Cancer Grand Challenges

Daring to solve some of the most complex challenges in cancer research |  Founded by: @CR_UK & @theNCI

[Cancer Grand Challenges @CancerGrand]

📢 Two new Cancer Grand Challenges 📢

We're calling on international, multidisciplinary research teams to come together and propose bold, innovative approaches to some of the most complex and pressing challenges in gastroesophageal cancer.

With more than 1 million lives lost to gastric and oesophageal cancers each year globally, the need for bold new solutions has never been greater.

Applications close 24 November.

Discover the new challenges: https://t.co/oQdZ3durU9

Winning teams will be funded by the Torrey Coast Foundation and Cancer Research UK (CRUK), through Cancer Grand Challenges.

[Cancer Grand Challenges @CancerGrand]

Great scientific tools aren't built in isolation 👥

For @Jens_Luebeck, Paul Mischel, @VineetBafna3 and the rest of team eDyNAmiC, developing new ways to detect and analyse extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) in cancer means bringing together expertise from across disciplines, and key collaborators such as Jill Mesirov.

The eDyNAmiC team spans computational scientists, cytogeneticists, clinicians, mathematicians and patient advocates, each bringing a different perspective to the challenge.

In our latest challenge update, Jens explains how the team's workflow, AmpliconSuite, is helping researchers identify, classify and study ecDNA at scale, accelerating discovery in one of cancer's most fascinating and complex areas.

👉 Read the full story: https://t.co/Mh9rQ8rAbj

@UCSDMedSchool, @Stanford

[Nature Reviews Cancer @NatureRevCancer]

Gastric and oesophageal cancers caused more than 1 million deaths worldwide in 2024. In this Comment, Cancer Grand Challenges explain how they have launched two targeted challenges to address this unmet need.

#COMMENT

dlvr.​it/TVw10d

[Cancer Grand Challenges @CancerGrand]

We're looking for international, multidisciplinary teams to tackle two major challenges in cancer research:

▶️ Gastroesophageal transformation into cancer: Understand and reverse early tissue changes leading to gastroesophageal cancers.

▶️ Global variation in gastroesophageal cancer: Determine the biological mechanisms underpinning geographical variations in gastroesophageal cancer incidence.

With awards of up to $34m available, now is the time to think big.

Find out more and apply: https://t.co/869IIkyGBO

Full application deadline: 24 November.

@LoiSher

[Cancer Grand Challenges @CancerGrand]

Challenge update: extrachromosomal DNA 🧬

New findings from team eDyNAmiC, published in #NatureGenetics (@NaturePortfolio), show that where ecDNA sits in the cell can limit its power. This could open new avenues for therapies to exploit this weakness, to slow tumour growth and improve outcomes for patients with some of the most aggressive cancers.

The work was led by three early career researchers: Lotte Brückner, Robin Xu and Jun Tang, in the labs of @anton_gh (@MDC_Berlin), Paul Mischel and @HowardYChang (@StanfordMed).

In our latest news article, Lotte talks about her career so far, coordinating more than 60 co-authors, and where she was when she heard the paper was accepted.

👉 Read the full story: https://t.co/4MEQI1UQ4O

[Cancer Grand Challenges @CancerGrand]

Team CANCAN is tackling one of cancer’s least understood complications: cachexia

New findings published today in @NatureMedicine, led by @EdReznik
(@MSKCancerCenter), highlight the potential to predict risk of a cachectic event in the hopes of enabling patients and their clinicians to try and get ahead of this devastating condition.

Read our interview with Ed to learn more about the latest research: https://t.co/DG3MibIkfW

Team CANCAN is co-led by @MarcusDGon, @JanowitzTobias and @EileenWhitePhD, and is funded by @CR_UK and the @theNCI through Cancer Grand Challenges.

[Cancer Grand Challenges @CancerGrand]

How do we move the dial towards the prevention of gastroesophageal cancer?

In @NatureRevCancer, @CharlesSwanton et al. discuss the two targeted Cancer Grand Challenges designed to address critical unmet needs in gastroesophageal cancer.

🔗https://t.co/y5I5xAAFj1

Applications are now open, with up to $34M in funding available for bold, interdisciplinary teams from around the world to take on these challenges.

Visit our website for more information. https://t.co/oQdZ3durU9

[Cancer Grand Challenges @CancerGrand]

A school trip sparked Reuven Agami's curiosity about science 🔬

Today, he's leading team ILLUMINE as they take on the dark proteome challenge.

In our latest Stories Behind the Science interview, Reuven, from @NKI_nl spoke to us about the role of curiosity, serendipity and perseverance in scientific discovery, and shares where he hopes the team’s work will lead.

Read the interview at https://t.co/78nKDK7HpG

ILLUMINE is funded by @CR_UK, @theNCI, @CancerResearch and @KiKa8118 through Cancer Grand Challenges.

[Cancer Grand Challenges @CancerGrand]

New conference announced!

📅 29 September - 1 October 2027
📍Royal Society, London

Full programme, registration details and speaker line-up will be announced soon.

🔗 Find out more and join the waitlist: https://t.co/PAG5TFN0sv

[Cancer Grand Challenges @CancerGrand]

Tackling one of the greatest unmet needs in cancer research will take bold ideas, global collaboration and long-term commitment.

That's why we're proud to be partnering with the Torrey Coast Foundation and @CR_UK on our two targeted Cancer Grand Challenges, focused on gastroesophageal cancers.

Awards of up to $34m available. Apply by 24 November: https://t.co/EvCY7pAVGN

[The Cancer Letter @TheCancerLetter]

Cancer Grand Challenges, through the Torrey Coast Foundation and Cancer Research UK, commits up to $34M to gastroesophageal cancer research
https://t.co/Sh0JWkuje5

[Cancer Grand Challenges @CancerGrand]

Can we predict which T cell receptors will recognise which targets?

That's the challenge being tackled by team MATCHMAKERS.

Their latest research has shown that this may be more feasible than previously thought. Their work, built on a rigorously validated TCR dataset, reveals early predictive capabilities.

There's still much more to do, but findings like these are helping to lay the foundations for a future where data-driven approaches can accelerate progress against cancer.

Congratulations to @MariusMessemak1 (pictured right), Bjørn Kwee (pictured left) and Ton Schumacher from @NKI_nl, and all collaborators for publishing this latest research in @ImmunityCP.

🔗 Read the paper: https://t.co/h3T0XUxZEq

[Cancer Grand Challenges @CancerGrand]

Great to see team KOODAC featured on a recent episode of The Rest Is Science 👏

In the podcast from @GoalhangerHQ in partnership with @CR_UK, @FryRsquared and @tweetsauce explore the team's investigation of the body's natural protein disposal system, and how it can be harnessed to target cancer-causing proteins.

It's a fascinating example of how bold science is opening up new possibilities for children affected by cancer.

Learn more about team KOODAC at https://t.co/wuSzcEfHVM

KOODAC is funded by @CR_UK, @Institut_cancer and KiKa (Children Cancer Free Foundation) through Cancer Grand Challenges.

#ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth

[Cancer Grand Challenges @CancerGrand]

"Everybody thought I was crazy."

When Leanne Li, Team Lead of InteroCANCEption, decided to pursue an unconventional research idea at @TheCrick, she took a chance on something she truly believed in.

Her story is a reminder that some of the most exciting advances begin with questions others might dismiss.

Read Leanne’s full interview at https://t.co/gHnxJFqjOG

📹 Includes footage from Christopher Agathangelou

[Cancer Grand Challenges @CancerGrand]

We’re honoured to be included in the latest @AACR Cancer Progress Report, which highlights the remarkable progress being made in cancer research.

From breakthroughs in understanding cancer to new approaches to treatment, research is changing what’s possible.

[AACR @AACR]

Tomorrow is #WorldCancerResearchDay. Join the AACR and others around the globe in celebrating the tremendous advances in science and medicine highlighted in the new AACR Cancer Progress Report 2026. https://t.co/jzEgcqHIKV #WCRD2026 #AdvancingCancerResearchTogether

[Cancer Grand Challenges @CancerGrand]

Last week, we announced two new Cancer Grand Challenges on gastroesophageal cancers.

What are we looking for?

➡️ Bold ideas

➡️ International research teams

➡️ Diverse expertise from across and beyond the field

With awards of up to $34m available, now is the time to think big.

Learn more and apply by 24 November: https://t.co/ACBhGge5gY