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Previous NCI Alliance Grantees

On September 13, 2004, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) announced a major commitment to develop and apply nanotechnology to cancer research. To carry out this initiative, the NCI, formed the NCI Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer, a comprehensive, integrated initiative encompassing researchers, clinicians, and public and private organizations, to develop and translate cancer-related nanotechnology research into clinical practice.

Focus for this research has included several areas, such as:

  • Molecular imaging and early detection
  • In vivo nanotechnology imaging systems
  • Reporters of efficacy
  • Multifunctional therapeutics
  • Prevention and control
  • Research enablers

Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (2015-2020)

  • Nucleic Acid-Based Nanoconstructs for the Treatment of Cancer
     Northwestern University
     Principal Investigators: Chad Mirkin, Ph.D., Leonidas Platanias, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Nanosystems Biology Cancer Center
     California Institute of Technology
     Principal Investigators: James Heath, Ph.D., Michael Phelps, Ph.D.
  • Center for Multiple Myeloma Nanotherapy
     Washington University
     Principal Investigators: Samuel Achilefu, Ph.D., Gregory Lanza, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Nano Approaches to Modulate Host Cell Response for Cancer Therapy
     University of North Carolina
     Principal Investigators: Leaf Huang, Ph.D., Joel Tepper, M.D.
  • Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence for Translational Diagnostics (CCNE-TD)
     Stanford University
     Principal Investigators: Sanjiv Gambhir, M.D., Ph. D., Shan Wang, Ph.D.
  •  MSKCC-Cornell Center for Translation of Cancer Nanomedicine
     Memorial Sloan Kettering
     Principal Investigators: Michelle Bradbury, M.D., Ph.D., Ulrich Wiesner, Ph. D.

Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (2010-2015)

  • Carolina Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
     University of North Carolina
     Principal Investigators: Joseph DeSimone, Ph.D., and Joel Tepper, M.D.
  • Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence and Translation
     Stanford University
     Principal Investigators: Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, M.D., Ph.D., and Shan Wang, Ph.D.
  • Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence at Johns Hopkins
     Johns Hopkins University
     Principal Investigators: Peter Searson, Ph.D., and Martin Pomper, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Center for Translational Cancer Nanomedicine
     Northeastern University
     Principal Investigators: Vladimir Torchilin, Ph.D., D.Sc. and Nahum Goldberg, M.D.
  • Dartmouth Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
     Dartmouth College
     Principal Investigators: Ian Baker, Ph.D., and Keith Paulsen, Ph.D.
  • MIT-Harvard Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
     MIT and Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital
     Principal Investigators: Robert Langer, Ph.D., and Ralph Weissleder, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Nanomaterials for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics
     Northwestern University
     Principal Investigators: Chad Mirkin, Ph.D. and Steven T. Rosen, M.D.
  • Nanosystems Biology Cancer Center (NSBCC)
     California Institute of Technology
     Principal Investigator: James Heath, Ph.D., Leroy Hood, M.D., Ph.D. and Michael Phelps, Ph.D.
  • Texas Center for Cancer Nanomedicine
     University of Texas Health Science Center
     Principal Investigators: David G. Gorenstein, Ph.D., Mauro Ferrari, Ph.D., Anil Sood, M.D., G. Lopez-Berestein, M.D. and Jennifer L. West, Ph.D.

Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (2005-2010)

  • Carolina Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
     University of North Carolina
     Principal Investigator: Rudolph Juliano, Ph.D.
  • Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence Focused on Therapy Response
     Stanford University
     Principal Investigator: Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Center of Nanotechnology for Treatment, Understanding, and Monitoring of Cancer (NANO-TUMOR)
     University of California, San Diego
     Principal Investigator: Sadik Esener, Ph.D.
  • Emory-Georgia Tech Nanotechnology Center for Personalized and Predictive Oncology
     Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology
     Principal Investigators: Shuming Nie, Ph.D.
  • MIT-Harvard Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
     MIT and Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital
     Principal Investigators: Robert Langer, Ph.D., and Ralph Weissleder, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Nanomaterials for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics
     Northwestern University
     Principal Investigator: Chad Mirkin, Ph.D.
  • Nanosystems Biology Cancer Center (NSBCC)
     California Institute of Technology
     Principal Investigator: James Heath, Ph.D.
  • The Siteman Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
     Washington University
     Principal Investigator: Samuel Wickline, M.D.

Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships (2010-2015)

  • Combinatorial-designed Nano-platforms to Overcome Tumor Resistance
     Northeastern University
     Principal Investigators: Mansoor Amiji, Ph.D., and Zhen-feng Duan, M.D., Ph.D.
  • High-Capacity Nanocarriers for Cancer Therapeutics
     University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
     Principal Investigator: Alexander Kabanov, Ph.D., D.Sc.
  • Magnetoresistive Sensor Platform for Parallel Cancer Marker Detection
     University of Utah
     Principal Investigators: Marc Porter, Ph.D., and Sean J. Mulvihill, M.D.
  • Nanobioconjugate Based on Polymalic Acid for Brain Tumor Treatment
     Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
     Principal Investigator: Julia Ljubimova, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Nanoscale Metal-Organic Frameworks for Imaging and Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer
     University of Chicago and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
     Principal Investigators: Wenbin Lin, Ph.D., and Jen Jen Yeh, M.D.
  • Peptide-Directed Protocells and Virus-like Particles: New Nanoparticle Platforms for Targeted Cellular Delivery of Multicomponent Cargo
     University of New Mexico
     Principal Investigators: Cheryl Willman, M.D., and C. Jeffrey Brinker, Ph.D.
  • Preclinical Platform for Theranostic Nanoparticles in Pancreatic Cancer
     Rice University
     Principal Investigators: Naomi Halas, Ph.D., D.Sc., Amit Joshi, Ph.D., and Sunil Krishnan, M.D.
  • RNA Nanotechnology in Cancer Therapy
     University of Kentucky
     Principal Investigators: Peixuan Guo, Ph.D., and John Rossi, Ph.D.
  • Targeting SKY Kinase in B-Lineage ALL with CD-19 Specific C-61 Nanoparticles
     Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
     Principal Investigator: Fatih Uckun, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Theranostic Nanoparticles for Targeted Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer
     Emory University
     Principal Investigators: Lily Yang, M.D., Ph.D., and Hui Mao, Ph.D.
  • Toxicity and Efficacy of Gold Nanoparticle Photothermal Therapy in Cancer
     Emory University
     Principal Investigators: Dong Shin, M.D., and Mostafa El-Sayed, Ph.D.
  • Tumor Targeted Nanobins for the Treatment of Metastatic Breast and Ovarian Cancer
     Northwestern University
     Principal Investigators: Thomas O'Halloran, Ph.D., and Vincent Cryns, M.D.

Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships (2005-2010)

  • Detecting Cancer Early with Targeted Nano-probes for Vascular Signatures
     University of California
     Principal Investigator: Douglas Hanahan, Ph.D.
  • DNA-linked Dendrimer Nanoparticle Systems for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
     University of Michigan
     Principal Investigator: James Baker Jr., M.D.
  • Hybrid Nanoparticles in Imaging and Therapy of Prostate Cancer
     University of Missouri
     Principal Investigator: Kattesh Katti, Ph.D.
  • Integrated System for Cancer Biomarker Detection
     Massachusetts Institute of Technology
     Principal Investigator: Scott Manalis, Ph.D.
  • Metallofullerene Nanoplatform for Imaging and Treating Infiltrative Tumor
     Virginia Commonwealth University
     Principal Investigator: Panos Fatouros, Ph.D.
  • Multifunctional Nanoparticles in Diagnosis and Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer
     State University of New York
     Principal Investigator: Paras Prasad, Ph.D.
  • Nanotechnology Platform for Pediatric Brain Cancer Imaging and Therapy
     University of Washington
     Principal Investigator: Miqin Zhang, Ph.D.
  • Nanotechnology Platform for Targeting Solid Tumors
     The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
     Principal Investigator: Jan Schnitzer, M.D.
  • Nanotherapeutic Strategy for Multidrug Resistant Tumors
     Northeastern University
     Principal Investigator: Mansoor Amiji, Ph.D.
  • Near-Infrared Fluorescence Nanoparticles for Targeted Optical Imaging
     The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
     Principal Investigator: Chun Li, Ph.D.
  • Novel Cancer Nanotechnology Platforms for Photodynamic Therapy and Imaging
     Roswell Park Cancer Institute
     Principal Investigator: Ravindra K. Pandey, Ph.D.
  • Photodestruction of Ovarian Cancer: ErbB3 Targeted Aptamer-Nanoparticle Conjugate
     Massachusetts General Hospital
     Principal Investigator: Tayyaba Hasan, Ph.D.

Cancer Nanotechnology Training Centers (2010-2015)

  • Boston University Cross-Disciplinary Training in Nanotechnology for Cancer
     Boston University
     Principal Investigators: Bennett B. Goldberg, Ph.D., and Douglas Faller, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Integrative Cancer Nanoscience and Microsystems Training Center
     University of New Mexico
     Principal Investigators: Janet M. Oliver, Ph.D., and Abhaya Datye, Ph.D.
  • Midwest Cancer Nanotechnology Training Center (M-CNTC)
     University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
     Principal Investigators: Rashid Bashir, Ph.D., and Ann Nardulli, Ph.D.
  • The Johns Hopkins Cancer Nanotechnology Training Center
     Johns Hopkins University
     Principal Investigators: Denis Wirtz, Ph.D., and Hai-Quan Mao, Ph.D.
  • The University of Kentucky Cancer Nanotechnology Training Center
     University of Kentucky
     Principal Investigators: Bradley D. Anderson, Ph.D., and B. Mark Evers, M.D.
  • UCSD Cancer Nanotechnology Training Center
     University of California, San Diego
     Principal Investigators: Robert F. Mattrey, M.D., and Andrew Kummel, Ph.D.

Pathway to Independence Awards in Cancer Nanotechnology Research (2010-2015)

  • Enzyme-Responsive Nanoemulsions as Tumor-Specific Ultrasound Contrast Agents
     University of Colorado, Boulder
     Principal Investigator: Andrew P. Goodwin, Ph.D.
  • Inhibition of Metastasis-Initiating Cells by Chimeric Polypeptide Nanoparticles
     University of Utah
     Principal Investigator: Mingnan Chen, Ph.D.
  • Nanoplatform Based, Combinational Therapy against Breast Cancer Stem Cells
     University of Georgia
     Principal Investigator: Jin Xie, Ph.D.

    Nanotechnology for Minimally Invasive Cancer Detection and Resection
     Wake Forest University Health Sciences
     Principal Investigator: Aaron M. Mohs, Ph.D.
  • Next-Generation Quantum Dots for Molecular and Cellular Imaging of Cancer
     University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
     Principal Investigator: Andrew M. Smith, Ph.D.
  • Theranostic Nanomedicine for Breast Cancer Prevention and Image-Guided Therapy
     University of Massachusetts, Lowell
     Principal Investigator: Prakash R. Rai, Ph.D.
  • Tumor Targeting and Diagnostic Applications of Glycosylated Nanotubes
     Wake Forest University School of Medicine
     Principal Investigator: Ravi N. Singh, Ph.D.

Multidisciplinary Research Training and Team Development (2005-2010)

Multidisciplinary Research Training and Team Development Fellowship Awards were granted to the following postdoctoral trainees:

  • Design of Affinity Capture Agents for Akt1 Using in situ Click Chemistry
      California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
     Trainee: Steven W. Millward, Ph.D.
  • Geldanamycin-Mediated Uptake of Nanoparticle Probes
     Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
     Trainee: Giselle M. Knudsen, Ph.D.
  • Liposomal Delivery of High LET Emitters to Cell Nuclei
     Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
     Trainee: Yah-El Har-El, Ph.D.
  • Nanolabels of Active Proteases for Cancer Detection
     University of California, San Francisco, California
     Trainee: Mark D. Lim, Ph.D.
  • Nanoparticle-Bioconjugates as Cancer-Treating Agents
     Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
     Trainee: Sofi Bin-Salamon, Ph.D.
  • Nanoprobes and Integrated Nanodevices for Cancer Detection and Treatment
     University of Colorado Health Services, Superior, CO
     Trainee: Wounjhang Park, Ph.D.
  • Nanoscale Mechanisms of Hsp90 and Its Co-chaperones
     Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
     Trainee: Ivo P. Doudevski, Ph.D.
  • Short-Interfering RNA-Gold Nanoparticle Bioconjugates: A New Cancer Therapy
     Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
     Trainee: Adam B. Braunschweig, Ph.D.
  • Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Based Tumor Vaccines, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research
     New York, New York
     Trainee: Rena J. May, Ph.D.
  • Targeted Delivery Via Protein-Carbohydrate Interactions
     Liquidia, Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
     Trainee: Ashley L. Galloway, Ph.D.
  • Targeted Photoactivated Nanopartcicles for the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer
     Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
     Trainee: Daniel Neuman, Ph.D.

NCI-NSF Training Grants were awarded in 2005 to establish training programs for U.S. science and engineering doctoral students through the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program (IGERT). The awarded programs were:

  • Building Leadership for the Nanotechnology Workforce of Tomorrow
     University of Washington
     Principal Investigator: Marjorie Olmstead, Ph.D.
  • Integrative Nanoscience and Microsystems,
     University of New Mexico
     Principal Investigator: Diana Huffaker, Ph.D.
  • Nanomedical Science and Technology
     Northeastern University
     Principal Investigator: Srinivas Sridhar, Ph.D.
  • NanoPharmaceutical Engineering and Science
     Rutgers University
     Principal Investigator: Fernando Muzzio, Ph.D.
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