# Cancer Metabolism and Signaling Networks

> **NIH NIH P30** · SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS MEDICAL DISCOVERY INSTITUTE · 2020 · $47,964

## Abstract

ABSTRACT – CANCER METABOLISM AND SIGNALING NETWORKS PROGRAM
The long-term goal of the Cancer Metabolism and Signaling Networks (CMSN) program is to unravel the
mechanisms and signaling networks in normal and cancer cells that govern their ability to either survive or to
undergo various forms of death when stressed (as a consequence of either the inherent requirements of
uncontrolled cancer cell growth, or chemotherapy). The program includes 10 investigators, including 5 adjuncts,
with strong expertise in autophagy and cell death, metabolic signaling, and structural and chemical biology, who
work in a highly interactive approach with the ultimate goal of efficient translation of our discoveries into more
selective and efficacious therapies. The program consists of three well-defined and highly synergistic themes:
(1) Cancer Metabolism, (2) Nutrient Sensing, and (3) Cell Death and Survival. These themes are conceptually
linked, with metabolic and protein stress in cancer cells closely interconnected to cell survival, cell death, and
autophagy. Exploiting these and other signaling pathways through chemical biology is expected to lead to new
therapies for cancer. The program has reinforced its cancer focus, as suggested by the previous review, and
fosters collaborations among its members through joint lab meetings, monthly program meetings, retreats, and
mentoring of junior faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and students. As documented by our current annual direct
cancer-related funding of $7.3M with $4.6M from NCI (63%), the program has been very productive during this
period. Program members currently lead or participate in a total of 28 grants including 19 R01s (11 from NCI),
and multiple NExT (NCI) projects. Members have authored 254 cancer-relevant papers (between 2014 and
2019), of which 24% were collaborative (13% intra-programmatic and 11% inter-programmatic). Of these, 29
were published in 2018, 21% intra-programmatic and 7% inter-programmatic. A central goal for the program for
the next five years is to further enhance interactions among members that allow us to address fundamental
questions in the area of cancer metabolism and cell survival. We plan to extend our expertise in these areas by
recruiting at least one faculty in cancer metabolism and, in collaboration with TMCI, another faculty with interest
in metabolism in the tumor stroma, an emerging field at the interface of metabolism, inflammation, and the tumor
microenvironment. Another faculty member will be recruited in the area of autophagy in mouse cancer models.
Our ability to translate our findings into innovative therapies will benefit greatly from the presence of program
members with outstanding expertise in structural and chemical biology and the rational design of drugs based
on structural data, combined with the capabilities of the Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics in
medicinal chemistry and high-throughput screening.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9934929
- **Project number:** 2P30CA030199-39
- **Recipient organization:** SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS MEDICAL DISCOVERY INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Jorge Moscat
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $47,964
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9934929

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9934929, Cancer Metabolism and Signaling Networks (2P30CA030199-39). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9934929. Licensed CC0.

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