The National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded ARTNet (RFA-CA-21-052, RFA-CA-21-053), though diverse in its composition, is unified by a central objective: “Understanding the Mechanistic Basis of Acquired Resistance to Cancer Therapies and Disease Recurrence.” ARTNet builds upon the foundational work of its predecessor, the Drug Resistance and Sensitivity Network (DRSN) (RFA-CA-17-009). The DRSN focused on understanding traditional pathways and mechanisms of drug resistance in cancer.
The network’s primary goal is to integrate basic, pre-clinical, and translational research through an iterative team science approach. This structure facilitates hypothesis testing on the biological basis of resistance in clinically relevant model systems. ARTNet aims to generate evidence along the shared tumor-tumor microenvironment (TME) continuum, with the objective of informing new strategies that can be effectively translated into future clinical trials. Additionally, ARTNet aims to evaluate acquired therapy resistance across a range of treatment modalities (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation, targeted agents, immunotherapies, and combined modalities), cancer types, and novel mechanisms.
ARTNet comprises five U54 research centers and one U24, the Coordination and Data Management Center (CDMC). Additionally, 11 revision projects, carried forward from the DRSN through administrative supplements, contribute complementary research that supports and further accelerates the network’s progress.
ARTNet research centers (RFA-CA-21-052) focus on the mechanisms of acquired therapy resistance and disease recurrence. The centers span multiple treatment modalities (e.g., chemotherapy, immunotherapy) and cancer types, balancing basic, preclinical, and translational research through an iterative team science approach. Each U54 center consists of three projects, balanced between either two basic/mechanistic and one preclinical/translational project (or vice versa) and must demonstrate the ability to iterate between them.
The CDMC (RFA-CA-21-053) supports network coordination and multidisciplinary research by managing administrative, collaborative, and data-driven activities. It integrates ARTNet initiatives with NCI programs to enhance research outcomes.
Supported through administrative supplements (RFA-CA-19-049 R01, RFA-CA-19-050 U01, RFA-CA-19-051 U54, RFA-CA-19-052 P01, RFA-CA-19-053 P50), these projects leverage the broader NCI-funded portfolio (e.g., R01, U01, U54, P01, P50) to explore underrepresented areas in basic and preclinical therapeutic resistance research. Complementary to ongoing activities, they aim to accelerate translational success for clinical trials.
The ARTNet Steering Committee, led by rotating chairs from the five research centers, oversees the network. The NCI program team includes Drs. Jeffrey Hildesheim, Michael Espey, Sharad Verma, Tapan Bera, Mihoko Kai, Rabih Said, Sudhir B. Kondapaka, and Ms. Yolanda Lake.
