Cancer Currents: An NCI Cancer Research Blog

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.

A doctor puts his hand on an older man's shoulder.

FDA Approvals Bring New Options for Older Patients with AML

By NCI Staff
December 27, 2018

FDA has approved venetoclax (Venclexta) and glasdegib (Daurismo) for use in people with acute myeloid leukemia aged 75 and older and those with health conditions that prevent them from receiving the intensive chemotherapy regimen that is the standard initial treatment.

A teenage girl receiving a vaccine in her upper arm from a nurse.

The HPV Vaccine: Increasing the Use of an Important Cancer Prevention Tool

By Barbara K. Rimer, Dr.P.H.
December 20, 2018

Dr. Barbara Rimer, chair of the President’s Cancer Panel, summarizes the panel’s recent report on the HPV vaccine, which includes priorities and strategies to ensure that more people receive this critical cancer vaccine.

Side-by-side medical imaging scans showing breast radiation therapy planning with highlighted treatment areas and dose grids.

Whole- and Partial-Breast Radiation Effective at Preventing Breast Cancer from Returning

By NCI Staff
December 19, 2018

In women with early-stage breast cancer, two clinical trials have shown that both whole- and partial-breast radiation therapy are effective at preventing the cancer from returning after breast-conserving surgery.

Ned Sharpless, dressed in a suite and tie, stands speaking at a podium. His expression is neutral and his hands are raised to chest level. The podium is wooden and has text reading “National Institutes of Health” carved into it. The podium also has two microphones. In the background, an American flag and a curtain can be seen.

Plans for NCI’s Fiscal Year 2019 Budget

By Norman E. Sharpless, M.D.
December 18, 2018

NCI Director Dr. Ned Sharpless describes important decisions NCI leaders have recently made with respect to the institute’s fiscal year 2019 budget, including those related to the Cancer Moonshot and early-stage investigators.

Fluorescent microscope image showing cellular mitochondria in red surrounding blue-stained cell nuclei, demonstrating where cellular metabolism occurs within the cell structure.

Drug Combination May Target the Unique Metabolism of Leukemia Stem Cells

By NCI Staff
December 14, 2018

Two new studies show how the drugs venetoclax (Venclexta) and azacitidine (Vidaza) team up to block the unique metabolism of leukemia stem cells and may explain why the drug combination is effective against acute myeloid leukemia.