Share

Research, Funding and Drug Development

Improvements in outcomes for cancer patients require continued research and innovation.  ACS CAN advocates for robust federal funding for cancer research, as well as research and drug approval policies that accelerate the development of new treatments while still ensuring patient safety.

Research, Funding and Drug Development Resources:

Our latest Survivor Views survey underscores the critical role of evidence-based vaccinations in promoting public health and protecting communities impacted by cancer. Cancer patients and survivors overwhelmingly agree on the importance of community immunization, oppose limits to vaccine access, and support school entry requirements. In addition, the survey finds strong support for investment in the oncology potential of vaccines.

ACS CAN submitted a response to the December 2025 Request for Information on Accelerating the Adoption and Use of Artificial Intelligence as Part of Clinical Care. 

Twenty five groups joined to ask the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) to create a safe harbor from the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) allowing sponsors to financially support participants in cancer clinical trials. 

Our latest survey finds 80% of cancer patients and survivors agree that industries making FDA-regulated products should provide some of the cost of FDA’s public health oversight. The survey also reveals hesitency toward the increased use of AI, mirroring the sentiment of the American public. Cancer patients and survivors offer tempered support for the use of AI in FDA product reviews if funding cuts extend review times, with a plurality undecided on whether they support or oppose it.

Over 130 organizations have endorsed the Clinical Trial Modernization Act (H.R. 3521).  The legislation would address known barriers to cancer clinical trial participation, enabling financial and technical support of patients enrolled on trials while protecting them from unexpected tax burdens from that support. 

The Clinical Trial Modernization Act (H.R. 3521) increase access to clinical trials by allowing clinical trial sponsors to provide financial support to patients for costs associated with their trial participation, including medical cost-sharing like copays, and non-medical expenses such as travel, parking, food and lodging.

To ensure that the research being conducted today yields the cancer treatments of tomorrow, Congress must sustain and expand the support it is currently providing. ACS CAN urges Congress to provide $51.3 billion for NIH and $7.93 billion for NCI for FY2026. 

In response to a Department of Commerce request, ACS CAN submitted comments on the role of pharmaceutical products manufactured outside of the U.S. and the potential impacts that tariffs could have on the availability of generic sterile injectable drugs needed by patients with cancer. 

The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) has been funding cancer research for over 30 years and is a significant source of grants.  The recent continuing resolution to fund the FY25 budget cut the CDMRP program significantly.