NCI-designated cancer centers and academic medical institutions (AMCs) are facing unprecedented threats that jeopardize their ability to conduct groundbreaking research, deliver cutting-edge care, and sustain clinical trials essential to patient treatment.
Funding instability, including freezes on federal grants and sudden cuts to indirect cost rates, is creating a ripple effect that disrupts the entire cancer research ecosystem. These challenges threaten not only the infrastructure that supports lifesaving discoveries, but also the long-term sustainability of cancer innovation in the United States.
With new research funding announcements stalled and critical programs at risk, cancer centers are being forced to divert focus from their mission to maintain basic operations. This instability undermines the progress made in reducing cancer mortality rates and risks ceding global leadership in biomedical research. Protecting these institutions is vital—not just for scientific advancement but for the millions of patients who rely on them for hope and cutting-edge care.
Cancer centers are driving innovation in clinical trials and cutting-edge care
AMCs and NCI-designated cancer centers are essential to advancing cancer clinical trials and delivering cutting-edge care. These institutions serve as the backbone of oncology research, providing the infrastructure, expertise, and patient access needed to conduct rigorous trials.
They lead early-phase studies, including first-in-human trials, which are crucial for testing novel therapies like targeted drugs, immunotherapies, and cell-based treatments. With access to advanced technologies such as genomic profiling, precision imaging, and biomarker discovery, these centers integrate laboratory breakthroughs into clinical applications, accelerating the development of life-saving treatments. Clinical trials at these centers are more than research—they are a key component of patient care in oncology.
By offering patients access to innovative therapies that may not yet be widely available, these trials provide hope for improved outcomes, particularly for those with advanced or treatment-resistant cancers.
Patients benefit from personalized care plans and close monitoring by expert multidisciplinary teams. Furthermore, many AMCs and cancer centers extend trial opportunities to underserved populations through community outreach and satellite sites, ensuring equitable access to advanced care. The impact of these centers extends beyond individual patients.
Their leadership in investigator-initiated studies, partnerships with industry, and mentorship of clinical investigators drives progress across the field of oncology. As hubs of innovation and collaboration, academic medical centers and NCI-designated cancer centers play a critical role in shaping the future of cancer treatment while delivering compassionate, cutting-edge care to patients today.
Cancer centers are leading the Fourth Industrial Revolution
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) emphasizes imagination, connectivity, and artificial intelligence (AI) as drivers of innovation, transforming cancer care and research.
Cancer does not wait for political gridlock or economic uncertainty—it continues its relentless march forward.
Advanced imaging technologies powered by AI enable real-time visualization of cancer at the cellular level, fostering dynamic insights into tumor behavior. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) tools enhance surgical simulations and oncologist training, blending creativity with practical application. Connectivity further integrates genomic data, imaging studies, and patient-reported outcomes into seamless ecosystems, enabling holistic patient care and large-scale data analysis. Telehealth platforms and virtual support groups empower patients by improving access and fostering engagement, redefining the cancer care experience in this era of technological ubiquity.
Cancer centers are not only embracing the transformative potential of the 4IR, but also depend on robust informatics and data science departments to fully realize its promise. These teams serve as the backbone for integrating genomic data, imaging studies, electronic health records (EHRs), and patient-reported outcomes into interconnected ecosystems that drive precision medicine and innovative treatment strategies.
Advanced technologies like AI and real-time analytics rely on this infrastructure to deliver insights that redefine diagnostics, treatment planning, and clinical trial management.
However, maintaining this critical infrastructure requires sustained investment. Budget constraints could delay essential updates to IT systems, hinder the adoption of cutting-edge 4IR technologies, and strain already overburdened teams.
Without stable funding, cancer centers risk slowing innovation in translational research and precision care, jeopardizing their ability to lead in this era of unprecedented technological advancement.
Cancer centers are pioneering partners driving breakthrough cancer therapies
The development of transformative cancer therapies such as Herceptin, Gleevec, and CAR T-cell therapy highlights the vital role of partnerships between cancer centers and industry in advancing drug discovery and revolutionizing oncology.
At UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Dennis Slamon’s research on the HER2 gene mutation led to the creation of Herceptin, a targeted monoclonal antibody for HER2-positive breast cancer. Through collaboration with Genentech, clinical trials demonstrated Herceptin’s ability to significantly improve survival rates, transforming the prognosis for patients with this aggressive cancer subtype.
Similarly, at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, Dr. Brian Druker partnered with Novartis to develop Gleevec, a groundbreaking targeted therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Despite initial skepticism, Druker’s persistence—combined with Novartis’s support—led to one of the fastest FDA approvals for a cancer treatment, revolutionizing care for CML patients worldwide.
For more than two decades, researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) have been at the forefront of CAR T-cell therapy, pioneering clinical trial design and innovation. Dr. Michel Sadelain and his colleagues at MSK have developed nearly 20 CAR T-cell technologies, significantly advancing the efficacy of this therapy in treating blood cancers, including leukemias, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma.
Their groundbreaking work has been instrumental in improving patient outcomes and expanding the potential applications of CAR T-cell therapy.
Building on MSK’s foundational work, Dr. Larry Kwak’s laboratory at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center has recently developed a novel humanized anti-BAFF-R monoclonal antibody, designed with high binding affinity and cytotoxic activity against various B-cell tumors. This innovation led to BAFFR-CAR T therapy, now offering a promising treatment option for lymphoma and leukemia patients who relapse after receiving commercial CD19 CAR T-cell therapy.
Early clinical results demonstrate high efficacy with minimal toxicity, marking another major milestone in precision immunotherapy. These breakthroughs exemplify how academic-industry partnerships not only accelerate drug development but also translate groundbreaking research into life-saving treatments, reshaping the future of modern cancer care.
Cancer Centers are charting the course for the future of oncology
Cancer centers and academic medical institutions are uniquely positioned to lead the implementation of clinical AI, a task that industry alone cannot accomplish.
While industry excels in developing foundational AI models, it often lacks access to the high-quality, diverse datasets and the clinical context and expertise required to validate and integrate these tools into real-world practice.
Cancer centers not only curate vast amounts of real-world data (RWD)—including genomic profiles, biomarkers, imaging studies, and electronic medical records (EMRs)—but also bring the critical know-how to ensure these tools are rigorously tested and clinically applicable.
By emphasizing transparency, interpretability, and patient-centered care, these institutions address challenges such as the “black box” phenomenon, limited randomized controlled trials, and clinician trust issues.
Their ability to bridge robust data stewardship with multidisciplinary expertise ensures that AI technologies are not only innovative but also safe, effective, and seamlessly integrated into oncology care, making them indispensable partners in advancing cancer treatment.
Uniting for progress
Cancer does not wait for political gridlock or economic uncertainty—it continues its relentless march forward. The time to act is now. Approximately 40% of people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. This equates to nearly 2 in 5 individuals, highlighting the significant lifetime risk of developing cancer. This issue transcends political boundaries, affecting patients, families, and communities nationwide, regardless of affiliation or ideology.
Caught in the crosshairs of political uncertainty and funding challenges, cancer centers remain our best hope. But they cannot do it alone. Together—as a nation—we can ensure that these institutions continue their lifesaving work for generations to come.
The future of cancer treatment and survival is at stake, and urgent action is required to protect the institutions leading the charge against this disease. Policymakers must reverse NIH and NCI funding cuts. Stable federal investments are essential to maintaining research infrastructure, supporting clinical trials, and addressing disparities in care.
Patients and Advocates must mobilize to raise awareness about the impact of funding reductions and demand legislative action. Industry Leaders must step up to support academic medical centers beyond drug development, funding research initiatives that drive innovation.
Philanthropists have a critical role to play, providing financial support to programs at risk, such as early-phase clinical trials and workforce development.
Ways to reach out: ASCO ACTS, AACR Legislative Acton Center LLC, Ci4CC.
Lives depend on it. Let us act before it is too late.
