The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research
@themarkfdn.bsky.social
Partnering with scientists to accelerate transformation in cancer research.
ASPIRE Award: Peter Sorger and Christine Brown are using spatial profiling to see exactly how CAR T cells interact with the tumor environment, helping to make immunotherapy more effective for brain cancer. 📍
February 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM
ASPIRE Award: Peter Sorger and Christine Brown are using spatial profiling to see exactly how CAR T cells interact with the tumor environment, helping to make immunotherapy more effective for brain cancer. 📍
ASPIRE Award: Daniel Schramek and Dan Wahl are using advanced screening to identify the specific genetic drivers behind both IDH-mutant and IDH-wildtype gliomas to find new drug targets. 🧬🔍
February 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM
ASPIRE Award: Daniel Schramek and Dan Wahl are using advanced screening to identify the specific genetic drivers behind both IDH-mutant and IDH-wildtype gliomas to find new drug targets. 🧬🔍
ASPIRE Award: Justin Lathia is investigating how platelets interact with immune cells in the brain to drive tumor growth and testing whether existing drugs can be repurposed to improve outcomes.🩸🧠
February 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM
ASPIRE Award: Justin Lathia is investigating how platelets interact with immune cells in the brain to drive tumor growth and testing whether existing drugs can be repurposed to improve outcomes.🩸🧠
ASPIRE Award: E. Antonio Chiocca and Marco Mineo are developing antisense oligonucleotides as a new approach to shut down the immune-escape mechanisms that make it difficult to fight glioblastoma. 💉🛡️
February 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM
ASPIRE Award: E. Antonio Chiocca and Marco Mineo are developing antisense oligonucleotides as a new approach to shut down the immune-escape mechanisms that make it difficult to fight glioblastoma. 💉🛡️
Endeavor Award:
@rameenberoukhim.bsky.social, William Kaelin Jr., Keith Ligon, Daniel Schramek, and Jason Moffat are mapping aneuploidies—large-scale genetic changes—to find new therapeutic targets that exist in nearly every cell of a glioblastoma tumor. 🗺️🔬
@rameenberoukhim.bsky.social, William Kaelin Jr., Keith Ligon, Daniel Schramek, and Jason Moffat are mapping aneuploidies—large-scale genetic changes—to find new therapeutic targets that exist in nearly every cell of a glioblastoma tumor. 🗺️🔬
February 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Endeavor Award:
@rameenberoukhim.bsky.social, William Kaelin Jr., Keith Ligon, Daniel Schramek, and Jason Moffat are mapping aneuploidies—large-scale genetic changes—to find new therapeutic targets that exist in nearly every cell of a glioblastoma tumor. 🗺️🔬
@rameenberoukhim.bsky.social, William Kaelin Jr., Keith Ligon, Daniel Schramek, and Jason Moffat are mapping aneuploidies—large-scale genetic changes—to find new therapeutic targets that exist in nearly every cell of a glioblastoma tumor. 🗺️🔬
📢 In partnership with the Sontag Foundation, @braintumor.org, the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation, the Uncle Kory Foundation & Fondation Anne et Claude Berda, we're committing new funding to 5 teams tackling the world’s most aggressive brain tumor. 🧠🧬
themarkfoundation.org/2026/02/the-...
themarkfoundation.org/2026/02/the-...
February 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM
📢 In partnership with the Sontag Foundation, @braintumor.org, the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation, the Uncle Kory Foundation & Fondation Anne et Claude Berda, we're committing new funding to 5 teams tackling the world’s most aggressive brain tumor. 🧠🧬
themarkfoundation.org/2026/02/the-...
themarkfoundation.org/2026/02/the-...
@landau.bsky.social @rdrapkin8-penn.bsky.social Paul Mischel, and Adam Widman are searching for pre-cancerous signals of ovarian cancer in the blood, laying the foundation for non-invasive screening test. 🩸@tinaswish.bsky.social
@weillcornell.bsky.social @mskcancercenter.bsky.social
@weillcornell.bsky.social @mskcancercenter.bsky.social
February 3, 2026 at 6:18 PM
@landau.bsky.social @rdrapkin8-penn.bsky.social Paul Mischel, and Adam Widman are searching for pre-cancerous signals of ovarian cancer in the blood, laying the foundation for non-invasive screening test. 🩸@tinaswish.bsky.social
@weillcornell.bsky.social @mskcancercenter.bsky.social
@weillcornell.bsky.social @mskcancercenter.bsky.social
Peter Sorger, David Walt, Sandro Santagata, and @rdrapkin8-penn.bsky.social are mapping ovarian cancer precursors to enable detection and treatment of the disease while it is still localized. 🗺️💊 @break-cancer.bsky.social
@harvard.edu @pennmedicine.bsky.social
@harvard.edu @pennmedicine.bsky.social
February 3, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Peter Sorger, David Walt, Sandro Santagata, and @rdrapkin8-penn.bsky.social are mapping ovarian cancer precursors to enable detection and treatment of the disease while it is still localized. 🗺️💊 @break-cancer.bsky.social
@harvard.edu @pennmedicine.bsky.social
@harvard.edu @pennmedicine.bsky.social
Christina Curtis, Greg Charville, William Grady, and Rebecca Fitzgerald are using AI & advanced computational tools to spot early warning signs in the esophagus before cancer develops. 🖥️🔍 @break-cancer.bsky.social
@stanford-cancer.bsky.social
@stanford-cancer.bsky.social
February 3, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Christina Curtis, Greg Charville, William Grady, and Rebecca Fitzgerald are using AI & advanced computational tools to spot early warning signs in the esophagus before cancer develops. 🖥️🔍 @break-cancer.bsky.social
@stanford-cancer.bsky.social
@stanford-cancer.bsky.social
Trevor Pugh, Brian Crompton, @doctorpauln77.bsky.social, and @karanoelle.bsky.social are developing an accurate, accessible blood test for patients with very high inherited cancer risk due to conditions such as Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. 🧬
@stjuderesearch.bsky.social
@danafarber.bsky.social
@stjuderesearch.bsky.social
@danafarber.bsky.social
February 3, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Trevor Pugh, Brian Crompton, @doctorpauln77.bsky.social, and @karanoelle.bsky.social are developing an accurate, accessible blood test for patients with very high inherited cancer risk due to conditions such as Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. 🧬
@stjuderesearch.bsky.social
@danafarber.bsky.social
@stjuderesearch.bsky.social
@danafarber.bsky.social
Brian Wolpin, Andrew Aguirre, Julie Sutcliffe, and Laura Wood are using new drugs to detect and "label" pre-cancerous lesions in the pancreas and prevent their progression to advanced cancer. 🛑
@danafarber.bsky.social
@ucdavis.bsky.social
@danafarber.bsky.social
@ucdavis.bsky.social
February 3, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Brian Wolpin, Andrew Aguirre, Julie Sutcliffe, and Laura Wood are using new drugs to detect and "label" pre-cancerous lesions in the pancreas and prevent their progression to advanced cancer. 🛑
@danafarber.bsky.social
@ucdavis.bsky.social
@danafarber.bsky.social
@ucdavis.bsky.social
Nikolaos Sgourakis, Mark Sellmyer, & @possuhuanglab.bsky.social are developing radioactive imaging agents to detect KRAS mutations, which drive 90% of pancreatic tumors but can’t currently be seen on scans. ☢️
@stanford.edu
@upenn.edu
@stanford.edu
@upenn.edu
February 3, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Nikolaos Sgourakis, Mark Sellmyer, & @possuhuanglab.bsky.social are developing radioactive imaging agents to detect KRAS mutations, which drive 90% of pancreatic tumors but can’t currently be seen on scans. ☢️
@stanford.edu
@upenn.edu
@stanford.edu
@upenn.edu
Christopher Johnston is engineering human-derived bacteria to act as "cellular therapies," infiltrating solid tumors to deliver medicine directly into the most treatment-resistant environments. 🧫 @mdanderson.bsky.social
January 14, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Christopher Johnston is engineering human-derived bacteria to act as "cellular therapies," infiltrating solid tumors to deliver medicine directly into the most treatment-resistant environments. 🧫 @mdanderson.bsky.social
Mariella Filbin is exploring how aggressive childhood brain tumors hijack normal brain activity to repair their own DNA. This research aims to break through radiation resistance in diffuse midline gliomas. 🧠 @danafarbernews.bsky.social
January 14, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Mariella Filbin is exploring how aggressive childhood brain tumors hijack normal brain activity to repair their own DNA. This research aims to break through radiation resistance in diffuse midline gliomas. 🧠 @danafarbernews.bsky.social
Lucas Farnung will use "visual biochemistry" at atomic resolution to see exactly how errors in DNA replication drive cancer. This high-def view will reveal brand-new targets for drug development. 🔬 @harvardmed.bsky.social @lucas.farnunglab.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Lucas Farnung will use "visual biochemistry" at atomic resolution to see exactly how errors in DNA replication drive cancer. This high-def view will reveal brand-new targets for drug development. 🔬 @harvardmed.bsky.social @lucas.farnunglab.com
Iok In Christine Chio is developing non-invasive imaging to detect pancreatic cancer in its earliest stages by tracking how the disease redistributes iron throughout the body. 🔍 @columbiacancer.bsky.social @columbiamed.bsky.social
January 14, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Iok In Christine Chio is developing non-invasive imaging to detect pancreatic cancer in its earliest stages by tracking how the disease redistributes iron throughout the body. 🔍 @columbiacancer.bsky.social @columbiamed.bsky.social
Jeremy Borniger, The Bakewell Foundation Emerging Leader Awardee, will investigate "synthetic torpor"—inducing a hibernation-like state to globally suppress metabolism. The goal? Starve tumors while sparing healthy tissue. ❄️🧬 @cshlnews.bsky.social
January 14, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Jeremy Borniger, The Bakewell Foundation Emerging Leader Awardee, will investigate "synthetic torpor"—inducing a hibernation-like state to globally suppress metabolism. The goal? Starve tumors while sparing healthy tissue. ❄️🧬 @cshlnews.bsky.social
📢 Announcing The Mark Foundation 2026 Emerging Leader Award winners! 📢
We are committing $3.75 million to 5 visionary early-career scientists poised to lead the next generation of oncology breakthroughs. We can't wait to see their impact!
themarkfoundation.org/2026/01/2026...
We are committing $3.75 million to 5 visionary early-career scientists poised to lead the next generation of oncology breakthroughs. We can't wait to see their impact!
themarkfoundation.org/2026/01/2026...
January 14, 2026 at 11:16 AM
📢 Announcing The Mark Foundation 2026 Emerging Leader Award winners! 📢
We are committing $3.75 million to 5 visionary early-career scientists poised to lead the next generation of oncology breakthroughs. We can't wait to see their impact!
themarkfoundation.org/2026/01/2026...
We are committing $3.75 million to 5 visionary early-career scientists poised to lead the next generation of oncology breakthroughs. We can't wait to see their impact!
themarkfoundation.org/2026/01/2026...
We're back from the @theaacr.bsky.social Special Conference on Early Onset Cancers! A major highlight was the update from Mark Foundation-Waxman Foundation grantee Ashani Weeraratna on her research into how the aging tumor immune microenvironment influences tumor progression. #AACRearlyonset25
December 15, 2025 at 9:23 PM
We're back from the @theaacr.bsky.social Special Conference on Early Onset Cancers! A major highlight was the update from Mark Foundation-Waxman Foundation grantee Ashani Weeraratna on her research into how the aging tumor immune microenvironment influences tumor progression. #AACRearlyonset25
From bench to bedside! In a Phase 1 trial, a vaccine targeting a neoantigen in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC), a rare liver cancer primarily affecting younger people, showed significant clinical benefit when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
December 4, 2025 at 9:07 PM
From bench to bedside! In a Phase 1 trial, a vaccine targeting a neoantigen in fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC), a rare liver cancer primarily affecting younger people, showed significant clinical benefit when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Every day counts in the fight against cancer—and we can’t afford to let reduced federal funding slow progress. Your support this #GivingTuesday helps The Mark Foundation fund ambitious science and bring breakthroughs to the patients who need them. themarkfoundation.org/donate/
December 2, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Every day counts in the fight against cancer—and we can’t afford to let reduced federal funding slow progress. Your support this #GivingTuesday helps The Mark Foundation fund ambitious science and bring breakthroughs to the patients who need them. themarkfoundation.org/donate/
It's been a productive 3 days in Bergamo, Italy, at the @helloeacr.bsky.social - Mark Foundation Joint Conference: The Rise of Early-Onset Cancers! Participants have shared new insights into the rise in cancer among young patients & identified paths forward for prevention, detection, & treatment.
November 13, 2025 at 12:26 PM
It's been a productive 3 days in Bergamo, Italy, at the @helloeacr.bsky.social - Mark Foundation Joint Conference: The Rise of Early-Onset Cancers! Participants have shared new insights into the rise in cancer among young patients & identified paths forward for prevention, detection, & treatment.
The @theaacr.bsky.social–Mark Foundation Chemistry in Cancer Research Grants are now accepting Letters of Intent!
We’re seeking bold, innovative approaches in chemistry and chemical biology to tackle the biggest challenges in cancer.
Learn more and apply: www.aacr.org/grants/aacr-...
We’re seeking bold, innovative approaches in chemistry and chemical biology to tackle the biggest challenges in cancer.
Learn more and apply: www.aacr.org/grants/aacr-...
November 5, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The @theaacr.bsky.social–Mark Foundation Chemistry in Cancer Research Grants are now accepting Letters of Intent!
We’re seeking bold, innovative approaches in chemistry and chemical biology to tackle the biggest challenges in cancer.
Learn more and apply: www.aacr.org/grants/aacr-...
We’re seeking bold, innovative approaches in chemistry and chemical biology to tackle the biggest challenges in cancer.
Learn more and apply: www.aacr.org/grants/aacr-...
Huge congratulations to @rosslevinemd.bsky.social, who has been named @mskcancercenter.bsky.social's new Chief Scientific Officer! We’re deeply grateful to have his expertise on our Board of Directors and as Chair of our Scientific Advisory Committee.
www.mskcc.org/news-release...
www.mskcc.org/news-release...
October 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Huge congratulations to @rosslevinemd.bsky.social, who has been named @mskcancercenter.bsky.social's new Chief Scientific Officer! We’re deeply grateful to have his expertise on our Board of Directors and as Chair of our Scientific Advisory Committee.
www.mskcc.org/news-release...
www.mskcc.org/news-release...
The Emerging Leader Award program “lets people follow where the science goes,” says 2019 winner Andrew Lane. That flexibility has allowed him to bring discoveries from bench to bedside with impressive speed. Learn more in our 2024 Annual Report: 2024.themarkfoundation.org/an-emerging-...
October 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
The Emerging Leader Award program “lets people follow where the science goes,” says 2019 winner Andrew Lane. That flexibility has allowed him to bring discoveries from bench to bedside with impressive speed. Learn more in our 2024 Annual Report: 2024.themarkfoundation.org/an-emerging-...