College of Medicine

John A. Copland III, Ph.D., leads the Cancer Biology and Translational Oncogenomics Laboratory at Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida and is Professor of Cancer Biology in the Department of Cancer Biology. Research in the lab is aimed at better understanding the mechanisms and pathways of carcinogenesis and tumor progression in order to develop novel, synergistic cancer therapies. Discoveries have led to clinical trials and development of novel therapeutic agents. Currently, two trials from discoveries made in our lab are anticipated in 2024. A novel TSHR CART therapy for metastatic thyroid cancer has been developed with preclinical data demonstrating durable response. We have developed a novel small molecule inhibitor called SSI-4 (now MTI-301) that binds to and blocks the biological activity of stearoyl CoA desaturase one (SCD1) protein. SCD1 is the rate limiting enzyme converting saturated fatty acids (SFAs) to monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). SSI-4 has been licensed to Modulation Therapeutics Inc (MTI) and is expected to be in a Phase 1 clinical trial in early 2024. All of this work is achievable through multiple productive collaborations. Additionally, the laboratory develops novel patient tumor derived preclinical models to provide mechanistic insights and to test novel therapeutics in combination towards antitumor synergy. https://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/copland-john-a-iii-ph-d/bio-00028205