# Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2020 · $56,168

## Abstract

Abstract: Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy (CII)
The overarching mission of the Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy (CII) Program is to discover, validate
and implement new molecular and cellular immune agents and novel combination immunotherapies for the
immune-based treatment and prevention of human cancers. CII members work to realize the program mission
through three specific aims: (a) define the basic regulatory mechanisms that promote anti-tumor immunity or
facilitate tumor immune evasion; (b) dissect the epigenetic, transcriptional and cellular geography of the tumor
immune microenvironment to discover new immunotherapeutic targets and predictive biomarkers; and (c)
develop and translate novel laboratory research findings into more effective immunotherapies for cancer
treatment and prevention. Three themes holistically integrate research conducted under the these aims, and
include (1) immunoregulatory mechanisms in cancer, (2) modulators of the tumor immune microenvironment,
and (3) cancer immunotherapies. CII prioritizes translating immuno-oncology science developed at Hillman
Cancer Center (HCC) in early proof-of-concept trials, and works with the Cancer Therapeutics Program (CT) to
collaborate with the NCI-CTEP, CITN, other NCI cancer centers, cooperative groups, and biotech/industry
partners for clinical validation and late-stage testing.
Under the leadership of Leisha Emens, MD, PhD, Dario Vignali, PhD and Hassane Zarour, MD, CII has 43
members representing 10 academic departments and 1 school within the University of Pittsburgh. CII members
conduct cancer-focused research supported by $17.0M in total annual direct funding, of which $4.9M is NCI
funding (including R01, R21, P30, and T32 grants), $4.0M is other peer-reviewed and $8.1M is non-peer-
reviewed. From 2015-August 2019, CII members published 848 cancer-related publications representing 14%
intra-programmatic, 46% inter-programmatic, and 65% inter-institutional collaborations. HCC support greatly
facilitates and enhances CII research through the extensive use of HCC SR. CII research in immune
checkpoints for head and neck, lung, and breast cancer as well as melanoma directly addresses the burden of
cancer in the HCC catchment area related to tobacco use, obesity and sun exposure and have positively
changed clinical practice across the U.S. and the world. CII investigators have also developed a prophylactic
colon cancer vaccine that addresses unmet cancer control needs in the HCC catchment area. Together, these
efforts will ensure the translation of novel research findings in cancer immunology and immunotherapy to the
bedside, with the goal of improving clinical outcomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10024352
- **Project number:** 2P30CA047904-32
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** LEISHA A EMENS
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $56,168
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1997-09-10 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10024352

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10024352, Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program (2P30CA047904-32). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10024352. Licensed CC0.

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