Taking aim at cancer
“Our Cancer Center is committed to performing impactful translational multi-disciplinary research that addresses unmet clinical needs relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.”
– Ze'ev Ronai, Ph.D., Center Director
Achieving our goals through collaboration
Our scientists are always looking for novel ideas, partners and new ways of doing groundbreaking research to target cancer.
Programs
Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program
Understanding the cells that give rise to tumors and the signals allowing them to expand uncontrollably will help us learn how to defeat cancer.
Cancer, Molecules and Structures Program
Insights into the complex system of networks and mechanisms that tumors use to survive and proliferate will lead us to tumor-specific, less toxic therapies.
Tumor Microenvironment and Cancer Immunology Program
We are studying the interplay among cancer cells, immune cells and their environment to put the brakes on cancer.
Technology supporting the three programs
Cancer Center Shared Resources
The 10 shared resources of our Cancer Center are specialized service facilities that support the cancer research efforts of our members, as well as other nonprofit and for-profit investigators in cancer research.
Latest news
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Scientists design potential drug for triple-negative breast cancer
Drug candidate blocks autophagy, a cellular recycling process that cancer cells hijack as a way to resist treatment. -
Mining “junk DNA” reveals a new way to kill cancer cells
Scientists unearth a previously unknown vulnerability for cancer and a promising drug candidate that leverages the approach. -
Meet immunologist Jennifer Hope
Hope’s research aims to help cancer immunotherapy work for more people. -
Scientists “turn back time” on cancer using new stem cell reprogramming technique
Discovery opens new research avenues that may help catch cancer early and identify potential preventive treatments. -
Sanford Burnham Prebys researchers awarded 2020 Padres Pedal the Cause grants
Funding for the research comes from the record setting $3.1 million raised in the 2019 event and brings the lifetime raise for PPTC to over $13 million. -
Padres Pedal the Cause donates $3.1 million to cancer research
Garth Powis, who heads our NCI-designated Cancer Center, joined representatives from the beneficiary institutes onstage for the check presentation ceremony. -
Prestigious Forbeck Scholar Award granted to Sanford Burnham Prebys cancer researcher
This prestigious award recognizes early-career cancer researchers for their achievements, research and dedication to the field. -
How to help children survive—and thrive—after a brain cancer diagnosis
Pediatric brain tumor experts gather at the Fleet Science Center to discuss paths to better treatments. -
Starving the “world’s toughest cancer”
Pancreatic cancer experts gather at the Fleet Science Center and discuss how to conquer the deadly disease. -
On the path to personalized breast cancer treatments
Expert insights from the latest “Cornering Cancer” lecture series. -
Scientists discover new survival strategy for oxygen-starved pancreatic cancer cells
Discovery could lead to a treatment that overcomes drug resistance. -
Sanford Burnham Prebys scientists win two American Cancer Society awards
Institute honored for advances in understanding deadly pediatric brain tumors and colorectal cancer.
Publications
BI1071, a Novel Nur77 Modulator, Induces Apoptosis of Cancer Cells by Activating the Nur77-Bcl-2 Apoptotic Pathway.
Chen X, Cao X, Tu X, Alitongbieke G, Xia Z, Li X, Chen Z, Yin M, Xu D, Guo S, Li Z, Chen L, Zhang X, Xu D, Gao M, Liu J, Zeng Z, Zhou H, Su Y, Zhang XK
Mol Cancer Ther 2019 May ;18(5):886-899
The histone chaperone HIRA promotes the induction of host innate immune defences in response to HSV-1 infection.
McFarlane S, Orr A, Roberts APE, Conn KL, Iliev V, Loney C, da Silva Filipe A, Smollett K, Gu Q, Robertson N, Adams PD, Rai TS, Boutell C
PLoS Pathog 2019 Mar ;15(3):e1007667
Ubiquitin Ligases in Cancer Immunotherapy - Balancing Antitumor and Autoimmunity.
Fujita Y, Tinoco R, Li Y, Senft D, Ronai ZA
Trends Mol Med 2019 May ;25(5):428-443
Pten Deficiency Leads To Proteasome Addiction, A Novel Vulnerability In Glioblastoma.
Benitez JA, Finlay D, Castanza A, Parisian AD, Ma J, Longobardi C, Campos A, Vadla R, Izurieta A, Scerra G, Koga T, Long T, Chavez L, Mesirov JP, Vuori K, Furnari F
Neuro Oncol 2021 Jan 11 ;
Serine-threonine kinase TAO3-mediated trafficking of endosomes containing the invadopodia scaffold TKS5α promotes cancer invasion and tumor growth.
Iizuka S, Quintavalle M, Navarro JC, Gribbin KP, Ardecky RJ, Abelman MM, Ma CT, Sergienko E, Zeng FY, Pass I, Thomas GV, McWeeney SK, Hassig CA, Pinkerton AB, Courtneidge SA
Cancer Res 2021 Jan 7 ;
Harnessing the Co-vulnerabilities of Amino Acid-Restricted Cancers.
Pathria G, Ronai ZA
Cell Metab 2021 Jan 5 ;33(1):9-20
Development of an orally-administrable tumor vasculature-targeting therapeutic using annexin A1-binding D-peptides.
Nonaka M, Mabashi-Asazuma H, Jarvis DL, Yamasaki K, Akama TO, Nagaoka M, Sasai T, Kimura-Takagi I, Suwa Y, Yaegashi T, Huang CT, Nishizawa-Harada C, Fukuda MN
PLoS One 2021 ;16(1):e0241157
An Orthotopic Implantation Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Underlying Liver Steatosis.
Kasashima H, Duran A, Cid-Diaz T, Kudo Y, Diaz-Meco MT, Moscat J
STAR Protoc 2020 Dec 18 ;1(3):100185