Cancer Currents: An NCI Cancer Research Blog

Desktop computer displaying a medical education website about "Moles to Melanoma: Recognizing the ABCDE Features" with interactive questions on the left and medical photographs on the right, shown next to a small potted plant.

Online Tool Helps Users Distinguish Moles from Melanoma

By NCI Staff
May 23, 2016

“Moles to Melanoma: Recognizing the ABCDE Features” presents photos that show changes in individual pigmented lesions over time, and describes the different appearances of moles, dysplastic nevi, and melanomas.

Improving Cancer Control in Rural Communities: An Interview with Dr. Robert Croyle

By NCI Staff
May 18, 2016

NCI’s Dr. Robert Croyle discusses some of the issues related to cancer control faced by rural communities and how NCI is approaching this important problem.

Crosstalk between Cancer Cells and Neighboring Cells May Contribute to Tumor Growth

By NCI Staff
May 16, 2016

Pancreatic cancer cells and neighboring normal cells engage in a two-way molecular conversation that helps drive malignant behavior in the cancer cells, according to new study results.

Illustration of a complex signaling pathway overlaid on a background of stained cells. It depicts the activation of the NF-kB pathway, featuring components like the CBM complex, cIAP1/2, LUBAC, and IKK, represented in various colors. Arrows indicate the flow of signaling events, highlighting the interactions that lead to NF-kB activation.

New Treatment Target Identified for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

By NCI Staff
May 13, 2016

NCI researchers have identified new therapeutic targets for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Drugs that hit these targets are under clinical development and the researchers hope to begin testing them in clinical trials of patients with DLBCL.

Six white circular icons on a blue background displaying tobacco-related items: a cigarette, vaping device, pipe, hookah/water pipe, e-cigarette, and a calendar with a no-smoking symbol.

Improving Public Health through Increased Tobacco Regulation

By Robert T. Croyle, Ph.D.
May 10, 2016

NCI’s Dr. Robert Croyle discusses the Food and Drug Administration’s release of a rule that extends its regulatory authority over tobacco products to include cigars, e-cigarettes, hookah (waterpipe) tobacco.

A graphic illustration with the title Data Sharing. Three teal green circles are connected by a lines; inside each circle is 0s and 1s as a nod to binary computer code. Bottom text reads “Contribute your cancer research ideas for the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative.” The headline text and the text at the bottom is a dark, muted blue. In the background, other circles containing medical-based illustrations are connected by lines.

Calling on Data Enthusiasts to Help Advance Cancer Research

By Warren Kibbe, Ph.D.
May 9, 2016

Health data enthusiasts of all stripes were in Washington, D.C., today for Health Datapalooza. NCI's Dr. Warren Kibbe explains that this annual event explores a topic that is central to NCI’s efforts against cancer: creating knowledge from data.

An illustration of a thyroid (in white) along with a larynx and trachea in blue. Next to it, an unlabeled pie chart. The pie chart has a smaller, medium-blue pie slice surrounded by a larger, dark-blue slice.

After Rising for Decades, Thyroid Cancer Incidence Stabilizes

By NCI Staff
May 6, 2016

After rising steadily since the 1990s, the incidence of thyroid cancer in the United States may be leveling off, according to an analysis of data from NCI’s SEER program.

A collage of a close of pathology slide - cells that are mostly pink with a light center alongside three purple cells with blue exteriors - fading into six blood samples in tubes. The tubes have labels that have a bar code and light purple or orange tops.

Venetoclax Approved for Some Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

By NCI Staff
May 4, 2016

The FDA has approved venetoclax for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia whose tumors have a specific genetic alteration.

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.