The Cell Growth and Survival (CGS) Program is focused on the signaling pathways that regulate the growth, survival and death of normal and neoplastic cells.

The goal of this research is to develop novel strategies that exploit this understanding to improve anti-cancer therapy.

The CGS Program currently has 27 scientific members from 10 departments in the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Changes in membership of the CGS program since the previous review in 2000 reflect specific, targeted recruiting to improve integration of the major themes of the program. These changes are now paying dividends in terms of scientific productivity.

This program has undergone substantial growth in its total funding. In addition, the extent of scientific collaboration has increased markedly during the present funding period, centered on the major themes of the Program.

Several novel contributions from the CGS Program to the national cancer effort have emerged as themes since the previous review: 

1. A fascinating synergy between vitamin D and dietary soyisoflavones in regulation of proliferation in prostate and breast cancer
2. Explorations of the effects of dietary lipids on cancer cell proliferation and metastasis
3. A novel role of reactive oxygen species as signaling molecules in cell proliferation
4. Translational control and endoplasmic reticulum stress in hypoxia
5. The genetic control of innate anti-tumor immune mechanisms
6. The antagonistic relationship of antiviral and proliferative signaling and the development of novel oncolytic viruses