PHILADELPHIA (July 17, 2025) — MBCure, a nonprofit focused on metastatic breast cancer (MBC) research, awareness, education, and access efforts, is launching the MBCure Research Consortium with three of the world’s leading cancer institutions: Fox Chase Cancer Center, Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).
The MBCure Research Consortium is a pioneering initiative dedicated to funding leading-edge research and enhancing collaboration among top cancer institutions. The focus of this consortium will be to target curative-intent pathways for MBC, which, despite decades of research, still remains incurable. As part of the MBCure Research Consortium, breast oncologists and researchers will be openly communicating and collaborating to drive more efficient and effective results.
MBC, also known as stage 4 breast cancer, is the stage of the disease responsible for virtually all breast cancer-related deaths. Although over 35% of patients with breast cancer are diagnosed with MBC, on average less than 10% of breast cancer research funding is directed toward this stage of the disease, with an even smaller fraction dedicated to curative-intent research. This gap in funding is a significant barrier to improving survivorship outcomes for patients.
Moving forward, MBCure will dedicate the majority of its annual net proceeds to its consortium benefiting these three institutions. Each institution will have a designated MBCure Liaison, whose detailed responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, ensuring the funding is allocated strictly toward MBC research that is driving toward curative-intent discoveries and therapy. This funding will be directed to the boldest MBC research that each institution is conducting, with the understanding that in some instances this will mean high-risk, high-reward research. MBCure’s vision is to achieve a cure for all subtypes of MBC. The following individuals have been named as the designated MBCure Liaisons: Rachel Jankowitz, MD (Penn Medicine); Melissa McShane, MD (Fox Chase Cancer Center); and Pedram Razavi, MD, PhD (MSK).
Through the founding of this consortium, MBCure is working to transform the landscape of MBC research. By working directly with top cancer institutions in the region where MBCure established its roots, MBCure is breaking down silos, bringing together some of the brightest minds in the field, and accelerating the kind of breakthrough science that people living with MBC urgently need.
This approach represents a focused and strategic investment decision that prioritizes outcomes. The consortium will yield long-term relationships, allow for continued close monitoring of progress with annual reporting of impact metrics, and enable iterative revisions to the process as needed to ensure the funding is being allocated effectively.
A Unique Model for a Critical Need
These three leading institutions – and their breast oncology groups in particular – have never been brought together in this way before. Each of the three institutions brings unique expertise and infrastructure, as well as diverse patient groups, that will synergize with MBCure’s mission. This multi-institutional consortium is designed to foster shared learning, resource integration, and strategic alignment on bold scientific goals, allowing us to move faster and go further than ever before.
“At MSK, we are deeply committed to advancing translational research that uncovers the biological drivers of therapy response and resistance in metastatic breast cancer, and to transforming those insights into innovative therapeutic strategies that directly impact patient outcomes. We will leverage this incredible support from the MBCure Research Consortium to accelerate paradigm-shifting, patient-centric clinical trials and leading-edge translational science, bringing us closer to making long-term remission — and ultimately a cure — a reality for patients living with MBC,” said MBCure Liaison Dr. Razavi.
"At Fox Chase Cancer Center, we’re proud to be part of the MBCure Research Consortium — a groundbreaking effort to spark bold, high-risk research that could change the future for patients with MBC. Through this unique collaboration, we’re building a culture of shared learning and tireless dedication to finding curative therapies. Our commitment is to make sure every dollar of this important funding has the greatest possible impact for patients with MBC and their families," said MBCure Liaison Dr. McShane.
"I am so grateful to MBCure for this amazing opportunity. Its tireless fundraising efforts and dedication to this cause will both support research within our Penn Medicine Breast Cancer Program and foster regional research collaborations. This exciting development fuels hope for progress in our fight against MBC," said MBCure Liaison Dr. Jankowitz.
A Future Built on Hope and Action
MBCure is a nonprofit founded to shift how MBC research is addressed. Through its mission and actions, MBCure is not just funding research — it is fueling a movement for survival and hope.
Research is the primary focus of MBCure’s mission, and as such, 90% of MBCure’s annual net proceeds every year will go toward the MBCure Research Consortium. Each year, MBCure will reserve 10% of annual net proceeds to be granted to non-research MBC initiatives to support the other areas of MBCure’s mission, including MBC awareness, education, and access efforts. MBCure believes in a multifaceted approach to achieve its vision of a cure for MBC.
For more information about MBCure and to support its mission, please visit www.mbcure.org. If you or your organization are interested in collaborations with MBCure and contributing to the MBCure Research Consortium, please email [email protected].