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Last week, the American Cancer Society?released the full list of 245 new and renewed research grants?that were awarded between August 1?and December 31, 2024. As part of this larger slate of new grants, ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ awarded 45 new Research Scholar Grants totaling $42.9 million dollars. ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ Research Scholar Grants provide up to $215,000 per year in support for independent, self-directed researchers for up to four years, making these some of the largest individual grants that ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ regularly awards.

¡°The RSG grants have long been at the heart of the ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ research funding program,¡± said Dr. Paul Campbell, Scientific Director of the Cell Biology & Preclinical Cancer Research program at ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ. ¡°Awards of this size are often what keep the lab doors open, sustaining research programs and allowing innovative studies to keep moving forward.¡±

Today, we are highlighting several of the standout projects from RSG awardees that are part of the larger Fall 2024 grant slate. To view the full list of new and renewed Fall 2024 grantees, please click here. Additional information about the ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ Research Scholar Grants can be found on cancer.org.

Yanqing Gong, PhD?
University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine

Project Title: ¡°Targeting Endothelial Plasticity in Cancer Immunotherapy¡±

Through this project, Dr. Gong will investigate new approaches for improving tumor blood vessel function. Cancer immunotherapy utilizing T-cells is dependent on the effective recruitment of T cells to the tumor site. Dr. Gong hypothesizes that by inhibiting specific regulators that may be damaging tumor blood vessels, T cell recruitment can be improved, resulting in more effective immunotherapies for a range of cancer types.

Gaurav Goyal, MD
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Project Title: ¡°Burden of Morbidity Among Individuals with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis¡±

Through this project, Dr. Goyal will survey survivors of Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare type of blood cancer that impacts both children and adults, to better understand the burden of medical conditions and overall quality of life that they experience following successful treatment of their cancer. This work will inform improved patient counseling and survivorship programs to improve long term outcomes.?

Abby Green, MD
Washington University in St. Louis

Project Title: ¡°Mechanisms of genome maintenance in tumors with active APOBEC3A¡±

This project will study how the APOBEC3A enzyme can be leveraged to overwhelm cancer cells with DNA damage to the point of inducing cell death. In healthy cells, APOBEC3A acts as a protective mechanism against viral infection by damaging DNA within the attacking viruses. Dr. Green hypothesizes that this same process can be used to induce excessive DNA damage that kills cancer cells. Her project will focus on elucidating a mechanism through which this process can be controlled and exploited to treat tumors.

Ian Kleckner, PhD
University of Maryland, Baltimore

Project Title: ¡°HEALED: Studying mind-body relations in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)¡±

This project will compare a novel approach for monitoring brain function, called functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to traditional fMRI for the purposes of better understanding brain changes following chemotherapy that may predict and contribute to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). CIPN is a common, painful side effect of chemotherapy that can become severe enough to stop treatment. This dual-focus project will examine the contribution of brain changes to CIPN while also testing a more accessible approach to brain scans that could be used to study and monitor other common cancer treatment-related side effects.

Giselle Perez, PhD
Massachusetts General Hospital

Project Title: ¡°Facilitating the Transition Into Post-Treatment Survivorship for Lymphoma Survivorship¡±

This study aims to improve both the physical and emotional health of individuals treated for lymphoma by integrating social and emotional support into cancer care after treatment ends. Patients in this study will be randomly assigned to either a virtual stress management group program or an in person social work program in order to determine which types of support are most beneficial. By focusing on not just physical but also emotional wellness, Dr. Perez¡¯s work will improve overall post-treatment lymphoma survivorship.

Kerri Winters-Stone, PhD
Oregon Health & Science University

Project Title: ¡°HEALED: Testing a Socially-Enhanced Exercise Program on Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Mental and Physical Health in Older Men With Prostate Cancer¡±

This study will build on Dr. Winters-Stone¡¯s previous work on loneliness in male prostate cancer survivors through a randomized controlled trial of a socially-enhanced online supervised, group exercise program. By integrating a socialization element into the program, Dr. Winters-Stone hopes to simultaneously reduce loneliness and social isolation while improving mental and physical health in order improve the overall health and wellness of prostate cancer survivors.

Beshay Zordoky, PhD
University of Minnesota ¨C Twin Cities

Project Title: ¡°Immunosenescence and Cardiovascular Complications of Chemotherapy¡±

Through this project, Dr. Zordoky will investigate the potential mechanisms underlying increased risk for heart disease among survivors of pediatric cancers. This work will test the hypothesis that exposure to the common anticancer drug doxorubicin may cause premature aging of the immune system and will investigate the potential benefits of treatment with reservatrol to offset these effects. The findings from this study have the potential to improve cardiovascular health in pediatric cancer survivors.

See?Currently Funded Grants?to learn more about the more than 700 research grants we're currently funding.

See?¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ Grant Mechanisms?for upcoming grant opportunities.

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