In brief
This NIH-funded grant supports the Center for Translational Pharmacology Shared Resource (CTPSR) at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, enhancing pediatric cancer drug research through advanced pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic services and fostering collaboration between clinical trials and pharmaceutical sciences.
What this article is about
Quick Answer
This NIH-funded grant supports the Center for Translational Pharmacology Shared Resource (CTPSR) at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, enhancing pediatric cancer drug research through advanced pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic services and fostering collaboration between clinical trials and pharmaceutical sciences.
Student takeaways
Key Takeaways
- The database record does not provide key finding 1.
- The database record does not provide key finding 2.
- The database record does not provide key finding 3.
- The database record does not provide key finding 4.
- The database record does not provide key finding 5.
Student summary
Why This Research Matters
The Center for Translational Pharmacology Shared Resource (CTPSR), formerly known as the Pharmacokinetic Shared Resource (PKSR) at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, plays a crucial role in advancing pediatric oncology treatment through its comprehensive pharmacological support services. Established in 1983 and officially renamed to CTPSR in July 2023, this resource is integral to the St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center (SJCCC). Its primary mission is to enhance the effectiveness and safety of anticancer drug use specifically for children.
The leadership transition at CTPSR has been marked by experienced professionals dedicated to its growth and impact. Following Mary Relling’s retirement as Director, Clinton Stewart took over PKSR leadership from 2019–2022, bringing his extensive background in pediatric cancer pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD). Markos Leggas was subsequently recruited as the new Director in July 2022. Dr. Leggas brings more than 25 years of specialized PK/PD and translational pharmacology research experience to this role within the Department of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Clinton Stewart continues his significant contributions by serving as Associate Director of Bioanalytical Operations, leveraging over 35 years of pediatric cancer PK/PD expertise. Kristine Crews, PharmD, has been a steadfast leader in Clinical Operations since 2005. Together with their team of 15 researchers—including clinical research associates, research nurses, analytical chemists, and biomedical modelers—they ensure that all SJCCC clinical PK/PD research receives consistent support.
The CTPSR offers six core services designed to facilitate robust pharmacological studies: (1) comprehensive pharmacology study design; (2) electronic implementation of clinical protocols; (3) meticulous sample acquisition, processing, and distribution; (4) development or implementation of analytical assays along with method validation; (5) quantification of drugs and their metabolites in biological specimens; and (6) advanced modeling and simulation of PK/PD data derived from both clinical trials and preclinical studies.
During the reference year FY2024, the CTPSR demonstrated its broad reach by providing services to 21 SJCRH clinical investigators. Notably, 81% of these were members of the SJCCC, underscoring its central role in supporting cancer research within this institution. A key expansion during this period was the addition of a new service: sample analysis. This function had previously been managed by staff within faculty-led laboratories but is now fully integrated into CTPSR’s offerings.
To meet growing demands for bioanalytical and modeling/simulation activities, seven new staff scientists were added to the team in FY2024. These additions will occupy 1,420 square feet of space when they relocate to the new Shared Resource Center in 2025, further enhancing operational capacity.
The CTPSR’s impact is substantial and well-documented. During the project period, it supported activities across 87 clinical protocols involving approximately 25,000 patient samples. This extensive involvement has led to significant scientific output, evidenced by 94 publications authored by SJCCC members who utilized CTPSR services.
In summary, the Center for Translational Pharmacology Shared Resource at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a vital shared resource that provides essential pharmacological support through its dedicated leadership and comprehensive service offerings. Its continuous evolution and expansion ensure it remains at the forefront of pediatric oncology research, contributing significantly to safer and more effective anticancer drug use in children.
Source abstract
Study Overview
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – CENTER FOR TRANSLATIONAL PHARMACOLOGY The Center for Translational Pharmacology Shared Resource (CTPSR), formerly the Pharmacokinetic Shared Resource (PKSR), is a St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center (SJCCC) Shared Resource, the overarching goal of which is to enable more effective and safer anticancer drug use in children. The PKSR was established in 1983 and was renamed the CTPSR in July 2023. Upon the retirement of the previous Director, Mary Relling, PharmDHMP, PKSR leadership transitioned to Clinton Stewart, PharmDBSTP (2019–2022), and subsequently to Markos Leggas, PhD, in July 2022, who was recruited as a member of the Department of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and has more than 25 years of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) and translational pharmacology research experience. Stewart, who has more than 35 years of PK/PD experience in pediatric cancer, serves as the Associate Director of Bioanalytical Operations, and Kristine Crews, PharmD, is the Associate Director of Clinical Operations, serving in this role since 2005. Together, they supervise a staff of 15 researchers, clinical research associates, research nurses, analytical chemists, and biomedical modelers who are fully integrated into the clinical research and pharmaceutical sciences enterprise to ensure that all SJCCC clinical PK/PD research is consistently supported. The CTPSR offers six services: (1) pharmacology study design; (2) clinical protocol electronic implementation; (3) sample acquisition, processing, and distribution; (4) analytical assay implementation or development and method validation; (5) quantification of drugs and their metabolites in biological specimens; and (6) modeling and simulation of PK/PD data generated by clinical trials or preclinical data generated by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (SJCRH) investigator-led laboratories or the SJCRH Preclinical Pharmacokinetic Shared Resource. During the reference year (FY2024), the CTPSR provided services to 21 SJCRH clinical investigators, 17 (81%) of whom were SJCCC members. The CTPSR added one new service since the last grant renewal, sample analysis, which was previously conducted by staff in faculty-led laboratories in the Department of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. In FY2024, the CTPSR added seven new staff scientists to support expanded bioanalytical and modeling/simulation activities. This subgroup of operations will occupy 1,420 sq ft when they move to the new Shared Resource Center in 2025. During the project period, the CTPSR supported the activities of 87 clinical protocols involving approximately 25, 000 patient samples. The CTPSR has been highly impactful during the current project period, as evidenced by the 94 publications authored by SJCCC members using CTPSR services.
Evidence appraisal
Main Findings
- The database record does not provide key finding 1.
- The database record does not provide key finding 2.
- The database record does not provide key finding 3.
- The database record does not provide key finding 4.
- The database record does not provide key finding 5.
Practice transfer
Clinical Relevance
- Clinical implication 1 should be interpreted cautiously because the database record is limited.
- Clinical implication 2 should be interpreted cautiously because the database record is limited.
- Clinical implication 3 should be interpreted cautiously because the database record is limited.
- Clinical implication 4 should be interpreted cautiously because the database record is limited.
- Clinical implication 5 should be interpreted cautiously because the database record is limited.
Faculty notes
Educational Relevance
Center for Translational Pharmacology (CTP) can be used for source-grounded discussion. The database record does not provide enough detail for a fuller faculty summary.
Critical appraisal
Limitations
- The database record does not provide limitation 1.
- The database record does not provide limitation 2.
- The database record does not provide limitation 3.
Classroom use
Discussion Questions
- Discussion question 1: What does "Center for Translational Pharmacology (CTP)" help nursing students evaluate?
- Discussion question 2: What does "Center for Translational Pharmacology (CTP)" help nursing students evaluate?
- Discussion question 3: What does "Center for Translational Pharmacology (CTP)" help nursing students evaluate?
- Discussion question 4: What does "Center for Translational Pharmacology (CTP)" help nursing students evaluate?
- Discussion question 5: What does "Center for Translational Pharmacology (CTP)" help nursing students evaluate?
- Discussion question 6: What does "Center for Translational Pharmacology (CTP)" help nursing students evaluate?
- Discussion question 7: What does "Center for Translational Pharmacology (CTP)" help nursing students evaluate?
- Discussion question 8: What does "Center for Translational Pharmacology (CTP)" help nursing students evaluate?
- Discussion question 9: What does "Center for Translational Pharmacology (CTP)" help nursing students evaluate?
- Discussion question 10: What does "Center for Translational Pharmacology (CTP)" help nursing students evaluate?
Search-ready answers
Frequently asked questions
What is the Center for Translational Pharmacology (CTP) and its primary mission?
The Center for Translational Pharmacology Shared Resource (CTPSR), formerly known as the Pharmacokinetic Shared Resource (PKSR), serves as a St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center (SJCCC) Shared Resource. Its overarching goal is to enable more effective and safer anticancer drug use in children.
When was the PKSR established, and when did it transition to its current name?
The Pharmacokinetic Shared Resource (PKSR) was established in 1983. It was renamed the Center for Translational Pharmacology Shared Resource (CTPSR) in July 2023.
Who are the key leadership figures of the CTPSR, and what is their background?
Markos Leggas, PhD, has been the Director since July 2022. He was recruited from the Department of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences with over 25 years of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) and translational pharmacology research experience. Clinton Stewart, PharmDBSTP, served as Associate Director of Bioanalytical Operations from 2019–2022 and has more than 35 years of PK/PD experience in pediatric cancer.
What are the six main services offered by the CTPSR?
The CTPSR offers: (1) pharmacology study design; (2) clinical protocol electronic implementation; (3) sample acquisition, processing, and distribution; (4) analytical assay implementation or development and method validation; (5) quantification of drugs and their metabolites in biological specimens; and (6) modeling and simulation of PK/PD data.
How many SJCRH clinical investigators did the CTPSR provide services to during FY2024, and what percentage were SJCCC members?
During FY2024, the CTPSR provided services to 21 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (SJCRH) clinical investigators, with 17 of them (81%) being members of the St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center (SJCCC).
What new service did the CTPSR add since its last grant renewal?
Since its last grant renewal, the CTPSR added a new service: sample analysis.
How many new staff scientists were hired by the CTPSR in FY2024 to support expanded activities?
In FY2024, the CTPSR added seven new staff scientists to support expanded bioanalytical and modeling/simulation activities.
What is the planned square footage for the subgroup of operations that will move to the new Shared Resource Center in 2025?
The subgroup of operations supporting expanded bioanalytical and modeling/simulation activities will occupy 1,420 sq ft when they move to the new Shared Resource Center in 2025.
How many clinical protocols did the CTPSR support during its project period, involving how many patient samples?
During the project period, the CTPSR supported the activities of 87 clinical protocols involving approximately 25,000 patient samples.
What is a notable impact or achievement of the CTPSR as evidenced by publications in the current project period?
The Center for Translational Pharmacology Shared Resource (CTPSR) has been highly impactful during its current project period, as evidenced by 94 publications authored by St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center (SJCCC) members using CTPSR services.