# Translational Research in Solid Tumors (TRIST) Research Program

> **NIH NIH P30** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $72,391

## Abstract

ABSTRACT – TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH IN SOLID TUMORS
The Translational Research in Solid Tumors (TRIST) Program of the Lurie Cancer Center (LCC) is a long
standing, highly interactive program that conducts basic, translational, and clinical research centered on the
molecular and cell biology of cancer, prognostic and predictive biomarkers, and the development and testing of
novel therapies in preclinical models and clinical trials. The overall goal of the program is to develop more
effective diagnostic and treatment strategies across a wide spectrum of solid tumors in adult and pediatric
populations. This goal is pursued through three program aims: 1) Identify and characterize novel therapeutic
targets based on insights into molecular mechanisms of cancer initiation and progression; 2) Test new
therapeutic approaches in clinically relevant animal models of cancer and 3) Translate scientific discoveries and
preclinical models into novel diagnostic and therapeutic clinical trials. TRIST members possess expertise across
research areas that span multiple solid tumors. These include studies on: 1. Functional development and
therapeutic use of siRNAs and miRNAs; 2. Development and use of novel approaches of drug delivery and
delivery of immune-activating agents and oligonucleotides in tumors using nanoparticles; 3. Defining the role of
cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumor progression and developing approaches to target them; 4. Defining
mechanisms of malignant cell survival and exploiting them for therapeutic purposes; 5. Development of cancer
immunotherapy approaches and other strategies to target the tumor microenvironment; and 6. Understanding
the mechanisms of resistance to antineoplastic agents and developing approaches to overcome it.
This interdisciplinary inter-departmental program consists of 59 members representing 13 departments and 2
schools at Northwestern University. During the current period TRIST program members published 1011 cancer-
relevant publications, of which 310 (31%) represent intra-programmatic collaborations and 289 (29%) represent
inter-programmatic collaborations. 174 (17%) were high impact (impact factor >9). Peer review funding for
program members totaled $14,213,442 (direct) in peer reviewed funding with $7,901,863 (direct) from the NCI,
and $6,311,579 (direct) from other NIH institutes and other sources. Major accomplishments over this grant
period include a 47% increase in NCI funding from $5,380,925 to $7,901,863, renewal of the Prostate SPORE
and U54 Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence, two new NCI R35 awards and several successful multi-
PI R01 applications. Clinical trial accrual to interventional studies included 2605 patients, of whom 1557 were
accrued to investigator-initiated interventional trials. The Program Leader, Marcus E. Peter, PhD and Co-
Leaders, Daniela Matei, MD and Jeffrey A. Sosman, MD are well known investigators with distinguished careers
in cancer research and complementary skills and expertis...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9982877
- **Project number:** 5P30CA060553-26
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Marcus E. Peter
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $72,391
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9982877

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9982877, Translational Research in Solid Tumors (TRIST) Research Program (5P30CA060553-26). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9982877. Licensed CC0.

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