The Intramural Research Program’s Molecular Targets Faculty announces the establishment of the Molecular Therapeutics Program (MTP), headed by Dr. Patricia Steeg. The goal of the MTP is to facilitate the critical drug development process at the NCI by:

1) Conducting multi-disciplinary interrogation of molecular pathways
2) Providing needed infrastructure and support to preclinical drug development
3) Participating in the design and coordination of clinical trials.

Preclinical Pharmacokinetics: Dr. W. Doug Figg (wdfigg@helix.nih.gov). This laboratory will assist investigators performing preclinical mouse and animal experiments. This core will develop analytical methods to quantitate new anticancer agents and to understand the disposition of the investigation agent.

Chemistry, Structural Optimization and Formulation: Dr. Richard Cysyk (Cysyk@helix.nih.gov) will serve as an ombudsperson, to assemble a team of experts from the NCI, Clinical Center, FDA and other organizations to provide critical input and to craft needed collaborations and contracts in the areas of chemistry, structural optimization and formulation.

Toxicology: Dr. Richard Cysyk (Cysyk@helix.nih.gov), in collaboration with FDA scientists, will conduct toxicological studies of drugs in development, with particular emphasis on hepatotoxicity.

Preclinical Animal Models: Dr. Lyuba Varticovski (varticol@mail.nih.gov). The Preclinical Models Strategy Team (PMST) works to develop animal models for drug testing that mimic the progression of human disease and may be better predictors of clinical success and mechanisms of drug resistance.

Molecular Oncology: Drs. Patricia Steeg (steegp@mail.nih.gov) and Maria Zajac-Kaye (kayem@navmed.nci.nih.gov) will assist principal investigators (PIs) in molecular and cellular biology experiments in cell lines, animal tissues and human tumor biopsies to evaluate mechanisms of action, optimal combinations and answer other critical questions.

Projects undertaken by the MTP will be performed collaboratively with PIs. Projects will be reviewed and prioritized by the steering committee of the Molecular Targets Faculty. The MTP will have independent funding, and will not charge investigators as with a “core”. However, projects needing significant resources may need to request supplemental funds through the CCR Resource Request System.

Please contact Dr. Patricia Steeg (steegp@mail.nih.gov) with requests or questions. The members of the MTP look forward to working with investigators to achieve an expanded, successful intramural cancer drug portfolio.