Cell Signaling in Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapy

About This Grant

SUMMARY Decades of research has revealed the complexity of cellular signaling networks involved in control of cellular processes and their exceptional vulnerability as target of dysregulation in many disease states, like cancer. During the multistep process of tumor initiation and progression, cancer cells acquire unique capabilities termed the “hallmarks cancer” that include: a) sustained proliferation in the absence of growth-promoting signals, b) evasion of growth-inhibitory signals, c) activation of invasion and metastasis, d) enabled replicative immortality, e) induction of angiogenesis, and f) resistance to cell death. Unsurprisingly, aberrant activation or inactivation of signaling pathway components, which typically integrate extrinsic or intrinsic cues to guide cell division, growth, and migration, is a defining feature of malignant cells. Decades of research aimed at unraveling the complexity of cellular signaling networks in the context of cancer has revealed many of the principles of intracellular communication essential for normal physiology and ushered in the era of targeted therapeutics for cancer treatment. While small molecular inhibitors that target signal transducers have been clinically efficacious, several challenges – such as emergence of resistance, tumor cell heterogeneity, and undruggable targets – have limited the widespread use of these agents in cancer. There are three specific objectives of the FASEB 2026 Cell Signaling in Cancer: from Mechanisms to Therapy. The first objective is to disseminate and synthesize the most up-to-date knowledge and newest technologies surrounding mechanisms and therapeutic targeting of cancer cell signaling pathways. To accomplish this goal, we have planned a series of keynote and plenary speakers from many of the leading experts in the field, multiple short talks selected from the poster abstracts, poster sessions, several focused workshops, and informal discussions. Since the challenges in this field are daunting and will require collaborative efforts to solve them, the second objective is to enhance interactions between academia, industry, and clinical science. To this end, we have specifically invited speakers representing each of these topics, and are planning a workshop to discuss career trajectories in different disciplines and navigating productive collaborations. The third objective is to invest intellectually and financially in the future by supporting promising young trainees. The goal is to encourage trainees to be successful and stay in the field by providing intellectual support through discussions with senior scientists, poster sessions, opportunities to speak, awards that recognize their achievements, and by providing financial support with competitive travel awards. The expected outcomes are increased collaborations, promotion and training of young scientists in the field, identification of new approaches for identifying and developing therapeutic targets and strategies to combat cancer.