Fall 2025
By Kayla McMahon
The V Foundation for Cancer Research once again demonstrated its remarkable generosity and commitment to advancing cancer research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute by awarding $1.4 million in grants to two exceptional investigators. Grant recipients Edward Chouchani, PhD, and Gabriel Griffin, MD, are leading projects that are pivotal in enhancing the understanding and treatment of colorectal cancers, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, because of the invaluable support of the V Foundation.
Chouchani’s research is supported by the V Foundation’s Adult Translational Grant, which focuses on moving novel strategies from the laboratory to human clinical trials. He investigates how cancer cells manipulate nutrient usage to grow and spread, particularly through enzymes called creatine kinases (CKs). These enzymes are crucial for the growth and sustenance of colon cancer cells but not for healthy ones, presenting a unique target for treatment. Chouchani developed a promising new medicine that inhibits CKs, effectively killing cancer cells reliant on these enzymes. His next step is to test this medicine in animal models, a critical precursor to human trials.
“We are grateful for their dedication to accelerating victory over cancer® and saving lives.”
Kara Coleman, PhD, V Foundation for Cancer Research
Griffin’s research is funded by the V Foundation’s V Scholar Grant, which supports early career, tenure-track faculty in their laboratory-based or translational research endeavors. He aims to enhance immunotherapy by understanding how cancer cells evade the immune system. Griffin’s lab investigates ancient viruses embedded in human DNA, typically silenced by epigenetic repressors. By activating these viruses in cancer cells, Griffin hopes to stimulate the immune system to target and destroy tumors, potentially paving the way for new cancer therapies, especially for patients unresponsive to existing immunotherapies.
Kara Coleman, PhD, Vice President of Grants and Research at the V Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm for the recipients. “We are proud to fund the best and brightest scientists in the cancer research space and are thrilled to congratulate Drs. Ed Chouchani and Gabe Griffin as V Foundation grantees,” she shared. “We are grateful for their dedication to accelerating Victory Over Cancer® and saving lives.”
The V Foundation’s generosity is crucial in helping Dana-Farber sustain its momentum of research and discovery. Through their support, investigators like Chouchani and Griffin are translating groundbreaking research into new treatment options, which is improving outcomes and offering hope to cancer patients worldwide. By investing in pioneering scientists, the V Foundation is ensuring that innovative therapies reach patients’ bedsides and helping to create a future where all cancers are treatable.