How Cancer Care Breakthroughs Become a Reality for Patients

Thanks to our generous donors, the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine has a strong research portfolio and is a leader in bench-to-bedside science—the transition of laboratory discoveries (originating from basic science research) to the direct application of patient care (in the clinic) as well as the training of future healthcare leaders. This process, which is often fueled through donor generosity, is less straightforward than the term suggests, often taking years, substantial funding and multi-institutional research partnerships to overcome various hurdles before an idea can impact patients.

None of this could have been accomplished without the invaluable support of our donors. Philanthropy propels the bench-to-bedside process. Whether it’s seed funding that spurs basic research or philanthropy directed toward translational research, Baylor donors are the catalyst that powers advancements to develop the next generation of physician-investigators and heal our patients.

Basic Science Research

Baylor basic science researchers focus on the principles, processes and activities that underlie the fundamental mechanisms of health—with the possibility of a laboratory discovery that may bring great promise for improved therapies or even a cure. In this stage, resources are needed for equipment, supplies and to support trainees, which allows the physician-investigator to develop proof-of-concept data that can be used to scale projects and move a discovery from idea to an actual therapy or diagnostic tool in the clinic.

Translational Research

Translational researchers apply a basic science research discovery to the development of practical applications that might help patients. This part of the process can be full of trial and error. Here, collaboration between researchers, basic science investigators and trainees is critical as troubleshooting is necessary to move projects forward. Often, translational research uses animal models or first-in-human studies on small populations of patients. As with basic science research, it is difficult to secure support from governmental funding agencies because the research is risky, with no guarantee for success.

Clinical Research

Clinical researchers bring the laboratory discovery to patients. The primary focus is on safety and effectiveness. Once the researcher team–comprised of physician-investigators, laboratory staff, collaborators and trainees–is confident that an intervention can improve patient outcomes, the advancement is tested in clinical trials with larger groups of patient volunteers. The Duncan Cancer Center is a trusted institution in Houston, serving a diverse population throughout the city and beyond. Through community outreach, volunteers can be recruited for clinical trials, especially when an intervention is seen as having a widespread benefit to a large population.