Blog: Engaging Innovation

November 14, 2024

Meeting Recap | Friends of Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024

Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) held our 2024 Annual Meeting on November 12th in Washington, D.C. The meeting was a culmination of the collaborative efforts of scientists, clinicians, advocates, and policymakers to develop innovative solutions to challenges in oncology drug development. The meeting featured two keynote conversations with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf and Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Kimryn Rathmell, and panels discussing three topics: interim OS evaluations, pragmatic trials in the post-marketing setting, and incorporating ctDNA in prospectively designed trials.

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September 30, 2024

Stakeholder Connect | Insights from the September 26, 2024 Meeting of the Oncology Drugs Advisory Committee

Chevron deference was established by the 1984 Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) case of Chevron, U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., which related to EPA’s ability to regulate air quality under the Clean Air Act. The decision mandated that federal courts defer to federal agency’s reasonable interpretation of ambiguous statutes...

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Ryan M. Hohman, JD, VP of Public Affairs, Friends of Cancer Research | September 5, 2024

Stakeholder Connect | Supreme Court Decisions and Their Impact on the FDA and Patients’ Lives: The Overruling of Chevron

Chevron deference was established by the 1984 Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) case of Chevron, U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., which related to EPA’s ability to regulate air quality under the Clean Air Act. The decision mandated that federal courts defer to federal agency’s reasonable interpretation of ambiguous statutes...

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August 30, 2024

Project Pulse | Bridging research and practice: enhancing regulatory decisions with pragmatic clinical trials in oncology

Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) is pleased to announce the publication of our new perspective on the significance of pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs) in ESMO Real World Data and Digital Oncology. PCTs evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in settings that more closely resemble real-world care, aiming to produce evidence directly applicable to clinical practice. Recognizing…

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July 26, 2024

Stakeholder Connect | Insights from the July 25, 2024 Meeting of the Oncology Drug Advisory Committee

Emerging data from clinical trials evaluating the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) as part of adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and perioperative regimens indicate improved outcomes for patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including early data suggesting a survival benefit. Perioperative treatment encompasses the entire period surrounding surgery, with neoadjuvant therapy administered before surgery and…

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June 11, 2024

Stakeholder Connect | Congressional Hearing Focuses on Key Issues Facing FDA and the Future of Cancer Research

Testimony for the hearing noted the recent authorities provided through the Food and Drug Omnibus Reform Act of 2022 (FDORA) designed to enhance the accelerated approval program and ensure timely generation of confirmatory evidence.

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June 10, 2024

Friends’ Advocate Insights | Chris White’s Experience with TIL Therapy and His Advocacy Work

Chris White is a passionate advocate for cell therapies. He spends his time collaborating with patient advocacy groups, philanthropy organizations, and industry stakeholders focused on melanoma and cell therapy.

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May 28, 2024

Meeting Recap | Friends’ Cell Therapies Webinar for Advocates

On May 23rd, Friends of Cancer Research hosted a public webinar, “Friends’ Cell Therapies Webinar for Advocates,” spotlighting the pivotal role of patient advocacy and cell and gene therapies in cancer care. Dr. Alex Marson from Gladstone Institutes presented CRISPR’s potential in cancer immunotherapy, while Chris White, author and patient advocate, shared his journey with metastatic melanoma and the success of a tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) therapy trial, emphasizing the impact of cell therapies in remission. The webinar bridged the gap between research and tangible patient outcomes by facilitating an open dialogue and an engaging Q&A session between the live audience and panelists. 

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Brittany Avin McKelvey, PhD | May 20, 2024

Data Driven Insights | Assessing the Impact of the Research to Accelerate Cures and Equity (RACE) Act

While significant progress has been made in cancer treatment and care, this progress has not always easily translated to new treatments for pediatric oncology patients. In 2003, the Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA) passed requiring the study of cancer therapeutics in certain pediatric cases.

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May 13, 2024

Meeting Recap | Unlocking Complex Cell-Based Gene Therapies

On May 6th, Friends of Cancer Research and Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy hosted a public meeting, “Unlocking Complex Cell-Based Therapies,” to discuss innovative frameworks and proposals for enhancing the safety, expansion, and activity of the next generation of cell-based gene therapies. Panels addressed operational and biological challenges to advancing cell and gene therapies, novel approaches to clinical trials, the expansion of cell therapies for solid tumors, and included patient insights and experiences with these complex therapies.

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