# Developmental Therapeutics Research Program

> **NIH NIH P30** · CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $55,090

## Abstract

DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPEUTICS (DT) RESEARCH PROGRAM
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The Developmental Therapeutics (DT) Research Program develops and evaluates novel therapeutics and
combinations that: 1) overcome drug resistance of cancer cells mediated by a spectrum of genetic and
epigenetic mechanisms; 2) inhibit growth and drug-resistant pathways of cancer; and 3) utilize novel immune
checkpoint therapeutics to increase the proportion of cancer patients who benefit. The overall approach of the
DT Program is to leverage the creativity and expertise of basic scientists in the Case Comprehensive Cancer
Center (Case CCC) Programs by analyzing new agents for specific validated molecular targets and new
therapeutic compounds for preclinical and clinical validation in early-phase clinical trials. DT members guide
their development, and convey clinical samples back to laboratory investigators to drive further discovery. This
bidirectional interchange enables DT's continued role as a major convener of new therapeutic concepts for the
Center’s Programs. The program is organized around 3 scientific aims: (1) Interrogate cancer pathways to
develop new efficacious therapeutics; (2) Implement early-phase clinical trials around novel pathway targets,
new agents and combinatorial approaches; and (3) Implement early-phase trials around novel approaches to
cancer immunotherapies, to widen their activity spectra. These aims reflect major working groups and
initiatives that coalesces program members with other cancer center investigators through inter-programmatic
collaborations that result in preclinical and clinical research efforts, grants, and trial protocols. Extensive use of
an array of shared resources, in particular Translational, Cytometry, Imaging, Proteomics, and Drug Discovery
facilitate all aspects of member discoveries.
Under the leadership of Yogen Saunthararajah (Co-Leader) and John Letterio (Co-Leader) the DT Program
has 52 members including 18 full, 5 associate and 29 clinical members representing 21 different departments
across the consortium. Members are funded by a total of $12.5M in research grant funding (annual direct
costs), of which $5.1M is peer-reviewed and $2.9M is NCI-funded. Between 2012 and 2016, DT program
members published 1,012 publications. Cancer and program related publications included 35% inter-
programmatic, 25% intra-programmatic, 14% inter- and intra-programmatic and 10% that involved
collaborations with another Cancer Center. This highly effective Program has made major practice-changing
contributions benefiting cancer patients. Examples include: discoveries of first-in-class compounds
(SMARCA5 inhibitor, PP2A activator, malate dehydrogenase inhibitor, base excision repair target with
methoxyamine); discoveries targeting EGFR resistance, inhibition of uracil glycosylase and the inhibition of the
BH4 domain of Bcl-2; analysis into the genetic markers of resistance to radiation; and identification of several
small cell lung cancer...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10380717
- **Project number:** 5P30CA043703-32
- **Recipient organization:** CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** John James Letterio
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $55,090
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-08-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10380717

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10380717, Developmental Therapeutics Research Program (5P30CA043703-32). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10380717. Licensed CC0.

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