Cancer research at UC Davis
UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is a national leader in basic and clinical research and innovative approaches to cancer diagnosis, treatment and health disparities.
Our cancer center has unique collaborations with major scientific organizations such as the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and UC Davis departments and schools including the School of Veterinary Medicine. These partnerships have resulted in new techniques that improve cancer detection through imaging, better drug therapies and therapeutic strategies, and more effective approaches to treating and curing cancer.
Membership resources for researchers
Involved in cancer research? Cancer Center membership is open to all UC Davis faculty and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers who have a focused interest in cancer and/or related disciplines and a commitment to contribute to the Cancer Center mission. Collaborate with like-minded investigators, gain access to resources, and contribute to the only NCI-designated Cancer Center positioned to address the cancer burden in Northern California's Central Valley.
Become a part of the collaborative research community at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. Learn more about becoming a member and the valuable resources available to our researchers.
Our Research Programs
Our Research Programs are made up of Cancer Center members (basic, clinical, public health scientists and engineers) who are experts in a variety of disciplines and an interest in tackling some of the most complex challenges in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Molecular Oncology
Basic scientists working to unravel cancer’s molecular secrets to better understand, diagnose and treat cancers
Comparative Oncology
Veterinarians and oncologists working together to advance cancer research and treatment for pets that will ultimately benefit human patients
Cancer Therapeutics
Clinical and basic scientists developing innovative methods for identifying and developing new agents and delivery systems to treat cancer
Biomedical Technology
Engineers and clinical scientists applying innovative technologies to solve challenges in tumor detection and analysis, drug delivery and disease monitoring to improve cancer care and outcomes
Population Sciences and Health Disparities
Public health scientists dedicated to understanding why cancer affects people differently and finding ways to eliminate disparities among racial and ethnic groups
Clinical Research at UC Davis
More than 200 cancer clinical trials are currently under way at UC Davis. The Office of Clinical Research is responsible for overseeing and managing investigator-initiated, industry-sponsored and federally funded Phase I-III trials at the Cancer Center.
Research highlights
Our scientists are engaged in innovative projects that span the spectrum of cancer research from basic, translational, and clinical sciences to population health and health disparities. The Research Programs of the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center engage more than 240 scientists who work collaboratively to understand the basis of cancer development, progression, prevention, and control, and discover new tools to diagnose, detect, and treat cancer. With dual access to experts in medicine and veterinary science, human and companion animal patients alike have access to leading-edge care, including immunotherapy and other targeted treatments.
Engineered bone marrow shows promise as cancer treatment
Engineered bone marrow revolutionizes osteosarcoma research and treatment, improving care for children's bone cancer.
National Cancer Institute awards UC Davis hematologist a prestigious research grant
UC Davis hematologist Brian Jonas receives National Cancer Institute Research Specialist Award (R50) for advancing NCI-funded cancer research.
Cancer center researcher awarded grant to study lethal cancers in firefighters
Research at UC Davis to uncover the potential causes of cancer in firefighters is getting a boost from a California climate action grant.
Gene therapy study identifies potential new treatment for liver cancer
MicroRNA-22 gene therapy showed superior survival outcomes and no toxicity in a recent mouse study, outperforming the FDA-approved drug for liver cancer.