Collaborative Research Develops Predictive Models for Cancer Treatment

In a significant advancement in cancer research, a collaboration involving Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and three other academic institutions has yielded groundbreaking mathematical models that aim to predict how cancer cells will respond to various treatment combinations. This research, published in the prestigious journal *Cell* on July 25, 2025, is poised to revolutionize treatment strategies through enhanced understanding of multicellular behavior in cancer therapies.
The collaborative effort spans two years and includes contributions from experts at OHSU, Indiana University, the University of Maryland, and Johns Hopkins University. The initiative was spearheaded by Dr. Laura Heiser, Vice Chair of Biomedical Engineering at OHSU, and Dr. Young Hwan Chang, Associate Professor in the same department. According to Dr. Heiser, the models developed through this collaborative effort provide a critical tool for predicting treatment efficacy across diverse cancer types. "We’re not there yet, but it puts us firmly on the road to being able to identify treatment combinations predicted to work best across cancer types, enabling development of novel treatment strategies," she stated.
The research collaboration began in 2020 amid ongoing studies into therapeutic resistance in breast cancer. The team sought to harness various scientific approaches to develop mathematical models capable of simulating how cancer cells behave in response to treatments. Dr. Paul Macklin, a researcher from Indiana University and lead developer of the PhysiCell software, played a crucial role in this interdisciplinary effort. His work, along with contributions from Dr. Elana Fertig at the University of Maryland and Dr. Genevieve Stein-O’Brien at Johns Hopkins, has enriched the models by integrating insights from different cancer types, including pancreatic and brain cancers.
The impetus for this collaborative research stems from a broader trend towards personalized medicine, where treatment plans are tailored to individual patient needs. Dr. Lisa Coussens, Interim Director of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, emphasized the importance of this approach: "Customized treatments deliver better results, fewer side effects, and improve clinical outcomes. This research provides a foundational platform to predict the effects of various cell types embedded within tumors without extensive in vivo studies."
Over the course of two years, the team met regularly to share progress and findings, culminating in models that predict how different cell types within tumors interact with therapeutic agents. The collaborative nature of the project fostered an environment of shared knowledge and expertise, which Dr. Heiser noted was crucial for the research’s success. "It was a very grassroots effort, and we were fortunate to build off of strong research within OHSU’s biomedical engineering and cancer biology-focused departments," she remarked.
The research was made possible through funding from the Jayne Koskinas Ted Giovanis Foundation for Health and Policy, the National Foundation for Cancer Research, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. While the findings represent a significant milestone, experts caution that further validation and refinement of these models are necessary before they can be fully integrated into clinical practice. Nevertheless, the potential implications of this research could be transformative for cancer treatment, paving the way for more effective and personalized therapies that could significantly enhance patient outcomes.
In summary, this collaborative research not only advances our understanding of cancer cell behavior but also opens new avenues for developing predictive models that could ultimately change the landscape of cancer treatment. As the research community continues to build on these findings, the hope is that future advancements will lead to more effective strategies in the fight against cancer.
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