Cancer Formation

View the 2024 Press Release UCLA Health Dr. Dennis J. Slamon, M.D., Ph.D., a UCLA oncologist and researcher, transformed breast cancer treatment through his pioneering identification of the HER2/neu oncogene, amplified in roughly a quarter to a third of breast cancers. His seminal work revealed that this molecular marker signified aggressive disease but could be effectively targeted. This led directly to the development of trastuzumab (Herceptin), the first-ever HER2-targeted therapy, which has dramatically improved survival for HER2-positive breast cancer patients. In recognition of this paradigm-shifting achievement in precision oncology, Dr. Slamon was awarded the prestigious 2024 Szent‑Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research by the National Foundation for Cancer Research. Hear More From Dr. Slamon and NFCR CEO Dr. Sujuan Ba on the All Things Cancer Podcast >>>  Related Video Back to Prize Hall of Fame

Every life-saving cancer breakthrough—every treatment, every clinical trial, every early detection tool—starts with one thing: funding. But today, that foundation is under threat. In the latest episode of All Things Cancer, NFCR CEO Dr. Sujuan Ba sits down with a group of visionary cancer researchers to explore the impact of declining federal support for science—and what it means for the future of cancer research and patient care. The conversation is a powerful reminder that without sustained and flexible funding, tomorrow’s cures could be lost before they ever begin. Why Funding Matters—Especially Early On Federal agencies like the NIH tend to favor lower-risk projects with strong preliminary data. While that approach may feel “safer,” it often leaves bold, high-reward research out in the cold—particularly projects led by younger scientists or those working on completely novel approaches. That’s where organizations like NFCR step in. Dr. Aaron Hata, a physician-scientist at Mass General Hospital, described how NFCR’s support allowed his team to apply cutting-edge technologies to tumor biopsies, leading to new insights on how cancer evolves during treatment. Without that funding, he says, the research wouldn’t have happened. Dr. Jessica Lin echoed that sentiment. Her team’s work on ALK-positive lung cancer—an aggressive form of the disease that often becomes resistant to treatment—has directly improved patient outcomes. She emphasized how NFCR support enabled them to pursue high-risk, high-reward questions that traditional funders would have likely passed over. Real People. Real Impact. For Dr. Wayne Marasco of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the story is deeply personal. Nearly two decades ago, after being diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, he used NFCR’s seed funding to pursue a cure. That research is now on the cusp of clinical trials. “I was a young father,” Marasco recalls. “That support allowed me to pivot and pursue a path that has since become my life’s mission.” Similarly, Dr. Susan Horwitz—whose early work on Taxol helped transform it into a drug that’s now saved millions of lives—reflected on the importance of long-term collaboration and consistent support. “When we started, we had no idea where it would lead,” she said. “Funding gave us the space to find out.” Adapting to a New Research Landscape Dr. Alfred Slanetz and Dr. Raju Kucherlapati, both longtime advisors and partners of NFCR, spoke about how the landscape for drug development has evolved. Today, more and more discovery-stage innovation happens in academic labs and biotech startups—not large pharmaceutical companies. That shift demands new models of funding—flexible, nimble, and willing to take risks. “We have to respond faster,” said Dr. Ba. “Patients can’t wait. And that’s exactly what NFCR is trying to do—remove barriers, support great science, and accelerate the path to impact.” A Mission That’s Urgent—and Global As Dr. Kucherlapati pointed out, NFCR’s reach is unique in its global focus. “You're not just supporting research in the U.S.—you’re helping build a worldwide network of discovery and collaboration,” he said. That global reach is critical in a disease like cancer, which knows no borders. Hope, Milestones, and a Call to Action Dr. Lin summed up the human side of this work beautifully. She shared how patients have told her they [...]

Several NFCR-supported researchers will showcase their work at the 2025 American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, over the coming days.  Widely recognized as one of the most prominent gatherings in the oncology community, ASCO’s Annual Meeting highlights work that is shaping the future of cancer research.  The theme for this year’s ASCO Annual Meeting (2025) is Driving Knowledge to Action: Building a Better Future. What does that mean for cancer patients? It may be a great comfort to some cancer patients to know that our community is actively working on solutions that make their survivorship possible. By bringing together leaders working across all types of cancer research, there is hope for advancing our overall understanding of how to prevent, detect, and treat cancer more effectively. The strong presence of NFCR-funded researchers at this year’s conference underscores our ongoing commitment to advancing cancer research and honors the vital support of our donors. Their work represents meaningful progress on the path to curing cancer and exemplifies the impact of investing in innovative science. NFCR-supported researchers whose work is being featured include (in no particular order):  Massimo Cristofanilli Azra Raza Aaron Hata Jessica Lin Paul Nghiem Silvio Gutkind Kornelia Polyak Suzanne Topalian Ritesh Kotecha Elana Fertig Christian Rolfo Aditya Bardia Himisha Beltran Note: This piece is still developing, and we will continue to make updates as the meeting goes on! More Details on NFCR Research Programs at ASCO 2025: Himisha Beltran is participating in an educational session about personalizing treatments for patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancers. Specifically, Dr. Beltran will share her expert insights on Non–Androgen Receptor–Driven Prostate Cancers. Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in American men. Dr. Beltran’s NFCR-supported work is focused on finding more non-invasive ways to detect subtypes of prostate cancer in order to develop more effective treatments. Additionally, she will have several other findings featured in the poster sessions. Also, an update on GBM AGILE will be given at ASCO 2025 from the Global Coalition for Adaptive Research (GCAR) team.  GBM AGILE is a revolutionary clinical trial platform designed for patients battling the deadliest brain cancer, glioblastoma, for which NFCR and CEO Dr. Sujuan Ba played a pivotal role in helping launch. To date, GBM AGILE has screened over 2,300 patients, and enrollment continues to be robust. An estimated 25% of all US glioblastoma patients enrolled in clinical trials participate in GBM AGILE. The trial is open at select sites in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, France, Germany, and Australia (View More).  Part of Dr. Ba’s vision for the future of GBM AGILE is to see it expand to treat other difficult and deadly cancers. NFCR supporters can take great pride in the growth of this initiative for our early impact that helped make this growth possible! You can find additional details on the work being shared at ASCO 2025 on their event website >>> Continuing the Conversation at NFCR’s 2025 Global Summit Save the Date: October 24, 2025 – Washington, D.C. Join us for the 2025 NFCR [...]