The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Genitourinary (GU) Cancers Symposium of 2025, held in San Francisco, California, featured a keynote presentation by Dr. William Dahut, Chief Scientific Officer for the American Cancer Society (ACS). The topic of his presentation was the integration of innovative science to enhance patient-centered care in oncology, with a particular emphasis on advances by the ACS. At the forefront of ACS’s efforts, Dr. Dahut discussed their integrated approach, which comprises over $517 million in grants for cancer research across the U.S., comprehensive advocacy at all levels of government spanning all 50 states, and substantial patient support impacting over 20,000 communities nationwide.
ACS’s Integrated Approach to Cancer Research and Advocacy
Dr. Dahut highlighted the ACS’s commitment to funding cancer research through substantial grants. With over $517 million allocated across the U.S., the ACS supports a wide range of innovative projects aimed at improving cancer treatment and patient outcomes. This financial commitment is complemented by comprehensive advocacy efforts at all levels of government, ensuring that cancer research and patient care remain a priority across all 50 states. This dual-pronged approach not only enhances scientific discoveries but also translates these findings into tangible benefits for patients through policy and support systems.
The ACS’s patient support initiatives are equally impressive, impacting over 20,000 communities nationwide. These efforts are designed to provide comprehensive care and resources to cancer patients, ensuring that they receive the support they need throughout their treatment journey. By addressing both the scientific and practical needs, the ACS creates a more holistic support system for individuals battling cancer. This level of patient engagement ensures that the fruits of high-level research make their way into the daily lives of countless families, providing hope and assistance where it is most needed.
EDS Accelerator and Catalyst Grants: Fueling Innovation
One of the cornerstones of the ACS’s innovation strategies is the introduction of the EDS Accelerator Grants. These grants aim to fund crucial experiments necessary for product commercialization, such as new drugs and diagnostics, by providing up to $75,000 per project. These awards are currently exclusive to ACS-funded researchers and have a rolling submission process with monthly reviews. This approach allows for agile and continuous support to promising projects, fostering a dynamic environment where groundbreaking discoveries can quickly move from the lab to real-world application.
Another notable initiative is the Catalyst Grants, which will dispense over $3 million in 2024, distributed across 20 grants to different institutions. These grants are designed to support innovative research projects that have the potential to significantly impact cancer treatment and patient care. By providing substantial financial backing, the ACS ensures that the most promising research, regardless of its preliminary stage, has the resources required to advance toward clinical application. These grants reflect the ACS’s commitment to nurturing innovation at multiple stages of the research pipeline, ensuring that new ideas can grow and evolve into practical therapies.
Addressing Health Disparities in Prostate Cancer
A major focus for the ACS has been addressing health disparities in prostate cancer, noting the higher risks and mortality rates among minority groups. Since the establishment of the Cancer Health Equity Research Centers (CHERC) in 2021, the ACS has allocated $32.7 million through eight CHERC grants. These efforts underscore the commitment to identifying and supporting high-risk groups and mitigating racial disparities in cancer outcomes. By directing resources towards the most affected communities, the ACS aims to bridge the gap in health outcomes and ensure that advancements in cancer care benefit all demographics equally.
Data indicates that prostate cancer prevalence is increasing mainly due to more cases of regional and localized disease, emphasizing the need for early detection and management improvements. Mortality remains highest among Black patients, pointing to entrenched disparities that necessitate targeted intervention strategies. These statistics highlight the urgent need for focused efforts on early screening, awareness programs, and tailored treatment plans that can effectively address these disparities and improve survival rates among minority populations.
Training and Diversity in Cancer Research
To foster future researchers and ensure diversity in the field, the ACS provides training opportunities spanning all educational levels—from high school to research fellowships. The goal is to build a diverse, inclusive research community that integrates talents from various backgrounds, ultimately leading to innovative collaborations. By investing in education and mentorship programs, the ACS aims to pave the way for the next generation of cancer researchers who can bring new perspectives and approaches to the fight against cancer.
The lack of diversity in prostate cancer clinical trials further complicates these issues. Among 70 Phase III randomized trials involving 893,000 participants, 19% did not report race or ethnicity, and 96% of participants were White. This lack of diversity diminishes the generalizability of trial findings, showing an urgent need for more inclusive participant enrollment. Ensuring that clinical studies reflect the diverse demographic of the population is crucial for developing effective treatments that work across different racial and ethnic groups.
Overcoming Barriers to Clinical Trial Participation
Barriers to improving diversity include limited trial availability, lack of direct patient invitations, and structural inequities in accessing trials. While increasing participation is often the focal point, a more holistic approach is needed. The ACS is addressing these through initiatives such as the Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Community Expansion Grants to improve accessibility and participation. These grants are designed to create a more inclusive landscape for clinical trials, ensuring that all patients have the opportunity to benefit from cutting-edge treatments.
The ACS CAN (Cancer Action Network) is working on overcoming logistical issues, with particular strategies for different institution types. Academic centers generally offer more trial opportunities than community sites. Barriers to patient participation include pragmatic issues like cost, time, transportation, and philosophical concerns such as mistrust and aversion to randomization. Despite these challenges, approximately 55% of patients offered trial participation will accept, with no significant difference in acceptance rates by race. These insights indicate that if barriers are properly addressed, there is a high willingness among diverse patient populations to participate in clinical research.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Oncology
Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds promise for revolutionizing patient care in cancer treatment, from preclinical target discovery to imaging and clinical predictions. AI has potential applications in reducing healthcare disparities and enhancing access to quality treatments. For instance, a recent ASCO publication detailed how AI could improve clinical decision-making, facilitate early detection, and enable personalized treatments in prostate cancer. The integration of AI in clinical practices offers a promising avenue for making advanced cancer care more accurate and accessible.
The Artera AI model was highlighted for its role in guiding personalized treatment decisions using image data from over 5,000 patients across multiple clinical trials in the US and Canada. Additionally, machine learning has been used to predict outcomes in other cancers, such as renal cancer, by analyzing transcriptomic data from the IMmotion 151 and JAVELIN Renal 101 trials. These technologies demonstrate AI’s capability to analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, offering insights that can lead to more effective and customized treatment plans.
AI in Pathology and Data Abstraction
The 2025 Genitourinary (GU) Cancers Symposium organized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) took place in San Francisco, California. A notable highlight was the keynote presentation by Dr. William Dahut, who serves as the Chief Scientific Officer for the American Cancer Society (ACS). Dr. Dahut’s address focused on the integration of cutting-edge science to improve patient-centered care in oncology, emphasizing the strides made by the American Cancer Society.
Dr. Dahut elaborated on the ACS’s comprehensive and integrated approach to cancer research and care. The ACS has allocated over $517 million in grants to fund cancer research across the United States. Their advocacy efforts are widespread, engaging with all levels of government across all 50 states to promote policies that support cancer research and patient care. Additionally, they offer extensive patient support services, positively impacting more than 20,000 communities across the nation.
Through these efforts, the ACS aims to advance the understanding of cancer and enhance the care patients receive. By integrating innovative scientific research with practical patient support programs and robust advocacy, the ACS continues to make significant contributions to the field of oncology, demonstrating their commitment to improving the lives of those affected by cancer.
