Cancer Currents: An NCI Cancer Research Blog

Collage depicting two major research projects: GTEx and TCGA. On the left, GTEx is represented with a blue silhouette and icons of various organs. On the right, TCGA features a green silhouette with similar organ icons, focusing on tumor-adjacent normal tissue and primary tumors. Central images showcase tissue samples.

Study Uses Open Data to Analyze “Normal” Tissue Near Tumors

By NCI Staff
October 23, 2017

The tissue immediately surrounding a tumor may not be normal, even if it appears normal under the microscope, according to an analysis of data from two genomic databases.

A series of three liver MRI images labeled A, B, and C showing different imaging sequences of the same liver with a mass (indicated by white arrows in each image). Each image shows the same liver lesion with different contrast and visibility depending on the MRI sequence used

Nivolumab Receives Accelerated Approval from FDA for Advanced Liver Cancer

By NCI Staff
October 20, 2017

The FDA has granted accelerated approval to the immunotherapy drug nivolumab (Opdivo®) for patients with advanced liver cancer who have previously been treated with the targeted therapy sorafenib (Nexavar®).

Illustration of Stage III Melanoma. The image depicts the human body with a focus on the lymphatic and circulatory systems. A primary tumor is shown on the arm, with cancer spreading to nearby lymph nodes. Insets highlight cancer involvement in lymph nodes near blood vessels as well as lymph vessel proximity to the primary tumor. Labeled features include lymph vessels, matted lymph nodes, and a primary tumor measuring 2 cm.

Studies Identify Therapies That May Delay Melanoma Recurrence after Surgery

By NCI Staff
October 19, 2017

Two recent clinical trials have identified treatments that may delay cancer from returning in some patients with melanoma. Patients in both trials had advanced melanoma that was surgically removed, and each trial tested different forms of post-surgical, or adjuvant, therapy.

Follicular lymphoma cells stained purple (left) and a scanning acoustic microscopy image of follicular lymphoma cells in neon green, red, and blue (right)

Copanlisib Approved for Follicular Lymphoma

By Carmen Phillips
October 16, 2017

FDA has granted accelerated approval to copanlisib (Aliqopa®) for the treatment of patients with follicular lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

An FDG-PET scan shows a human figure from the front, highlighting areas of metabolic activity in various colors. Bright areas in red and yellow indicate higher activity, particularly in the brain, abdomen, and bladder.

Pembrolizumab Secures FDA Approval in Stomach Cancer

By NCI Staff
October 12, 2017

The FDA has granted accelerated approval to the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) for use in patients with advanced gastric (stomach) cancer that is PD-L1 positive.

Illustration showing a three-step procedure for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer treatment. The first panel depicts an injection of a radioactive substance or dye near a tumor to identify lymph nodes. The second panel shows a probe detecting sentinel nodes. The third panel illustrates the removal of the tumor and sentinel nodes.

Extensive Lymph Node Removal Doesn't Improve Survival in Some Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer

By NCI Staff
October 10, 2017

Long-term results from a large clinical trial confirm that, for some women with early-stage breast cancer who have lumpectomy as their surgical treatment, a less extensive lymph node biopsy approach is sufficient.

A microscopic image shows a cell with a bright blue nucleus surrounded by red and yellow markers, highlighting specific structures or proteins within the cell. The dark background enhances the vivid colors.

Study Identifies Crucial Characteristic of High-Risk HPV

By NCI Staff
October 5, 2017

By comparing the genomes of women infected with a high-risk type of human papillomavirus (HPV), researchers have found that a precise DNA sequence of a viral gene is associated with cervical cancer.

Illustration showing how PD-1 inhibitors and OX40 agonists boost T-cell activity to help destroy cancer cells.

Timing and Sequence Critical for Immunotherapy Combination

By NCI Staff
October 3, 2017

When given at the same time, two immune checkpoint inhibitors were ineffective against breast cancer growth in mice, a new study found. The combination was more effective and safer if the two inhibitors were given in a specific sequence.

Kids First Pediatric Research Program Moves Forward

By J. Guidry Auvil, Ph.D., and M. Smith, M.D., Ph.D.
September 29, 2017

Progress continues to be made with the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Program, which is creating opportunities for investigators from different research communities to share resources and collaborate on research into childhood cancers and certain birth defects.

Microscopic image of a bone marrow smear showing clustered purple-stained leukemia cells from a patient with acute myeloid leukemia, demonstrating the abnormal accumulation of white blood cells characteristic of this cancer.

Gemtuzumab Receives New FDA Approval for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

By NCI Staff
September 28, 2017

FDA has approved gemtuzumab ozogamicin (Mylotarg™) for adults with newly diagnosed CD33-positive AML and patients 2 years and older with CD33-positive AML who have experienced a relapse or whose disease has not responded to initial treatment.