In 2024, the American Cancer Society (ACS) added three more Nobel Prize winners, bringing the total to an impressive 53 and highlighting its lasting impact on cancer research.
This year, Dr. David Baker was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking contributions to computational protein design. Baker, who was funded by ACS, joins fellow ACS-funded scientists Dr. Victor Ambros and Dr. Gary Ruvkun, recipients of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Ambros and Ruvkun were recognized for their pioneering discovery of microRNA, a molecule crucial to regulating cellular functions in the body.
Ambros received funding from ACS for 10 years from 1980 to 1990, while Baker and Ruvkun were supported during the early to mid-1990s.
“Truly transformational ideas often occur early in one’s career and often meet resistance from traditional funding. Providing ACS support for truly innovative discoveries has dramatically improved the lives of patients and their families,” said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at American Cancer Society.
Past ACS Nobel Prize winners set the tone for a strong foot forward in cancer research. For example, in 2011, Dr. Ralph Steinman, discovered a new cell type that he called the dendritic cell, which led to the first therapeutic vaccine for prostate cancer, Provenge. In 1990, Dr. E. Donnall Thomas pioneered bone marrow transplants which can potentially be a cure for low-stage lymphoma, leukemia, and bone cancers.
As the largest nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization source of funds for scientists in the United States studying cancer, ACS is honored to support numerous profound scientists. The Extramural Discovery Science (EDS) team manages the grant process, offering funding to more than 1,000 researchers at nearly 200 nonprofit institutions nationwide. With a focus on fostering early-career investigators, ACS currently supports over 620 active grants with investments exceeding $423 million. Researchers are encouraged to submit proposals for any type of cancer research, from prevention and detection to treatment and improving the quality of life for those affected by cancer.
“As we reflect on the incredible achievements of the past, the dedication and brilliance of researchers have propelled us forward. The American Cancer Society’s legacy, with 53 Nobel Prize-winning researchers, is a testament to the relentless pursuit of breakthroughs that save lives.” added Dahut. “Their work has brought us closer to a world where cancer is no longer a threat, but merely a chapter in history.”
As we look ahead to the announcement of the next Nobel Prize winner, let us remember the tireless efforts of these researchers, who continue to push the boundaries of science with determination and hope. With each discovery, we move closer to a future free from the burden of cancer. Together, we stand with our researchers, supporting their mission and believing in the power of science to bring about the breakthroughs that will one day end cancer for everyone, as we know it.
