# Cancer Biology and Immunology Program

> **NIH NIH P30** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2024 · $62,067

## Abstract

CANCER BIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY (CBI) PROGRAM: SUMMARY
The Cancer Biology & Immunology (CBI) Program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Hollings
Cancer Center (HCC) seeks to identify the basic mechanisms underlying cancer cell biology and anti-cancer
immune responses. CBI member’s interests are aligned with major aims to: 1) determine the transcriptional
and post-transcriptional mechanisms regulating both cancer and immune cell functions; 2) elucidate the impact
of inflammation on cancer cell biology and immune cell activity; and 3) define the mechanisms by which the
tumor microenvironment (TME) regulates cancer and immune cell communication to promote tumor
progression. CBI is co-led by Philip H. Howe, PhD, a leader in the TGF and tumor progression field, and
Sophie Paczesny, MD, PhD, an expert in basic and translational immunology. Members: CBI has 44
members from 13 departments, with 16 women and four members who identify as an underrepresented
minority (URM). The cancer-focused direct peer-reviewed funding base for CBI is $8M (excluding training
grants), an increase of 40% since the prior renewal, with 12 NCI projects ($3.1M, 35% increase), 29 cancer-
related grants from other NIH institutes ($4.2M, 68% increase), three other cancer-relevant peer-reviewed
grants, 13 training grants, and 134 students and postdocs. During the calendar years 2018-2022, CBI
members authored 392 publications: 116 (30%) were published in top-tier journals (JIF ≥ 10); [intra-(17%),
inter-(26%) programattic, and inter-institutional (70%)]. Current Scientific focus: CBI investigators have
shown that the tumor suppressor, BRCA1, inhibits transcription by blocking the recruitment of the chromatin
reader and oncogene regulator, BRD4, which led to collaborative studies that examine how the hypoxia
response and phosphorylation by the ATM kinase affect BRCA1/BRD4 function in breast cancers. CBI
members are also investigating the involvement of the macroenvironment and inflammation in pancreatic
cancer development and cachexia in a P01-funded project. Other CBI members are studying the roles of TME
alarmins and RNA binding proteins, HuR and hnRNP E1, on tumor and immune cell functions. Demonstration
that aneuploidy leads to a loss in the expression and function of genes involved in autophagic pathways led to
a phase I/II clinical trial in advanced solid tumors using a combination of autophagic drugs. Program
activities: CBI fosters intra-, inter-, and transdisciplinary research through monthly meetings, annual retreats,
and seminars. In participation with the Transdisciplinary Cancer Teams (TCTs), CBI members promote team
science with an emphasis on multi-PI R01 and P01-type awards. Members are frequent users of the Flow
Cytometry, Cell and Molecular Imaging, Biorepository, and Translational Science Lab Shared Resources. With
committed leadership, strong faculty recruitment, and promotion of transdisciplinary and team research, the
CBI Program will continue to...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10847767
- **Project number:** 2P30CA138313-16
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** Philip H Howe
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $62,067
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2009-04-01 → 2029-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10847767

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10847767, Cancer Biology and Immunology Program (2P30CA138313-16). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10847767. Licensed CC0.

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