U.S. government shuts down Impact on NCI uncertain as administration threatens more RIFs

Anthony Letai sworn in as 18th NCI director

Anthony G. Letai, accompanied by his wife Jean, was sworn in by HHS Secretary Kennedy as the 18th NCI Director on Sept. 29.Anthony G. Letai, a physician-scientist at Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, has been officially named the 18th director of the National Cancer Institute.

October 03, 2025

Vol.51 No.36

By Claire Marie Porter

Cancer Policy

Trump signs order to use AI to accelerate pediatric cancer research

President Trump has signed an executive order to use artificial intelligence to accelerate research in pediatric cancers.

October 03, 2025

Vol.51 No.36

By Claire Marie Porter

Cancer Policy

White House announces “TrumpRx,” a new prescription drug website

President Donald Trump has announced a multipronged effort aimed at lowering drug costs in the United States, including the creation of “TrumpRx,” a direct-to-consumer website where Americans can buy medicine at discounted prices and a sweeping deal with Pfizer to reduce the prices of many of its products.

October 03, 2025

Vol.51 No.36

By Claire Marie Porter

In Brief

The University of Cincinnati researchers win NCI grant to study combination colorectal cancer treatment

The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center’s Joan Garrett has received a two-year, $162,000 NCI grant to study a new combination approach to treat KRAS-mutated colorectal cancers.

October 03, 2025

Vol.51 No.36

Podcast

With Anthony Letai’s appointment, NCI is now under new leadership—just in time for a shutdown

With little fanfare, Anthony Letai, a highly respected physician-scientist, was sworn in as the 18th director of the National Cancer Institute on Sept. 29. Then, two days later, on Oct. 1, the government shut down.

October 01, 2025