Medical University of South Carolina - Cancer Center Support Grant

HOLLINGS CANCER CENTER: OVERALL SUMMARY 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 percentage (27%) of Black/African American (AA) residents, high levels of poverty, smoking (18%), and health disparities. 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 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 24% of participants classified as racial or ethnic minorities and 12% residing in rural communities (RUCC ≥ 4). Other major accomplishments since the prior review includes 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 affect public policy to impact cancer burden, literally around the world. In this grant cycle, an enhanced focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion has also occurred. 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, Plan to Enhance Diversity, 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.