# Developmental Therapeutics Program

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2021 · $70,379

## Abstract

DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPEUTICS PROGRAM (Project-608)
ABSTRACT
Overview and Goals: The goal of the Developmental Therapeutics (DT) Program is to reduce the cancer burden
through identification, development and testing of novel anticancer therapies and approaches. DT accomplishes
this goal by hosting members with the required scientific expertise in the following areas: Target Inhibition and
Companion Biomarkers, Drug Delivery, Radiation Biology and Delivery, Pharmacology, Stem Cells and Tumor
Microenvironment, Immunotherapy, Preclinical Models and Imaging, Comparative Oncology and Clinical Trials.
The program integrates this rich expertise into four major interdisciplinary focus groups (Drug Discovery,
Preclinical Development, Early Clinical Development, and Delivery) that are linked by an overarching thematic
emphasis on biomarkers and precision/ personalized medicine. Research Highlight: An example of the way
the DT program takes laboratory studies forward to clinical testing is work from multiple DT members on
Trametinib, a MEK1/MEK2 inhibitor, in patients whose tumors acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitor (J Clin
Oncol, 20131; Lancet Oncol, 20122). Program Activities: Through stand-alone and intra-programmatic retreats,
monthly meetings and a new grants program, the DT program promotes the transition of early findings through
the therapeutic development process across the entire UCCC. For example, preclinical studies are conducted
using novel model systems, pharmacology, and functional imaging allowing for the discovery of the appropriate
biomarkers and patient selection criteria for incorporation into early clinical trials of targeted agents being tested
pre-clinically. Through the establishment of close interactions between basic research laboratories, clinical
scientists, the NCI, and the pharmaceutical industry, the DT leadership nurtures rapid development of new
treatments and biomarkers. Members: The DT program has 111 members including 57 Full and 54 Associate
members. The membership represents all 3 academic consortium institutions (University of Colorado Denver
(UCD), University of Colorado Boulder (UCB), Colorado State University (CSU)) and are located in six different
schools or colleges (Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Public Health, Liberal Arts at UCD; College of Arts and
Sciences at UCB; College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at CSU), and 18 departments.
Current research funding is $18M. Peer-reviewed funding is $5.4M with $2.8M from the NCI and $2.6M from
other peer sponsors. The DT Program produced 1,108 cancer-focused publications since the last review, of
which 39% were inter- and 29% intra-programmatic, demonstrating the collaborative nature of the program.
Future Directions: The program will enhance investigator initiated clinical trials (IITs) capitalizing on new
investments by the UCCC that increase support for regulatory submissions and data management of IITs. The
DT program will continue preclinical develop...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10133561
- **Project number:** 5P30CA046934-33
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** Dan Theodorescu
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $70,379
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-04-04 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10133561

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10133561, Developmental Therapeutics Program (5P30CA046934-33). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10133561. Licensed CC0.

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