Consortium Parters: Strength in Collaboration
Moores Cancer Center’s commitment to advancing cancer research and treatment is fueled by bold partnerships with leading institutions, including San Diego State University (SDSU) and La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI). These collaborations unite diverse expertise across disciplines, pushing us to explore new frontiers in cancer treatment. Together, we’re not just imagining the future of care — we’re building it.
A standout example of this collaboration is the work between UC San Diego and LJI to advance neoantigen-directed immunotherapies. UC San Diego’s Aaron M. Miller, MD, PhD, and Scott M. Lippman, MD, teamed up with LJI’s Bjoern Peters, PhD, Stephen P. Schoenberger, PhD, and Alessandro D. Sette, PhD, to create a technology that accurately identifies neo- antigens — foreign protein fragments that the immune system can recognize — in a patient’s cancer.
These personalized cancer vaccines are designed to help the immune system recognize and target cancer cells by focusing on neoantigens specific to each patient’s tumor, allowing for a more precise approach to treatment. By improving the immune system’s ability to eliminate cancer cells while minimizing the side effects of traditional therapies such as chemotherapy, this collaboration exemplifies a successful “bench to bedside” approach. Research conducted at LJI seamlessly integrates with clinical applications at UC San Diego, enabling rapid iteration and continuous refinement of strategies to address the evolving challenges of cancer immunotherapy.
Similarly, our collaboration with SDSU is a cornerstone of our efforts to address cancer health disparities through innovative research and education. Together, we are advancing groundbreaking projects that leverage interdisciplinary approach- es to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in cancer care. A key example of this collaboration is the dynamic partner- ship between SDSU and UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center with the Cancer Research and Education to Advance HealTh Equity (CREATE) Partnership.
Funded by NCI, CREATE focuses on pro- viding cancer education to under-resourced communities while simultaneously supporting research. The programs offer integrated educational and career development opportunities tailored for emerging cancer scientists, particularly those from racial and ethnic groups underrepresent- ed in biomedical sciences. Through these initiatives, we are promoting diversity and empowering the next generation of leaders in cancer research.
Moores Cancer Center is advancing cancer research, treatment and education while ensuring that innovation is inclusive, impactful and patient-centered. Together, we’re transforming the landscape of cancer care, one discovery at a time.