 3: Mitigating the Impact of Cancer and Treatment on Host 

Improving our understanding of the mechanisms contributing to tumorigenesis, especially in the context of the host environment, is critical to promoting the development of new and effective targeted therapies. The work from a cohort of investigators within CHE aims to elucidate how cancer initiation and progression is controlled, how it is altered by the host environment, and what useful biomarkers can be identified for these processes. This knowledge can then be leveraged for improving therapeutic strategies. 

Research focused on developing novel interventional strategies that leverage host and tumor characteristics particularly within their microenvironments is another major area of effort within CHE and complement the fundamental work on tumor-immune system interactions described above.

Cancer and its therapies cause side effects associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and a number of CHE investigators are evaluating specific ways to mitigate these effects.