Cancer Currents: An NCI Cancer Research Blog

A tumor (yellow) is shown in the background. Components within the microenvironment are overlaid on the tumor, including a dendritic cell (pink), a T-cell (blue), a fibroblast (purple and pink), a natural killer cell (dark blue), a regulatory t cell (aqua), blood vessels (red), a macrophage cell (red with a yellow center), and a myeloid cell (green)

HTAN: Mapping Tumors across Space and Time Using Cutting-Edge Technologies

By NCI Staff
February 12, 2019

The Human Tumor Atlas Network, an NCI-led collaborative research project, is creating detailed maps of cancers that will be used to learn how cancer develops, spreads, and responds to treatment.

Patient lying on CT scan table receiving low-dose screening for lung cancer, with medical technician operating the machine in a hospital setting displaying Veterans Affairs and ICARE logos on equipment monitors.

After Lung Cancer Screening, Follow-Up Procedures May Be Riskier than Thought

By NCI Staff
February 8, 2019

In everyday medical care, there may be more complications from invasive diagnostic procedures performed after lung cancer screening than has been reported in large studies.

Colorful scientific illustration of protein synthesis showing a ribosome translating mRNA into a growing protein chain. The diagram shows mRNA (red ribbon) with codons (GUA, UGG, GUA), the blue ribosome with amino acids (LEU, TRP, VAL) being added to an orange protein chain, and the relationship between nucleotide triplets and their corresponding amino acids. The background indicates a cellular context with 'CYTOPLASM' labeled at the top

Curbing Production of Immune Checkpoint Protein Slows Liver Cancer in Mice

By NCI Staff
February 6, 2019

Researchers have found an unconventional way to unleash the immune system against liver cancer in mice. The researchers used an investigational drug to curb the production of a checkpoint inhibitor protein that shields tumors from the immune system.

Images of a patient with stage four Merkel cell carcinoma.

Pembrolizumab Now Second Immunotherapy Approved to Treat Merkel Cell Carcinoma

By NCI Staff
February 4, 2019

FDA has approved pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to treat people with Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and deadly form of skin cancer. The approval covers use of the drug to treat locally advanced or metastatic forms of the disease.

Fluorescent microscopy image shows colorful chromosomes scattered across a dark background. Each chromosome glows in bright hues of red, green, blue, and yellow, indicating different genetic markers. Two large, multi-colored circular structures are visible, representing cell nuclei, adding a striking contrast to the intricate chromosome patterns.

Glioblastoma Study Highlights Sex Differences in Brain Cancer

By NCI Staff
January 30, 2019

Men and women with glioblastoma appear to respond differently to standard treatment. A new study identifies biological factors that might contribute to this sex difference.

A factoid titled “Number of new cases of prostate cancer per 100,000 men”. There are two bars: one labeled White with the number 105.7, and one labeled Black with the number 178.3. In the bottom corner, the URL cancer.gov and “Source: SEER 18 2011-2015, Age-Adjusted”.

African American Men More Likely to Die from Low-Grade Prostate Cancer

By NCI Staff
January 28, 2019

For African American men, the risk of dying from low-grade prostate cancer is double that of men of other races, a new study has found. But, despite the increase, the risk is still small.

Fluorescent microscope image showing sensory nerve fibers in red infiltrating and growing into green prostate cancer cells that have metastasized to bone tissue.

Managing Cancer Pain: Are Better Approaches on the Horizon?

By NCI Staff
January 23, 2019

Pain is a common and much-feared symptom among people with cancer and long-term survivors. As more people survive cancer for longer periods, there is a renewed interest in developing new, nonaddictive approaches for managing their chronic pain.

Immunotherapy Effective in Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma

By NCI Staff
January 9, 2019

People with advanced alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS), a rare cancer, appear to benefit from a type of immunotherapy called an immune checkpoint inhibitor, according to results from a small clinical trial.

Interaction between a T cell and cancer cell with atezolizumab. Four shapes link the two cells. The first is labeled TCR in the T cell and MHC in the cancer cell. Antigen is also labeled in the center. The second has CD28 for the T cell, CD 80 for the cancer cell. The third has CTLA-4 and CD80, and the four has PD-1 and PD-L1 in the T and cancer cell regions respectively. Arrows with plus signs point at the T cell from the TCR and CD28 connectors; the CTLA-4 and PD-1 connectors have a minus sign.

Atezolizumab Approved for Initial Treatment of Metastatic Lung Cancer

By NCI Staff
January 7, 2019

On December 6, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved atezolizumab (Tecentriq) in combination with a standard three-drug regimen as an initial treatment for advanced lung cancer that does not have EGFR or ALK mutations.

Imaging scans showing a lung nodule in panels A and B that enlarged over 11 months (panels C and D) and later confirmed as lung cancer via biopsy.

For Early-Stage Lung Cancer, Study Identifies Potential New Biomarker, Treatment Target

By NCI Staff
January 3, 2019

A new study has identified a potential biomarker of early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The biomarker, the study’s leaders said, could help diagnose precancerous lung growths and early-stage lung cancers noninvasively and distinguish them from noncancerous growths.