AACR Grantees Share Their Findings: Recent Advances in Cancer Research

AACR-supported investigators are making important contributions to cancer research through studies that help illuminate fundamental biology and explore new avenues for treatment and patient care. Their recent publications reflect a wide range of scientific inquiry—from uncovering the role of RNA in DNA repair to developing strategies that enhance CAR T cell therapy—underscoring the impact of AACR funding in fostering innovation and advancing progress across the cancer research continuum.

Genomics and RNA Biology

1. RNA transcripts serve as a template for double-strand break repair in human cells Manisha Jalan, DPhil 2020 AACR-Swim Across America Cancer Research Fellowship
2. Consistently processed RNA sequencing data from 50 sources enriched for pediatric data Olena Morozova Vaske, PhD 2019 AACR-NextGen Grant for Transformative Research
3. Disease-specific U1 spliceosomal RNA mutations in mature B-cell neoplasms Ferran Nadeu, PhD 2021 AACR-Amgen Fellowship in Clinical/Translational Cancer Research
4. Cell-autonomous dysregulation of interferon signaling drives clonal expansion of SRSF2-mutant MDS stem/progenitor cells Eirini P. Papapetrou, MD, PhD 2021 AACR-MPM Oncology Charitable Foundation Transformative Cancer Research Grant

Tumor Microenvironment and Interception

• Cell populations in human breast cancers are molecularly and biologically distinct with age Sandra S. McAllister, PhD 2013 Gertrude B. Elion Cancer Research Award, and 2023 Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers Rising Innovator Research Grant, in Partnership with Pelotonia & AACR
• Tumor immune microenvironment alterations associated with progression in human intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms Laura D. Wood, MD, PhD 2020 AACR-Bristol Myers Squibb Midcareer Female Investigator Grant
• Spatial and multiomics analysis of human and mouse lung adenocarcinoma precursors reveals TIM-3 as a putative target for precancer interception Jianjun Jay Zhang, MD, PhD 2018 AACR-Johnson & Johnson Lung Cancer Innovation Science Grant

Metastasis and Pancreatic Cancer

• PCSK9 drives sterol-dependent metastatic organ choice in pancreatic cancer Rushika M. Perera, PhD 2016 Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-AACR Career Development Award, in memory of Skip Viragh, and 2022 AACR-MPM Oncology Charitable Foundation Transformative Cancer Research Grant
• Targeting FGFR4 abrogates HNF1A-driven metastasis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma Ethan V. Abel, PhD 2016 Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-AACR Pathway to Leadership Grant

Novel Therapeutic Targets and Preclinical Models

• Pharmacologic degradation of WDR5 suppresses oncogenic activities of SS18::SSX and provides a therapeutic of synovial sarcoma Yao Yu, PhD 2024 AACR Sarcoma Research Fellowship
• Histidine decarboxylase inhibition attenuates cancer-associated muscle wasting Jason Doles, PhD 2017 Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-AACR Career Development Award
• Protocol for applying tumor treating fields in mouse models of cancer using the inovivo system Emil Lou, MD, PhD 2019 AACR-Novocure Tumor Treating Fields Research Grant

Translational and Clinical Research

• Targeting N-Myc in neuroblastoma with selective Aurora kinase A degraders Daniel A. Harki, PhD 2019, and 2021 AACR-Bayer Innovation and Discovery Grants
• Synergistic effect of MDM2 inhibitors and radiotherapy in endometrial cancer Roberto Vargas, MD 2022 AACR Career Development Award to Further Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Clinical Cancer Research
• Targeting mTORC2 in lung squamous cell carcinoma improves anti-tumor immunity through the PSGL-1-VISTA axis Verra Ngwa, PhD 2024 AACR- Johnson & Johnson Lung Cancer Initiative Stimulating Therapeutic Advances through Research Training (START) Grant
• BRD2 bromodomain-mediated regulation of cell state plasticity modulates therapy response in glioblastoma Raghavendra Vadla, PhD 2023 AACR-StacheStrong Glioblastoma Research Fellowship

Immunotherapy and CAR T Cell Advances

• ZP4: A Novel Target for CAR T Cell Therapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Valentina Hoyos Velez, PhD, 2022 Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers Career Development Award, in Partnership with Pelotonia & AACR
• Engineering T cells with a membrane-tethered version of SLP-76 overcomes antigen-low resistance to CAR T cell therapy Maria Caterina Rotiroti, PhD 2022 AACR-Amgen Fellowship in Clinical/Translational Research
• Reprogramming the neuroblastoma tumor immune microenvironment to enhance GPC2 CAR T cells Kristopher Bosse, MD 2023 AACR-AstraZeneca Career Development Award for Physician-Scientists, in Honor of José Baselga

Patient-Centered Research

• Knowledge, Interest and Recommendations for Receipt of Polygenetic Risk Scores Among Adults Who Smoked Long‐Term: A Descriptive Qualitative Analysis Mary E. Cooley, PhD, RN, FAAN 2019 AACR-Johnson & Johnson Lung Cancer Innovation Science Grant
• Clearing the air: empowering high-risk adults with digital tools for smoking cessation and lung cancer screening adoption – Lung Cancer Mary E. Cooley, PhD, RN, FAAN, Peter Castaldi, MD, MSc, and Sun S. Kim, PhD 2019 AACR-Johnson & Johnson Lung Cancer Innovation Science Grant
• Hidden Costs of Endocrine Therapy for Black Breast Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Examination of Patient and Provider Experiences Kimberley Lee, MD, MHS 2021 Breast Cancer Research Foundation-AACR Career Development Award to Promote Diversity and Inclusion
• Risk Factors Impacting Endometrial Thickness Visibility and Information Availability in Black Patients Kemi M. Doll, MD, MCSR 2023 Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers Rising Innovator Research Grant, in Partnership with Pelotonia & AACR

These publications highlight the wide-ranging contributions of AACR-funded investigators across multiple areas of cancer research. By supporting innovative projects at different career stages, the AACR fosters discoveries that advance understanding and lay the groundwork for future progress in cancer prevention, treatment, and patient care.