# 25 Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR · 2022 · $18,707

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT 
The Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics (CGE) Program was formed in 2012 and consists of 52 members (36 
primary, 15 associate and 1 adjunct) from 10 departments. Dr. Sharon Dent, an international leader in defining 
the function and regulation of histone-modifying proteins, leads the program. Dr. Guillermina Lozano, a leading 
authority on the p53 tumor suppressor pathway, and Dr. David Johnson, an expert on the functions of the E2F 
family of proteins in transcription, DNA repair and cell growth control, serve as co-leaders. The major scientific 
goal of the program is to define the genetic, epigenetic and mechanistic changes that influence cancer to develop 
new and effective means to positively impact cancer diagnosis, treatment and cure. The program is organized 
around 3 major themes: 1) Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressors, 2) Epigenetic Regulators, and 3) Genome 
Maintenance. Each theme is addressed by a specific aim. Aim 1: To define molecular pathways important in 
human cancers using genetic and genomic approaches in model organisms, cellular systems and patient-derived 
tissues; Aim 2: To define functions of epigenetic regulators in normal and disease states and explore how these 
functions can be exploited for development of new therapeutics or diagnostics; Aim 3: To define the molecular 
machinery that responds to DNA damage and other stresses to maintain genome integrity and tissue 
homeostasis and to understand how dysfunction of these mechanisms contributes to cancer. CGE annual direct 
funding totals $10.2M with $2.5M from the NCI, $7.7M from other peer-reviewed sources, such as CPRIT, the 
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the American Cancer Society, and breast and prostate cancer research funding 
from the U.S. Department of Defense. Total program peer-reviewed funding reflects an increase of 7% since the 
last competitive renewal. The program has also produced 779 published papers, with 132 (17%) reflecting intra- 
programmatic collaborations (an increase of 5%), 270 (35%) reflecting inter-programmatic collaborations (an 
increase of 6%), and 571 (73%) reflecting inter-institutional collaborations. Sixty-five percent of articles appeared 
in journals with IF >5, and 27% of articles were published in journals with IF >10, including N Engl J Med, Nature, 
Science, Lancet Oncol, Cell, Cancer Cell, Cancer Discov, J Clin Oncol, and JAMA Oncol. Program members 
have collectively used all CCSG shared resources. Research accomplishments during the last grant period 
include definition of the origin and evolution of breast tumor cell heterogeneity, development of the first small- 
molecule inhibitor of the TRIM24 bromodomain, identification of the YEATS domain as a new epigenetic “reader” 
of acetylated lysine implicated in leukemia and non-small cell lung cancer, and the discovery that the BRCA1- 
interacting protein ABRAXAS and the related protein ABRO1, maintain genome integrity. These and other 
discoveries reflect th...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10466997
- **Project number:** 5P30CA016672-46
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Xiaodong Cheng
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $18,707
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1996-08-28 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10466997

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10466997, 25 Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics (5P30CA016672-46). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10466997. Licensed CC0.

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