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Cancer Policy Monitor: February 10, 2026

Appropriations Update 

-Matt Gontarchick 

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations process concluded on February 3, when President Trump signed into law a spending bill that provides the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with a modest funding increase, along with key protections for grant funding and indirect costs. The enactment of these measures followed a brief government shutdown and marks a welcome outcome for the medical research community, which engaged tirelessly with policymakers throughout a tumultuous 2025.

The agreement, which followed numerous continuing resolutions (CR) and a government shutdown, provides NIH with $47.2 billion in FY2026, a $415 million increase over its FY 2025 funding level of $46.8 billion. NCI funding increased by $128 million above its FY 2025 level of $7.22 billion, bringing its total FY2026 allocation to $7.35 billion. Because funding for the NIH and NCI had remained largely flat in FY 2025, these increases represent the first meaningful boost in federal medical research funding in two years.

These funding gains were the result of nearly a year of sustained advocacy by the medical research community. In May 2023, the White House proposed cutting the NIH budget to roughly $27 billion for FY 2026, a reduction of nearly 40%. Advocates warned lawmakers that such cuts would have devastating consequences for patients, their families, and the broader biomedical research enterprise. Ultimately, Congress rejected the administration’s proposed reductions.

The FY 2026 spending package also addressed additional concerns raised by research advocates. In spring 2025, the administration proposed capping reimbursement for NIH indirect costs at 15%. The enacted legislation includes language blocking changes to indirect cost reimbursement and recognizing the essential role these costs play in maintaining the nation’s position as a global leader in scientific innovation.

Another administration proposal sought to shift extramural grants from annual funding to a multi-year structure that would allocate all funding up front. Advocates cautioned that this change could reduce the overall number of grants awarded. In response, lawmakers limited the number of multiyear grants in FY 2026 to the same level as FY 2025.

The rejection of the administration’s proposed NIH budget cuts and other measures reflects the collective efforts of the medical research community, which united to educate lawmakers on the essential role of research funding in developing new treatments and saving lives. AACR appreciates Congress for listening to advocates and prioritizing investment in the NIH.

With final FY 2026 appropriations enacted, attention now turns to the FY 2027 funding cycle. As this process begins, AACR will continue to advocate for robust, sustained, and predictable funding for the NIH and NCI.

AACR To Hold Capitol Hill Briefing for Sustained Pediatric Cancer Research Funding on February 26 

-Blake William Rostine 

On February 26, 2026, AACR will be hosting a Congressional Briefing to highlight the ongoing need for sustained pediatric cancer research. 

The briefing, “Ensuring Sustained Federal Support for Pediatric Cancer Research,” will showcase the impacts of congressional investments in pediatric cancer research, as well as highlight ongoing conversations around survivorship. Patient advocates and pediatric cancer experts will convene to speak to policymakers and to emphasize the importance of federal investments in pediatric cancer research. 

AACR hosted a Congressional Briefing to celebrate the release of the inaugural edition of the Pediatric Cancer Progress Report, which underscores how essential federal funding is for maintaining progress in pediatric cancer research. 

AACR is proud to be partnering with the teams at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the St. Baldrick’s Foundation to host this impactful event. Registration for this event, to be held in Washington D.C., can be found online.  

Save the Date for 2026 AACR-AACI Joint Hill Day 

AACR and the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) invite individuals to participate in a Capitol Hill Day to support cancer research on Thursday, May 14. This Hill Day will bring cancer center directors, researchers, physician-scientists, cancer survivors, and other advocates together to build support for a strong federal investment in biomedical research, and cancer research in particular, through the NIH and the NCI. 

Participation is open to AACR and AACI members. Registration opens Monday, February 16. Stay tuned for more information.

FDA Issues Guidances on Bayesian Clinical Trial Designs and Endpoints for Accelerated Approvals in Multiple Myeloma 

-Brad Davidson, PhD 

As part of a news release for the recently release FDA draft guidance “Use of Bayesian Methodology in Clinical Trials of Drug and Biological Products,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH, indicated that this guidance could “help address two of the biggest problems in drug development: high costs and long timelines.” This concept can also be applied to a recently released guidance led by the FDA Oncology Center of Excellence (OCE), titled “Minimal Residual Disease and Complete Response in Multiple Myeloma: Use as Endpoints to Support Accelerated Approval.”   

Generally, Bayesian statistical methods make use of prior data, such as previous clinical trials or real world data, as well as data collected from the study at hand to estimate a value or test a hypothesis. In this guidance, FDA highlighted multiple areas where Bayesian clinical trial designs have been successfully used, including borrowing data from previous trials to help understand treatment effect, supplementing randomized concurrent control arms with external or nonconcurrent control data, extrapolating data between adults and children, borrowing information across similar disease areas or patient subpopulations, and dose-finding in oncology. The guidance also defines important terms and provides advice on implementing Bayesian methodologies, including the need to pre-specify analysis plans and parameters such as success criteria and operating characteristics, how to select and handle sources of prior data, the importance of understanding how inclusion of the prior data influenced outcomes, and more.   

The use of novel endpoints for oncology clinical trials is of great interest especially in cancers like multiple myeloma (MM), where traditional endpoints such as overall survival are difficult to use. This is because most patients respond incredibly well to treatment, meaning that it is difficult for any new therapeutic to show a statistical improvement in outcomes without the clinical trial being prohibitively large or long. As a result, the MM research community came together to develop minimal residual disease (MRD) as a potential novel endpoint that could be read out earlier, an effort which proved successful when the FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) unanimously backed its use as an endpoint to support the accelerated approval of drug and biologic products for MM. The recent guidance on this topic serves to outline best practices for the use of MRD as an endpoint in MM clinical trials, outlining not only how MRD should be measured but also considerations for patient populations and statistical aspects that should be taken into account when seeking to use MRD as a primary endpoint. The guidance also provides additional recommendations for the use of complete response (CR) as an endpoint in MM clinical trials, and delineates that even if these endpoints are used to gain accelerated approval, data confirming clinical benefit must be collected. MRD in MM was also discussed as a model novel endpoint at the recent FDA-AACR Approach to Novel Oncology Endpoint Development workshop, where its development and usage were discussed as an example for other potential endpoint development programs.  

Comment periods are open for both the Bayesian and multiple myeloma endpoints guidances. They close on March 13 and 23 respectively.  

Registration Open: Patient Advocate Forum on AI in Cancer Research, Care, and Survivorship

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly important tool in cancer research, helping scientists analyze complex data, identify patterns, and accelerate discoveries that may ultimately improve patient care. This AACR Patient Advocate Forum will focus on how AI is being used today in cancer research and clinical care and how these advances are expected to influence cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship in the years ahead. 

The discussion will explore where AI-driven research is showing the most promise, how and when these scientific advances may translate into clinical care, and what this means for patients and survivors. Speakers will also address challenges that remain, including data quality, bias, transparency, access, and why patient and advocate perspectives are essential to guiding responsible research and implementation. Join us to learn about the science behind AI in cancer research and feel more prepared to engage in conversations about how these innovations can, and should, benefit patients. 

For more information or to register, click here.

HRSA Updates Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines to Recommend Self-Collected HPV Testing 

-David Zahavi, PhD 

On January 5, 2026, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced revised cervical cancer screening guidelines to now include the option for women to self-collect samples using at-home HPV tests for screening. Over 90% of cervical cancer cases are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection. Previous cervical cancer screening guidelines recommended traditional cervical cytology (Pap tests) collected by a healthcare provider and lacked self-collection options and clear insurance coverage instructions for subsequent diagnostic steps, often leaving patients with unexpected costs. In the United States, cervical cancer screening rates have been declining and approximately 1 in 4 women are not up-to-date on screening, often attributed to the invasive nature and burden of Pap testing by a physician. The new screening guidelines aim to help boost screening rates by improving accessibility, expanding access, and reducing cost barriers. 

In the updated guidelines, high-risk HPV (hrHPV) testing every 5 years has been designated as the preferred method of screening for women with an average-risk of cervical cancer between ages 30-65, now with the option for patients to self-collect samples either in a healthcare setting or at home. For those women, both co-testing with Pap tests every 5 years or Pap tests alone every 3 years are noted as acceptable alternatives. For women ages 21-29, traditional Pap tests every 3 years continues to be recommended as the primary screening method, and hrHPV testing is not recommended. In addition, the guidance will require private insurance plans to cover not only the initial screening but also any necessary follow-up to complete the diagnostic process without any cost to patients starting January 1, 2027. 

The addition of self-collected hrHPV testing to the guidelines comes after scientific studies have shown hrHPV testing by self-collection is as effective as clinician collection and the option of self-collection improves screening rates. The use of self-collected testing is intended to reduce barriers that have historically limited cervical cancer screening uptake such as discomfort with pelvic exams, logistical hurdles, and access issues for underserved and rural populations. The FDA greenlit self-collected hrHPV testing kits in healthcare settings in 2024 and approved the first at-home test in May 2025. The inclusion of self-collected hrHPV testing as a screening method also aligns with the American Cancer Society’s new cervical cancer screening guidelines released in December 2025. 

The continued implementation of self-collected hrHPV testing could play a vital role in closing long-standing screening gaps and reducing cervical cancer incidence and mortality. Self-collection increases privacy and convenience for women, and wider adoption of at-home testing will further increase accessibility. As self-collected hrHPV testing becomes more available, researchers and clinicians will continue to monitor screening uptake, follow-up adherence after positive results, and the long-term impact of these policy changes on cervical cancer incidence and mortality. By increasing patient choice, lowering screening barriers, and reducing costs, the HRSA’s updated guidelines mark a paradigm shift for cervical cancer screening and represent a major advance for women’s health nationwide. 

Oncology Approval Recap 

Between December 30, 2025, and January 29, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued one approval for oncology drug products. 

  • Daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj in combination with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for adults with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplant. This is the eleventh indication for this subcutaneous therapeutic, the majority of which are in multiple myeloma.