Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma - Stand Up To Cancer

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SU2C-Torrey Coast Foundation Gastroesophageal Cancer Research Team: Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

July 2023–June 2026

The SU2C-Torrey Coast Foundation Gastroesophageal Cancer Dream Team Collective includes three Research Teams focused on bringing new therapies to clinical trials for the treatment of gastroesophageal cancer in diverse populations. This Collective aims to foster new and inclusive cancer research on the causes and treatments of gastroesophageal cancer, mentor a new generation of scientists focused on gastroesophageal cancer research, bring new treatments to the clinic, and provide medical professionals with tools and materials to better advocate for gastroesophageal cancer screening and treatment with their patients. This Research Team is specifically focused on creating novel therapeutic approaches for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by eliminating an unfavorable metabolic environment for tumor growth.

Supported by:

ABOUT THIS TEAM’S RESEARCH

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the sixth most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Without intervention, its incidence and mortality are projected to increase by 60% within the next 20 years due to population growth and aging. Immune‐based therapies hold great potential to improve the distressingly low 5‐year survival rates for advanced stage ESCC. A subset of ESCC patients, even with heavily‐pretreated metastatic disease, achieve durable benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) targeting the PD‐1 axis, such as nivolumab or pembrolizumab. However, the majority of patients do not experience sustained anti‐tumor immunity for reasons that are largely unclear.

Previous work from members of this Team regarding tumor cell autonomous and microenvironmental factors has nominated several mechanisms that may allow ESCCs to evade sustained immunologic control, spanning tumor‐immune interactions and intrinsic tumor cell dependencies. The Team proposes a program of translational studies to elucidate the differential impact of glutamine pathway blockade on tumor‐intrinsic and ‐extrinsic factors enabling clinical development of combination therapy.

MEET THE TEAM

TEAM MEMBERS

Anil K. Rustgi, MD
Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Leader

Kwok-Kin Wong, MD, PhD
Langone Health and NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Co-leader

Emer Smyth, PhD
Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Project Manager

J. Alan Diehl, PhD
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University
Principal Investigator

Lynn Degregorio
DeGregorio Family Foundation
Advocate

Mindy Mordecai, JD
Esophageal Cancer Action Network
Advocate

Rhonda Small
Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association
Advocate

TEAM PROGRESS UPDATES

Progress updates will be posted when available.

TEAM PROGRESS UPDATES

PUBLICATIONS

Links to publications will be posted when they are available.

CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS REFERRALS

Cancer clinical trials allow researchers to study innovative and potentially life-saving new treatments. The goal is to find treatments that are better than what’s currently available; in fact, the therapies offered to today’s cancer patients were almost all studied and made possible by people participating in clinical trials. But many cancer clinical trials aren’t completed because not enough people take part.

At StandUpToCancer.org/ClinicalTrials, you’ll find clinical trial information, answers to common questions, and a free clinical trial finder tool.

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