Biden’s Moonshot 2.0 Reinvigorates Cancer Research to Lower Death Rates

 


As vice president, Biden launched an accelerated cancer research effort that was known as the “cancer moonshot” after his son Beau died of brain cancer in 2015. In 2022, he reignited it as president. Biden set a lofty goal for Moonshot 2.0: reducing the cancer death rate by half over 25 years. A National Cancer Institute assessment last year found that’s within the realm of possibility if scientists and public health officials find ways to drive down cancer rates faster and develop new treatments and testing tools. Biden's renewed commitment promises to advance this cause even further, bringing hope to millions affected by cancer. (2023).

The original Cancer Moonshot, spearheaded by then-Vice President Biden, aimed to achieve a decade’s progress in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment within five years. Moonshot 2.0 aims to cut the cancer death rate by at least 50% over the next 25 years, with the ultimate goal of ending cancer as we know it. This ambitious target underscores the urgency and importance of the initiative, as cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

Moonshot 2.0: Key Components

1. Enhanced Research Funding: A crucial aspect of Moonshot 2.0 is the substantial increase in funding for cancer research. The Biden administration is advocating for significant investments to support innovative research projects, clinical trials, and the development of new therapies. This includes funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which play pivotal roles in cancer research.

2. Advanced Technology and Data Sharing: Moonshot 2.0 emphasizes using cutting-edge technology and data analytics to revolutionize cancer research. The initiative promotes the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to analyze vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and develop personalized treatment plans. Additionally, it encourages the establishment of data-sharing platforms to facilitate collaboration among researchers and healthcare providers.

3. Preventive Measures and Early Detection: Prevention and early detection are critical components of the initiative. Moonshot 2.0 aims to enhance screening programs, develop new diagnostic tools, and promote public awareness campaigns to encourage early detection of cancer. By identifying cancer at its earliest stages, when it is most treatable, the initiative hopes to significantly reduce mortality rates.

4. Equity in Cancer Care: Addressing disparities in cancer care is a key priority for Moonshot 2.0. The initiative seeks to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, or geographic location, have access to high-quality cancer care. This includes efforts to reduce financial barriers, improve access to clinical trials, and provide support for underserved communities.

5. Public-Private Partnerships: Moonshot 2.0 recognizes the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors. The initiative encourages partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations to leverage their expertise and resources in the fight against cancer. These collaborations are expected to accelerate the development of new treatments and therapies.

The reinvigoration of the Cancer Moonshot through Moonshot 2.0 has the potential to transform cancer care and significantly reduce cancer mortality rates. The focus on innovative research, advanced technology, preventive measures, and equitable access to care addresses key challenges in the fight against cancer. By fostering collaboration and increasing funding, the initiative aims to break down barriers and accelerate progress in cancer research.

The White House has announced dozens of federal and private moonshot programs, including several that rely on the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, an agency Biden created to take on high-risk, high-reward research. The White House has tasked ARPA-H with building a national clinical trial network and partnering with the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute to create a biomedical data toolbox for cancer research. ARPA-H is also putting an additional $240 million from its budget toward cancer-related research. Those commitments come on top of a series of cancer-related awards and programs ARPA-H funded last year, such as researching the use of bacteria to target tumor cells, developing an implant to better dose cancer medicine, harnessing mRNA technology and honing surgical tools.

Evaluating whether the new moonshot programs can make a dent in the cancer death rate will take time. However, the fruits from ARPA-H’s investment will come long before 2047. The agency’s mission is to pivot quickly if its research fails and to get innovative treatments and technologies to patients within years, not decades. In the meantime, the United States has made serious progress on cancer, with the death rate falling 33 percent over the past three decades.

In summary, Biden’s Moonshot 2.0 represents a renewed and intensified effort to combat cancer. With its ambitious goals and comprehensive approach, the initiative holds the promise of making significant strides in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, ultimately bringing us closer to a future where cancer is no longer a leading cause of death.

While cancer research has historically enjoyed bipartisan support, Republicans have proposed budget cuts for health agencies this year. Meanwhile, the moonshot’s original funding has run out and Congress has not authorized new funds.

References

National Cancer Institute. (2022). Cancer Moonshot℠. Retrieved from June 21, 2024, from https://www.cancer.gov/research/key-initiatives/moonshot-cancer-initiative

The White House. (2022). President Biden Reignites Cancer Moonshot to End Cancer as We Know It. Retrieved June 21, 2024, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/02/02/fact-sheet-president-biden-reignites-cancer-moonshot-to-end-cancer-as-we-know-it/

 American Cancer Society. (2022). Cancer Facts & Figures 2022. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/all-cancer-facts-figures/cancer-facts-figures-2022.html

NCI study outlines opportunities to achieve President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot goal of reducing cancer death rates in the United States. (2023). Retrieved June 21, 2024 from https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/press-releases/2023/opportunities-to-reduce-cancer-death-rate?cid=eb_govdel

30 Things Joe Biden Did as President You Might Have Missed. (2024). Retrieved June 3, 2024, https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/02/02/joe-biden-30-policy-things-you-might-have-missed-00139046

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