# Administrative Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2020 · $484,203

## Abstract

ADMINISTRATIVE CORE – SUMMARY 
The proposed Center for Immunotherapeutic Transport Oncophysics (CITO) is focused on identifying and 
understanding the multi-scale transport properties of immune cells and molecules, both systemically and 
within the tumor microenvironment, and other specific biological and physical properties of the tumor 
microenvironment, to ultimately develop effective cancer immunotherapies. The major CITO components 
are summarized as follows. Project 1 proposes to determine the transport phenomena of dendritic cell (DC) 
vaccines for breast and pancreatic cancers and post-vaccination changes in the transport of endogenous DCs, 
effector T cells, and macromolecular drugs. This information will be used to improve immune responses in 
these two cancer models. Project 2 seeks to determine the effects of multi-scale transport phenomena of 
pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) on the distribution of immune cells and nutrients in the tumor 
microenvironment, during tumor progression. The Transport Oncophysics Core (TOC) will support both 
projects with modeling, computational, and imaging capabilities to integrate the scientific data into parameters 
that ultimately inform the rational design of optimal cancer immunotherapeutics and to improve the 
immunogenicity of breast and pancreatic cancers, both of which are historically known to be lowly 
immunogenic. The Education and Outreach Unit (EOU) will serve as the communication and engagement 
platform for students, trainees, junior faculty investigators, and researchers of the CITO, and those of the 
Physical Sciences-Oncology Network (PS-ON) and beyond. The Administrative Core (AC) will be established 
as part of the CITO infrastructure through which the Principal Investigator (PI), Project Co-Leaders and Core 
Leader, researchers, trainees, advisors, NCI PS-ON program staff, and other scientific and patient 
communities can share information and synergize CITO-related activities. The AC will facilitate the 
accomplishment and evaluation of progress and the creation of a collaborative network for current and future 
scientists in physical sciences oncology. The AC will also oversee and manage the selection and funding of 
Pilot and Trans-Network Projects, coordinate the use of shared resources and facilities, and promote 
interaction with other PS-ON investigators. Dr. Mauro Ferrari (Center PI, senior physical sciences investigator, 
AC Co-Leader, TOC Leader; Houston Methodist Research Institute, HMRI) will serve as the AC Co-Leader 
(10% effort). Dr. Elizabeth Mittendorf (Center cancer clinical translation investigator; AC Co-Leader; Project 1 
Co-Leader; MD Anderson Cancer Center), Dr. Rongfu Wang (Center senior cancer immunology investigator; 
AC Co-Leader; Project 1 Co-Leader; HMRI), and Dr. Rolf Brekken (senior cancer biology investigator; AC Co- 
Leader; Project 2 Co-Leader; UT Southwestern Medical Center) will also serve as the other three AC Co- 
Leaders (5% effort each...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9997893
- **Project number:** 5U54CA210181-05
- **Recipient organization:** METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Haifa Shen
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $484,203
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-08-29 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9997893

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9997893, Administrative Core (5U54CA210181-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9997893. Licensed CC0.

---

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