Research

UCSF is one of the world’s leading centers for biomedical research. Faculty within the division conduct state-of-the-art research in childhood leukemias, brain tumors, sarcomas, and neuroblastomas. Major efforts involve investigating the genetic basis of pediatric malignancies, the development of accurate mouse models of these cancers, the use of novel, biologically targeted agents in preclinical animal models and human patients, and developing innovative clinical interventions and ways of monitoring disease response. The division also has an active precision medicine program and a major effort to perform integrative genomics for high-risk pediatric cancers. An active COG phase I program also provides opportunities for trainees interested in clinical research.

The division is strongly committed to training the next generation of academic physician-investigators. As evidence of this commitment, a substantial proportion of our recent trainees have been awarded Mentored Career Development Awards in the K08 and K23 series from the National Cancer Institute to develop their careers as independent investigators. We also have a NCI funded T32 program intended to support the development of physician-scientists.

The hematology program participates in a variety of national collaborative studies that currently address problems of low bone density in thalassemia, treatment of hepatitis C, and new approaches to the management of painful crises in sickle cell anemia. The hemophilia program does research into outcomes of hemophilia and blood product safety, including clinical trials of new factor concentrates. It is also studying the treatment of refractory ITP.