Cancer Prevention-Interception Targeted Agent Discovery Program (CAP-IT) Centers (U54 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to solicit applications for Cancer Prevention-Interception Targeted Agent Discovery Program (CAP-IT) Centers (U54). The overall goal of the CAP-IT Program is to establish an agile and effective network infrastructure to undertake collaborative research focusing on precision cancer prevention and interception, with the overarching goal of discovering molecularly or immunologically targeted agents designed to prevent or intercept the oncogenic process in higher-risk populations. To achieve the Program's overarching goal, CAP-IT research objectives are:

• To identify targets that can be potentially exploited for cancer preventive or interceptive interventions specifically in higher-risk populations, by collaborating with the NCI and other programs with a research focus on molecular profiling of established precursor/precancer, early cancer, and/or oncogenic signaling pathways. High-value tumor-driving molecular targets/pathways, immune targets, and tumor-specific/tumor-associated antigens, collectively referred to as "oncotargets" in this FOA, will be prioritized for the discovery of targeted interventions;
• To functionally validate the critical roles of the high-value oncotargets in tumor initiation and/or progression to invasive cancer and select oncotargets suitable for targeted intervention strategies; and
• To discover innovative targeted agents through in vitro and in vivo efficacy evaluation and advance promising efficacious agents to the NCI's existing R&D pipeline for further development.

The CAP-IT network will be formed by U54 Specialized Centers (this FOA) and one Data and Resource Coordination Center (CAP-IT DRCC).