# Program 32: Gastrointestinal Malignancies

> **NIH NIH P30** · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · 2024 · $40,758

## Abstract

Gastrointestinal Malignancies Program
Project Summary / Abstract
The overarching goals of the Gastrointestinal Malignancies Program are to prevent, detect early, and manage
more accurately and effectively the treatment of GI malignancies, while addressing key issues related to health
disparities. The Program will apply cutting-edge genomic technologies to identify genetic and epigenetic
changes that are important in initiation and progression of GI cancers, as well as their response to therapy.
Discovery and application of molecular and genomic biomarkers, identified in part through advances in cell-free
DNA technologies, represent one important focus. The Program’s scope extends across a range of cancers:
esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, hepatobiliary, and colorectal. Many of these cancers have disproportionately
high burdens or incidence in our catchment area (Massachusetts) or among historically disadvantaged
populations; accordingly, DF/HCC has designated these cancers as a high priority for the Center to tackle.
The Program’s 112 members (82 primary and 30 secondary) represent all seven DF/HCC institutions and 14
academic departments. In 2019, peer-reviewed grant funding attributed to the Program was $4.4 million in
direct costs from the NCI and $7.0 million from other sponsors. During the current funding period, primary
Program members published 1,461 cancer-relevant papers. Of these, 24% were inter-institutional, 23% were
intra-programmatic, and 43% were inter-programmatic collaborations between two or more DF/HCC members.
These numbers reflect the Cancer Center’s emphasis on collaborative research guided by a strategic vision.
For the next CCSG finding period, the Program’s 5 specific aims are to : 1) Leverage genome-scale analyses
and laboratory and patient-derived models to identify novel molecular vulnerabilities and precision oncology
strategies in GI malignancies; 2) Harness emerging technologies and collaborative translational efforts to
define the impact of tumor heterogeneity and mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies in GI cancers; 3)
Define the tumor microenvironment in GI cancers and identify key mechanisms of response or resistance to
immunotherapies; 4) Design and execute novel targeted therapy and immunotherapy clinical trials and key
correlative studies for GI malignancies; and 5) Develop early cancer detection approaches and early cancer
intervention clinical trials for GI cancers cross multiple populations, especially underserved communities. To
execute these Aims, we will take full advantage of DF/HCC’s collaborative infrastructure, core facilities, clinical
trials apparatus, and structured processes for community engagement and cancer research training.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10768688
- **Project number:** 5P30CA006516-59
- **Recipient organization:** DANA-FARBER CANCER INST
- **Principal Investigator:** Brian Matthew Wolpin
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $40,758
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-03-10 → 2026-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10768688

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10768688, Program 32: Gastrointestinal Malignancies (5P30CA006516-59). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10768688. Licensed CC0.

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