Spotlight onADVANCES INBLOOD CANCER F O RU N I F Y I N GA C O N T I N U U M O FINNOVATIONIMPACTA N DCANCERSCIENCEMEDICINE: AACR.orgCancerProgressReport.org#CancerProgressReport AACRCANCERPROGRESSREPORT2025 AACR.orgCancerProgressReport.org#CancerProgressReport PLEASE CITE THIS REPORT AS:American Association for Cancer Research®. AACR Cancer Progress Report 2025.Accessed: [Month] [Day], [Year]. Available from: [Link] ISBN: 979-8-9857852-8-9 Table of Contents Message From AACR1Executive Summary3Snapshot of a Year of Progress12Cancer in 202514 Limit Exposure to Environmental Risk Factors67Where You Live Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69Where You Work Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69Be Cognizant of Hormonal Factors69Family Planning, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding. . . . .69Hormone Replacement Therapy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Research: Driving Progress Against Cancer14 Cancer Screening for Early Detection71 Routine Cancer Screening Saves Lives71Evidence Guides Cancer ScreeningRecommendations73Eligibility Criteria for Cancer Screening. . . . . . . . . . . .73Recommendations for Cancer Screening. . . . . . . . . . .73Tests for Cancer Screening. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 Funding Cancer Research: A Vital Investment26 Understanding the Pathto Cancer Development29 Research Improves the Science of Screening76 Screening Uptake78Reducing Structural Barriers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80Integrating Patient Navigation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81Engaging Communities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82 Cancer Development: GeneratingKnowledge Through Basic Research29Basic Research Decoding Cancer’s Complexities. . . .31 Cancer Development: Translating Knowledgeto Understand the Biology of Cancer34 Technological Innovations Advance CancerScreening for Early Detection82 Influences Inside the Cell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34Genetic Alterations34RNA Variations37Protein Modifications38Epigenetic Changes40 Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI). . . . . . . . . . . . .82Advances in Minimally InvasiveScreening Approaches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84Advances in Imaging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85Genetic Insights Advancing Cancer RiskReduction and Interception. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 Influences Outside the Cell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Circulatory and Immune Systems41The Nervous System43Microbiome44Tumor Microenvironment45 Unifying Cancer Science and Medicine:A Continuum of Innovation for Impact88 Medical Research88Clinical Research. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89Innovations in Cancer Clinical Trials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 Cancer Development: Integrating Knowledgeto Advance Precision Medicine46 Technological Innovations FuelingPrecision Medicine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Progress Across the Clinical CancerCare Continuum96Advances in Cancer Treatment With Surgery. . . . . . .99Minimizing the Use of Invasive Cancer Surgery100Advances in Radiation-based Approachesto Cancer Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102Applying Precision to Radiation Therapy105Advances in Treatment With Chemotherapy. . . . . .105Advances in Treatment With MolecularlyTargeted Therapeutics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106Advancing Targeted Approachesin Breast Cancer Care108 Reducing the Risk of Cancer Development51 Eliminate Tobacco Use53Maintain a Healthy Weight, Eat aHealthy Diet, and Stay Active56Reduce Alcohol Consumption61Protect Skin From UV Exposure62Prevent and Eliminate InfectionFrom Cancer-causing Pathogens64 Intercepting Precancerous Conditionsin Blood Cancers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171Precancerous Conditions That MayBecome Myeloid Malignancies172Precancerous Conditions That MayBecome Lymphoid Malignancies173Precancerous Conditions That MayBecome Multiple Myeloma173Modernizing Clinical Trial Designfor Blood Cancers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174 Matching Therapies to the Molecular Driversof Lung Cancer110Delivering Cytotoxic Agents Preciselyto Cancer Cells113Innovating Ovarian Cancer TreatmentThrough a Novel Combination117Personalizing Treatments for PatientsWith Rare Cancers117Bringing the Promise of Precision Medicineto Children, Adolescents, and Young AdultsWith Cancer123 Supporting Cancer Patientsand Survivors177 Advances in Treatment With Immunotherapeutics. .128 Releasing the Brakes on the Immune System128Boosting the Cancer-killing Powerof Immune Cells134Directing the Immune System to Cancer Cells137 Faced by Survivors178Physical Challenges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178Psychosocial Challenges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180Financial Chall