The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research has finalized its merger with the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, formalizing a long-standing collaboration aimed at accelerating innovation in cancer science.
The integration builds on a partnership that began in 2022 and includes the establishment of the Samuel Waxman Institute for Aging & Cancer in 2025. The institute, now operating as a subsidiary of The Mark Foundation, is focused on studying the role of aging, the leading risk factor for cancer, and will allocate $15 million over its first three years to support research in this area.
So far, $2.5 million has already been awarded to five research teams investigating biological mechanisms linking aging and cancer, including immune system decline, inflammation, metabolism, and stem cell function. The initiative is designed to deepen understanding of how aging influences cancer development, progression, and treatment response.
The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation has distributed more than $120 million to over 200 scientists globally since its founding in 1976. Through their earlier collaboration, the two organizations co-hosted workshops and funded $4 million in joint research grants prior to the merger.
The move comes amid growing urgency to address cancer as a disease strongly associated with aging. Nearly 60 percent of cancers and over 70 percent of cancer-related deaths occur in individuals over age 65. With global life expectancy rising, cancer incidence is expected to nearly double by 2050, driven largely by aging populations.
Looking ahead, the Samuel Waxman Institute plans to issue a new request for proposals at the end of April 2026 to fund additional collaborative research efforts in aging and cancer.
KEY QUOTES:
“Building on our strong history of partnership with the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, the new Waxman Institute expands our ability to support high-impact science around the world, particularly in areas like aging biology that have been historically underexplored and underfunded in cancer research. Closing this gap is essential to improving patient outcomes.”
Ryan Schoenfeld, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research
“The Waxman Institute’s unique approach brings together experts in aging biology with leaders in oncology to better understand how and why cancer risk increases with age. A key initiative will be developing tools and algorithms to measure biological aging and cancer risk, which could enable prevention, earlier detection, and more effective, age-appropriate treatments. This is vital to improving healthier longevity and reducing cancer incidence as we age.”
Samuel Waxman, MD, Founder, Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation; Director, Samuel Waxman Institute for Aging & Cancer
