3/3 Morehouse School of Medicine/Tuskegee University/University of Alabama at Birmingham O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Partnership

This type-2 application seeks to strengthen and build upon the established U54 Partnership between Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), Tuskegee University (TU), and the UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center (UAB OCCC). The Partnership, located in the Southeast, a region with under-resourced and impoverished populations, aims to attain excellence in research to address differences in cancer health outcomes and reduce the cancer burden for all populations. The partnering institutions bring complementary strengths to achieve these goals through integrated research, education, and outreach. The primary objectives are to enhance productive cancer research programs, develop a pipeline of investigators in cancer research at MSM and TU, and increase the involvement of UAB OCCC investigators focused on research to understand key drivers of cancer outcomes. The Partnership has four Cores (Administrative, Outreach, Research Education, and Planning & Evaluation); two full and five Pilot Research Projects (the first three years supported two full and one pilot project; the last two years include four pilot projects); and two Shared Resources (Bioethics and Biostatistics/Bioinformatics). With these assets and activities, the Partnership will contribute: 1) Through the current four pilot projects: a) Pilot project-1 examines how varying tumor cell densities in breast cancer relate to gene expression and molecular signatures; b) Pilot project-2 develops and delivers a socially and geographically tailored educational strategy to improve early detection of lung cancer in Alabama and Georgia; c) Pilot Project-3 evaluates a new nanoparticle-based method of delivery of honokiol, a well-characterized anti-cancer agent, alone or with docetaxel, to enhance therapeutic efficacy for breast cancer; and d) Pilot project-4 focuses on characterizing the molecular alterations (mutations) in endometrial cancer to identify novel diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers. 2) Through the Outreach Core, an evidence-based, theory-informed, multi-level, clinical trial and cancer genomics education program is being implemented that addresses the determinants for participation in clinical trials and cancer genomics studies; and 3) Through the Research Education Core, employ an integrated cancer research education program to build capacity and provide training to undergraduate and graduate students and junior faculty, preparing them for careers in cancer research. 4) Through the Planning & Evaluation Core, continually assess/evaluate outcomes of the cores, research projects, and shared resources. 5) Through the Bioethics Shared Resource, promote and ensure adherence to bioethical principles and address ethical considerations in relationships between the institutions and between the institutions and communities. 6) Though the Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource, provide statistical and bioinformatics data support for all activities. Together, these efforts will enhance cancer care for all individuals living in the southeastern U.S.