New NCI Director Brings Hope for Rare and Abdominal Cancers Research
- Abdominal Cancers Alliance
- Oct 8
- 2 min read
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) — the nation’s leading cancer research agency — has a new director. Dr. Anthony Letai officially began his role on September 29, 2025.
Dr. Letai is a cancer doctor and researcher from Harvard and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He’s spent much of his career studying how cancer cells survive and how to make treatments work better. His discoveries have helped develop new cancer medicines and ways to predict which treatments might work best for each person.
What makes his appointment exciting is his focus on bringing lab discoveries to patients faster. He’s a strong believer in “precision medicine,” which means tailoring care to each person’s unique cancer — an approach that could be especially valuable for rare and hard-to-treat cancers, like peritoneal and other abdominal cancers.
As the new NCI Director, Dr. Letai will help decide where research funding goes and which areas get more attention. His leadership could open new opportunities for research, clinical trials, and treatment options for patients and families affected by rare abdominal cancers.
In short: Dr. Letai’s appointment gives us reason to hope that rare cancers will have a stronger voice in national research priorities.
The Abdominal Cancers Alliance is on a mission to raise awareness, connect this community, and guide patients and caregivers through every step of their cancer journey. Our work supports those facing a wide range of rare and advanced abdominal cancers — including appendix, colorectal, endometrial, gallbladder and bile duct, gastric, neuroendocrine, ovarian, pancreatic, peritoneal mesothelioma, prostate, small bowel, uterine, and even advanced breast cancers. We’re shining a light on these often-overlooked diseases and lifesaving treatments like cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC. With leaders like Dr. Letai at the NCI, we’re hopeful that the path forward will bring even more research, recognition, and support for the abdominal cancer community.
Read the press release here.
