Capitol News

Cancer research in the United States relies on a complex system of funding involving various partners such as academia, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology start-ups, federal agencies, and private foundations. These entities are interdependent, and any disruption in one can affect the entire system.

Jeffrey MacKeigan, a cancer biologist and senior advisor for the Michigan State University Office of Research and Innovation, discusses the intricacies of cancer research funding. He emphasizes that philanthropic funding plays a crucial role in supporting innovative projects but is limited by its scale and specificity to certain diseases. "Philanthropic funding is a key element in the cancer research ecosystem," MacKeigan notes. However, he also points out that "there are some types of cancers that don’t have foundations dedicated to finding their cure."

The private sector contributes significantly to oncology advancements but tends to prioritize areas with potential financial returns. This focus leaves rare and pediatric cancers often unfunded due to profitability concerns.

Recent national budget cuts pose significant challenges for cancer research. Federal agencies primarily fund this field, and reduced budgets lead to lab closures and stalled projects. "This means that progress made with the investment of federal funds for the past several decades will be lost," warns MacKeigan.

To ensure continued research progress, MacKeigan advocates for strong partnerships within the research ecosystem. "What’s most critical is continued support from the federal government," he states.

Further insights into this topic are available in an article by MacKeigan published in The Conversation: Cancer research in the US is world-class because of its broad base of funding — with the government pulling out, its future is uncertain.