Dr. Loeb has an active translational research laboratory focused on understanding bone tumor metastasis. His laboratory developed a clinically relevant mouse model of sarcoma metastasis, and has used this model to perform preclinical testing of novel agents that can interfere with this process. More basic scientific studies in the lab involve exploring the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in Ewing sarcoma migration, invasion, and metastasis. Dr. Loeb is also studying the role of an enzyme called RNA helicase DDX3 in Ewing sarcoma biology, especially how this enzyme affects the repair of damaged DNA. More recently, the laboratory has developed an interest in targeting the metabolic reprogramming associated with metastasis as a way to prevent the outgrowth of distant metastases from disseminated tumor cells.
Dr. Loeb is also actively involved in clinical research, including the development of radiopharmaceutical agents for the treatment of bone metastases and the development of a small molecule inhibitor of DDX3. He serves as the local PI for a clinical trial of reduced intensity haploidentical bone marrow transplantation for children with high risk solid tumors. Finally, as an offshoot of his laboratory work, Dr. Loeb is involved in the development of biomarkers of metastatic risk and of minimal residual disease in children, adolescents, and young adults with sarcomas.