This Is the Future of Cancer Research

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The latest Stand Up To Cancer scientific summit was full of bright ideas.

During the recent Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) Scientific Summit, scientists from around the world presented cutting-edge cancer research funded by SU2C, the nonprofit I co-founded in 2008 along with eight other tenacious women. When we launched this incredible organization, we knew it was special, and each Scientific Summit has proven to be just that — a motivating moment that fosters collaboration and celebration, coupled with reverence for the serious work our researchers are doing to accomplish our mission of ending cancer as we know it.

United by that same goal, each of the 300 Summit participants – including our incredible donors and patient advocates – were inspired by the impact the research is having, especially on patient outcomes.
Here’s just a handful of highlights from the Summit:

  • An exciting panel discussion focused on how artificial intelligence and machine learning can be used to detect cancer earlier — a focus for SU2C’s scientific efforts moving forward, under the expertise of our president and CEO, Julian Adams, Ph.D.
  • Several discussions and presentations about cancer vaccines and how our researchers are working to apply this promising treatment option for various cancer types, including melanoma as well as pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancer.
  • Encouraging research focusing on pediatric cancers, especially difficult-to-treat cancers in the brain.
  • An update on a remarkably successful clinical trial in which all 38 participants received an immunotherapy that made their rectal cancer disappear, with no need for chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.
  • Presentations from so many early-career investigators, who are helping us respond to the next generation questions in cancer research.
  • Moving stories from people impacted by cancer, including Kelly Spill and Kellie and Yaphet Smith, showing the true impact of SU2C-funded research.
  • A special tribute to our founding donor, Major League Baseball, and the people responsible for our longstanding and fruitful collaboration.
A panel focused on AI’s application in cancer research, diagnosis, & treatment, including Dr. Thomas J. Albert, Dr. Christina Curtis, Dr. Aviv Regev, and Dr. Peter K. Sorger

I’m so grateful to everyone making this progress possible, including the many dedicated scientists and their teams, our donors and patient advocates, and especially the patients who participate in our research. Thank you as well to the SU2C Scientific Advisory Committee members; our scientific partner, The American Association for Cancer Research; all of the SU2C staff; my fellow co-founders; and the entertainment community that supports our efforts. With the dedication and spirit of everyone joining forces on this extended SU2C team, I know we’ll continue to find more cures and help more people impacted by this disease thrive.

Please join me in supporting this lifesaving work at StandUpToCancer.Org