The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and its academic health center, UT Health San Antonio, have recently been awarded over $2.7 million in new grants from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). These funds will support innovative cancer research and prevention initiatives aimed at tackling some of the most challenging malignancies affecting South Texas. Since 2010, this partnership has secured nearly $186 million in CPRIT funding, underscoring the robust research environment and commitment to advancing cancer science in the region.
Central to this new wave of research is the enhancement of the Flow Cytometry Shared Resource core facility, spearheaded by Michael T. Berton, PhD. This facility has been a backbone for cancer researchers across South Texas, providing state-of-the-art spectral flow cytometry capabilities for single-cell analysis and purification. The new grant will facilitate upgrades that enable imaging flow cytometry, a technique that transcends traditional fluorescence-based sorting by integrating physical and spatial attributes through high-resolution, real-time imaging. This technological leap allows detailed examination of cell morphology and biomarker distribution at a single-cell level, which can reveal novel cancer cell phenotypes and behaviors vital for understanding tumor heterogeneity and treatment resistance.
Ewing sarcoma, a rare but aggressive pediatric cancer, remains notoriously difficult to treat due to the elusive nature of its key oncogenic driver protein, EWS::FLI1, which lacks a stable conformation suitable for conventional drug binding. David Libich, PhD, is leading groundbreaking research to overcome this challenge by decoding the protein-protein interactions of EWS::FLI1 at atomic-resolution using advanced imaging techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Coupling these structural biology insights with sophisticated artificial intelligence modeling, the project aims to design synthetic proteins that can specifically latch onto the EWS::FLI1 fusion oncoprotein. These engineered molecules act as precision inhibitors, either blocking the protein’s oncogenic activity or marking it for degradation. If successful, this approach could revolutionize targeted therapy for Ewing sarcoma by offering a molecularly precise, less toxic alternative to conventional chemotherapeutics.
In parallel, Arkajyoti Roy, PhD, focuses on harnessing artificial intelligence to democratize access to high-quality radiation therapy, a cornerstone cancer treatment modality. Radiation therapy requires meticulous delineation of tumor boundaries and adjacent critical organs on CT imaging to maximize tumor dose while sparing healthy tissue. This segmentation step is labor-intensive and suffers from variability, particularly in under-resourced rural and underserved clinics. Roy’s project aims to build AI models trained on diverse clinical datasets that not only predict anatomical contours but also quantify the uncertainty of these predictions. Incorporating uncertainty-aware AI into radiation planning algorithms promises treatment plans with built-in safety margins, ensuring effective and equitable care even in settings lacking specialized expertise. This innovation could significantly reduce disparities in cancer treatment quality and outcomes across geographical and socioeconomic boundaries.
Addressing the rising incidence of obesity-linked endometrial cancer, Maria Gonzalez Porras, PhD, investigates novel nanoparticle-based therapies targeting tumor microenvironmental crosstalk. Obesity exacerbates endometrial carcinogenesis by promoting migration of adipose-derived cells to the uterus, exacerbating tumor growth via secreted proliferative proteins and enhanced crosstalk mediated by specific surface proteins on both fat and cancer cells. Employing engineered nanoparticles loaded with genetic payloads, this therapeutic approach selectively silences these pathogenic mediators in situ within tumor-supporting cells. By delivering genetic instructions to deactivate tumor-promoting proteins, the nanomedicine aims to disrupt the obesity-fueled tumor microenvironment while limiting systemic exposure and adverse effects. This precision therapy has the potential to preserve fertility and reduce side effects compared to conventional invasive therapies, offering a promising new horizon for personalized medicine in this vulnerable patient population.
These multifaceted research initiatives epitomize the collaborative spirit essential to transforming cancer care. Patrick Sung, DPhil, director of the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute, emphasizes that groundbreaking cancer research thrives at the nexus of curiosity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and compassionate dedication. The institute itself stands as a beacon, devoted exclusively to pediatric cancer research and innovation. Its unique focus on genomic instability, RNA biology, and novel drug development drives efforts to convert compelling laboratory findings into tangible cures for children facing cancer.
The CPRIT funding thus catalyzes a comprehensive approach, merging cutting-edge molecular technologies, AI-driven clinical tools, and nanomedicine to address heterogeneous cancer challenges. The enhanced Flow Cytometry Shared Resource facility empowers researchers with unprecedented cellular phenotyping capabilities, laying groundwork for the discovery of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Structural elucidation of the elusive EWS::FLI1 fusion protein opens avenues for rational drug design that might redefine targeted therapy for sarcomas. Artificial intelligence models promise to standardize and optimize radiation oncology workflows, improving outcomes particularly in underserved populations. Nanoparticle vehicles for precise gene silencing herald a new generation of safer, fertility-conscious cancer therapeutics.
Ultimately, this constellation of efforts by UTSA, UT Health San Antonio, and affiliated researchers propels the frontiers of cancer biology and treatment innovation. By integrating multidisciplinary expertise spanning molecular biology, computational sciences, engineering, and clinical oncology, these programs illuminate pathways to more effective, equitable, and personalized cancer care. The investments from CPRIT not only fuel vital scientific discovery but also exemplify a purposeful commitment to improving the health and lives of cancer patients across South Texas and beyond, forging links between pioneering research and real-world impact.
As the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio—one of the four National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Centers in Texas—continues to expand its research footprint, its partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center enhances access to the nation’s most advanced cancer therapies locally. This symbiotic relationship accelerates knowledge exchange and clinical innovation, strengthening cancer prevention and treatment paradigms. Similarly, the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute’s unparalleled dedication to childhood cancers ensures that emerging pediatric therapies are developed with rigor and compassion.
The technological advancements in flow cytometry, atomic-level structural biology, AI-powered radiation oncology, and nanoparticle therapeutic delivery underscore a paradigm shift in precision oncology. Such multidisciplinary convergence enhances our ability to decrypt cancer biology intricacies and translates this understanding into actionable clinical strategies. With continued investment and visionary leadership, these scientific endeavors promise to reshape cancer prevention, diagnosis, and therapy, ultimately heralding a future where cancer morbidity and mortality are substantially diminished.
For the scientific community and public alike, UT Health San Antonio’s recent awardees exemplify how leveraging advanced technologies and cross-sector collaboration can generate impactful cancer research that fuels hope and innovation. These developments spotlight the critical role academic health centers play in transforming research breakthroughs from the bench to bedside, delivering tangible benefits to patients throughout South Texas and beyond. As the frontier of cancer research advances, these programs will serve as a model of translating cutting-edge science into life-saving interventions with lasting societal benefits.
Subject of Research: Cancer research including flow cytometry technology advancement, targeting Ewing sarcoma protein interactions, AI-driven radiation therapy, and nanoparticle-based therapies for obesity-linked endometrial cancer.
Article Title: UT Health San Antonio Advances Cancer Research with $2.7 Million CPRIT Grant Boosting Flow Cytometry, AI, and Targeted Therapies
News Publication Date: June 2, 2026
Web References:
- https://www.uthscsa.edu/
- https://cprit.texas.gov/
- https://cancer.uthscsa.edu/
- https://uthscsa.edu/medicine/
- https://gccri.uthscsa.edu/
- https://wp.uthscsa.edu/flow-cytometry/
- https://business.utsa.edu/
- https://klesse.utsa.edu/
- https://cancer.uthscsa.edu/gccri
Keywords
Cancer research, Flow cytometry, Ewing sarcoma, Artificial intelligence, Radiation therapy, Nanoparticles, Endometrial cancer, Obesity, Pediatric cancer, Structural biology, Precision oncology, Molecular therapeutics
