# Lymphoma Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Human Cancer

> **NIH NIH P50** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 2020 · $2,420,487

## Abstract

ABSTRACT: Overall. The University of Iowa/Mayo Clinic Lymphoma SPORE (SPORE) is a dynamic,
productive, translational cancer research program based at two comprehensive cancer centers that was first
funded in 2002 and competitively renewed in 2007 and 2012. At the center of the ongoing success of the
SPORE is the collaborative interaction between investigators at Iowa and Mayo, as well as SPORE basic
laboratory, clinical and population science investigators focused on lymphoma. The overall goal of the SPORE
is to support innovative, interactive, rigorous translational lymphoma research that leverages the expertise of
laboratory, clinical and population science expertise at both institutions. Over the last funding period, the
SPORE has been highly productive as demonstrated by identification of new tumor markers and prognostic
indices that are being used clinically; scientific findings that led to innovative clinical trials both within and
outside the SPORE; multiple publications with many authored by investigators from both institutions; and brisk
accrual to translational clinical trials. The SPORE was involved in multiple productive vertical and horizontal
collaborations with other national and international academic institutions and organizations. For example, the
UI/MC Molecular Epidemiology Resource based in the SPORE is a vital resource for both SPORE research
and research projects supported by other grants. It served as the foundation for the funding of the Lymphoma
Epidemiology of Outcomes (LEO) Cohort (U01 CA195568) that includes 6 additional institutions, thereby
enhancing the scope and diversity of research facilitated by the SPORE. The current proposal includes 4 major
research projects. While all of the projects are new, they are based on research results obtained over the past
funding period. Project 1 will investigate why the innate immune system (monocyte/macrophage) is
suppressed in lymphoma and aims to overcome that suppression with a novel SIRPα-Fc in a phase I trial.
Project 2 focuses on enhancing the clinical T-cell response by modifying the lymphoma microenvironment to
augment antigen release, presentation of antigen, and T cell activation and combining it with anti-PD1 therapy
of NHL. Project 3 is investigating the dysregulated signaling pathways (TRAF3 and GSK3) that regulate
glucose hypermetabolism in aggressive lymphoma. They will test a novel GSK3 inhibitor in a phase I trial.
Project 4 is a Population Science project will test a combination of germline (host) and somatic (tumor)
genomic biomarkers, tumor gene expression, and clinical factors to predict at diagnosis which
immunochemotherapy-treated FL patients will have an early clinical failure. The SPORE also includes
Developmental Research and Career Enhancement Programs to pursue novel translational concepts in
lymphoma research and new investigators through the programs respectively. Finally, the SPORE will enhance
the infrastructure that supports translational lymph...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9988165
- **Project number:** 5P50CA097274-19
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **Principal Investigator:** George J. Weiner
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $2,420,487
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2002-09-11 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9988165

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9988165, Lymphoma Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Human Cancer (5P50CA097274-19). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9988165. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*