New York, NY – Sept 24, 2024 – The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) is investing $70.3 million—BCRF’s largest annual program in its 31-year history— to fund breast cancer research in 2024-2025, supporting more than 260 scientists at leading academic and medical institutions across 15 countries. The investment will span the entire spectrum of the disease, from its very origins to its farthest reach: metastatic disease.
The Foundation serves as the sentinel of innovation—bridging institutions, scientists, and data around the world. With this unparalleled private funding, BCRF is poised to propel breakthroughs to achieve its two key goals: prevent breast cancer and end its life-threatening grasp. Key areas of research include investments in artificial intelligence and contrast enhanced mammography to improve screening and early detection; precision prevention strategies like vaccines for high-risk populations; and better, more effective treatments, especially for aggressive forms of the disease.
“Since our founding in 1993, the researchers we support have been pushing boundaries, forging innovation and achieving groundbreaking results,” said BCRF President & CEO Donna McKay. “And that progress is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. Case in point: There have been more novel treatments for breast cancer developed in the last decade than in the prior three decades, combined. We’ve never been more able to improve, and lengthen, lives for women living with metastatic disease but advances can’t come fast enough—not for those living with breast cancer, not for their loved ones and not for us. We extend our deepest thanks to our supporters for making this year’s pioneering research possible.”
“Despite significant advances in understanding and treating breast cancer, it remains the leading cause of cancer incidence and death among women worldwide.” said BCRF Chief Scientific Officer Dorraya El-Ashry, PhD. “We must persist in advancing treatments and prevention strategies while striving to ensure equitable access to these advancements for all patients. Our funding enables some of the world’s most talented scientists to pursue bold new ideas across the entire spectrum of breast cancer that pave the way for future breakthroughs.”
Learn more about our research projects by tuning in to BCRF’s official podcast, Investigating Breast Cancer, available on all platforms, for one-on-one interviews with the world’s leading breast cancer experts. And keep up with the latest developments in breast cancer research on BCRF’s blog, The Progress Report.
BCRF funds a diverse array of research projects, including those in the following major focus areas:
BCRF is leading the charge in leveraging the vast potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in breast cancer research. AI, with its capability to process large datasets, identify patterns, and make predictions, is poised to revolutionize breast cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment. BCRF researchers are already integrating AI to improve early detection, refine risk assessments, and personalize treatment plans. As AI technology continues to evolve, it promises to enhance breast cancer care by improving screening accuracy, predicting treatment responses, and fostering better doctor-patient communication.
Simultaneously, AI has the potential to further advance BCRF’s Global Data Hub, a first-of-its-kind centralized collection of breast cancer research data. The wide and varied datasets contained within the Data Hub, when shared with others and coupled with AI-driven analytics, will dramatically expedite results, inform new studies, and amplify the impact of all BCRF investments, including leading-edge investigations into metastasis.
While deaths from breast cancer have declined by 43 percent over the last 30 years, the same has not held true across all U.S. populations. Most alarmingly, Black women are 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. BCRF is committed to addressing disparities by taking a multi-pronged approach to study the root causes of this inequity. In partnership with The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation, BCRF’s Health Equity Initiative launched in 2023, was developed to examine factors from genetic to environmental that impact the disparity gap. Investigators have already collated patient data from three large studies with ongoing analysis aimed at uncovering how the intersection of tumor biology and social determinants of health impact Black women’s breast cancer.
Preventing breast cancer from developing is the key to reducing its incidence. To this end, BCRF is backing 56 research projects aimed at understanding risk factors and creating strategies to mitigate them. These studies explore how obesity, environmental exposures, and other influences contribute to breast cancer risk, while seeking lifestyle interventions that could prevent the disease. BCRF’s Precision Prevention Initiative (PPI) is advance a new standard in tailored prevention, focusing on risk assessment, biomarker identification, and alternative preventive measures beyond surgery.
With nearly half of BCRF’s annual funding dedicated to metastatic breast cancer research—$32.8 million invested in 86 projects—driving progress in treating the disease this year alone, BCRF continues to be the largest private funder of metastatic research in the world. These studies focus on understanding how breast cancer cells spread, identifying biomarkers to predict metastasis, and developing therapies to treat or prevent it. Through the Evelyn H. Lauder Founder’s Fund, BCRF supports the AURORA projects, the most extensive international effort dedicated to MBC research. This global initiative is providing crucial insights into the molecular mechanisms driving metastasis, shaping the next generation of MBC therapies.
Tumor biology research forms the foundation of over half of BCRF’s grant portfolio, with 172 projects exploring cancer initiation, growth pathways, and biomarkers. By continuously supporting research into the fundamental biology of cancer, BCRF has been instrumental in driving advancements in precision medicine and targeted therapies.
BCRF continues to invest in understanding genetic risk factors for breast cancer, with 56 ongoing projects. Beyond BRCA1 and BRCA2, researchers are studying lesser-known genes such as PALB2, CHEK2, and ATM. And they are assessing the utility of “polygenic risk scores,” a combined measure of common gene mutations, to predict breast cancer risk. Their results may also inform the development of prevention and screening strategies for those determined to be at high risk.
With nearly 4 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. and an estimated 200,000 people living with metastatic disease, BCRF funds 35 projects dedicated to improving the quality of life during and after treatment. These studies aim to address the physical, emotional, and psychosocial challenges faced by breast cancer patients, ensuring that survivors not only live longer but also enjoy fuller, more productive lives.
Since 1993, the Foundation has changed the trajectory of breast cancer—impacting the entire field of cancer care.
With the progress made over the last three decades, BCRF is focused on the future: the chance to build on those advances and, one day, end the disease. As global incidence continues to rise, with over 300,000 new diagnoses expected in the U.S. this year alone, the need to accelerate research has become increasingly acute.
“We each take this challenge personally,” said McKay. “From scientists to staff to our board, many of us know the impact of breast cancer firsthand. Whether we’ve lost a loved one, celebrated with a friend completing treatment, wished we had better news to give the patient sitting in front of us, or grappled with a diagnosis of our own, our dedication to ending breast cancer comes from a place of connection and conviction.
“We share that conviction with our community, a tremendously diverse group that includes everyone touched by the disease. These are patients, their loved ones, and their care teams, of course, but also those who simply feel inspired to help: the neighbor who walks your dog when chemo has left you exhausted, the twenty-something gamer who streams to raise funds for research.
“We are united by our personal connection to breast cancer, the sense of responsibility we feel to those who have it, and our hope for a future without it.”
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