# Mays Cancer Center at UT Health SA

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER · 2022 · $23,839

## Abstract

Project Summary--Population Science and Prevention (PSP) Program
The Population Science and Prevention (PSP) Program, co-led by Pratap Kumar, Ph.D. and Gail Tomlinson,
M.D., Ph.D., has 29 members, representing 4 schools and 10 departments at the Mays Cancer Center (MCC)
at the University of Texas Health San Antonio (UT Health SA). The primary focus of the PSP Program is
collaborative research that addresses cancer risk and prevention to develop intervention strategies. Studies are
focused on our overarching goal of reducing cancer burden in our 38-county catchment area. Our emphasis has
been on improving cancer screening and detection, improving access to care, and translation prevention
discoveries through interventional trials. These include behavioral interventions to improve cancer outcomes,
incorporating community outreach and engagement of underserved populations. PSP members have: 1)
Formulated a panel of patented biomarkers for predicting recurrent risk of prostate cancer; 2) Identified
epigenotypes for stratifying an endometrial cancer subtype predominantly occurring in young, obese Hispanics;
and 3) Shown that exposure to aflatoxin and hepatitis C virus may cause hepatocellular carcinoma in our
catchment area and other Hispanic populations. Inter- and intra-programmatic efforts have found that: 1) Yoga-
based exercise and nutritional interventions can reduce circulating inflammatory cytokines, thereby enhancing
survival of breast cancer patients; and 2) Texting and mobile media services help Hispanic adolescent/young
adults (AYAs) quit smoking in a cost-effective manner. Through our collaborative work, we have impacted the
population across our geographic area (including rural and border regions): e.g. increased identification rates of
those carrying hepatitis C, and increased HPV vaccine administration, genetic risk assessment and testing, and
enhanced cancer screening in genetically at-risk populations. In the upcoming Cancer Center Support Grant
(CCSG) cycle, we continue to address the disproportionate burden of cancer across the age continuum –
children, AYAs, and adults – in our catchment area. Our Program’s Specific Aims are to: 1) Discover biomarkers
to enhance early detection and recurrent prediction; 2) Translate evidence-based chemotherapeutic/
nutritional/behavioral strategies to interventional trials; and 3) Enhance quality of life for cancer survivors. These
Specific Aims will be achieved by promoting intra- and inter-programmatic collaborations to translate findings
into clinical interventions to benefit our population. PSP Program members hold 28 grants totaling $5.7M (direct
costs), with 25% ($1.4M) from the NCI. Over the last reporting period, the PSP’s multidisciplinary investigators
more than doubled their peer-reviewed publications (412 vs. 186). Of these, 21% are intra-programmatic, 14%
inter-programmatic, 77% multi-institutional collaborations, and 53% with other NCI-designated Cancer Centers.
In addition, 34% of P...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10460441
- **Project number:** 5P30CA054174-27
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** GAIL ELIZABETH TOMLINSON
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $23,839
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-08-01 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10460441

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10460441, Mays Cancer Center at UT Health SA (5P30CA054174-27). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10460441. Licensed CC0.

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