Giants of Cancer Care: Honoring the Architects of Tomorrow's Cures

CRANBURY, N.J. – May 08, 2026 – In a tribute to the relentless pursuit of a world without cancer, OncLive®, the nation’s leading multimedia resource for oncology professionals, today announced the 14th annual class of Giants of Cancer Care® inductees. The prestigious program, supported by platinum sponsors Pfizer and Daiichi-Sankyo and silver sponsor Regeneron, celebrates the pioneering individuals whose life's work has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of cancer treatment and research.

For over a decade, the Giants of Cancer Care® award has served as a beacon, illuminating the achievements of researchers, clinicians, and educators who have challenged medical conventions and pushed the boundaries of science. This year’s 14 inductees, selected through a rigorous peer-review process, join an esteemed fellowship of leaders whose contributions have saved countless lives and laid the groundwork for future breakthroughs.

“These extraordinary leaders are not simply advancing oncology they are redefining what is possible,” said Mike Hennessy Jr., chairman and CEO of MJH Life Sciences®, parent company of OncLive. “The Giants of Cancer Care honorees represent decades of courage, discovery, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to patients. Their work has fundamentally altered the course of cancer care worldwide and continues to inspire hope for millions of families. It is because of pioneers like these that conversations about curing cancer feel increasingly within reach. We are profoundly honored to celebrate their legacy, leadership, and enduring impact on the future of oncology.”

The formal induction ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 28, at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, a venue chosen to reflect the stellar contributions of the honorees in illuminating the path forward in medicine.

A Fellowship Forged by Peer Recognition

The prestige of the Giants of Cancer Care® award is rooted in its rigorous and transparent selection process, which is driven entirely by the oncology community itself. The journey to becoming a Giant begins with a nomination from a peer, followed by a meticulous vetting process conducted by an Advisory Board of more than 115 eminent oncologists, many of whom are past honorees. This committee of experts is tasked with evaluating hundreds of nominations to identify finalists who have demonstrated a lifetime of achievement or made a recent, significant impact on patient care or translational research.

This peer-driven system ensures that the individuals recognized are not just accomplished scientists but are also deeply respected leaders whose work has tangibly influenced clinical practice and inspired their colleagues. The 2026 class represents a diverse array of specialties, reflecting the multifaceted nature of modern cancer care. The inductees are:

• Breast Cancer: Javier Cortés, M.D., Ph.D. - International Breast Cancer Center/Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology
• Community Outreach/Education: Patrick I. Borgen, M.D. - Maimonides Medical Center
• Gastrointestinal Cancer: Scott Kopetz, M.D., Ph.D. - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Genitourinary Cancer: Daniel George, M.D. - Duke Cancer Institute and Duke University School of Medicine
• Gynecologic Malignancies: Tate Thigpen, M.D. - (Retired) University of Mississippi School of Medicine
• Head & Neck Cancers: Robert Haddad, M.D. - Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School
• Leukemia: William G. Wierda, M.D., Ph.D. - The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Lymphoma: Wyndham H. Wilson, M.D., Ph.D. - National Cancer Institute
• Myeloma: Irene Ghobrial, M.D. - Harvard Medical School/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Prevention/Genetics: Lajos Pusztai, M.D., DPhil - Yale University
• Radiation Oncology: Sue S. Yom, M.D., Ph.D., MAS - University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine
• Supportive, Palliative, and/or Geriatric Care: Kathleen M. Foley, M.D. - Weill Medical College of Cornell University
• Surgical Oncology: Raphael E. Pollock, M.D., Ph.D., FACS - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
• Thoracic Malignancies: Heather Wakelee, M.D., FASCO - Stanford University

A Legacy of Holistic and Targeted Breakthroughs

While each inductee is a leader in their specific domain, their collective work paints a picture of a holistic, patient-focused approach to oncology. The inclusion of categories like Supportive, Palliative, and/or Geriatric Care, represented by Dr. Kathleen M. Foley, underscores a critical shift in the field: treating the whole patient, not just the tumor. This focus on quality of life, pain management, and the unique needs of geriatric patients is now recognized as an indispensable component of comprehensive cancer care, transforming what was once a terminal diagnosis into a manageable chronic condition for many.

Similarly, the work of honorees in fields like Breast Cancer and Gastrointestinal Cancer often exemplifies the era of precision medicine. Dr. Javier Cortés and Dr. Scott Kopetz are part of a global movement of researchers unraveling the genetic drivers of tumors to develop highly targeted therapies. These treatments, which include advanced antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and RAS inhibitors, are designed to attack cancer cells with unprecedented accuracy, minimizing damage to healthy tissue and offering new hope for patients with resistant or advanced disease. Their efforts build on the legacies of past Giants, such as Dr. Lisa A. Carey, whose work in characterizing the molecular subtypes of breast cancer paved the way for today's personalized treatment strategies.

Furthermore, the recognition of Dr. Lajos Pusztai in Prevention/Genetics highlights the proactive frontier of oncology. By identifying genetic predispositions and developing early detection strategies, these pioneers are working to stop cancer before it starts, representing one of the most profound aspirations in medicine.

The Collaborative Ecosystem Driving Innovation

The remarkable progress celebrated by the Giants of Cancer Care® program is not achieved in a vacuum. It is the product of a dynamic ecosystem of collaboration between academia, clinical practice, and industry. The program's sponsors—Pfizer, Daiichi-Sankyo, and Regeneron—are not merely benefactors; they are active partners in the fight against cancer, with deep strategic commitments to oncology research and development.

Pfizer, for instance, dedicates approximately 40% of its R&D investment to advancing cancer therapies. Daiichi-Sankyo is a global leader in ADC technology, a revolutionary approach that is changing treatment paradigms in breast, lung, and gastric cancers. Regeneron, a pioneer in bispecific antibodies, has nearly half of its development pipeline focused on oncology assets. Their support for the Giants program reflects a shared mission to foster the innovation and recognize the excellence that will fuel the next generation of treatments.

Platforms like OncLive® play a crucial role in this ecosystem by acting as a central nervous system for the oncology community. By providing peer-to-peer insights, breaking news, and a social network for professionals to collaborate, OncLive® accelerates the dissemination of knowledge, ensuring that breakthroughs in the lab are translated into improved patient care in the clinic as quickly as possible.

Charting the Future Amidst Persistent Challenges

The 2026 Giants of Cancer Care® are being honored at a time of unprecedented momentum in oncology. The rise of immunotherapy, the refinement of CAR T-cell therapies for blood cancers and solid tumors, the integration of artificial intelligence in drug discovery, and the advent of non-invasive liquid biopsies for early detection are all transforming patient outcomes. The work of this year's inductees in fields like Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma directly contributes to this wave of innovation.

However, significant challenges persist. Disparities in access to care, the vexing problem of drug resistance, and the high cost of novel therapies remain formidable hurdles. The work of honorees like Dr. Patrick I. Borgen in Community Outreach/Education is vital in addressing these gaps, working to ensure that the benefits of scientific progress reach all communities, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status.

As the 2026 Giants of Cancer Care® prepare to gather under the stars of the Adler Planetarium, their collective achievements serve as a powerful reminder of how far the field has come. They are the architects of a future where cancer is increasingly preventable, detectable, and treatable, guiding the medical community toward a brighter horizon.