# Cancer Biology Research Program

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA · 2024 · $74,002

## Abstract

CANCER BIOLOGY - ABSTRACT
Basic and translational cancer research is essential to advancing our understanding of cancer development
and progression. New mechanistic insights provide new tools and strategies for cancer prevention, diagnosis,
and therapy. The Cancer Biology Program (CB) studies fundamental cellular, molecular, genetic, biochemical,
and immunological mechanisms of cancer development and progression, with the goal of translating molecular
discoveries into diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. It is also the hub of clinical cancer research to translate
our discoveries to be tested in the clinic. The Program is responsible for the investigator-initiated therapeutic
clinical trials in our catchment area. The Program has 19 Full and 21 Associate Members from the University
of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, School of Medicine, Chemistry Department, Engineering Department, Kinesiology
Department, Pacific Biomedical Research Center, and College of Pharmacy. The CB Members currently
receive a combined $6.1M annually in direct cost, including $3.6M from the NCI and $1.78M from other
NIH institutes. Funding has increased significantly compared to the numbers during the previous cycle. Over
the past 6 years, Members have authored 437 cancer-related publications, of which 20% originated were
intra-programmatic, 26% were inter-programmatic, and 82% were inter-institutional collaborations. The
primary goal of CB is to conduct translational research through multi-disciplinary efforts, whereby discoveries
of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of cancer development and progression lead to novel targets and
potential strategies for cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and drug discovery and treatment. This
goal is informed by the unique geography of our catchment area, which includes the Islands of Hawaiʻi and the
U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands, and the specific health disparities experienced by the populations we serve,
especially Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. The 3 major scientific goals of the Program are: 1) to
generate novel mechanistic insight into the processes that drive tumor initiation, progression, and invasion and
to develop novel agents to target cancers; 2) to identify and validate biomarkers related to cancer early
detection, treatment, and prognosis; and 3) to translate local and national discoveries into more effective
preventive, early detection, and therapeutic modalities throughout our catchment area. To accomplish these
goals, we developed a strategic plan with focusing on 5 areas, immunotherapies, anti-cancer natural products,
small molecules, molecular mechanisms of health disparities, innovative clinical trials, as well as inter-
programmatic collaboration and fostering the growth of young cancer biologists. In summary, given our
geographical location and health disparities, we are uniquely positioned to conduct basic, translational, and
clinical research essential to the Hawaiian community and the larger Pacif...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10935913
- **Project number:** 2P30CA071789-23
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA
- **Principal Investigator:** Xin Chen
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $74,002
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1997-07-01 → 2029-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10935913

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10935913, Cancer Biology Research Program (2P30CA071789-23). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10935913. Licensed CC0.

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