FDA grants fast track designation to Toca 511 and Toca FC

In The Headlines: HHS shakeup threatens a legacy of medical breakthroughs

“For the last 50 years every major medical breakthrough can be traced back to investments in the NIH, which houses the National Cancer Institute (NCI),” said Wayne A. I. Frederick, interim chief executive officer of American Cancer Society and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

April 02, 2025

Vol.51 No.12

Conversation with The Cancer Letter

Jonathan Friedberg tells us how he built a cancer center in an underserved area of New York State

The University of Rochester Wilmot Cancer Institute last week was named the 73rd NCI-designated cancer center. Now, New York State has eight NCI-designated cancer centers. Only California has more—ten.

Kennedy announces massive cuts, centralization at HHS—NCI and FDA hit
Also this week: Columbia yields, Makary and Bhattacharya confirmed, tariffs on pharmaceuticals, and more changes impacting oncology

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that it is making sweeping revisions by cutting personnel, centralizing functions, and consolidating divisions.

March 28, 2025

Vol.51 No.12

By Claire Marie Porter and Jacquelyn Cobb

News Analysis

DOD cancer research programs face 57% funding cut in year-long continuing resolution
Pancreatic, lung, kidney cancer research programs eliminated

The March 15 continuing resolution has gutted the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program. The program’s funding was cut by 57%, compared to Fiscal Year 2024 levels—from $1.5 billion to $650 million.

Rathmell: We must support our junior colleagues
“Empathy and listening is a key place to start”

Just consider for a minute if this was the first year of running your lab, if you were on the job market as a physician or scientist right now, if you were a resident contemplating a career in cancer research after fellowship, if you were a graduate student or postdoc, if you were an undergraduate or a technician who was looking toward graduate school.

March 28, 2025

Vol.51 No.12

By W. Kimryn Rathmell

Guest Editorial

Weill Cancer Hub East to investigate connections between metabolism and anti-tumor immunity
Weill Cornell, Rockefeller, Princeton and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research showcase the power of collaboration

The immune system can be a powerful tool to control cancer. Immune cells within our body detect cancer cells and release payloads that kill them. Transformative science in the last decade has led to the development of therapies that enhance the ability of our immune cells to carry out this function. These therapies, including checkpoint blockade and CAR-T cells, have been lifesaving for many patients that before had untreatable cancer. But, sadly, a majority of patients with advanced solid tumors still succumb to their disease.

March 28, 2025

Vol.51 No.12

By Jedd D. Wolchok, Joshua D. Rabinowitz and Sohail Tavazoie

FDA grants fast track designation to Toca 511 and Toca FC

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

In The Headlines: HHS shakeup threatens a legacy of medical breakthroughs

Jonathan Friedberg tells us how he built a cancer center in an underserved area of New York State

Kennedy announces massive cuts, centralization at HHS—NCI and FDA hit
Also this week: Columbia yields, Makary and Bhattacharya confirmed, tariffs on pharmaceuticals, and more changes impacting oncology

DOD cancer research programs face 57% funding cut in year-long continuing resolution
Pancreatic, lung, kidney cancer research programs eliminated

Rathmell: We must support our junior colleagues
“Empathy and listening is a key place to start”

Weill Cancer Hub East to investigate connections between metabolism and anti-tumor immunity
Weill Cornell, Rockefeller, Princeton and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research showcase the power of collaboration

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FDA grants fast track designation to Toca 511 and Toca FC

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

In The Headlines: HHS shakeup threatens a legacy of medical breakthroughs

Jonathan Friedberg tells us how he built a cancer center in an underserved area of New York State

Kennedy announces massive cuts, centralization at HHS—NCI and FDA hitAlso this week: Columbia yields, Makary and Bhattacharya confirmed, tariffs on pharmaceuticals, and more changes impacting oncology

DOD cancer research programs face 57% funding cut in year-long continuing resolutionPancreatic, lung, kidney cancer research programs eliminated

Rathmell: We must support our junior colleagues“Empathy and listening is a key place to start”

Weill Cancer Hub East to investigate connections between metabolism and anti-tumor immunityWeill Cornell, Rockefeller, Princeton and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research showcase the power of collaboration

Kennedy announces massive cuts, centralization at HHS—NCI and FDA hit
Also this week: Columbia yields, Makary and Bhattacharya confirmed, tariffs on pharmaceuticals, and more changes impacting oncology

DOD cancer research programs face 57% funding cut in year-long continuing resolution
Pancreatic, lung, kidney cancer research programs eliminated

Rathmell: We must support our junior colleagues
“Empathy and listening is a key place to start”

Weill Cancer Hub East to investigate connections between metabolism and anti-tumor immunity
Weill Cornell, Rockefeller, Princeton and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research showcase the power of collaboration