Cancer Biology and Immunology Program

Abstract public domain (NIH RePORTER)

The Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Center in the State of South Carolina (SC), serving 5.2M residents. SC’s Catchment Area is notable for its high levels of poverty, smoking (18%), and significant health challenges across the population. The mission of HCC under the new leadership of Raymond N. DuBois, MD, PhD, is to reduce the cancer burden in the state through the provision of cancer screening, care, training/education, community outreach, and conducting transformative research that spans the bench, bedside, and population. HCC includes 130 cancer scientists from six colleges and 21 departments, 35 of which were recruited since the last review. Supported by $25.7M (directs) in extramural cancer research funding, including $14M from the NCI, a 69% increase, this application seeks support for three Research Programs that promote multidisciplinary collaborations: Cancer Biology and Immunology (newly configured), Cancer Prevention and Control, and Developmental Cancer Therapeutics, supported by six Shared Resources that advance member science and productivity. HCC members have generated 1,245 peer-reviewed publications since 2018, with 21% in journals with an Impact Factor >10 and with high rates of intra-programmatic, inter-programmatic, and inter-institutional collaboration. With a newly implemented translational pipeline, HCC-led investigator-initiated clinical trials more than tripled during the last year alone. During the past year, HCC recruited 1,142 patients to interventional studies and 983 patients to non-interventional studies, with 12% residing in rural communities (RUCC ≥ 4). Other major accomplishments since the prior review include two new NCI P01s, one in pancreatic cancer-induced cachexia and one in tobacco control, 16 new MPI R01s, a tripling of state funding to HCC, and a leading role in pediatric CAR-T therapy in the state. This progress has been enhanced for over two decades by progressive, HCC-led outreach, community engagement, and cancer education services. The center developed the state’s only comprehensive cancer education pipeline for learners across the entire education continuum, from high school through early professional career development, and has made significant contributions to influencing cancer prevention and control strategies through research, education, and dissemination efforts worldwide. In summary, HCC requests funds to support years 16-20 of the MUSC Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG); CCSG funding will support Community Outreach and Engagement, Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination, Clinical Protocol and Data Management, Protocol Review and Monitoring, Leadership, Planning and Evaluation, Administration, Shared Resources, and Developmental Funds. HCC’s future plan is to merit NCI Comprehensive status at the following CCSG review.

Public health relevance public domain (NIH RePORTER)

The Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina coordinates scientific research to promote interdisciplinary collaborations and translation of cancer research from the bench to the bedside to the community. Through the funding of the P30 Cancer Center Support Grant, the center provides research resources in support of its scientists, and impactful engagement with its catchment area with the goal of reducing the cancer burden for the 5.2 million residents of South Carolina.