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Human Tumor Atlas Network (HTAN)

Human Tumor Atlas Network (HTAN) banner

The Human Tumor Atlas Network (HTAN), an NCI-collaborative program, 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 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: HTAN Phase 2

Human Tumor Atlas (HTA) Research Centers (U01s)

Institution Principal Investigator(s) Center Title
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles Shahab Asgharzadeh, James F. Amatruda, Long Cai Pediatric Solid Tumor Microenvironment Atlas
MD Anderson Cancer Center Samuel C. Mok, Michael Birrer, Sammy Ferri-Borgogno 3D Spatial Multi-Omics Profiling of Ovarian Cancer
Vanderbilt University Ken S. Lau, Jeffrey M. Spraggins A Multimodal 3D Atlas of Colorectal Cancer Across Ages of Onset
Washington University in St. Louis Li Ding, Feng Chen, Ryan C. Fields, Russell K. Pachynski  Human Prostate Tumor Atlas Center
Yale University Rong Fan, Stephanie Halene, Zongming Ma, Mina L. Xu Center for Human Lymphoma Spatiotemporal Atlas (HuLymSTA)

Pre-Cancer Atlas (PCA) Research Centers (U01s)

Institution Principal Investigator(s) Center Title
California Institute of Technology Cai Long, Richard G. Everson, Matthew W. Thomson, Barbara J. Wold

Understanding the Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Low Grade Glioma Progression to Malignancy

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Irene M. Ghobrial Myeloma Multidimensional Precancer Atlas
MD Anderson Cancer Center Linghua Wang, Tae H. Hwang, Mingyao Li, Paul F. Mansfield

Center for Gastric Pre-Cancer Atlas of Multidimensional Evolution in 3D (GAME3D)

Oregon Health & Science University Rosalie C. Sears, Jonathan Brody, Elana J. Fertig, Laura D. Wood

An Atlas of Pancreatic Tumorigenesis in the Context of Altered DNA Repair Occurring in High-Risk Individuals

University of California, San Francisco Alan H. Shain, Boris C. Bastian, Iwei Yeh Pre-cancer Atlas of Skin Cancer

HTAN Data Coordinating Center (U24)

Institution Principal Investigator(s) Center Title
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Ethan Cerami, Nikolaus Schultz, Adam J. Taylor, Vesteinn Thorsson Human Tumor Atlas Network: Data Coordinating Center

Funded Projects: HTAN Phase I 

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
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
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