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NCI Cancer Bulletin: A Trusted Source for Cancer Research NewsNCI Cancer Bulletin: A Trusted Source for Cancer Research News
September 7, 2004 • Volume 1 / Number 34 E-Mail This Document  |  Download PDF  |  Bulletin Archive/Search  |  Subscribe

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Featured Article

Two New Studies Profile Prognostic Factors for Breast Cancer

Two new studies provide insight into the use of new and standard prognostic factors for women with breast cancer. The first, conducted by Dr. Massimo Cristofanilli and colleagues at several prominent U.S. cancer research centers, confirms the long-held hypothesis that the number of cancer cells in the blood are a direct indicator of disease severity. The results are published in the August 19 New England Journal of Medicine.

This research was performed using a new test - the CellSearch System - which uses antibody-coated magnetic beads followed by fluorescently labeled monoclonal antibodies to distinguish cancerous epithelial cells from leukocytes in a blood sample. The test was developed by the research sponsor, Immunicon Corp. Read more  

Director's Update

A Vital Connection to the Cancer Community

One of the most effective ways in which NCI interacts with the cancer community is through our advisory boards. Next week, for instance, the National Cancer Advisory Board (NCAB) will meet for the third time this year. Among the advisory boards and committees to NCI, the NCAB plays a unique role. The NCAB advises both NCI leadership and the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services with regard to the Institute's strategic plan and its intramural and extramural research activities. The committee's 18 members are appointed by the President.

The NCAB also is distinct from other NCI advisory boards in that it provides secondary peer review of all grant applications to NCI over $50,000. This is a critical responsibility that ensures the NCAB is an active participant in guiding the direction of cancer research. Read more  


This NCI Cancer Bulletin is produced by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). NCI, which was established in 1937, leads a national effort to eliminate the suffering and death due to cancer. Through basic and clinical biomedical research and training, NCI conducts and supports research that will lead to a future in which we can prevent cancer before it starts, identify cancers that do develop at the earliest stage, eliminate cancers through innovative treatment interventions, and biologically control those cancers that we cannot eliminate so they become manageable, chronic diseases.

For more information on cancer, call 1-800-4-CANCER or visit http://www.cancer.gov.

NCI Cancer Bulletin staff can be reached at ncicancerbulletin@mail.nih.gov.