Imagine a world without fear of breast and gynecologic cancers. That's the driving force behind the Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers Career Development Award, and its 2025 cohort of brilliant researchers are leading the charge! In partnership with Pelotonia and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), this award isn't just about funding research; it's about investing in the future of women's health, tackling disparities, and ultimately, saving lives. You can learn more about the partnership here: (https://www.aacr.org/professionals/research-funding/funded-research/career-development-awards/victorias-secret-global-fund-for-womens-cancers-career-development-award-in-partnership-with-pelotonia-aacr/).
The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers Career Development Award recipients represent a powerhouse of innovative thinking. They are a diverse group of early-career scientists pushing the boundaries of what's possible in understanding, preventing, detecting, diagnosing, and treating breast and gynecologic cancers. Their work spans a wide range of fields, from the intricacies of molecular biology to the cutting edge of immunotherapy, advanced imaging techniques, and even behavioral interventions designed to improve patient well-being. The core mission? To not only improve treatment outcomes but to actively eliminate the unacceptable health disparities that exist in cancer care worldwide.
Let's take a closer look at some of the groundbreaking projects being supported:
Project 1: Targeting RNA Splicing to Improve Therapies for Ovarian HGSC
Dr. Nijhuis is tackling a particularly tough challenge: ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), a cancer notoriously difficult to treat effectively. Her research zeroes in on RNA splicing, a process that can be disrupted to weaken cancer cells' ability to repair their DNA. But here's where it gets controversial... Dr. Nijhuis believes that by manipulating RNA splicing, they can also generate tumor-specific peptides, essentially flagging the cancer cells for the immune system to attack. Using advanced techniques like long-read transcriptomics and immunopeptidomics, her team is working to decipher the connection between splicing modulation, DNA repair, and immune activation. The ultimate goal? To make ovarian cancer cells more vulnerable to existing drugs and to boost the body's natural defenses against them. Dr. Nijhuis explains, "I am delighted to receive the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers Career Development Award. These funds will allow me to grow as an independent scientist and advance our research into new treatments for ovarian cancer."
Background on Dr. Nijhuis: With a strong foundation in biomedical sciences and non-coding RNA regulation in cancer, Dr. Nijhuis established her translational cancer research group at Imperial College London, focusing on the exciting potential of RNA splicing inhibition.
Project 2: The Aging Tumor Immune Microenvironment – Novel Immunotherapy Approaches for ER+ Breast Cancer
As our global population ages, the number of breast cancer cases is also on the rise. And this is the part most people miss... age-related differences in treatment effectiveness are often overlooked. Dr. Turrell is working to change that, developing therapies specifically tailored to older patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. Her research focuses on understanding why older women often have weaker immune responses to this type of cancer. By using models that mimic mammary tumors, she hopes to unlock the secrets of the aging tumor microenvironment and pave the way for new immunotherapy approaches that can improve survival and quality of life for older women. Dr. Turrell shares, "I am incredibly grateful for this prestigious award, which will accelerate our research into the aging immune microenvironment in ER+ breast cancer and provide opportunities to engage with the international research community."
Background on Dr. Turrell: Dr. Turrell brings a wealth of experience from the MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, and the Institute of Cancer Research in London. Since 2024, she has been leading her own research group at the University of Manchester and Manchester Breast Centre, diving deep into the tumor microenvironment's role in ER+ breast cancer.
Project 3: An AI-based Equitable ‘Virtual’ Biopsy Pipeline for Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis on Ultrasound
Imagine a world where ovarian cancer could be diagnosed quickly and non-invasively, regardless of a patient's location or socioeconomic status. That's the vision behind Dr. Whitney's research. She's developing an AI-powered "virtual biopsy" system that uses ultrasound images to detect ovarian cancer early. By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, her team aims to overcome barriers to access and provide rapid, accurate diagnoses, reducing the need for invasive procedures and ultimately improving outcomes for all women. Dr. Whitney says, "This award provides crucial support for our team to advance image-based diagnostic tools for ovarian cancer, enabling research co-developed with patient advocates."
Background on Dr. Whitney: Dr. Whitney's expertise spans medical physics and physics, with a strong background in imaging science and radiation oncology. She is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Radiology at the University of Chicago.
Project 4: Extrachromosomal DNA as a Mechanism of Therapy Resistance in Breast Cancer
Cancer cells are masters of adaptation, and one of their tricks involves extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA). This ecDNA allows cancer cells to amplify oncogenes, leading to rapid growth and resistance to treatment. Dr. Yi is investigating the role of ecDNA in HER2-positive breast cancer, aiming to understand how ecDNA is maintained and how it affects a cell's sensitivity to therapy. Her research has the potential to uncover new ways to target ecDNA-bearing cells, offering hope for overcoming treatment resistance and developing more effective therapies. Dr. Yi states, "I am honored to receive this award, which will help establish the foundation for ecDNA research in breast cancer and advance our understanding of women’s cancers to inform better treatment strategies."
Background on Dr. Yi: Dr. Yi's background includes a PhD in biomedical science from Seoul National University and postdoctoral training at Jackson Laboratory. She now leads a research group at Michigan State University, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of ecDNA in cancer.
Project 5: A Just-in-Time Adaptive Lifestyle Program for Rural Breast and Endometrial Cancer Survivors
For women in rural communities, access to cancer care and support can be limited. Dr. Zhang is developing a unique program to address this challenge. Her "just-in-time adaptive intervention" (JITAI) uses mobile health technologies, wearable sensors, and personalized support to help rural breast and endometrial cancer survivors with obesity adopt healthier lifestyles. The program focuses on self-regulation, goal setting, and overcoming barriers, providing timely and relevant support when and where it's needed most. The goal is to reduce cancer disparities and improve outcomes for women in rural populations. Dr. Zhang explains, "This award will advance our understanding of tailored lifestyle interventions for rural cancer survivors and strengthen my expertise in mHealth and behavioral intervention design, supporting scalable, equity-focused strategies to improve cancer outcomes."
Background on Dr. Zhang: Dr. Zhang is an epidemiologist with a doctorate in public health and postdoctoral training at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. She is currently an assistant professor at OSU, focusing on lifestyle interventions and health disparities among rural cancer survivors.
In conclusion, the 2025 Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers Career Development Award, in partnership with Pelotonia and AACR, showcases the incredible potential of early-career researchers to revolutionize breast and gynecologic cancer care. Their innovative research, spanning diverse fields, reflects a deep commitment to advancing science, addressing inequalities, and enhancing the lives of women worldwide. What do you think is the most promising approach to tackling women's cancers? Do these projects give you hope for the future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Victoria’s Secret Spotlight: Don't miss the inspiring story of Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin, who are championing women’s health and endometriosis awareness! (https://oncodaily.com/stories/celebrities/dylan-sprouse-and-barbara-palvin)
Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD
