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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 (DCP), the NCI Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD), and the NCI Center for Strategic Science Initiatives (CSSI), 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 

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.

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: 

  • 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

In the fall of 2024, HTAN investigators published a collection of research studies, methods, and data related to the exploration of tumor evolution in space and time.

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

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) [supported by DCB & DCTD]

InstitutionPrincipal Investigator(s)Center Title
Children's Hospital of Los AngelesShahab Asgharzadeh, James F. Amatruda, Long CaiPediatric Solid Tumor Microenvironment Atlas
MD Anderson Cancer CenterSamuel C. Mok, Michael Birrer, Sammy Ferri-Borgogno3D Spatial Multi-Omics Profiling of Ovarian Cancer
Vanderbilt UniversityKen S. Lau, Jeffrey M. SpragginsA Multimodal 3D Atlas of Colorectal Cancer Across Ages of Onset
Washington University in St. LouisLi Ding, Feng Chen, Ryan C. Fields, Russell K. Pachynski Human Prostate Tumor Atlas Center
Yale UniversityRong Fan, Stephanie Halene, Zongming Ma, Mina L. XuCenter for Human Lymphoma Spatiotemporal Atlas (HuLymSTA)

Pre-Cancer Atlas (PCA) Research Centers (U01s) [supported by DCP]

InstitutionPrincipal Investigator(s)Center Title
California Institute of TechnologyCai Long, Richard G. Everson, Matthew W. Thomson, Barbara J. WoldUnderstanding the Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Low Grade Glioma Progression to Malignancy
Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteIrene M. GhobrialMyeloma Multidimensional Precancer Atlas
MD Anderson Cancer CenterLinghua Wang, Tae H. Hwang, Mingyao Li, Paul F. MansfieldCenter for Gastric Pre-Cancer Atlas of Multidimensional Evolution in 3D (GAME3D)
Oregon Health & Science UniversityRosalie C. Sears, Jonathan Brody, Elana J. Fertig, Laura D. WoodAn Atlas of Pancreatic Tumorigenesis in the Context of Altered DNA Repair Occurring in High-Risk Individuals
University of California, San FranciscoAlan H. Shain, Boris C. Bastian, Iwei YehPre-cancer Atlas of Skin Cancer

HTAN Data Coordinating Center (U24)

InstitutionPrincipal Investigator(s)Center Title
Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteEthan Cerami, Nikolaus Schultz, Adam J. Taylor, Vesteinn ThorssonHuman Tumor Atlas Network: Data Coordinating Center

Funded Projects: HTAN Phase 1

Human Tumor Atlas (HTA) Research Centers (U2Cs)

InstitutionPrincipal Investigator(s)Center Title
Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaKai Tan, Stephen P. HungerCenter for Pediatric Tumor Cell Atlas
Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteEliezer M. Van AllenThe Cellular Geography of Therapeutic Resistance in Cancer 
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer CenterDana Pe'er, Christine A. Iacobuzio-DonahueTransition to Metastatic State: Lung Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer and Brain Metastasis
Oregon Health & Science UniversityEmek Demir, Gordon B. Mills, George V. ThomasOmic and Multidimensional Spatial Atlas of Metastatic Breast and Prostate Cancers
Washington University in St. LouisLi Ding, Samuel Achilefu, Ryan C. Fields, William E. GillandersWashington University Human Tumor Atlas Research Center

Pre-Cancer Atlas (PCA) Research Centers (U2Cs)

InstitutionPrincipal Investigator(s)Center Title
Boston University Medical CampusAvrum E. Spira, Steven M. DubinettThe Lung PCA: A Multi-Dimensional Atlas of Pulmonary Premalignancy
Duke UniversityEun-Sil Shelley Hwang, Carlo Maley, Robert B. WestBreast Pre-Cancer Atlas Center
Harvard Medical SchoolPeter K. Sorger, Jon C. Aster, Sandro SantagataPre-Cancer Atlases of Cutaneous and Hematologic Origin (PATCH Center)
Stanford UniversityMichael Snyder, James M. FordPreCancer Atlas of Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
Vanderbilt University Medical CenterRobert J. Coffey, Ken Lau, Martha J. ShrubsoleIntegrative Single-Cell Atlas of Host and Microenvironment in Colorectal Neoplastic Transformation

HTAN Data Coordinating Center (U24)

InstitutionPrincipal Investigator(s)Center Title
Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteEthan Cerami, James A. Eddy, Nikolaus Schultz, Vesteinn ThorssonHuman Tumor Atlas Network: Data Coordinating Center
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