# 01 - Cancer Biology & Immunology

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2022 · $52,070

## Abstract

ABSTRACT – CANCER BIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY (CBI) PROGRAM
Overview and Goals: The goals of the Cancer Biology and Immunology (CBI) program are to identify basic
mechanisms of cancer cell biology and the immune response in order to develop novel therapeutic approaches
to treat cancer. In particular, CBI members are interested in the transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms
controlling tumor and immune cell function, the impact of metabolism and metabolites on tumor and immune cell
biology, and the role of the microenvironment in tumor biology and immune activity. Research Highlights: CBI
investigators recently showed that the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is an important target in both Acute Myeloid
Leukemia (AML) and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). Targeting CXCR4 on AML promotes oxidative stress
and terminal differentiation of leukemic stem cells (Cell Rep. 20201), whereas blockade of CXCL12 combined
with tyrosine kinase inhibitors eliminates CML stem cells (Cell Stem Cell 20192). CBI investigators also defined
how metabolites influence tumor and immune cell activities: tumor-derived L-2-hydroxyglutarate influences renal
cancer progression and prognosis (Clin. Cancer Res. 20183), and alpha-ketoglutarate regulates the
differentiation and function of CD4 T cells (Immunity 20174). Mechanistic discoveries by CBI investigators have
led to therapeutics that are now being tested in clinical trials, including a heparanase inhibitor for multiple
myeloma (Haematologica 20185) and a DNMT1 inhibitor for MDS and AML (NCT04167917). Program
Activities: CBI catalyzes intra- and inter-programmatic interactions via monthly meetings, annual retreats, and
seminars. Technology forums introduce members to new and existing capabilities of the Shared Resources, and
members' discoveries are advanced from the bench to Phase I clinical trials through pilot funding from the
Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance and the O'Neal Invests program. Members: CBI has 57 members from 16
Departments/Divisions who have a combined $5.2M in NCI funding and $10.1M in total cancer-relevant, peer-
reviewed grants. In the current cycle, CBI members published 693 cancer-relevant publications, of which 39%
were inter-programmatic and 23% were intra-programmatic collaborations and 18% of which are in journals with
impact factor of 9 or greater. Future Directions: In line with the O'Neal strategic plan, CBI will focus on the role
of obesity and metabolism in regulating cancer progression and the anti-tumor immune response. Of the 13
cancers linked with obesity, CBI investigators already have strength in tumor biology and anti-tumor immunity in
multiple myeloma, renal, breast, and ovarian cancers, and we expect that these efforts will lead to collaborative,
multi-PI grants in the next funding period. These cancers overlap with those being targeted by our Community
Outreach and Engagement office, in part due to their relevance to the catchment area. Finally, CBI members will
leverage imaging techniques developed by...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10411027
- **Project number:** 2P30CA013148-49
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** SUNIL SUDARSHAN
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $52,070
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1997-03-28 → 2027-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10411027

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10411027, 01 - Cancer Biology & Immunology (2P30CA013148-49). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10411027. Licensed CC0.

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