The Center for Translational Viral Oncology (CTVO) at LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center

September 1, 2023

The Center for Translational Viral Oncology (CTVO) was established to support the career development of junior faculty in oncology research by helping them lead independent research projects. The center provides mentorship in clinical, translational, and basic science research, along with personalized profesisonal development support.  

Funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) and Centers for Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) program, Phase Two of the CTVO is led by John T. West, Ph.D. Dr. West also conducts research on the HIV-associated viral cancer, Kaposi sarcoma, in sub-Saharan Africa alongside colleague, Charles Wood, Ph.D. 

Dr. West is assisted in the Career Development Program by Dr. K. Reiss, who is the former PI of Phase 1 of the CTVO.  The CTVO is bolstered by an infusion of exceptional LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center junior faculty with interests in two aspects of oncology: viral etiology and neoplastic pathogenesis mechanisms and viral oncolytic and immunomodulatory therapeutic development.   

The Impetus for the Center for Translational Viral Oncology

Because of the high incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in southern Louisiana, certain viral cancers — such as human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cervical, anorectal, and oropharyngeal cancers and Kaposi Sarcoma — occur at higher than US averages in Louisiana disproportionately affect those who are HIV positive. 

The CTVO’s immediate goal is to better understand how viruses play a role in the development of common cancers and how HIV or other environmental impacts can promote the production of tumors. The CTVO investigators study virus-host interactions and alteration of metabolic and immunity pathways.  Because viruses often exhibit exceptional specificities for certain cell types or cellular metabolic paterns, an improved virus-host understanding leads to better-rationalized approaches to develop and test preventative and therapeutic methods against viral cancers. 

Specific Aims of the Center for Translational Viral Oncology

To achieve its overarching goal, the CTVO has three specific aims.

Aim 1

The CTVO supports research programs of Junior Principal Investigators (JPIs) and essential core facilities to promote new research on virus-host interactions in cancer development and treatment.  

1. CTVO sponsors the development of interdisciplinary teams made up of JPIs who are mentored to independence by both basic research and clinical mentors who ensure career development by guiding project productivity, publication and professional networking, submission of competative grant proposals, understanding and participating in grant reviews, academic integration, and progression toward clinical translation.
2. CTVO leverages existing research core facilities that provide cutting edge technical expertise, data generation, and analytical support for research and clinical aspects of all projects.

Aim 2

The CTVO contains an administrative infrastructure to promote the success, career development, and independence of JPIs through: 

1. Ensuring JPIs are familiar with and comply with NIGMS and LSU regulations, including project and budget management
2. Promoting JPI advancement and career goals through an active Faculty Development Program
3. Sustaining a dynamic pilot project program to select and support innovative, high-risk/high-reward research concepts on viruses and cancer

Aim 3

The CTVO coordinates thematic activities with NIH-funded Centers, programs, and like-minded investigators at participating institutions nationally. This includes: 

1. Strategic partnerships with funded institutional centers of excellence and programs to facilitate access for JPIs to state-of-the-art clinical, research, and educational infrastructure
2. Strengthening collaboration, networking, and mentorship opportunities between JPIs and an External Advisory Committee (EAC) composed of leaders in the field of viral oncology
3. Integrating activities of the CTVO with those of the LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center as it seeks NCI Designation.  

Center for Translational Viral Oncology Contributors

The CTVO relies on the expertise and dedication of many individuals across LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center. 

CTVO Program Director
John T. West, Ph.D.

LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology
Augusto Ochoa, MD, Chair

LSU School of Medicine 
David Guzick, MD, Vice Chancellor, LSU Health New Orleans

Administrative Core (AC)

Faculty Development Program - Krzysztof Reiss, Ph.D.

Pilot Project Program - Krzysztof Reiss, Ph.D. and External Advisory Committee

Clinical Lead - Mike Hagensee, MD/Ph.D.

Program Coordinator -  Susan Theodosiou

Financial Coordinator - Hong Ngyuen

External Program Evaluator - Andrew Romaner, Louisiana Public Health Institute 

Internal Advisory Committee (IAC) 

Lucio Miele MD

Charles Wood, Ph.D.

Michael Hagensee, MD/Ph.D.

External Advisory Committee (EAC)

Scott McIvor, Ph.D.

Ethel Cesarman, MD/Ph.D. 

Dean Kedes, MD/Ph.D.

Research Cores

1. Biostatistics/Bioinformatics Core (BBC): Lin, Hui-Yi, Ph.D.
2. Cellular Immunology/Metabolomics Core (CIMC): Dorota Wyczechowska, Ph.D.
3. Molecular Histopathology/Analytical Microscopy (MHAM): Luis Del Valle, MD 
4. Translational Genomics Core (TGC): Jovanny Zabaleta, Ph.D.
   

Research Projects

1. Omeed Moaven, MD (LSUHSC- DIO) - “A novel oncolytic virus for pancreatic cancer immunotherapy.”
2. Monika Rak, Ph.D. (LSUHSC-DIO) - “Human Endogenous Retroviral Sequences (HERVs) in development and progression of human glioblastoma.” 
3. Arunava Roy Ph.D (LSUHSC- DIO) - "Role of H3K9me3 Depositing Host Epigenetic Restriction Factors in KSHV Latency."
4. Dicle Yalcin Ph.D (LSUHSC- DIO) - "Immune and Inflammatory Dynamics as Predicators of Treatment Outcomes in Kaposi Sarcoma."

Pilot Projects

Pilot #1 - Giulia Monticone Ph.D - "HIDRAs: developing first-in-class Holistic Immunomodulatory Drugs with Antiviral and Anticancer activity against viral oncogenesis."