The Cancer Stem Cell Research Program brings together leading basic and clinical scientists in a unified effort to understand the origin and nature of cancer stem cells. Found in a number of cancers thus far, these master cells divide uncontrollably, producing new cancer cells and driving the growth and metastasis of tumors.

Program members are at the forefront of a worldwide effort to isolate and characterize stem cells for each human cancer. By understanding the regulatory processes of these cells and the genetic mutations that cause them to act abnormally, researchers are working to identify novel therapeutic targets and in turn to develop groundbreaking treatments that can effectively eliminate cancer at its source.

Our efforts are focused on:

Discovery of Cancer Stem Cells in Human Cancers

Pathways Critical to the Self-Renewal, Growth and Survival of Cancer Stem Cells

Novel Therapies Against Cancer Stem Cells

Clinical Trials

Program Directors

Michael Clarke, MD

Roeland Nusse, PhD