Harnessing cancer genomics to identify new targets and develop new therapies for cancers of unmet need

The Cancer Cell Signaling and Therapeutics (CCST) Lab integrates genomics, chemistry, and biology to develop targeted treatments for cancers with urgent unmet need. By identifying the genetic vulnerabilities that rare cancers depend on, we design innovative therapeutics aimed at delivering more effective, less toxic options for patients.

Explore Our Research

Our Mission

Developing more effective, less toxic cancer therapies for patients facing cancers of unmet need

The mission of the Cancer Cell Signaling and Therapeutics Lab is to uncover the molecular drivers of cancers that currently lack effective treatment options and translate these discoveries into targeted therapies. By identifying new biological vulnerabilities, the lab works to move beyond traditional one-size-fits-all approaches toward more precise, personalized cancer treatment strategies.

At the core of the lab’s vision is a commitment to improving both survival and quality of life for patients. The team develops innovative therapeutic approaches — including small molecules, degraders, and antibody-drug conjugates — designed to treat cancer more effectively while reducing the toxic side effects often associated with conventional therapies.

Ultimately, the CCST Lab aims to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and clinical impact. By advancing promising targets from early discovery through therapeutic development, the lab strives to bring new treatment options to patients with cancers of unmet need and create a future where cancer care is both more effective and more humane.

About the CCST Lab

Featured publications

  • Scientists Discover How LZK Fuels Cancer Growth — and How to Block It

    Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 2026

    Researchers discovered that many esophageal and head and neck cancers rely on a protein called LZK to keep the cancer-promoting AKT pathway switched on. By disrupting LZK, they were able to shut down AKT signaling and significantly slow tumor growth in preclinical models, identifying a promising new therapeutic target for these difficult-to-treat cancers.

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  • New Research Reveals a Promising Target in Aggressive Head and Neck Cancers

    Science Signaling, 2025

    Researchers identified LZK as a promising target in aggressive head and neck cancers, where it helps sustain key cancer-driving proteins. New molecules that inhibit or degrade LZK suppressed tumor growth and triggered cancer cell death, pointing to a potential new treatment strategy.

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  • New Degrader Therapy Eliminates a Key Driver of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

    Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2024

    Researchers developed a new targeted therapy that selectively destroys MLK3, a protein linked to the growth and spread of triple-negative breast cancer, one of the hardest forms of breast cancer to treat. Using an emerging technology called PROTACs, the compound not only blocked cancer-driving activity but triggered cancer cell death, revealing a promising new direction for future therapies.

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Our Process

Advancing precision cancer therapies from discovery to the clinic

We uncover genetic vulnerabilities that drive cancer growth, design compounds to precisely target them, and move the most promising candidates through preclinical development. Our work is grounded in rigorous science and driven by a commitment to improve outcomes for patients facing cancers with few options.

Find the right target

Create and refine treatment

Test in living systems

Move toward
human trials

Why This Work Matters

Translating genetic discovery into real-world impact for patients

Patients facing lung, ovarian, and other hard-to-treat cancers often have limited therapeutic options. By harnessing cancer genomics to pinpoint the genetic drivers that tumors depend on, the CCST Lab works to develop smarter, more targeted treatments designed to reduce toxicity and expand hope where it’s needed most.

Read our publications