# Immuno-Oncology

> **NIH NIH P30** · H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CTR & RES INST · 2023 · $47,588

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
IMMUNO-ONCOLOGY PROGRAM
The overarching goal of the Immuno-Oncology Program (IO) is to develop, mechanistically understand and
deliver effective and safe immunotherapies for cancer patients, with a focus on cancers that disproportionately
affect patients in our catchment area. Key to success of the IO Program is the integration and synergy of basic
and translational immunologists with clinicians implementing clinical trials through an interdisciplinary, “bench-
to-bed-and-back” continuum. Moffitt has become a leader in state-of-the-art immunotherapy trials and to build
upon this success, the research activities of IO are organized into three Specific Aims:
Aim 1: To understand molecular and cellular mechanisms that exploit innate and adaptive immunity
against cancer. Specific areas of focus include: 1) dissecting novel immune checkpoint inhibitory pathways
and their crosstalk with other immunosuppressive mechanisms; 2) understanding coordinated cellular and
humoral responses against cancer; and 3) defining metabolic alterations in innate and adaptive immune cells.
Aim 2: To elucidate and target pathways governing effectiveness, resistance, and toxicity in anti-
cancer immunotherapy. Specific areas of focus are: 1) providing biological and clinical insights into how to
augment responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors; 2) identifying actionable epigenetic mechanisms that
govern malignant progression and the effectiveness of immunotherapies; and 3) improving the effectiveness of
bone marrow transplant while reducing graft versus host disease.
Aim 3: To develop and implement anti-cancer cellular therapies. Specific areas of focus include targeting
high priority cancers in our catchment area (e.g., melanoma, lung, cervical and ovarian cancer) by: 1)
developing, implementing and refining CAR T cell therapies against human cancers, including solid
malignancies; and 2) effectively treating cancer through ex vivo expanded tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).
IO has made huge impact in immuno-oncology, where IO Members have: 1) led efforts resulting in FDA
approval of CAR T cells for treatment of refractory B cell lymphoma; 2) pioneered the use of TILs to achieve
therapeutic responses in melanoma, and in chemo- and immunotherapy-resistant lung cancer; 3) discovered a
novel targetable checkpoint inhibitory pathway in human cancer; and 4) driven changes in clinical management
of CAR T and checkpoint inhibitor patients. Publications during this cycle include 136 manuscripts in journals
with IF ³ 10, including NEJM, Science, Nature, Lancet Oncology, Cancer Cell and Immunity, among others. IO
is comprised of 36 Members from 9 academic departments. During the reporting period, 648 cancer-related
articles were published, with 21% intra-programmatic and 46% inter-programmatic collaboration rates. Current
grant funding for IO is $19.3 million, of which $6.8 million is peer-reviewed, including 37% from NCI (a 36.6%
increase compared to the previou...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10558765
- **Project number:** 5P30CA076292-25
- **Recipient organization:** H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CTR & RES INST
- **Principal Investigator:** Jose R Conejo-Garcia
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $47,588
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1998-02-18 → 2027-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10558765

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10558765, Immuno-Oncology (5P30CA076292-25). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10558765. Licensed CC0.

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