Aging is the single greatest risk factor for cancer. Yet aging biology has rarely been studied as a core driver of cancer risk, prevention, and treatment. The Samuel Waxman Institute for Aging & Cancer is changing that paradigm by focusing research on how aging fuels cancer—and how that knowledge can be used to improve outcomes for older adults.
These priorities include risk assessment, prevention, and treatment, all grounded in the biology of aging.
Create a Clinical Tool to Measure Individual Aging and Cancer Risk
Cancer risk rises dramatically with age, but not everyone ages the same way. We are working to understand why aging increases cancer risk at the biological level and to identify who is most vulnerable. Our goal is to develop clinical tools that can measure an individual’s biological aging and cancer risk years before disease develops. These tools could enable personalized risk assessment, inform prevention strategies, and guide earlier clinical intervention—long before cancer becomes detectable.
Restore the Aging Immune System
The immune system weakens with age, reducing its ability to detect and eliminate cancer cells. This decline not only increases cancer risk but also limits the effectiveness of current treatments in older adults. We support research aimed at understanding how aging alters immune function and how those changes can be reversed or mitigated. By restoring immune strength in older individuals, we aim to improve cancer prevention, enhance treatment responses, and reduce recurrence. A healthier immune system will also improve overall longevity.
Block the Expansion of Cancer-Prone Cells That Increase With Age
As we age, certain cell populations acquire mutations and expand abnormally, creating fertile ground for cancer development. These cancer-prone cells often emerge years before disease is diagnosed. Our researchers will investigate how and why these cells expand with age—and how their growth can be blocked. Interrupting this process could prevent cancer at its earliest stages and stop progression before tumors form.
Eradicate Senescent Cells That Damage Tissue and Fuel Cancer Growth
Senescent cells accumulate with age. While they no longer divide, they secrete inflammatory and tissue-damaging signals that promote cancer growth and disrupt healthy organs. The Waxman Institute supports research efforts to selectively eliminate or neutralize these harmful cells. Removing senescent cells may reduce cancer risk, improve tissue health, and enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapies in older adults.
Reduce Age-Related Inflammation That Raises Cancer Risk
Chronic, low-grade inflammation is a hallmark of aging and a powerful driver of cancer initiation and progression. Over time, inflammatory signals can damage DNA, alter tissue environments, and support tumor growth.
We are funding research to identify the sources of age-related inflammation and develop strategies to suppress it safely. Reducing inflammation may lower cancer risk, slow disease progression, and improve outcomes across multiple cancer types.
Develop New Treatments Tailored for Adults Over 50
Most cancer patients are over the age of 50, yet most cancer treatments are designed without considering the biology of aging. As a result, therapies may be less effective—or more toxic—for older adults. The Waxman Institute prioritizes research that leads to age-appropriate cancer treatments. By accounting for changes in immunity, metabolism, and tissue function that occur with age, we aim to develop therapies that are both more effective and better tolerated by older patients.
