AACR President’s Vision: Advancing Cancer Science and Medicine Through Technological Innovation and Precision Care

Over the course of my three decades in cancer research and clinical care, I have witnessed a remarkable evolution in how we understand and treat cancer. Much of this progress has been documented in AACR Cancer Progress Report 2025, and the 14 prior editions. The next decade promises an even greater transformation, driven by technological advances in artificial intelligence (AI), multi-omics, and our collective commitment to translating science into better outcomes for patients.

Every breakthrough in cancer begins with basic, or fundamental, research. These studies allow us to answer the most critical questions: Why does cancer develop? Why does it grow and spread? And why do some cancers that appear identical under the microscope behave so differently? Without understanding the underlying biology, we cannot fully appreciate these differences or identify cancer’s vulnerabilities.

For physician-scientists like me, the insights from basic science are invaluable. Our colleagues in the laboratory help identify the targets that drive cancer, as well as the mechanisms that lead to resistance—one of the biggest barriers to treatment success. This exchange of knowledge between basic, translational, and clinical research is vital.

Molecularly targeted therapies now allow us to home in on specific genetic alterations in cancer cells, delivering precision treatments that spare healthy tissue and reduce side effects. Immunotherapeutics, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, have revolutionized care for melanoma, lung, head and neck and multiple other cancers, offering the possibility of long-term survival for patients once thought to have no options.

Technological advances, such as next-generation sequencing, have dramatically lowered the cost and time needed to analyze a cancer patient’s genome. We can now pinpoint not only the gene driving a cancer but even the specific variants within the driver genes, enabling highly selective treatments such as KRAS G12C inhibitors. Equally exciting is the progress in immunotherapy beyond checkpoint blockade, including bispecific antibodies, adoptive cell therapies, and therapeutic cancer vaccines.

Looking ahead, I see enormous potential in liquid biopsy technologies. By analyzing circulating tumor DNA in blood or other body fluids of patients with no symptoms of cancer, we can detect minimal residual disease long before it appears on imaging, giving us the opportunity to intervene or intercept cancer. As these technologies become more sensitive, this “needle in a haystack” detection could be a game changer for cancer early detection, prevention, and treatment monitoring.

AI is rapidly transforming cancer research and patient care. AI can enhance digital pathology, enabling the detection of histological changes indicative of cancer that are invisible to the human eye, and can revolutionize imaging interpretation for CT and MRI scans. It can also analyze vast datasets to uncover patterns that might otherwise be missed. AI can also be leveraged to match patients to clinical trials—which would be particularly impactful in trials for pediatric and rare cancers—and to design smarter, more rational treatment combinations.

Some of the groundbreaking advances in precision medicine and immunotherapy began in hematologic cancers, laying the foundation for innovations now reshaping the treatment of many other cancer types. CAR T-cell therapies and bispecific T-cell engagers have significantly improved outcomes in patients with multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The hematology field’s long-standing expertise in measuring minimal residual disease provides valuable lessons for solid tumor oncology, underscoring the importance of cross-disciplinary learning.

The rapid pace of new drug development has been fueled by dramatic advances in clinical trial design. Once limited to rigid, sequential phases, trials are now more seamless, adaptive, and inclusive, enrolling hundreds or even thousands of patients worldwide. Globalization of research has expanded access to diverse patient populations and rare cancer subtypes, accelerating the pace of discovery. Innovative master protocol designs like basket and umbrella trials have improved efficiency, allowing us to test multiple treatments or target multiple alterations under a single protocol.

Yet challenges remain. Funding for cancer research is under threat at a time when keeping the momentum is crucial. Sustained investment in medical research ensures that we can piece together the complex puzzle of cancer and continue building the pipeline of innovations that will transform the future of patient care. If we fail to invest today, we risk slowing or even halting the progress that will save lives in the next decades.

AACR plays a vital role in sustaining this progress. Through initiatives like AACR Project GENIE®, which aggregates genomic and clinical data from more than 200,000 patients worldwide, we are enabling the discovery of treatment strategies for rare cancers and fostering global collaboration. We recognize that ensuring a stable pipeline of future cancer researchers requires investing in the workforce as early as the high school and undergraduate student levels. By offering free student membership and AACR-Undergraduate Scholar Awards, AACR aims to inspire and engage the next generation of scientists. Additionally, our trailblazer grants are also supporting early-stage and mid-career scientists in pursuing bold, high-risk ideas—fueling the discoveries of tomorrow.

As I look to the future, I am inspired by the pace of innovation and the dedication of the cancer research community. The technologies and treatments emerging today have the potential not only to extend life but to preserve its quality, turning cancer into a manageable condition or preventing it altogether. Together—scientists, clinicians, patients, advocates, funders, and policymakers—we can ensure that the momentum continues and that every discovery brings us closer to our shared vision: a world where fewer people develop cancer, more people are cured, and all patients live longer, healthier lives.

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