Celebrating the Future of Cancer Research: NCCN Foundation Awards Young Investigators

NCCN Foundation Honors Emerging Leaders in Cancer Research

On April 3, 2025, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) along with the NCCN Foundation proudly celebrated the four recipients of the prestigious 2025 NCCN Foundation Young Investigator Awards (YIA). This award serves as a significant boost for early-career researchers dedicated to transforming cancer care through innovative research and studies.

The awardees, whose groundbreaking projects promise to enhance cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes, are:

- Rachel Abelman, MD from the Mass General Cancer Center, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, will conduct a clinical study titled "A Phase II Study of Response-Guided Sacituzumab Govitecan (SG) in Combination with Pembrolizumab in Localized Triple Negative Breast Cancer (SG) – NeoSTAR A2 Cohort."
- Mathew Angelos, MD, PhD from the University of Colorado Cancer Center will explore safety and clinical activity in his investigation titled "A Phase I, First-In Human Study to Evaluate the Safety and Preliminary Clinical Activity of Autologous Anti-CD64 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cells in Patients with Refractory or Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia."
- Kathryn Tringale, MD, MAS of UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center is set to advance research on "Comprehensive Neuroimaging and Molecular Biomarkers of Neurotoxicity Following CAR T-Cell Therapy."
- Jennifer Zhang, MD from the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania will focus on "Intratumoral CD40 Agonist and Checkpoint Blockade in Resectable Breast Cancer."

Each recipient will benefit from up to $150,000 in funding over two years, with research activities monitored through the NCCN Oncology Research Program (ORP).

Dr. Crystal S. Denlinger, the CEO of NCCN, emphasized the importance of supporting early-career researchers by stating, "Early-career researchers bring fresh perspectives to some of the most complex challenges in cancer care. Supporting these investigators and their work is critical for advancing cancer treatment and outcomes." Denlinger, who herself was a previous YIA recipient, acknowledged the promising impact this funding can make, not just for the investigators, but for the future of cancer research.

The YIA program has become a vital element in the oncology community, with past awardees sharing their findings at the NCCN Annual Conference. Their presentations have provided insights into significant research themes such as molecular residual disease-guided therapy and electronic monitoring for palliative care.

The awards were endorsed by a variety of donors, including AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, and several others, highlighting the collective effort in advancing cancer research. Since its inception in 2011, the NCCN Foundation has granted over $11.7 million through its YIA program to more than 79 researchers, reinforcing its commitment to fostering innovation in cancer treatment.

The NCCN is turning 30 this year, focusing on enhancing patient care through a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers. The organization's clinical practice guidelines are considered the gold standard in oncology management, influencing treatment protocols globally. Furthermore, the NCCN Foundation aims to empower patients and caregivers with reliable resources to navigate their cancer journeys.

For more information about the NCCN Foundation Young Investigator Awards and their impactful research projects, visit NCCN.org/YIA, where you can learn about the past awardees who continue to contribute significantly to the field of oncology.