Cancer Currents: An NCI Cancer Research Blog

Trial Highlights Complexities of Targeted Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer

By NCI Staff
June 26, 2019

Olaparib (Lynparza) may be beneficial for some people with advanced pancreatic cancer who have inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, according to results from the POLO trial.

Diagram illustrating the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway. At the top, the cell membrane is shown, with androgen molecules (A) entering the cytoplasm. In the cytoplasm, androgen binds to AR, which dissociates from heat shock proteins (HSP). The AR-androgen complex translocates into the nucleus, where it binds to androgen response elements (ARE) on DNA, alongside co-regulators (Co-R). This binding initiates transcription, depicted by arrows from DNA. The process leads to the expression of genes like

More Treatment Options Emerging for Some Men with Metastatic Prostate Cancer

By NCI Staff
June 19, 2019

In two large clinical trials, the drugs enzalutamide (Xtandi) and apalutamide (Erleada), respectively, combined with the androgen deprivation therapy, improved the survival of men with metastatic prostate cancer that still responds to hormone-suppressing therapies.

A two panel image: the left is labeled Human BCL-2 Isoform 1 and the right is labeled Human BCL-2 Isoform 2. Similar lumpy structures are partially opaque in both; ribbon-like structures, which are darker, overlap both shapes.

Combination Therapy with Venetoclax Approved for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

By NCI Staff
June 17, 2019

The Food and Drug Administration has approved venetoclax (Venclexta) in combination with obinutuzumab (Gazyva) for the initial treatment of adults with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma.

A diagram showing cell growth and cell cycle/survival as well as cell migration. The growth factor receptor is associated with cell growth and cell cycle/survival. Integrins are associated with cell migration. A number of different proteins and their interactions are defined with arrows.

Researchers Turn On PTEN Tumor-Suppressor Protein in Cancer Cells

By NCI Staff
June 14, 2019

Researchers have discovered a potential way to turn on one of the most commonly silenced tumor-suppressor proteins in cancer, called PTEN. They also found a natural compound, I3C, that in lab studies could flip the on switch.

A pediatric patient wears a stethoscope and holds a stuffed bear as his father smiles at him

The Childhood Cancer Data Initiative: Why Data Sharing Is Essential to Progress

By Douglas Lowy, M.D.
June 12, 2019

NCI is laying the groundwork to develop the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI). NCI Acting Director Douglas Lowy, M.D., explains why an initiative with a focus on data sharing is essential to accelerating progress against childhood cancer.

A microscopic view of smoldering myeloma. Scattered cells are colored in pink and red hues; the smoldering myeloma, which is shown as three large clumps, is colored purple.

Drug Shows Promise in Slowing Progression of Smoldering Myeloma to Cancer

By NCI Staff
June 7, 2019

The drug lenalidomide (Revlimid) may delay the progression of smoldering myeloma to multiple myeloma, according to preliminary results from a clinical trial.

A schematic of the potential different uses for cancer-related proteins discovered through proteogenomic studies.

Studying Genes and Proteins Together Sheds New Light on Colon Cancer

By NCI Staff
May 28, 2019

Using novel proteogenomic techniques, scientists from NCI’s Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium have uncovered new features of colon cancer that may guide new treatment strategies.

Diagram illustrating how T-DM1 antibody-drug conjugate works by binding to HER2 receptors on cancer cells, followed by internalization and release of the emtansine drug payload inside the cell.

T-DM1 Approval Expanded to Include Some Women with Early-Stage HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

By NCI Staff
May 23, 2019

FDA has expanded the approved use of the drug ado-trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla), also called T-DM1, to include adjuvant treatment in some women with early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer.

X-ray image showing the hip and upper thigh bone area, revealing a metastatic tumor that has spread to the bone tissue.

When Cancer Spreads to Bone, A Single Dose of Radiation Therapy May Control Pain

By NCI Staff
May 21, 2019

New findings from a clinical trial suggest that a single dose of radiation therapy may control painful bone metastases as effectively as multiple lower doses of radiation therapy.

A Schematic Diagram of the Pediatric MATCH Trial

Pediatric MATCH Study Finds More Targetable Genetic Changes than Expected

By NCI Staff
May 16, 2019

An early report from the NCI–COG Pediatric MATCH trial shows that 24% of young patients with advanced cancer who had their tumors tested for genetic changes were eligible to receive one of the targeted therapies being tested.