Cancer Grand Challenges launches targeted challenges on gastroesophageal cancer in partnership with the Torrey Coast Foundation

Understand and reverse early tissue changes leading to gastroesophageal cancers

Determine the biological mechanisms underpinning geographical variations in gastroesophageal cancer incidence 

These challenges have been designed to accelerate much needed progress, by galvanising the scientific community to address complex questions that cannot be solved by a single researcher, institution, region or discipline alone.

By breaking down traditional barriers, the Torrey Coast Foundation and Cancer Research UK hope to enable ambitious teams to develop solutions that could transform understanding of how gastroesophageal cancer develops and why its incidence varies globally, in order to improve outcomes for people affected by the disease.

Teams are strongly encouraged to include researchers from beyond the gastroesophageal cancer field, in the hopes that fresh perspectives and out-of-the-box thinking could help to unlock creative approaches to addressing the challenges. Given the extreme variance in incidence across the world, more than ever, teams are urged to collaborate across countries with contrasting incidence, exposures and disease subtypes. 

Gastroesophageal cancer is a significant global health burden and presents a clear opportunity to accelerate progress: worldwide, around 1.5 million new cases of gastric and oesophageal cancer were estimated in 2024. Together, these cancers caused more than 1 million deaths, around one in nine cancer deaths worldwide. Through Cancer Grand Challenges, the Torrey Coast Foundation and Cancer Research UK want to enable ambitious collaborative research and move the dial towards mechanistically grounded cancer prevention.

Sandra Ryeom, Scientific Director of the Torrey Coast Foundation, commented, “Gastroesophageal cancers remain among the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide, yet they continue to be comparatively understudied and underfunded. Because these cancers are often diagnosed at advanced stages, opportunities for early intervention are frequently missed, contributing to poor outcomes.”

To capitalise on this opportunity and accelerate progress in this area of significant unmet need, Cancer Grand Challenges will launch two targeted challenges focused on gastroesophageal cancers. This approach will enable a more rapid response to urgent scientific priorities while continuing to support bold, transformative research across the full breadth of cancer research through our core challenges.

Commenting on the challenges, Sandra noted, “Cancer Grand Challenges’ commitment to supporting high-risk, high-reward science with a clear path toward translation is precisely the approach needed to accelerate progress in the detection and treatment of gastroesophageal cancer. Addressing this complex and heterogeneous disease requires bold scientific thinking, a willingness to pursue unconventional questions, and a sustained focus on translating discovery into meaningful advances for patients.”

Through the collective support and shared vision of Cancer Research UK’s partners, Cancer Grand Challenges can focus the power of global team science. We thank the Torrey Coast Foundation for making this targeted call possible.

Cancer Grand Challenges Director David Scott emphasised, “We’re excited to be working with the Torrey Coast Foundation to launch these targeted challenges focused on preventing gastroesophageal cancers, where the need for progress is urgent and the scientific opportunity is vast. We hope to unite the world’s best scientists, across borders and disciplines, to conduct ambitious research and make transformative impact."

Applications for these funding calls will close on 24 November 2026. The winning researchers will be announced in March 2027 at the Cancer Grand Challenges Summit, alongside the announcement of our core challenges.