The Joint Program in Cancer Biology

The Joint Program in Cancer Biology at Brown and Lifespan is led by Wafik S. El-Deiry, MD, Phd, FACP. This world-class cancer research program brings basic science discoveries about cancer, interdisciplinary clinical, translational, and population research to innovative therapeutic, disease intervention and cancer prevention clinical trials to patients in Rhode Island.

The goals of the program are to understand the genetic and environmental risk of cancer, to prevent cancer whenever possible, to understand how cancer develops, grows and metastasizes, and to develop new biomarkers and treatments for patients in a personalized way that addresses their needs from risk through survivorship. 

Multidisciplinary teams of specialists and tumor boards cover all tumor types with state-of-the-art clinical trials that are available in Rhode Island. There is particular interest in cancers that have higher rates in Rhode Island such as bladder, lung, breast, thyroid and skin cancer, as well as issues of access to care and affordability of care.