Immunology & Immunotherapy Research

 “What’s next for cancer research?” It’s a question that drives every scientist, clinician, and innovator in the NFCR network—and one that takes center stage in the newest episode of All Things Cancer, hosted by NFCR President and CEO Dr. Sujuan Ba. In this special conversation, two generations of cancer researchers come together to explore how far we’ve come—and how bold collaboration is shaping what’s next. From Chemotherapy to Cell Therapy: A 50-Year Journey For Dr. Brian Leyland-Jones, NFCR’s longtime medical advisor and one of the most respected oncologists in the field, the evolution of cancer care has been nothing short of extraordinary. “When I began treating patients,” he recalls, “we had nothing but chemotherapy. Today, I can sequence nearly every patient and tailor therapies based on the mutations driving their disease.” Throughout his decades-long partnership with NFCR, Dr. Leyland-Jones has witnessed the organization’s pivotal role in advancing early-stage discoveries—funding the kind of high-risk, high-reward science that traditional agencies often overlook. “NFCR funds the impossible dream,” he says, “supporting brilliant people and ideas that move the field forward.” A New Generation Pushing the Boundaries of Immunotherapy Representing the next wave of innovation is Dr. Avery Posey, an NFCR-supported scientist at the University of Pennsylvania whose laboratory is pioneering next-generation CAR-T cell therapies for solid tumors such as pancreatic cancer. While CAR-T therapy has already transformed treatment for certain blood cancers, its success in solid tumors has remained elusive. Dr. Posey’s research focuses on making these immune-cell therapies more precise, more durable, and less toxic—targeting cancer cells through changes in protein structures and carbohydrate signatures known as glycans. His work is helping redefine what’s possible in immunotherapy, offering hope that these breakthroughs could soon extend to millions of patients whose cancers are currently untreatable with CAR-T. Sign-up to Be Informed When the Next Episode Comes Out! Looking Ahead: CRISPR, Early Detection, and Collaboration Throughout their discussion, Drs. Posey and Leyland-Jones explore emerging frontiers—from CRISPR-based gene editing and RNA therapeutics to liquid biopsies and new strategies for early detection. They agree that the next decade will bring unprecedented progress—but only if researchers continue to collaborate across disciplines and generations. As Dr. Leyland-Jones notes, “We’re stronger when we work together. NFCR’s culture of partnership is what keeps innovation alive.” About All Things Cancer Each episode of All Things Cancer will spotlight the most pressing topics in oncology, from cutting-edge treatments and emerging research to personal stories of resilience and hope. More than just a podcast, it’s a platform for raising awareness, advancing cancer education, and fostering a global community of support and collaboration. Hosted by NFCR CEO, Sujuan Ba, Ph.D., this compelling series will bring together the entire ecosystem of cancer research—including leading scientists, oncologists, doctors, patient advocates, caregivers, biotech innovators, and survivors—for powerful discussions on the breakthroughs shaping the future of cancer research, treatment, and care. All Things Cancer is now available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes released biweekly. Subscribe now to stay up to date on the latest episodes and join the conversation that’s shaping the future of cancer research. Cancer impacts everyone—whether you're a patient, caregiver, advocate, or [...]

The National Foundation for Cancer Research’s All Things Cancer podcast recently featured a wide-ranging conversation between NFCR President and CEO Sujuan Ba and pioneering cancer immunologist Drew Pardoll. Their discussion explored the breakthroughs that are transforming cancer treatment, the importance of collaboration, and what the future may hold for patients. From the Lab to the Patient Over the years, Pardoll has co-founded multiple biotech companies to bridge the gap between early lab discoveries and real-world therapies. One of those startups received seed investment from NFCR. These ventures have been instrumental in advancing novel treatments, including approaches targeting the notoriously hard-to-treat p53 mutation. For Pardoll, biotech represents an essential step in turning scientific innovation into medicines that can reach thousands of patients. Smarter Clinical Trials and the Role of Biomarkers While many cancer trials fall short of their goals, Pardoll stressed that better use of biomarkers can dramatically improve outcomes. Matching treatments to the right patients is key, and he highlighted examples where biomarker-driven approaches led to dramatic success stories in colon cancer and melanoma. He believes that a more thoughtful trial design, informed by academic insights, can save time, resources, and patient lives. A Moment of Discovery Pardoll traced his career back to a pivotal moment as an oncology fellow, when he saw firsthand how the immune system could both threaten and protect patients undergoing bone marrow transplants. That experience convinced him that the immune system had the power to fight cancer directly, sparking a lifelong commitment to cancer immunology. Sign-up to Be Informed When the Next Episode Comes Out! Engineering the Future of Cancer Research Looking ahead, Pardoll sees the next wave of progress from engineering across multiple domains. Protein, cellular, metabolic, and microbial engineering are all opening new opportunities to make treatments more precise, scalable, and effective. Advances in these areas are accelerating discovery, sometimes turning work that once took years into projects that can be achieved in months. Supporting the Next Generation Throughout the conversation, Pardoll and Ba emphasized the importance of supporting young scientists. Funding constraints and the high cost of clinical research often discourage bold, unconventional thinking. NFCR’s approach—supporting innovative ideas early on—creates space for breakthroughs that might not otherwise happen. Pardoll underscored that nurturing the next generation of researchers is critical to the long-term health of the scientific ecosystem. Looking Forward From his first “aha moment” to today’s cutting-edge biotech collaborations, Pardoll’s career shows how innovation and persistence can reshape the future of cancer treatment. His conversation with Ba highlighted how far the field has come and the exciting possibilities ahead. Praise for NFCR's Global Summit Reflecting on NFCR’s annual Global Summit and Award Ceremonies, Pardoll described it as an “immersive experience” that brings together basic scientists, clinical researchers, biotech leaders, and advocates in a way few other meetings do. For him, the chance to brainstorm across disciplines and challenge assumptions is what makes the summit a must-attend event each year. Learn More About this Event >>> About All Things Cancer Each episode of All Things Cancer will spotlight the most pressing topics in oncology, from cutting-edge treatments and emerging research to personal stories [...]

From Curiosity to Cure The latest episode of All Things Cancer features a powerful conversation with Nobel Laureate Dr. James Allison, whose work in immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment across the globe. Hosted by Dr. Sujuan Ba, the episode dives into Dr. Allison’s early curiosity about the immune system, the years of resistance he faced from the scientific community, and the unforgettable moment when a patient’s tumors disappeared after receiving the drug he helped develop. More than a story of scientific discovery, it reminds us of the persistence, creativity, and support needed to turn bold ideas into life-saving treatments. Listen Now on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | and YouTube. About All Things Cancer Each episode of All Things Cancer will spotlight the most pressing topics in oncology, from cutting-edge treatments and emerging research to personal stories of resilience and hope. More than just a podcast, it’s a platform for raising awareness, advancing cancer education, and fostering a global community of support and collaboration. Hosted by NFCR CEO Sujuan Ba, Ph.D., this compelling series will bring together the entire ecosystem of cancer research—including leading scientists, oncologists, doctors, patient advocates, caregivers, biotech innovators, and survivors—for powerful discussions on the breakthroughs shaping the future of cancer research, treatment, and care. All Things Cancer is now available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes released biweekly. Stay up to date on the latest episodes and join the conversation that’s shaping the future of cancer research. Cancer impacts everyone—whether you're a patient, caregiver, advocate, or researcher, this podcast delivers invaluable insights from those on the frontlines of the fight against it. Sign-up to Be Informed When the Next Episode Comes Out! A world without cancer is possible. Help us turn lab breakthroughs into life-saving realities. 5.7 Million+ Donors who have fueled NFCR's mission $420 Million+ Invested in high-impact research & programs 36+ Labs & Hundreds of Nobel Laureates & Key Scientists received NFCR funding, driving breakthrough research {{ vc_btn: title=MAKE+THE+DIFFERENCE&style=outline-custom&outline_custom_color=%23FF5012&outline_custom_hover_background=%23FFFFFF&outline_custom_hover_text=%23002C76&align=center&link=url%3Ahttps%253A%252F%252Fdev.nfcr.org%252Fmake-the-difference%252F }}Sign-up to Stay Informed About Cancer Research Breakthroughs with NFCR!