National Cancer Institute (NCI) researchers have developed a model to predict survival of patients with follicular lymphoma based on the genetic "signatures" of their tumors at diagnosis. According to the model, the activity of two sets of genes - termed "survival-associated signatures" by lead researcher Dr. Louis Staudt and colleagues - was associated with either more aggressive forms of the cancer and shorter survival times, or slower moving forms of the cancer and longer survival times.

The findings, published in the Nov. 18 New England Journal of Medicine, could have implications for treatment of follicular lymphoma. Survival among follicular lymphoma patients varies dramatically, explains Dr. Staudt, a principal investigator in the NCI Center for Cancer Research Metabolism Branch. "Understanding the molecular causes of such differences in survival could provide a more accurate method to determine patient risk," Dr. Staudt says, "that could be used to guide treatment and may suggest new therapeutic approaches."

To perform gene expression profiles for this study, researchers used DNA microarray analysis, a method for quickly scanning thousands of genes for activity in a tumor sample. The researchers used the Lymphochip - a glass chip with DNA "spots" on it from approximately 18,500 genes expressed in lymph tissue - created in Dr. Staudt's laboratory to study lymphoid cancers.  Read more  



Achieving Success and Addressing Challenges in Tobacco Control

In the landmark 1964 U.S. Surgeon General's report on smoking and health, then-Surgeon General Dr. Luther L. Terry called for "appropriate remedial action" to combat smoking and its detrimental effects. Over the last few weeks, we have seen the cancer community's continued dedication to combating the smoking scourge, and witnessed the impact it has had. As reported in last week's Bulletin, there is now a new, single access number to the existing network of tobacco quitline services, 1-800-QUITNOW. The launch of this centralized quitline - and related Web site, www.smokefree.gov - is an integral component of our nationwide effort to help tobacco users end their deadly habit. And last Thursday brought us the 28th annual Great American Smokeout, the excellent campaign spearheaded by the American Cancer Society. Last year approximately 20 percent of current smokers participated in this 1-day event - a clear indication that there is a sincere desire among many tobacco users to quit.   Read more  

The NCI Cancer Bulletin is produced by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). NCI, which was established in 1937, leads the national effort to eliminate the suffering and death due to cancer. Through basic, clinical, and population-based biomedical research and training, NCI conducts and supports research that will lead to a future in which we can identify the environmental and genetic causes of cancer, 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.