Cancer Prevention Initiative

In 2023, Cancer Prevention Initiative (CPI) opened an application cycle to identify new projects to fund. We accepted proposals pertaining to the therapeutic prevention of any inherited cancer, as we wish to expand our research portfolio beyond BRCA1/2 mutated cancers to all inherited cancers. We received applications covering all three strategic categories of research: Discovery research that expands the knowledge of early-pre-cancer stages and mechanisms of cancer initiation, development of early detection tests, and the development of chemo and/or immunotherapeutic agents. The response exceeded our expectations, with a total of 79 applications received. This volume indicates both the need for funding in this area and the enthusiasm of the research community to invest their discovery efforts in prevention. Also in 2023, CPI's ongoing research grant recipients have advanced towards greater understanding of preventing inherited cancers. Ongoing projects include Cleveland Clinic, where investigators seek to identify proteins uniquely and highly expressed in breast cancer of BRCA1 mutation carriers. Identification of these unique proteins is an important link for developing preventative vaccines. Also continuing is a project with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to generate a robust cellular assay that would allow for the screening of hundreds of compounds to identify determinants of Loss of Heterozygosity (LoH) of BRCA genes. LoH is a major driver in cancer initiation, and discovery of compounds that cause LoH can be key for prevention discoveries. Other ongoing projects include Harvard's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where they are working to identify cancer risk predictors in the reproductive epithelium in BRCA mutation carriers, and work at the University of Toronto to screen for drugs that can restore normal BRCA1 function to BRCA1 deficient cells.

Education and engagement programs: As we move closer to our goal of eradicating all cancers through preventative medicines, we believe that educating the public and raising awareness about inherited cancer syndromes will inspire more individuals to take proactive, life-saving preventive measures. One of the goals is to enhance the scientific reach of the organization and raise awareness on cancer prevention to a broader audience of patients, advocates and donors. Updates on scientific and medical research advances, recent clinical trials, and interviews with experts in cancer prevention are published on web-based platforms.