Cancer and metabolic dysfunction are closely related, and together they create unique therapeutic challenges.
City of Hope (COH), an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center (COHCCC) located in Duarte, CA, is
known internationally for clinical cancer research and groundbreaking diabetes research. Therefore, the
Cancer Metabolism Training Program (CMTP), supported by a rapidly growing research infrastructure at COH,
will bring together research experts in cancer and metabolism to train an elite group of dedicated postdoctoral
fellows. The CMTP will focus on the link between cancer and metabolism, thereby connecting the long-
standing COHCCC with the new COH Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute. Faculty preceptors will
direct research training in four primary areas: 1) Cancer Risk, Prevention, and Metabolism; 2) Cancer
Metabolism Biology and Genetics; 3) Cancer Inflammation and Immune Cell Metabolism; and 4) Metabolism-
Based Cancer Treatment. The training program includes an organized core curriculum consisting of courses in
scientific and career development training, with individualized attention to best achieve each trainee’s personal
goals and support the individual needs of a diverse trainee population. Courses in the Responsible Conduct of
Research and Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility will also be required. Other associated activities include
seminars, journal clubs, data clubs, and an annual Cancer Metabolism Day. The program is designed to take
advantage of the existing institutional strengths, including well-established collaborations between cancer and
diabetes/metabolism researchers. The CMTP has drawn 25 mentors from 12 departments, all of whom have
robust funding profiles with high-profile publications, and are dedicated to preparing early career scientists for
leadership roles in cancer research. Six promising early-career investigators will serve as co-mentors and
participate in mentor development activities. The 3 NIH T32-supported postdoctoral trainees, supported for up
to 3 years, will be selected through a rigorous process, including a personal interview. Trainees will be
evaluated on their publications, applications for external funding, and participation in CMTP activities. The
outstanding support from COH leadership includes 1) an additional trainee position for every underrepresented
minority trainee recruited, up to a total of 6 positions; 2) salary supplementation for all CMTP trainees; 3) a
stipend for research supplies; and 4) full administrative and faculty salary support. Each trainee will establish a
Mentoring Committee, which will include a physician to expedite translational research. The CMTP leadership
will include a Recruitment Committee to oversee national recruitment efforts, a Curriculum and Training
Committee to oversee course development, an Executive Committee to evaluate and modify program
components, and an Internal and External Advisory Board to independently assess program progress. The
overall goal of the CMTP is to assist the transformation of promising researchers into strong independent,
funded scientists with the capacity to make contributions that improve human health.