Gordon Mills, M.D.,Ph.D.
- Professor of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, School of Medicine
- Director of Precision Oncology, Knight Cancer Institute, OHSU
- Director of SMMART Trials
- Wayne and Julie Drinkward Endowed Chair in Precision Oncology
Biography
Dr. Gordon B. Mills earned his M.D. and Ph.D. in biochemistry and completed his training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Alberta. Prior to moving to OHSU, Dr. Mills was at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, the number one ranked Cancer Center in the United States. He fulfilled multiple roles including founding chair of the Department of Systems Biology, co-Director of the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy co-Director of the Kleberg Center for Molecular Markers and holds the Olga Keith Wiess Distinguished University Chair for Cancer Research at the MD Anderson Cancer Center.
At the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, Dr. Mills is Director of Precision Oncology and SMMART trials. He is responsible for the implementation of an integrated program of tumor analysis, decision-making and implementation of novel precision oncology trials. The key goal will be to use serial tumor and liquid biopsies to evaluate and target adaptive responses in real time to interdict cancer evolution.
Dr. Mills' research ranges across: 1) translating the cancer genome through mechanistic studies determining the role of genomic and other aberrations present in patient tumors, 2) identification and validation of therapeutic targets emphasizing mechanisms of resistance and rational combination therapy to overcome emerging resistance in evolving cancers, 4) developing, validating, and implementing molecular markers; and 5) integrating data through a cancer systems biology approach into robust predictive mathematical models. The overarching goal is to perform deep molecular analysis of each patient “to let the patient teach us what is important”.
This process is facilitated by the implementation and integration of a comprehensive suite of high-throughput technologies including assessment of genomic aberrations, transcriptional profiles, functional proteomics and metabolomics, and drug screening using conventional and high content imaging systems. Dr. Mills has also implemented a comprehensive functional genomics program designed to distinguish drivers from passengers and identify their therapeutic liabilities.
Dr. Mills is recognized as one of the most highly quoted scientists in the world with over 1000 publications. He also holds more than 20 patents. His work has been continuously He is funded by multiple grants for over 30 years. Dr. Mills efforts have been recognized in the Komen Foundation’s Brinker Award for Scientific Excellence and the Finneran Family Prize for Translational Research. He has been very successful in supporting training, mentoring, and career development for young scientists including graduate students, fellows, and junior faculty. The majority of his trainees have developed successful research careers rising through the ranks to full professor, department chairs, and institute directors. Based on this role, Dr. Mills has been nominated for and awarded multiple mentoring awards, including the Stand Up 2 Cancer Laura Ziskin Prize for Mentoring.
Education and training
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Degrees
- M.D., 1977, University of Alberta
- Ph.D., 1984, University of Alberta
Publications
Elsevier pure profilePublications
Cyclin E1/CDK2 activation defines a key vulnerability to WEE1 kinase inhibition in gynecological cancers
npj Precision OncologyOngoing replication stress tolerance and clonal T cell responses distinguish liver and lung recurrence and outcomes in pancreatic cancer
Nature CancerA protein expression atlas on tissue samples and cell lines from cancer patients provides insights into tumor heterogeneity and dependencies
Nature CancerC5aR1 inhibition reprograms tumor associated macrophages and reverses PARP inhibitor resistance in breast cancer
Nature communicationsCASPER
Future OncologyCirculating Neoplastic-Immune Hybrid Cells Are Biomarkers of Occult Metastasis and Treatment Response in Pancreatic Cancer
CancersDynamic immunoediting by macrophages in homologous recombination deficiency-stratified pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Drug Resistance UpdatesEnhancing anticancer activity of macrophages through rational drug combinations
Journal of Clinical InvestigationExceptional Response to Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in a Patient with Recurrent Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma with Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Expression
JCO Precision OncologyMIM-CyCIF
Communications BiologyPhase II study of talazoparib in advanced cancers with BRCA1/2, DNA repair, and PTEN alterations
npj Precision OncologyProteogenomic insights into early-onset endometrioid endometrial carcinoma
Nature geneticsSounding an Alarm over Spatial Biology
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology NewsTargeted Dynamic Phospho-Proteogenomic Analysis of Gastric Cancer Cells Suggests Host Immunity Provides Survival Benefit
Molecular and Cellular ProteomicsThe polymeric fluoropyrimidine CF10 overcomes limitations of 5-FU in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells through increased replication stress
Cancer Biology and TherapyUBA1 inhibition sensitizes cancer cells to PARP inhibitors
Cell Reports MedicineAccessible high-throughput single-cell whole-genome sequencing with paired chromatin accessibility
Cell Reports MethodsActionability classification of variants of unknown significance correlates with functional effect
npj Precision OncologyA distinct pattern of growth and RAC1 signaling in melanoma brain metastasis cells
Neuro-Oncology