Taking aim at cancer
“There have been so many advances in genomics, immunology, genetic engineering and information science—now is the time to use these advances to speed the progress against cancer.”
– Garth Powis, D.Phil., 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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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. -
5 things to know about immunotherapy and breast cancer
Dr. Svasti Haricharan shares insights on how immunotherapy is working—and not working—for breast cancer. -
“We are desperate for new therapies”
Experts discuss acute myeloid leukemia (AML) during the Sanford Burnham Prebys community lecture series. -
Sanford Burnham Prebys awarded Padres Pedal the Cause grants to advance cancer research
The collaborative projects aim to find new therapies for colorectal, lung, breast and prostate cancers. -
Cancer’s final frontier: the tumor microenvironment
Experts explain why targeting the tumor’s surrounding environment could be the last piece of the cancer puzzle.
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
Author Correction: Endothelial activation of caspase-9 promotes neurovascular injury in retinal vein occlusion.
Avrutsky MI, Ortiz CC, Johnson KV, Potenski AM, Chen CW, Lawson JM, White AJ, Yuen SK, Morales FN, Canepa E, Snipas S, Salvesen GS, Jean YY, Troy CM
Nat Commun 2020 Jul 9 ;11(1):3502
Characterization of G-CSF receptor expression in medulloblastoma.
Paul MR, Huo Y, Liu A, Lesperance J, Garancher A, Wechsler-Reya RJ, Zage PE
Neurooncol Adv 2020 Jan-Dec ;2(1):vdaa062
PRMT5 control of cGAS/STING and NLRC5 pathways defines melanoma response to antitumor immunity.
Kim H, Kim H, Feng Y, Li Y, Tamiya H, Tocci S, Ronai ZA
Sci Transl Med 2020 Jul 8 ;12(551)
PTEN and DNA-PK determine sensitivity and recovery in response to WEE1 inhibition in human breast cancer.
Brunner A, Suryo Rahmanto A, Johansson H, Franco M, Viiliäinen J, Gazi M, Frings O, Fredlund E, Spruck C, Lehtiö J, Rantala JK, Larsson LG, Sangfelt O
Elife 2020 Jul 6 ;9
PKCλ/ι Loss Induces Autophagy, Oxidative Phosphorylation, and NRF2 to Promote Liver Cancer Progression.
Kudo Y, Sugimoto M, Arias E, Kasashima H, Cordes T, Linares JF, Duran A, Nakanishi Y, Nakanishi N, L'Hermitte A, Campos A, Senni N, Rooslid T, Roberts LR, Cuervo AM, Metallo CM, Karin M, Diaz-Meco MT, Moscat J
Cancer Cell 2020 Jun 9 ;
NeuroD1 Dictates Tumor Cell Differentiation in Medulloblastoma.
Cheng Y, Liao S, Xu G, Hu J, Guo D, Du F, Contreras A, Cai KQ, Peri S, Wang Y, Corney DC, Noronha AM, Chau LQ, Zhou G, Wiest DL, Bellacosa A, Wechsler-Reya RJ, Zhao Y, Yang ZJ
Cell Rep 2020 Jun 23 ;31(12):107782