Sign In

Research

News & Views

Breaking News

Two former ACS grantees among 2025 Lasker Award winners

​The Discovery Pillar is proud to highlight the Lasker Foundation's recent announcement of the 2025 Lasker Award winners in basic research, clinical research, special achievement, and public service. Two former ACS grantees were among this year's awardees.

  • Steven L. McKnight at the University of Texas Southwestern won the 2025 Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award for his work on structures and functions of low-complexity domains (shared award with Dr. Dirk Görlich). This basic research uncovered unique properties of certain proteins that may contribute to certain disease pathologies. He held an ACS Faculty Research Award from 1984 to 1989 at the Carnegie Institute of Washington in Baltimore, MD.
  • Lucy Shapiro at Stanford University won the 2025 Lasker~Koshland Special Achievement Award in Medical Science for her pioneering approach to bacterial cell biology and national leadership, sounding an early alarm on the emerging threat of antibiotic resistance. She received an early career grant from ACS from 1968 to 1976 at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and several additional ACS grants between 1988 and 1994 at Stanford. Dr. Shapiro has also been a mentor on at least four other ACS grants, including two postdoctoral fellows, extending her legacy.

The Lasker Awards program was created in 1945 by Albert and Mary Lasker to spotlight fundamental biological research discoveries and clinical advances that improve human health and to draw attention to the importance of public support of science. The Lasker Awards are among the highest honors given in science and often serve as a precursor to winning a Nobel Prize. The public service award is given every other year and will next be offered in 2026.

  • Final recipient named for first VOICES of Black Women partnership grants

    This month, 10 community-based organizations will begin their work as the first-ever recipients of the ACS VOICES of Black Women Community Partnership Program. The organizations were selected from 31 applications to receive $10,000 each to strengthen recruitment efforts for the ACS VOICES of Black Women cohort study.

    The funded projects, which will run through March 2, 2026, will leverage trusted community networks to raise awareness about the study and encourage eligible women to participate. Selected partners are organizations whose missions align with improving the health and wellness of Black women and their families.

    • BLKHLTH (Georgia)

    • Boston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Massachusetts)

    • Byrd Cancer Education and Advocacy Foundation (Pennsylvania)

    • Central Carolina Black Nurses Council, Inc. (North Carolina)

    • Cierra Sisters (Washington)

    • Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church (Pennsylvania)

    • Milwaukee Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Health Connections Inc. (Wisconsin)

    • My Style Matters, Inc. (Georgia)

    • National Black Leadership Initiative on Cancer II Houston (Texas)

    • New Jersey Black Women Physicians Association (New Jersey)​

    Each organization will use culturally responsive outreach strategies rooted in Black women's lived experiences ─ building trust, promoting connection, and amplifying personal narratives. Examples include immersive wellness retreats with VOICES storytelling circles, personalized navigation to assist with enrollment, and narrative-based community events featuring short films, holistic wellness activities, and collective reflection.​

  • Fall 2024 grant slate begins this month

    The American Cancer Society is proud to announce $43.2 million in funding for 92 new research grant awards to 69 institutions nationwide. These grants, awarded through the fall 2024 cycle, reflect our continued commitment to advancing cancer discovery and supporting researchers at every stage of their careers. Most new awards will begin on Sept. 1, or shortly thereafter.

    The new funding slate spans eight standard grant mechanisms, including separate awards for Mentored Research Grants, Professorships, and Professor Renewals. This cycle features four new ACS Professors and five renewed Professorships, underscoring ACS’ investment in leadership and long-term impact in the cancer research community.

    Also included are four awards totaling $1.58 million through the ACS IMPACT – Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Expansion Grants (IMPACT-PCEGs). These awards, announced in response to a September 2024 request for applications, are designed to expand access to clinical trials and accelerate progress for patients with prostate cancer.

    While many of the new projects address non-site-specific cancer topics, breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers emerged as the most studied cancer types in this cycle, together accounting for nearly one-third of total funding (14%, 9%, and 9%, respectively). Importantly, these distributions reflect the strongest proposals received, as ACS does not prioritize funding by cancer type except when designated through specific RFAs.

    Funding also spans the cancer continuum, with 41% supporting basic research, 21% focused on treatment, and 13% dedicated to improving cancer screening, detection, diagnosis, and prognosis. Together, these investments strengthen the foundation for future prevention, care, and survivorship breakthroughs.

    This grant slate was made possible through the expertise and dedication of 637 volunteer reviewers across 21 peer review committees. Their careful evaluations ensure that ACS continues to fund the most innovative, impactful science.

    ACS remains committed to nurturing the next generation of cancer researchers while also recognizing established leaders. By supporting investigators across career stages, we help fuel discoveries that drive progress against cancer in all its forms. The fall 2024 slate reflects both the promise of early-career researchers and the enduring influence of senior leaders whose work is shaping the field.

    To learn more, visit research news on cancer.org.​​

  • ACS releases new Prostate Cancer Statistics report

    ACS has released​ Prostate Cancer Statistics, 2025, a report on current prostate cancer occurrence and outcomes in the United States. According to the study, prostate cancer incidence rates have reversed from a decline of 6.4% per year during 2007 through 2014 to an increase of 3.0% annually during 2014 through 2021, with the steepest increase (4.6%-4.8% per year) for advanced-stage diagnoses. Simultaneously, mortality declines slowed from 3%-4% per year during the 1990s and 2000s to 0.6% per year over the past decade. These major findings are to be published in the journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the flagship journal of ACS.

    The report also shows wide disparities. Despite steep declines, mortality rates for prostate cancer are two times higher for Black men compared to White men, versus 67% higher incidence rates. Likewise, Native American men have 12% higher prostate cancer mortality than White men, despite 13% lower incidence.

    “Our research highlighting the continued increases in prostate cancer incidence and persistent racial disparities underscores the need for redoubled efforts to understand the etiology of prostate cancer and optimize early detection," said Tyler Kratzer, MPH, associate scientist, cancer surveillance research, and lead author of the study. “At age 50, per ACS guidelines, all men should have a conversation with their healthcare provider about the benefits and harms of screening, but Black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer should have that conversation at age 45."

    Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among men in the US, accounting for 30% of male cancers in 2025, and is the second leading cancer death in men behind lung cancer. This year, ACS estimates there will be 313,780 new cases of prostate cancer and 35,770 deaths. For the report, researchers analyzed population-based cancer incidence data through 2021 and mortality data through 2023 collected by the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    According to study authors, distant‐stage disease is increasing in men of every age, including by nearly 3% per year in those younger than 55 years and 6% per year in men 55 years and older. The five-year relative survival rate for distant-stage prostate cancer is only 38%, but approaches 100% for earlier-stage diagnoses.

    Other key findings from the report include:

    • American Indian and Alaska Native men are the most likely to be diagnosed with distant stage disease (12% versus 8% among White men).
    • Prostate cancer mortality ranges from 36.9 deaths per 100,000 among Black men to 8.8 among Asian American and Pacific Islander men. American Indian and Alaska Native men have the second-highest mortality rates (20.6), with White (18.4) and Hispanic (15.4) men ranking 3rd and 4th among broadly defined racial and ethnic groups.
    • Prostate cancer mortality varies by state, with the highest death rates in Washington D.C. (27.5 deaths per 100,000) and Mississippi (24.8 deaths per 100,000), which have a high proportion of Black residents.

    “Our report underscores the need to redouble efforts to optimize early diagnosis that minimizes over-detection and also to ensure those strategies reach Black and Native American communities in particular," said Rebecca Siegel, MPH, senior scientific director, cancer surveillance research and senior author of the report. “All men should have the same opportunity to survive this common cancer."

    ACS CAN supports the Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for High-risk Insured Men (PSA Screening for HIM) Act, federal legislation that would waive cost-sharing requirements such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for prostate cancer screening tests for men with the highest risk of prostate cancer.

    “Out-of-pocket costs such as co-pays can be a barrier to accessing early detection," said Lisa A. Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “No one should be at a disadvantage against cancer. The PSA Screening for HIM Act will help remove a major obstacle that can prevent those at high risk for the disease from getting the screening tests they need to find prostate cancer at the earliest, most treatable stage. We urge the House and the Senate to pass this legislation to help reduce prostate cancer disparities and save more lives."

    Other ACS researchers contributing to the study include Natalia Mazzitelli, MPH, Jessica Star, MPH, Dr. William Dahut, and Dr. Ahmedin Jemal.

    Additional ACS Resources:

  • Two new ACS studies report surge in colorectal cancer screening and early diagnosis in US adults 45-49

    In a new study led by ACS, scientists found that after a stable 15-year trend, diagnoses of local-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) rose steeply in adults aged 45-49 years old during 2019 to 2022 in the United States, including a 50% relative increase from 2021 to 2022 (from 11.7 to 17.5 cases per 100,000). Local or early stage means the cancer is confined to the original site where it started and usually has no symptoms. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

     

    “These findings contrast with consistent increases of distant-stage diagnoses in this age group,” said Elizabeth Schafer, MPH, associate scientist, surveillance and health equity science, and lead author of the study. “It is promising news because the uptick of cases is likely due to first-time screening in the wake of new recommendations for younger average-risk adults to begin testing for colorectal cancer earlier.”

    The recommended age to begin CRC screening was lowered from 50 to 45 years by ACS in 2018 and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in 2021.

    In support of these findings, another ACS-led study, also published in JAMA, reports that CRC screening among U.S. adults 45-49 years of age increased by 62% from 2019 to 2023.

    “It’s not only thrilling to see the increase in colorectal cancer screening among younger adults, but also how it likely ties into rises in earlier stage diagnosis as noted in the other ACS led paper,” said Jessica Star, MPH, MA, associate scientist, cancer risk factors and screening surveillance research at ACS, and lead author of this study. “However, we still have a long way to go. Screening for colorectal cancer in ages 45-49 remains suboptimal and has not increased equitably by both educational attainment and insurance status.”

    “These studies further demonstrate the importance of people having access to comprehensive health insurance, which covers evidence-based preventive services,” said Lisa A. Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “With more than 2 million people in America expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2025, it’s more important than ever to make sure that everyone can access necessary screenings. ACS CAN will continue to advocate at the state and federal level to expand access for all because it isn’t just good policy, it’s lifesaving.”

    Other ACS researchers contributing to these studies include senior authorsRebecca Siegel, MPH, and Dr. Priti Bandi, and co-authors Dr. Hyuna Sung, Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, and Dr. Robert Smith.

  • Unmet social needs linked to low trust in cancer information from health professionals

    In a new study led by ACS scientists found that unmet social needs of adults in the United States were associated with a substantial reduction in trust of cancer information from doctors and the healthcare system. Unmet social needs include insecurity in housing, food, and/or transportation access, which affect health and well-being. The study was published in the journal Psycho-Oncology.

    “Public trust in health authorities is so essential because it influences uptake of health recommendations like routine cancer screening and vaccination,” said Dr. Jordan Baeker Bispo, principal scientist, cancer disparity research at ACS, and lead author of the study. “Social inequality is an important driver of medical mistrust. These findings are important as we need to better understand this dynamic in the context of cancer information sharing and cancer control.”

     

    “Addressing social needs in the clinical setting may enhance patient trust in cancer messaging from providers,” Baeker Bispo added. “Many health systems have adopted social needs screening programs to help patients access the resources they need beyond the clinic walls. These programs could have a positive downstream impact on communication about cancer control by enhancing the trustworthiness of providers and health systems at large.” 

    “Evidence shows that patient navigation can bridge a number of gaps and address diverse needs across patient populations. When it comes to cancer care, patient navigation offers support to manage and traverse an often overwhelming and scary prognosis by increasing understanding of treatment options,” said Lisa A. Lacasse, president of ACS CAN.

    Other ACS researchers contributing to the study include Jessica ​​Star, MPH, Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, and senior author Dr. Farhad Islami.

  • Weather disasters increase risk for US drug supply chain disruption

    In 2024, Hurricane Helene triggered a nationwide shortage of the country’s intravenous (IV) fluids after damaging a facility in North Carolina. A similar IV fluid shortage was caused when Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017. A new, nationwide study led by ACS scientists found that nearly two-thirds of all pharmaceutical-producing facilities in the US were located in a county that experienced at least one weather disaster declaration. These disasters, like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, posed risks for disruptions to facilities active in all aspects of the drug supply chain. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

    “Drug shortages following weather disasters demonstrate how the pharmaceutical supply chain is not yet resilient to climate-related disruptions,” said Dr. Leticia Nogueira, scientific director, health services research, and senior author of the study. “A limited number of facilities may manufacture significant shares of key therapeutics. This could put many people in need of lifesaving drug treatment at risk of disruptions or delays in care.”

    “These findings underscore the importance of recognizing climate-related vulnerabilities and the urgent need for supply chain transparency that allows integration of disaster risk management strategies into strategic resource allocation throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain,” added Nogueira. “Moving forward, threats must be examined and proactively mitigated to prevent critical health care disruptions.”

    “Life-saving cancer drugs, especially older generic sterile injectable drugs, have been in chronic shortages due to a combination of factors, including economic reasons and natural disasters. ACS CAN has been working with lawmakers and federal agencies to address systemic vulnerabilities and create a more resilient system to ensure patients can access the medications they need without disruptions to their care. This study illustrates the need for redundancy in the drug supply chain,” said Mark E. Fleury, PhD, principal, policy development - emerging science at ACS CAN. “ACS CAN helps to lead a drug shortage task force that includes over 20 organizations working to create data-driven solutions to drug shortages.”

  • Screenings rise, early colorectal diagnoses follow

    ACS released two studies showcasing the surge in colorectal cancer screening and early diagnosis among younger adults. 

    In the first study, scientists found that after a stable 15-year trend, diagnoses of local-stage colorectal cancer (CRC) rose steeply in adults aged 45 – 49 years old during 2019 to 2022 in the United States, including a 50% relative increase from 2021 to 2022 (from 11.7 to 17.5 cases per 100,000). Local or early stage means the cancer is confined to the original site where it started and usually has no symptoms. The study is published Aug. 4 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

    “These findings contrast with consistent increases of distant-stage diagnoses in this age group,” said Elizabeth Schafer, MPH, associate scientist, Surveillance and Health Equity Science, and lead author of the study. “It is promising news because the uptick of cases is likely due to first-time screening in the wake of new recommendations for younger average-risk adults to begin testing for colorectal cancer earlier.”

    The recommended age to begin CRC screening was lowered from 50 to 45 years by ACS in 2018 and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in 2021.

    In support of these findings, a second ACS led study also published Aug. 4 in JAMA reports that CRC screening among US adults 45 – 49 years of age increased by 62% from 2019 to 2023.

    “It’s not only thrilling to see the increase in colorectal cancer screening among younger adults, but also how it likely ties into rises in earlier stage diagnosis as noted in the other ACS led paper,” said Jessica Star, MPH, MA, associate scientist, Cancer Risk Factors and Screening Surveillance Research, and lead author of this study. “However, we still have a long way to go. Screening for colorectal cancer in ages 45 – 49 remains suboptimal and has not increased equitably by both educational attainment and insurance status.”

    Other ACS researchers contributing to these studies include senior authors Rebecca Siegel, MPH, and Dr. Priti Bandi, and co-authors Dr. Hyuna Sung, Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, and Dr. Robert Smith.

  • Survival disparities increase for patients without health insurance following FDA approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors for advanced cancer, data shows

    ​In a new study released on July 7, ACS researchers found that the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) following FDA approval was associated with a widening survival disparity between people without health insurance and those with private insurance, newly diagnosed with advanced stage melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), or renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). ICIs are a type of advanced immunotherapy and work by helping the immune system better find and attack cancer cells in the body. While offering promising outcomes for many patients, ICIs are also among the highest-cost cancer drugs. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open.

    “These findings are concerning, especially as ICIs are being used more frequently in treating people with both early and late-stage cancers,” said Dr. Jingxuan Zhao, senior scientist, health services research at ACS, and lead author of the study. “ICIs can be lifesaving; however, cancer patients without health insurance coverage may be unable to afford them due to their high costs.”

    “Health policies expanding access to insurance coverage options and making new treatments more affordable are needed. Expanding Medicaid to individuals without health insurance coverage may improve their access to effective cancer treatments that are also costly, such as ICIs,” Dr. Zhao added.

    “Having comprehensive, affordable health insurance is a major determining factor in surviving cancer, especially as promising new – but also costly – treatments, like ICIs, become available. That’s why ACS CAN has long advocated for increased access to quality, affordable health coverage – made increasingly urgent with recent Congressional action that significantly cuts Medicaid funding and makes affordable health insurance coverage unattainable for millions nationwide,” said Lisa A. Lacasse, president of ACS’s advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN.

    ACS researcher Dr. Robin Yabroff contributed to this study.

    Like and share this news on X.
back to top