Transdisciplinary Cancer Teams (TCTs)

Transdisciplinary Cancer Teams, or TCTs, at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center are a key component of the translational pipeline to advance the latest research breakthroughs into the clinic.

The teams serve to funnel the science that comes from the three cancer research programs at Hollings: Cancer Biology & Immunology, Cancer Prevention & Control, and Developmental Cancer Therapeutics, and focus that science into cancer type working groups. These groups involve clinical and basic science experts from a variety of fields, including cell biology, regenerative medicine, biochemistry, medical oncology, pathology, surgical oncology, population science, artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, and biostatistics. In some cases, TCTs also involve patient advocates. Each team meets regularly to foster collaborative ideas, which are funneled bi-directionally to the research programs or to the Clinical Research Groups where clinicians lead investigator-initiated Phase I and II clinical trials.

We currently have five active TCTs in the areas of breast, colon, head and neck, hematologic malignancies, and pancreatic. Two others are in development in the areas of genitourinary and gynecologic oncology. Each TCT is co-led by a physician and basic scientist to maximize the bench-to-clinic and clinic-to-bench collaborative workflow. Our TCTs also seek ways to develop partnerships with industry leaders to further accelerate our translational pipeline and bring best care practices to our patients in South Carolina and beyond.

For more information about the Transdisciplinary Cancer Teams, contact Dr. Denis Guttridge, Associate Director of Translational Science, at guttridg@musc.edu.