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

Conventional methods for studying metabolic shifts in cancer cells tend to be resource-intensive and complex, often requiring specialized equipment that is not accessible to many researchers. The new technique aims to simplify this process, offering a more accessible alternative to researchers aiming to dissect the intricacies of tumor metabolism. Utilizing a standard fluorescence microscope, researchers can now visualize and quantify metabolic changes occurring at the single-cell level without the invasive and often costly procedures typically associated with such analyses.

The focus of the research team’s efforts was on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a malignancy recognized for its notorious resistance to various forms of radiation therapy. Through their innovative approach, the researchers were able to directly observe the metabolic alterations induced by radiation, particularly the upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α). This protein plays a crucial role in the cellular response to low oxygen conditions, which are prevalent in the microenvironment of solid tumors.

By deploying commercially available metabolic probes, the team measured the metabolic responses of different HNSCC cell lines to radiation treatment. The results emphasized a significant variation in HIF-1α expression levels, indicating that certain cell lines, such as rSCC-61, exhibited a marked increase in metabolic activity in response to radiation exposure. This finding suggests a strong metabolic shift towards radioresistance, highlighting how certain tumor cells can adapt and thrive in the face of therapeutic challenge.

One of the most compelling aspects of this study is the ability of researchers to reverse the metabolic adaptations associated with radioresistance. By strategically inhibiting HIF-1α within certain cancer cell lines, the researchers demonstrated that they could indeed enhance sensitivity to radiation treatment. This finding opens up avenues for therapeutic interventions that could potentially restore the efficacy of radiation in resistant cancers by targeting their metabolic adaptations.

This newly developed optical imaging technique holds the promise of becoming a game-changing tool in cancer research. It provides a unique and powerful methodology for the detailed examination of metabolic alterations on a single-cell basis. The use of readily available, low-cost microscopy and imaging software makes this technique not only more efficient but also democratizes the ability to study cancer metabolism across diverse laboratories.

The implications of this methodology extend beyond mere observation; it stands to inform the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting the metabolic vulnerabilities of tumors. With more researchers gaining access to such tools, a broader range of studies can be conducted, potentially leading to breakthroughs that can alter the landscape of cancer treatments.

Senior author of the study, Caigang Zhu, emphasized the significance of this work in highlighting the practical challenges researchers face when employing expensive metabolic tooling for cancer studies. Zhu commented on the exciting nature of their results, which underscore the functional versatility of their optical approach to assess metabolic modifications in response to therapeutic stresses. The ability to perform such analyses with minimal expertise and using low-cost instruments represents a monumental shift in the accessibility of cancer research methodologies.

Moreover, this approach reflects a growing trend in scientific inquiry, where innovation does not solely derive from high-cost equipment but also from creative adaptations of existing technologies. By simplifying research methodologies, the potential exists for fostering a more expansive and inclusive research atmosphere, allowing a wider spectrum of scientists to contribute valuable insights into cancer biology.

As researchers delve deeper into the mechanistic understanding of metabolic reprogramming, the results gleaned from the use of this innovative technique are likely to yield critical insights into the fundamental processes that govern tumor resistance. Unraveling these complex relationships will be essential for the design of combination therapies that not only target the tumor cells directly but also the metabolic pathways they exploit for survival and proliferation.

Ultimately, this novel microscopy technique could set new standards in cancer metabolism research, enabling scientists to dissect the intricate interplay between metabolic adaptations and therapeutic interventions. As the field continues to evolve, the integration of such innovative methods promises to enhance our understanding and treatment of complex malignancies, steering the direction of future cancer research towards more effective and personalized therapeutic regimens.

The research findings, published in the journal Biophotonics Discovery, offer a compelling glimpse into the future of cancer diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring. The integration of fluorescence microscopy with sophisticated imaging software signifies a crucial step towards realizing a more nuanced understanding of tumor biology, especially the metabolic intricacies that underlie treatment resistance. This research could very well lay the groundwork for a new era of targeted cancer treatment that is responsive to the unique metabolic profiles of individual tumors.

All in all, as scientists continue to unravel the complexities of cancer metabolism, the techniques being developed could facilitate unprecedented advances in both basic and clinical research, potentially leading to improved outcomes for patients battling resistant forms of cancer.

Subject of Research: Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer Cells
Article Title: Optical Imaging Technique for Studying Cancer Metabolism
News Publication Date: 28-Jan-2025
Web References: Biophotonics Discovery
References: J. Yan, C. F. L. Goncalves, et al. "Optical imaging provides flow-cytometry–like single-cell level analysis of HIF-1α-mediated metabolic changes in radioresistant head and neck squamous carcinoma cells," Biophotonics Discovery 2(1), 012902 (2025).
Image Credits: Credit: Yan et al., doi 10.1117/1.BIOS.2.1.012702.

Keywords: Cancer metabolism, Fluorescence microscopy, HIF-1α, Radioresistance, Metabolic reprogramming, Tumor biology, Imaging software, Single-cell analysis.