Accelerating innovation in the US
A review of the funding and knowledge gaps in prostate cancer research across the US: 2024
How is current research failing prostate cancer patients?
RISE IN CASES
One of the largest studies of its kind ever carried out was published in April 2024 and predicted prostate cancer cases will double, with a shocking 85% surge in prostate cancer deaths globally by 2040.
HISTORICALLY UNDERFUNDED
The NIH spending for prostate cancer in 2015 was US$288 million, which is less than half that for breast cancer, despite the fact that 40,000 patients died from prostate cancer, just 20% lower than breast cancer patients.1
LOW CLINICAL TRIALS
Given the scale of the problem and the rate at which prostate cancer is likely to grow, we believe that there is not enough research or clinical trials to ensure we are healthier in future. Compounding this problem is a lack of diversity in trials, which limits their impact.
UNITED STATES
New cases: 288,300
Deaths: 34,700 deaths
The incidence rate is 60% higher in African-American men compared to White men
GLOBALLY
New cases: 1,414,259
Deaths: 375,304
African-American men have the highest prostate cancer incidence in the world
Spending on prostate cancer in 2015 was US$288 MIL
Spending on breast cancer in 2015 was US$674 MIL
Prostate cancer accounts for 14% of all new cancer cases in the US
Of 139,485 registered clinical trials in April 2023, only 314 were active trials in PC (0.2 %)
To the two things I would say that have affected me the most; I’ve had side-effects – they have had a significant impact on quality of life, that and then the expense of ADT drugs is very, very high. Burdensome, and also life changing.
Patient with metastatic prostate cancer who had radiotherapy and hormonal therapy
Greater Cincinnati
Summary review findings
1
Funding for prostate cancer is low compared to both the needs and other cancer types. With prostate cancer rates set to skyrocket in the coming decades, the comparatively low investment in research is a ticking time bomb.
2
Patient needs are nuanced and deep, and many unmet needs exist which overlap with significant gaps in our knowledge of how prostate cancer works and how we should diagnose and treat it.
3
There are both real knowledge gaps and exciting new targets in the prostate cancer research field. Leveraging these targets and closing the gaps will deliver a real impact.
4
Early Career Researchers (ECR) face significant challenges in getting funding, establishing their careers, transitioning to the next stage, and establishing collaborations and networks.
What we will do to improve our impact
1
Fight for more funding to future-proof society against the increasing prevalence of prostate cancer, and target funding for maximum impact towards the most urgent areas of patient need and most exciting new targets.
2
Protect the pipeline by supporting and championing early career researchers (ECRs*) as well as those applying from minority groups or female researchers. Cancer is a huge problem and anyone who can bring their talents and energy to bear against this disease must be able to do so, now and in future.
3
Create connections between patients and scientists, and continue to nurture the relationship between the patient community, research community, and ourselves, to ensure that research is relevant to what patients really need and that we do not fall into the trap of funding what everybody else is funding.
4
Form new partnerships with key charitable organizations in the US and large pharmaceuticals with matched objectives that will benefit prostate cancer patients.
* For our purposes, an ECR is a researcher who is within a few years of the successful completion of their PhD who has recently become an independent researcher (e.g. through a fellowship), or who is taking their first steps towards establishing their own research area (e.g. pre-fellowship).
Will you support us to make a bigger impact?
CONTACT US
What we still don’t know about prostate cancer
There are so many things we still don’t know about prostate cancer, and our lack of knowledge is hurting patients. Will you support us so we can close the gap together?
AREAS TO BE TACKLED
Key knowledge gaps
New emerging targets
KEY KNOWLEDGE GAPS
NEW EMERGING TARGETS
The greatest racial inequity of any cancer
Incidence of prostate cancer in the US is 60% higher in African-American men compared to White men
What scientists tell us
Folks are not interested in health disparities research because Black and Brown lives do not matter in the United States.
Survey answer in response to what research is hard to get funded
The statistics for prostate cancer in the US are alarming, and for Black men, they are dangerously biased.
In the US, 1 in 25 African-American men will die of prostate cancer compared to 1 in 45 White men. We have identified three key drivers of this disparity.
Differences in prostate cancer expression
Limited understanding of the biological drivers behind prostate cancer, and how they differ between men of African and men of European ancestry.
Environment and health
Prostate cancer outcomes are influenced by the environment around a patient, and the health of Black men is affected by factors such as entrenched racism; barriers in accessing care; economic injustice and lack of parity of opportunity in housing; nutrition; and education.
Representation in research
Disproportionately low participation in research and clinical trials among Black men.
What we will do to create impact
Prostate Cancer Research is responding to this challenge with targeted action, at a level that could change the paradigm.
Targeted research driving transformation
- We created a targeted research funding stream designed purely to tackle the racial disparity in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of prostate cancer
- We now have insights we didn’t have before
- We will be launching another round of this funding stream in late 2024
Trust and information
- We are launching Creating Connections, a multi-year initiative focused on building trust in healthcare amongst the Black community, which will be co-created with the community and focus on understanding and dismantling the barriers to trust
- We are also committed to working with the community to co-create information resources that work for Black men
Our strategic goals
PCR STRATEGY FOR 2024-2027
Our strategy for a future where there is no need to fear prostate cancer.
Building better together
PCR takes a collaborative approach with the objective of developing a comprehensive and holistic strategy to increase impact for patients.
Research-driven transformation
By 2027, we are committed to doubling the funding for research projects, thereby driving notable advancements in prostate cancer understanding and treatment.
Building a translational research ecosystem
Proven Connect, the translational arm of PCR, will aim to construct an impactful investment portfolio consisting of up to 12 early-stage companies.
Empowering a more equitable prostate cancer community
We will foster a research and patient relationship in which a diverse and representative community actively contribute to and benefits from cutting-edge discoveries.
Getting prostate cancer on the agenda
We will focus on clear and achievable objectives designed to significantly enhance the lives and outcomes of individuals living with prostate cancer based on the latest research developments.
Sustainable growth in fundraising and efficient operations
We will employ a multifaceted strategy encompassing flexible, diversified and stable fundraising, alongside powerful communications and marketing strategies to significantly expand our recognition and audience.
Be part of transforming research
Transforming research. Transforming lives.
We are reaching out to patients, corporate partners, foundations, fellow non-profits and the research community to join us in a united front against prostate cancer. If you would like to discuss how we can work together, we would love to hear from you.
