Da Vinci's Radical Robot - The Cancer Letter

The soul of oncology: Centering patient stories amid funding saga

Last week’s issue of The Cancer Letter included an obituary that the entire staff at The Cancer Letter had been dreading for years: Abdallah Abou Zahr, an oncologist at Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, ND, died Jan. 23 of a liposarcoma after a five-year battle with the disease.

February 04, 2026

Podcast The Directors

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)
Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines

As NCI paylines drop to 4%, cancer centers are tapping into their institutional funds to provide “bridge funding,” typically in $50,000 to $100,000 increments, to enable investigators to keep their labs open until better times return—next year God willing.

January 30, 2026

Vol.52 No.04

By Paul Goldberg and Claire Marie Porter

Capitol Hill

FY26 funding package blocked in Senate after ICE shooting of Alex Pretti
New package—likely excluding DHS—may go back to House early next week

An argument can be made that anyone who has attempted to follow the path of spending bills on Capitol Hill over the past ten days should be evaluated for whiplash.

Abdallah Abou Zahr, an oncologist whose cancer story resonated widely, dies of liposarcoma at 42

On Jan. 24, Shauna Erickson-Abou Zahr posted these words on her Instagram feed.

January 30, 2026

Vol.52 No.04

Clinical Trials & Tribulations

Supportive cancer care is the smart investment our leaders in Washington can’t afford to ignore

In the United States, 18.6 million people are living with cancer, and nearly 40% of Americans will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime.

January 30, 2026

Vol.52 No.04

By Les Biller

Antibody halts triple-negative breast cancer in preclinical models

Triple-negative breast cancer is one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers. It grows quickly, spreads early, and lacks hormone receptors that make it treatable with targeted therapies. Even when patients initially respond to treatment, the cancer often returns and is more resistant.

January 30, 2026

Vol.52 No.04

By Hayley Kamin

Da Vinci’s Radical Robot

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

The soul of oncology: Centering patient stories amid funding saga

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)
Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines

FY26 funding package blocked in Senate after ICE shooting of Alex Pretti
New package—likely excluding DHS—may go back to House early next week

Abdallah Abou Zahr, an oncologist whose cancer story resonated widely, dies of liposarcoma at 42

Supportive cancer care is the smart investment our leaders in Washington can’t afford to ignore

Antibody halts triple-negative breast cancer in preclinical models

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Da Vinci’s Radical Robot

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

The soul of oncology: Centering patient stories amid funding saga

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines

FY26 funding package blocked in Senate after ICE shooting of Alex PrettiNew package—likely excluding DHS—may go back to House early next week

Abdallah Abou Zahr, an oncologist whose cancer story resonated widely, dies of liposarcoma at 42

Supportive cancer care is the smart investment our leaders in Washington can’t afford to ignore

Antibody halts triple-negative breast cancer in preclinical models

Never miss an issue!

Login

The Directors: Gary Schwartz and Ramon Parsons on the best of times (for science), the worst of times (for funding)
Cancer centers fund small grants to boost morale amid low paylines

FY26 funding package blocked in Senate after ICE shooting of Alex Pretti
New package—likely excluding DHS—may go back to House early next week