SAN ANTONIO, June 18, 2025 – The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) has secured nearly $3.4 million in funding from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), accelerating its pioneering efforts in combating drug-resistant cancers and increasing vaccination coverage against the human papillomavirus (HPV). This significant investment reinforces the university’s stature as a hub for cutting-edge cancer research and prevention initiatives within Texas and beyond.
Since 2010, CPRIT has channeled a substantial $167 million into UT Health San Antonio, underscoring the institution’s unwavering commitment to advancing cancer science. The latest funding allocation prioritizes expansion of core laboratory facilities equipped with revolutionary technologies unmatched anywhere else in the state. In particular, over $2.4 million will be devoted to enhancing infrastructure aimed at identifying novel therapeutic targets and developing advanced modalities to treat stubborn, therapy-resistant cancers.
A distinctive aspect of this funding round is its innovative approach to addressing the vexing challenge of drug resistance in oncology. UT Health San Antonio’s laboratories will harness state-of-the-art tools, including an arrayed CRISPR knockout screening system—enabling comprehensive target identification and validation—and a small molecule degrader (SMD) discovery platform designed to tackle so-called “undruggable” proteins. These proteins have historically evaded conventional therapies due to structural or functional complexities, but emerging technologies promise to open new avenues for drug development.
Dr. Daohong Zhou, tenured professor in Biochemistry and Structural Biology and a lead figure at UT Health San Antonio’s Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, will helm this strategic expansion. As director of the Target Discovery Core at the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute and associate director for drug development at the Mays Cancer Center, Dr. Zhou is uniquely positioned to advance translational research that bridges laboratory breakthroughs with clinical applications. His vision centers on overcoming the absence of integrated Target Identification and Validation (TIV) facilities within Texas, a void that has previously restricted local drug discovery efforts.
The deployment of these innovative TIV technologies promises a paradigm shift in how researchers dissect cancer biology and identify actionable molecular targets. Arrayed CRISPR knockout screening offers unparalleled resolution to systematically deactivate genes and assess their role in oncogenesis and drug resistance. Complementing this, the small molecule degrader platform enables the screening of compounds that can selectively induce degradation of pathogenic proteins, a cutting-edge tactic that holds enormous therapeutic potential for malignancies that defy standard treatment protocols.
Parallel to these laboratory-focused endeavors, UT Health San Antonio is also spearheading community-level cancer prevention efforts by addressing vaccination disparities related to HPV—a virus implicated in numerous cancers affecting both men and women. Dr. Erika L. Thompson, associate professor at The University of Texas School of Public Health San Antonio, has secured a CPRIT prevention grant to implement a culturally tailored, bilingual community-based intervention aimed at increasing HPV vaccine uptake among adolescents in Bexar County, Texas.
This intervention builds on the evidence-based “All for Them” vaccination program, adapting its proven social marketing and outreach strategies for local populations. Collaborations with UT Health San Antonio’s School of Nursing and community organizations ensure that vaccines are administered within trusted environments such as after-school programs, leveraging community health workers to overcome barriers related to healthcare access, vaccine hesitancy, and misinformation. By prioritizing underserved communities, the program endeavors to narrow health disparities while substantially reducing the incidence of HPV-related cancers over time.
The scientific rigor and community engagement embedded in this multifaceted program illuminate the broader role of public health science in cancer prevention. As Dr. Thompson emphasizes, elevating vaccine demand, facilitating access, and cultivating trust constitute essential pillars for effective cancer risk reduction. The partnership with The University of Texas at San Antonio amplifies interdisciplinary collaboration, reinforcing regional capacities for impactful health interventions.
UT Health San Antonio’s dual focus on advanced biomedical research and pragmatic community outreach reflects the university’s recent classification as a Research 1 (R1) institution, an elite designation bestowed by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation. Ranking in the top 5% of U.S. universities for research activity, UT Health San Antonio exemplifies how integrated scientific discovery and public health innovation can jointly propel cancer control efforts.
The institution’s Mays Cancer Center, one of only four National Cancer Institute-designated centers in Texas, serves as a crucible for translational oncology research and clinical excellence. Since 2017, its partnership with MD Anderson Cancer Center has extended access to pioneering cancer treatments, delivering state-of-the-art care to South Texas patients without necessitating long-distance travel. These collaborations underscore a comprehensive ecosystem where cutting-edge laboratory discoveries, clinical trials, and community-focused programs converge to redefine cancer prevention and therapy.
By acquiring and operationalizing next-generation technological platforms within its core facilities, UT Health San Antonio is poised to accelerate drug discovery pipelines for formidable cancers such as brain tumors and soft tissue sarcomas, which have traditionally shown resistance to conventional treatments. These advancements offer hope for the development of innovative pharmacological agents capable of targeting elusive molecular mechanisms critical to tumor survival and progression.
Simultaneously, the community-based HPV vaccination program exemplifies how evidence-driven, culturally sensitive interventions can dramatically enhance preventive healthcare uptake in populations that have historically faced vaccine access challenges. Through collective efforts of multidisciplinary teams, including epidemiologists, public health practitioners, nursing professionals, and community advocates, these programs set new standards for equitable cancer prevention strategies.
The CPRIT funding thus marks a significant milestone for UT Health San Antonio, reaffirming its status as a powerhouse in cancer research and public health intervention. The integration of rigorous scientific inquiry with actionable community programs illustrates a holistic approach to cancer control—one where benchside innovation synchronizes with bedside and community impacts.
As Texas contends with significant cancer morbidity and mortality burdens, the work undertaken at UT Health San Antonio offers an inspiring blueprint for leveraging state resources, technological innovation, and community partnerships to transform the landscape of oncological care and prevention not only locally but across the nation.
Subject of Research: Cancer therapeutics targeting drug resistance; HPV vaccination and cancer prevention.
Article Title: UT Health San Antonio Advances Cancer Research and HPV Prevention with CPRIT Funding
News Publication Date: June 18, 2025
Web References:
– https://uthscsa.edu/
– https://cancer.uthscsa.edu/
Keywords: Cancer, Cancer treatments, Cancer medication, Viruses, Vaccination, Medical technology, Laboratory equipment
