The Fanconi Cancer Consortium (FACC)  unites researchers, medical centers, and individuals with FA in a collective mission against FA cancer. Dedicated to bolstering cancer care strategies through evidence-based research, the FACC prioritizes a comprehensive approach to all FA-related cancers. With investigative teams spanning globally renowned institutions such as the National Institutes of Health, the Rockefeller University, and more, the FACC champions cutting-edge research and education programs. Supported by grants from the Fanconi Cancer Foundation and FA advocacy groups like Fanconi Canada and Deutsche Fanconi-Anämie-Hilfe e.V., the FACC is working to revolutionize the landscape of FA cancer care.

In a first-ever collaboration in 2021, the Fanconi Cancer Foundation joined forces with Stand Up To Cancer® (SU2C) and three partner organizations to award a transformative $3.25 million grant to an esteemed team of researchers. Tasked with pioneering new treatments for FA head and neck cancers, this initiative harnesses SU2C’s unique ability to mobilize the entertainment industry in support of cutting-edge translational cancer research.

Over the past two years, this dedicated team of researchers has achieved remarkable milestones. They have developed a comprehensive understanding of the biology of FA-related tumors; tested new therapeutic approaches to FA-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; identified effective chemoprevention treatments, and assessed the toxicity of potential cancer therapeutics.

Now, the team is actively collaborating with FCF to launch a clinical trial focused on FA cancer prevention. This pivotal partnership includes three  nonprofit organizations: the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, the American Head and Neck Society, and the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance.

Individuals diagnosed with FA face a heightened risk of developing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) at a young age, with long-term survival rates impacted by toxicity concerns associated with conventional chemotherapy treatments. In a new endeavor, funded in part by the FCF and pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, the first-ever clinical trial targeting FA-related HNSCC is underway.

Hosted in Spain and Germany, this study focuses on investigating the efficacy and safety of afatinib, a targeted therapy that addresses a specific part of cancer cells called the EGFR receptor. Aimed at individuals with FA diagnosed with unresectable and/or advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region, this trial holds promise in revolutionizing treatment approaches for FA-related HNSCC.