Translational Research in Cancer

ABSTRACT: OVERALL AND SIX ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) serves as the heart and soul of cancer care in urban Philadelphia (functioning as Center City Philadelphia’s safety net hospital) and adjacent communities through its vital role in providing breakthrough discoveries and access to cancer care to all, particularly those underserved populations with significant social determinant of health challenges and cancer disparities. SKCC is a leader in overcoming cancer disparities, particularly in disenfranchised urban communities and across the adult lifespan, by actively engaging investigators, leaders, and the community in bidirectional solutions to remove barriers to care. In this last project period, the SKCC has undergone numerous advances, made tremendous strides in understanding and impacting our catchment area, and continues to seek new ways to provide comprehensive care. Andrew Chapman, DO was appointed Center Director in March of 2021 and has galvanized SKCC leadership and its members around a refreshed mission and vision through his new comprehensive and inclusively-developed Strategic Plan, “IMPACT PHL.” The Offices of Cancer Research Administration (OCRA), Community Outreach and Engagement (COE), Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and Training and Education all underwent infrastructural enhancements to further impact the Center and catchment area. The Consortium Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was redefined and has transformed the relationship with Drexel University beyond the MOU to include joint strategic planning, leadership integration, significant financial investment of $1M yearly for 5 years, and the formation of a new oversight committee. The Clinical Trials Office developed the largest Phase I, first-in-human portfolio in the Tri-State Area (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware), bringing previously inaccessible interventions to a disparate population. The Programs and Shared Resources were reviewed and restructured to reflect the work being done at the center as well as the needs of the catchment. Current Programs are: 1) Cancer Risk and Control (CRiC); 2) Immune Regulation and Targeting (IRT); 3) Translational and Cellular Oncology (TaCO); 4) Molecular Oncology Regulation and Approaches (MORA). Current Shared Resources are: 1) Biostatistics, Bioinformatics & Research Informatics (BBRISR); 2) BioImaging (BISR); 3) Cancer Genomics (CGSR); 4) Flow Cytometry & Human Immune Monitoring (FCHIMSR); 5) Integrated Structural Biology (ISBSR); and 6) Translational Pathology (TPSR). The SKCC is currently comprised of 165 members from 30 departments, and 6 colleges from two well respected national institutions. Total funding of $61.1 M (DC) includes $40 M in peer reviewed funding with $14.4 M from the NCI and $21.9 M from other National Institutes of Health. In this competitive renewal, SKCC requests consideration as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. After discussions with NCI and with the strong endorsement of our External Advisory Board, the SKCC leadership is of firm belief that SKCC meets all the criteria for and is deserving of this designation.