• Research, cells

    Innovative research that’s breaking barriers

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is a national leader in both basic and clinical research, emphasizing innovative approaches to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and addressing 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 with a focused interest in cancer or related disciplines, and a commitment to contributing 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.


Cancer Information

Engineered bone marrow shows promise as cancer treatment

Engineered bone marrow revolutionizes osteosarcoma research and treatment, improving care for children's bone cancer.

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Cancer Center

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.

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Cancer center researcher awarded grant to study lethal cancers in firefighters

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.

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Gene therapy study identifies potential new treatment for liver cancer

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.

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