The National Foundation for Cancer Research’s All Things Cancer podcast recently featured a wide-ranging conversation between NFCR President and CEO Sujuan Ba and pioneering cancer immunologist Drew Pardoll. Their discussion explored the breakthroughs that are transforming cancer treatment, the importance of collaboration, and what the future may hold for patients.
From the Lab to the Patient
Over the years, Pardoll has co-founded multiple biotech companies to bridge the gap between early lab discoveries and real-world therapies. One of those startups received seed investment from NFCR. These ventures have been instrumental in advancing novel treatments, including approaches targeting the notoriously hard-to-treat p53 mutation. For Pardoll, biotech represents an essential step in turning scientific innovation into medicines that can reach thousands of patients.
Smarter Clinical Trials and the Role of Biomarkers
While many cancer trials fall short of their goals, Pardoll stressed that better use of biomarkers can dramatically improve outcomes. Matching treatments to the right patients is key, and he highlighted examples where biomarker-driven approaches led to dramatic success stories in colon cancer and melanoma. He believes that a more thoughtful trial design, informed by academic insights, can save time, resources, and patient lives.
A Moment of Discovery
Pardoll traced his career back to a pivotal moment as an oncology fellow, when he saw firsthand how the immune system could both threaten and protect patients undergoing bone marrow transplants. That experience convinced him that the immune system had the power to fight cancer directly, sparking a lifelong commitment to cancer immunology.
Engineering the Future of Cancer Research
Looking ahead, Pardoll sees the next wave of progress from engineering across multiple domains. Protein, cellular, metabolic, and microbial engineering are all opening new opportunities to make treatments more precise, scalable, and effective. Advances in these areas are accelerating discovery, sometimes turning work that once took years into projects that can be achieved in months.
Supporting the Next Generation
Throughout the conversation, Pardoll and Ba emphasized the importance of supporting young scientists. Funding constraints and the high cost of clinical research often discourage bold, unconventional thinking. NFCR’s approach—supporting innovative ideas early on—creates space for breakthroughs that might not otherwise happen. Pardoll underscored that nurturing the next generation of researchers is critical to the long-term health of the scientific ecosystem.
Looking Forward
From his first “aha moment” to today’s cutting-edge biotech collaborations, Pardoll’s career shows how innovation and persistence can reshape the future of cancer treatment. His conversation with Ba highlighted how far the field has come and the exciting possibilities ahead.
Praise for NFCR’s Global Summit
Reflecting on NFCR’s annual Global Summit and Award Ceremonies, Pardoll described it as an “immersive experience” that brings together basic scientists, clinical researchers, biotech leaders, and advocates in a way few other meetings do. For him, the chance to brainstorm across disciplines and challenge assumptions is what makes the summit a must-attend event each year. Learn More About this Event >>>
About All Things Cancer
Each episode of All Things Cancer will spotlight the most pressing topics in oncology, from cutting-edge treatments and emerging research to personal stories of resilience and hope. More than just a podcast, it’s a platform for raising awareness, advancing cancer education, and fostering a global community of support and collaboration.
Hosted by NFCR CEO, Sujuan Ba, Ph.D., this compelling series will bring together the entire ecosystem of cancer research—including leading scientists, oncologists, doctors, patient advocates, caregivers, biotech innovators, and survivors—for powerful discussions on the breakthroughs shaping the future of cancer research, treatment, and care.
All Things Cancer is now available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes released biweekly.
Subscribe now to stay up to date on the latest episodes and join the conversation that’s shaping the future of cancer research. Cancer impacts everyone—whether you’re a patient, caregiver, advocate, or researcher, this podcast delivers invaluable insights from those on the frontlines of the fight against it.
