Molecular Oncology
Director
Dr. Dave Hoon
Goals and Areas of Research
The key focus of the Department of Molecular Oncology is the development and application of molecular/genetic biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of treatment response of solid tumors. Emphasis of studies are of the skin (melanoma), breast, and gastrointestinal tract. Dr. Hoon has published more than 170 peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals and has trained more than 60 surgical/medical oncology postdoctoral fellows, who now hold faculty appointments in major academic institutions. On the biomarker assessment front, the Department has developed tests to detect tumor-related gene expression (RNA) and genetic biomarkers (DNA) and epigenetic (methylation status of DNA) biomarkers that are signatures of tumor cells in cancer patients.
Molecular RNA biomarkers have been developed for detection in occult metatastic tumor cells in organs, lymph nodes, blood, bone marrow, and cerebral spinal fluid of cancer patients to improve staging of disease and developing prognostic indicators of disease outcome. Molecular biomarkers (RNA, DNA) are also being used to predict disease outcome in patients who are receiving treatment.
The Department of Molecular Oncology includes a Division of Melanoma, a Division of Gastrointestinal Cancer, a Division of Prostate Cancer and a Division of Translational Breast Cancer and Endocrinology.
With respect to diagnosis, staging, predictors, and prognosis, investigators in JWCI’s Molecular Oncology department pioneered the multimarker RT-PCR assays that combine specific mRNA and DNA tumor biomarkers for detection in blood (circulating tumor cells) and sentinel lymph nodes. Studies for detection of occult metastatic tumor detection in paraffin-embedded tumor-draining lymph nodes were pioneered in the department. The department has a significant number of studies for the detection of circulating tumor-related DNA in the form of microsatellite (LOH), methylation, mutation and integrity in cancer patients for prognosis and prediction of treatment response.
The department is actively involved in training surgical oncology fellows from the United States, Japan, and Netherlands in translational molecular oncology.
Recent Research Supports
Recently, JWCI’s Department of Molecular Oncology, in collaboration with Sant P. Chawla, M.D., a medical oncologist and JWCI Adjunct Faculty member, began a sarcoma translational research program through the support of the Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Foundation. New molecular genetic approaches are being developed to better stage these multiple types of sarcoma tumors. Identification of molecular genetic changes in sarcomas, such as osteosarcoma, will provide improved methods of diagnosis and eventually provide more effective "targeted therapy".
Through the Martin H Weil Fund the department has developed a strong gastrointestinal cancer program with global partners such as Leiden University Medical Center, Dept. of Surgery in the Netherlands and Keio U, Dept. Surgery, in Tokyo, Japan. The gastrointestinal program is focused on developing better predictive biomarkers by analysis of epigenetic and "junk DNA" changes during tumor progression.
Looking Forward
We are highly focused on developing quantitative oncology practices that can improve management of cancer patients. Discoveries are made in molecular genetics and rapidly applied to patients specimens to determine potential clinical utility. The department has developed multiple platforms to assess RNA and DNA of different types of tissues and cancers to improve diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of treatment response. We have over 12 years of experience in the field and are continually improving approaches to translational quantitative oncology. We are and have partnered with biotech and pharmaceutical companies in developing treatment protocols and new approaches. The success of our studies are focused towards the improvement of curing and increasing the overall survival of cancer patients.