Caught in the crossfire

Caught in the crossfire: The critical threats facing cancer centers, research, and patient care. Shannon McWeeney PhD, & Sorena Nadaf-Rahrov MS, MMI

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.

Link to full article: https://cancerletter.com/guest-editorial/20250321_2/

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