Human Tumor Atlas Network (HTAN)
The Human Tumor Atlas Network (HTAN) is constructing 3-dimensional atlases of the cellular, morphological, molecular, and spatial features of human cancers (and their surrounding microenvironments) over time.
Additionally, the atlases being created by the network (which is supported by DCB, the NCI Division of Cancer Prevention, the NCI Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, and the NCI Center for Strategic Science Initiatives) describe important changes during cancer progression, such as the transition of precancers to malignant tumors, the evolution of metastatic cancer, and the development of resistance to treatment.
Impact of the Generation of Human Tumor Atlases
One of the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel Report that led to the launch of the Cancer Moonshot was the generation of human tumor atlases to map the the dynamic architecture of tumors, model cancer progression, advance the understanding of therapeutic resistance, be used as resources for cancer research, and enable predictive modeling for cancer patients.
HTAN has supported the generation and sharing of human tumor atlases showing multidimensional cancer evolution.
Highlights of research advances from this program (which was initially funded through the Cancer Moonshot) include:
Charting New Courses: Cancer Moonshot Progress Video Series
Dr. Shelley Hwang of Duke University describes the Human Tumor Atlas Network, an NCI-supported collaborative network that is constructing 3-dimensional atlases of the cellular, morphological, and molecular features of human cancers over time.
- Developed innovative imaging and sequencing technologies, computational analysis tools, and resources to build detailed, single-cell resolution atlases.
- Generated 14 human tumor atlases across 66 organs to advance the understanding, prevention, and treatment of cancer.
- Created the HTAN Data Portal, which allows the broader research community to use and integrate HTAN data for their own research.
- Developed best practices and methods for tissue/biospecimen and data collection, as well as the sharing of cancer research data and samples.
Along with recent progress in mapping cancers, HTAN is continuing to develop new technologies, approaches, and human tumor atlases that will be clinically useful for all populations.
HTAN News
Researchers with the HTAN Center at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center generated a spatial-omic atlas of colorectal cancer, which revealed why these types of tumors evade the immune system.
In describing the work, Dr. Ken Lau (lead investigator of the study) said, “This is using next-generation technologies, with data science and artificial intelligence approaches, to arrive at an outcome that may impact patients.”
HTAN Data Portal
The HTAN Data Portal contains the latest available resources generated through HTAN, including:
- Human tumor atlases
- Data analysis tools
- Protocols
- Data standards
- Publications
HTAN Social Media
HTAN research and events are shared on Twitter/X: @NCIHTAN
DCB Contacts for HTAN
For additional information about HTAN, please contact Dr. Shannon Hughes or Dr. Sharmistha Ghosh-Janjigian.
Funded Projects
Human Tumor Atlas (HTA) Research Centers (U2Cs)
| Institution | Principal Investigator(s) | Center Title |
|---|---|---|
| Children's Hospital of Philadelphia | Kai Tan, Stephen P. Hunger | Center for Pediatric Tumor Cell Atlas |
| Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | Eliezer M. Van Allen | The Cellular Geography of Therapeutic Resistance in Cancer |
| Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center | Dana Pe'er, Christine A. Iacobuzio-Donahue | Transition to Metastatic State: Lung Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer and Brain Metastasis |
| Oregon Health & Science University | Emek Demir, Gordon B. Mills, George V. Thomas | Omic and Multidimensional Spatial Atlas of Metastatic Breast and Prostate Cancers |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center | Christina S. Leslie, Alexander Y. Rudensky | The Center for Tumor-Immune Systems Biology at MSKCC |
| Washington University in St. Louis | Li Ding, Samuel Achilefu, Ryan C. Fields, William E. Gillanders | Washington University Human Tumor Atlas Research Center |
Pre-Cancer Atlas (PCA) Research Centers (U2Cs)
| Institution | Principal Investigator(s) | Center Title |
|---|---|---|
| Boston University Medical Campus | Avrum E. Spira, Steven M. Dubinett | The Lung PCA: A Multi-Dimensional Atlas of Pulmonary Premalignancy |
| Duke University | Eun-Sil Shelley Hwang, Carlo Maley, Robert B. West | Breast Pre-Cancer Atlas Center |
| Harvard Medical School | Peter K. Sorger, Jon C. Aster, Sandro Santagata | Pre-Cancer Atlases of Cutaneous and Hematologic Origin (PATCH Center) |
| Stanford University | Michael Snyder, James M. Ford | PreCancer Atlas of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Robert J. Coffey, Ken Lau, Martha J. Shrubsole | Integrative Single-Cell Atlas of Host and Microenvironment in Colorectal Neoplastic Transformation |
HTAN Data Coordinating Center (U24)
| Institution | Principal Investigator(s) | Center Title |
|---|---|---|
| Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | Ethan Cerami, James A. Eddy, Nikolaus Schultz, Vesteinn Thorsson | Human Tumor Atlas Network: Data Coordinating Center |