Cancer Currents: An NCI Cancer Research Blog

A diagram showing an androgen receptor in the cell. Outside the cell, a brain and two organ diagrams, linked by arrows, point to the outside of the cell, with “T” and “DHEA” labeled. Inside the cytoplasm, a small circle labeled T/DHT points to the AR circle, which has an arrow pointing from it to the nucleus labeled “Nuclear localization.” Inside the nucleus are circles, labeled Co-activators/co-repressors above a DNA strand with an arrow coming from the strand that says Transcription.

Darolutamide Delays the Spread of Some Prostate Cancers

By NCI Staff
March 15, 2019

The investigational drug darolutamide can help delay the spread of prostate cancer in some men with the disease, a recent clinical trial shows. In addition, the drug caused fewer side effects than similar prostate cancer drugs.

Six histological slides stained with Masson's trichrome to highlight collagen in tissues. Each slide represents a different condition: normal pancreas tissue, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. The slides show varying patterns of red (indicating muscle and keratin), blue (indicating collagen), and white spaces (indicating cellular and glandular structures), offering visual insights into the structural differences between healthy and cancerous tissues.

Bone Marrow Transplant Drug May Improve Immunotherapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer

By NCI Staff
March 11, 2019

The build-up of connective tissue around some types of cancer can act as a barrier to immunotherapy. A new study uses a bone marrow transplant drug, plerixafor, to break down this barrier and improve the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in animal models of breast cancer.

Various smoking cessation products including an e-cigarette device, nicotine patches, pills in blister packs, and white capsules arranged on a white surface.

UK Clinical Trial Compares E-cigarettes, Nicotine-Replacement Products for Smoking Cessation

By NCI Staff
March 8, 2019

Researchers in the United Kingdom have found that e-cigarettes combined with counseling may be more helpful to smokers trying to quit tobacco than counseling and nicotine-replacement products, such as patches, gums, and lozenges.

An illustration of different sized hands in various shades of brown, red, yellow and white on a brown background.

Making Cancer Clinical Trials Available to More Patients

By P. Ivy, A. Denicoff, G. Mishkin & F. Arnaldez
March 7, 2019

NCI is expanding eligibility criteria for its cancer clinical trials in the hope that more patients will join, leading to more rapid advances. The goal is to maximize the number of patients who are eligible to enroll while maintaining their safety.

Female doctor showing tablet to senior African-American patient

Multipronged Approach Eliminates Racial Disparities in Early-Stage Lung Cancer Treatment

By Elia Ben-Ari
March 5, 2019

Use of a multipronged approach within hospitals, including community centers, not only eliminated treatment disparities among black and white patients with early-stage lung cancer, it also improved treatment rates for all patients, results from a new study show.

Becky Owens (left) and Sara Rothschild (right) smiling and wearing bright blue superhero capes pose in a hospital environment. The capes feature the words "Be a Hero for Cancer."

NCI’s Rare Cancer Clinics: Engaging Patients and Fostering Collaboration

By NCI Staff
February 28, 2019

NCI has created special clinics that bring together clinicians, patients, and advocates to promote more rapid progress against rare cancers. The effort includes both rare pediatric cancers and central nervous system tumors in adults.

Wendy Stock, M.D., of the University of Chicago, and her patient Jenn Ferguson.

Treatment for Children with Leukemia Also Effective for Adolescents, Young Adults

By NCI Staff
February 25, 2019

A clinical trial found that an intensive treatment regimen developed specifically for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia is also effective for older adolescents and young adults with the disease.

Partnering with Small Business to Advance Innovation in Cancer Research and Care

By Norman E. Sharpless, M.D.
February 21, 2019

NCI Director Dr. Norman Sharpless describes how NCI’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs act as “engines of innovation” and shares recommendations from a federal working group for strengthening the programs.

Microscopic image of liver tissue showing metastatic breast cancer cells highlighted in brown staining, surrounded by normal liver tissue with blue-stained nuclei.

Dormant Tumor Cells Can Be Sensitized to Chemotherapy

By NCI Staff
February 20, 2019

A new study in mice shows that disrupting the relationship between breast cancer cells that spread to bone and normal cells surrounding them makes the cancer cells sensitive to treatment.

A CAR T-Cell Therapy for Multiple Childhood Cancers?

By NCI Staff
February 14, 2019

An experimental CAR T-cell therapy may have potential as a treatment for several types of childhood cancer, results from a new study in mice suggest. The CAR T cells eradicated tumors in mouse models of several different childhood cancers, including two forms of sarcoma and medulloblastoma.