Institutional Commitment

The most tangible evidence of institutional commitment to the DRP of the Cervical Cancer SPORE is through the provision of research space. Approximately 18,000 gross sq. ft. of research space spanning across five major facilities at JHU is assigned to SPORE investigators, who may submit Pilot Project with potential for development into full-fledged translational research avenues, collaborations, and new methodologies for integration into new SPORE research projects, or extramurally-funded research projects. At UAB, clinical and basic research resources available to the DRP awardees include space within Gynecologic Oncology clinical office, and additional access to space in the Division of Preventive Medicine. UAB has also designated research space for Core B and Core C Investigators that will also be made available for DRP awardees at UAB. Research space is also available for awarded Pilot Projects led by awardees at UCB.

Since the initial submission of the Cervical Cancer SPORE, the institution has provided start-up funds for the recruitment of several new investigators with a significant focus on cervical cancer including:

• Dr. Chien-Fu Hung, an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University, has been studying antigen-specific immunotherapy against cervical cancer targeting HPV encoded oncogenic proteins E6 and E7.
• Dr. Chenguang Wang is an Assistant Professor of Oncology in the Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics and Johns Hopkins University, who specializes in oncological clinical research.
• Dr. Deyin Xing, an Assistant Professor of Pathology at Johns Hopkins University, who specializes in cancer biology and elucidation of genetics and epigenetics of high-risk HPV-associated cervical neoplasm
• Dr. Stephanie Gaillard, an Assistant Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University.
• Dr. Kellie Smith, an Instructor of Cancer Immunology, who specializes in bioinformatics and T-cell receptor sequencing assays including the mutation-associated neoantigen functional expansion of specific T cells (MANAFEST) Assay.
• Dr. Chuan-Hsiang (Bear) Huang, an Assistant Professor of Pathology, who specializes in tumor cell biology and cancer cell migration and metastasis.
• Dr. Anne Rositch, an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, who specializes in cancer epidemiology and cervical cancer.

Through the SKCCC and JHU, the Cervical Cancer SPORE investigators have access to several long-standing shared resources including Analytical Pharmacology, Tissue Microarray (TMAs), Experimental Irradiator, Flow Cytometry and Immune Monitoring, Cell Imaging, Experimental and Computational Genomics, Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facilities, Cancer Functional Imaging, GMP Biologics, Cellular Therapy, Oncology Tissue Services, Rapid Autopsy, Biostatistics, Imaging Response Assessment, Research Pharmacy (Oncology Investigational Drug Service), Transgenic Mouse Facility, Clinical Research Center, CORE BioProducts Facility, High Throughput Biology Center, Animal Services, Glassware Washing, and Common Equipment Cores. These Cores provide low cost, priority services to the SKCCC members and SPORE investigators to enhance their goals and help investigators achieve the specific aims of each Project and Core. The Storage of samples for the Tissue, Pathology, and Immunology Core is supported by additional space within the Department of Pathology. Over the last two decades, JHU through the School of Medicine has made major investments in the development of new or enhanced shared resources to support cervical cancer research activities. Major investments of note include:

• The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. Founded in 2016 with a series of philanthropic investments totaling $125 million, the Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute is a groundbreaking collaboration between clinical and scientific specialties, supporting cancer immunotherapy research across many cancer types. The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy is focused on advancing immunotherapy within five scientific areas: Immune Modulation, Immunoenginnering, Genetics, Metabolism, and the Microbiome. The goal of each of the programs is to develop new therapies and figure out how to effectively use the drugs, antibodies, and vaccines we already have. The Bloomberg-Kimmel scientific programs rely on specialized technology and other shared resources to help conduct the research required for clinical translation. The Flow Cytometry and Human Immunology Technology Center (Dr. Drew Pardoll) is developing high-dimensional (up to 50 color) flow cytometry and high directional sorting capabilities to define more specifically the multiple subsets of immune cells in both the tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood. This center will employ the most recent instrumentation innovations, including high-dimension instruments in beta testing. Additionally, novel T cell assays, termed MANAFEST and TIAAFEST, will be used together to assess the vast repertoire of tumor specific T cells. Tumor Microenvironment Technology Center studies the TME. It is responsible for the successful development of fundamental paradigms for cancer immunotherapy. Difficult questions remain, including why some patients respond to immune checkpoint blockades while others don’t/ Solving these questions is pivotal towards drug development. The Tumor Microenvironment Technology Center employs advanced technology to conduct basic scientific experiments, and has played a critical role in helping Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute scientists translate their basic science discoveries into small molecule therapeutics by providing its core expertise in the following areas: Medicinal Chemistry, Assay Development and Screening, Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Animal Pharmacology/Toxicology.
• A 2,500 sq. ft. cGMP facility at JHU located on the third floor of CRB II in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is available for the manufacture of clinical grade, bio-therapeutic materials for Phase I and II clinical trials.

One of the most important commitments of the institution to the SPORE and translational research involves the recruitment and support of trainees who benefit from and contribute to education and research across all departments.

Several of our SPORE investigators are active in pre-doctoral education, making it possible for graduate students to have experience in basic and translational cervical cancer research at an early and formative stage of their career. Graduate program affiliations of investigators who currently play an active role in the Cervical Cancer SPORE are listed below:

The Research Council of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC) oversees all the SPOREs at Hopkins, including the Cervical Cancer SPORE. This advisory group is made up of all program leaders of the SKCCC, all SPORE directors at Hopkins, leaders of clinical oncology divisions and key SKCCC leaders from the Departments of Radiation Oncology, Surgery, Pediatrics, Radiology, Pathology, Epidemiology, and Environmental Health Sciences. This group meets monthly and regularly oversees the research progress of all SPOREs, identifies investments needed in the SPORE programs as well as opportunities for new collaborations as part of its charge from Dr. Nelson.

The Cervical Cancer SPORE is a part of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program, co-led by Drs. Richard Roden and Elizabeth Platz. The Program, its leadership, and its directions, including the SPORE < were thoroughly reviewed by the SKCCC External Advisory Board in 2017.

JHU and UAB provide considerable support to the SPORE DRP and an ideal environment for innovative, high- impact cervical cancer research and professional development. As aforementioned, many of the commitments outlined above are ongoing and continue well after the DRP award period as DRP awardees seek independent, extramural funding and institutional support through other avenues.

In summary, a high priority has been established for the Cervical Cancer SPORE DRP within JHU SKCCC, multiple participating academic departments in the University, and the leadership in the University itself. The UAB School of Medicine resources, provides $750,000 to supplement the federal funds supporting the overall activities of the UABCCC. This has been an important source of flexible funding across the School of Medicine, allowing it to enhance the activities that are directly supported by the SPORE Developmental Research pilot projects.