2016 - Cancer Currents Blog

A male researcher, wearing lab goggles, a white coat, and blue gloves, pours pink fluid from a small glass container into another small cylinder that is focused underneath a microscope. The microscope and fluid containers are in focus in the foreground, the man and his environment are blurry, indicating depth of field.

The Cancer Community's Next Steps for the Moonshot Initiative

By Dinah Singer, Ph.D.
April 29, 2016

The National Cancer Moonshot Initiative’s Blue Ribbon Panel is moving quickly to develop recommendations on how to accelerate progress against cancer.

A computer generated image of a cancer cell with antibody–photoabsorber conjugates attached to it. The cancer cell is a bumpy purple sphere. The antibody-photoabsorber is two parts: first, two blue columns with a spherical top emerge from the cell (receptors). On top of the two columns, a three-sided shape sits on top of the columns (a conjugate). The conjugate has three grey spheres attached to it. Multiple photoabsorbers are attached to the cancer cell.

Targeted Photoimmunotherapy Approach for Cancer Moves Forward

By NCI Staff
April 25, 2016

Two new studies from NCI researchers add to growing evidence of the promise of a novel type of cancer immunotherapy that uses infrared light to activate rapid and selective killing of cancer cells.

Testis and adrenal points at a circle with a diagram inside of it. At the top of the diagram, a red oval labeled T/DHEA points at a yellow box labeled DHT, which points at another box labeled DHT sitting on top of an oval labeled AR. There’s another DHT box + AR oval below it. An arrow points to the right; two AR ovals are next to each other with the label ARE below. An up arrow has the words growth, survival, PSA next to it.

New Treatment Target Identified for Key Prostate Cancer Driver

By NCI Staff
April 22, 2016

Researchers have identified a potential alternative approach to blocking a key molecular driver of an advanced form of prostate cancer, called androgen-independent or castration-resistant prostate cancer.

VP Biden speaks at a lectern with the Presidential seal

A Shared Commitment for Accelerating Progress with the Cancer Moonshot

By Douglas R. Lowy, M.D.
April 20, 2016

At the AACR annual meeting, Vice President Biden spoke about the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative and the critical role the entire research community will play in accelerating progress against cancer.

Two-panel illustration showing the interaction between T cells and tumor cells. The left panel is titled "PD-L1 binds to PD-1 and inhibits T cell killing of tumor cell" and shows an antigen and T cell receptor, illustrating the inhibition of T cell activity. The right panel is titled "Blocking PD-L1 or PD-1 allows T cell killing of tumor cell" and shows tumor cell death, indicating successful T cell activity.

Pembrolizumab Shows Promise in Patients with Rare Form of Skin Cancer

By NCI Staff
April 19, 2016

In a small clinical trial, more than half of the patients with an aggressive form of skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma responded to the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab.

A three-panel image. The top panel is a shining sun in a blue, cloudless sky; the bottom left panel is a piece of salmon with herbs on top; and the bottom right panel is a glass of milk with a straw.

Vitamin D Deficiency May Promote Spread of Some Breast Cancers

By NCI Staff
April 14, 2016

Low vitamin D levels are associated with metastasis in women with breast cancer, suggests a new study.

Two sisters sitting side by side reading in a hospital bed

Toward Precision Therapy for Children with Cancer: An Interview with Dr. Javed Khan

By NCI Staff
April 13, 2016

NCI’s Dr. Javed Khan discusses a new NCI clinical program and the promise and challenges of genome-guided therapy for children with cancer.

A stained slide mostly colored purple with some red and pink highlights. In a large area of white, red blood cells have a blue arrow pointing at them, and an iNPG-pDox nanoparticle has a red arrow pointing at it.

Nanoparticle Generator Slips Chemotherapy Past Tumor Cells’ Protective Barriers

By NCI Staff
April 11, 2016

Researchers have developed a new injectable nanoparticle-generating technology that can deliver a cancer drug to the nucleus of metastatic breast cancer cells.

Anatomical diagrams comparing male urinary system (left) and female urinary system (right), showing kidneys, renal pelvis, ureters, bladder, urethra, and renal tubules. The left diagram also includes the prostate, while the right includes the uterus.

Sunitinib and Sorafenib Ineffective as Adjuvant Therapies for Kidney Cancer

By NCI Staff
April 8, 2016

Results from a recent clinical trial show that post-surgical therapy with two anti-angiogenesis drugs does not improve progression-free survival for patients with kidney cancer and may cause serious side effects.

An endoscopic view of polyps. The polyps are of various sizes, mostly dome-shaped, around all sides of what appears to be a pink tunnel.

Drug Combination Shrinks Duodenal Polyps in People with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

By NCI Staff
April 7, 2016

In a small clinical trial of people with an inherited condition that greatly increases gastrointestinal cancer risk, a two-drug combination shrank precancerous lesions in the duodenum.