# Cancer Biology Research Program

> **NIH NIH P30** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $49,687

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY: Cancer Biology Research Program
Melissa Wong, Ph.D., and Mara Sherman, Ph.D., Program Co-Leaders
The Cancer Biology Program (CB) is the unified discovery engine of the Knight Cancer Institute (KCI). Its focus
is on discovering novel therapeutic mechanisms and targets for cancer therapy, through integrative investigation
of genetic, molecular and cellular processes underlying cancer initiation and progression. CB members drive the
basic and basic-to-translational research innovation that is foundational to advances in Precision Early Detection
and Precision Oncology, in alignment with the KCI Strategic Plan. Scientific research within the program spans
the continuum from cancer initiation through progression, with emphasis on how cell signaling and the crosstalk
between cells within the tumor microenvironment influence tumorigenesis and the response to therapy. To
accomplish these goals, the program is organized into three research themes: Tumorigenesis & Genetic
Instability (examining cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic mechanisms that predispose to cancer, including regulation of
cell cycle checkpoint control, DNA damage and repair, and genetic and epigenetic alterations); Signal
Transduction (focused on cellular signaling mechanisms relevant to homeostatic and neoplastic cell
proliferation); and the Tumor Microenvironment (investigating mesenchymal support, immune, and vascular
cell interactions with neoplastic cells). Program co-Leader Melissa Wong, Ph.D. is an expert in stem cell biology,
particularly in colorectal, lung and pancreatic cancer. Co-Leader Mara Sherman, Ph.D. is an expert in micro-
environmental regulation of solid tumorigenesis, with a focus on pancreatic cancer. The 38 members of CB are
drawn from five basic science departments, five clinical departments or divisions in the OHSU School of
Medicine, and four institutes within OHSU. Total direct cost funding as of December 31, 2020 was $9,955,528
with peer-reviewed funding of $9,120,686 of which $4,436,923 or 49% was from the NCI. The discoveries made
in this program have resulted in 323 publications during the funding period, of which 20% are intra-programmatic
collaborations, 48% are inter-programmatic, and 44% are inter-institutional collaborations; 24% of these
publications are in journals with an impact factor greater than 10. CB members made numerous impactful
scientific discoveries, including the development of new genetically-engineered mouse models for breast cancer
and pancreatic cancer that faithfully recapitulate the inter-tumoral heterogeneity seen in patients; a novel,
hierarchical relationship between myeloid enhancer mutations and oncogene activation in the initiation and
progression of acute myeloid leukemia; and continued insights into micro-environmental contributions to tumor
development, progression, and therapeutic resistance. These investigations align with and directly support the
KCI Strategic Plan’s foundations of Precision Early Detection an...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10411204
- **Project number:** 2P30CA069533-24
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Melissa H. Wong
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $49,687
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1997-08-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10411204

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10411204, Cancer Biology Research Program (2P30CA069533-24). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10411204. Licensed CC0.

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