New on NCI Websites for March 2017

March 6, 2017, by NCI Staff

NCI Drug Formulary

In January, NCI launched a new resource to help investigators at NCI-Designated Cancer Centers get quicker access to approved and investigational agents for use in preclinical studies and cancer clinical trials. The NCI Formulary could ultimately translate into speeding the availability of more-effective treatment options to patients with cancer.

Cancer Moonshot^SM Funding Opportunities

Several new funding opportunities that align with goals outlined in the Cancer Moonshot Blue Ribbon Panel report are now available to researchers. The full list of funding opportunity announcements in the Moonshot research portfolio can be found on NCI's Cancer Moonshot website and at grants.nih.gov.

Aspirin to Reduce Cancer Risk

Millions of adults take aspirin to reduce their risk of heart attack or stroke, but studies over the last two decades have suggested that regular aspirin use may also decrease the risk of developing or dying from some types of cancer. In this revised research update, learn how researchers are exploring aspirin’s ability to prevent certain cancers.

New Video Explains How Cancer Spreads

This new animated video shows how cancer cells travel from the place in the body where they first formed to other parts of the body. You can watch the video and learn more on our Metastatic Cancer page.

Updated Cancer Trends Progress Report

NCI's Cancer Trends Progress Report summarizes our nation's advances against cancer. The updated report includes the latest key measures of progress along the cancer control continuum and uses national trend data to illustrate where improvements have been made.

New Tobacco Control Monograph Released

The World Health Organization and NCI recently released The Economics of Tobacco and Tobacco Control, the latest in a series of monographs on tobacco use and tobacco control. The new report examines current research surrounding the economics of tobacco control in many countries around the world. In this interview, Mark Parascandola, Ph.D., of NCI’s Tobacco Control Research Branch, talks about the importance of this new monograph.

NCTN/NCORP Data Archive

NCI recently launched the NCTN/NCORP Data Archive, a centralized repository of patient-level data from phase III clinical trials conducted by NCI’s National Clinical Trials Network, the NCI Community Oncology Research Program, and the National Cancer Institute of Canada-Clinical Trials Group. The data archive expands NCI’s data-sharing activities, which have focused on genetic and genomic data, into patient-level clinical trial data. You can learn more in this recent Cancer Currents blog post Cancer Currents.

Resources for International Partners

NCI has compiled a page of online resources and tools for researchers and staff of foreign governments, nongovernmental organizations, and U.S. government agencies working to reduce the global burden of cancer. These resources include those for cancer planning and control; communications support; consortiums; and training and education. They also include information about the NCI divisions, offices, and centers that engage in global efforts to reduce cancer; and the goals and activities of the Cancer Moonshot initiative.

YouTube and Facebook Live Events on Prostate and Cervical Cancer Treatment

Recordings of recent YouTube Live and Facebook Live events featuring NCI scientists and NCI-funded researchers are now available. In NCI’s first-ever YouTube Live event, William Dahut, M.D., of NCI’s Center for Cancer Research, and Heather Cheng, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Washington, discussed current research efforts, directions for future research, and treatment options for prostate cancer. The Facebook Live event included NCI's Christina Annunziata, M.D., Ph.D., and Sarah Temkin, M.D., from Virginia Commonwealth University discussing cervical cancer treatment and clinical trials.

DCEG Releases Spring 2017 Linkage Newsletter

NCI’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics has published the spring 2017 issue of its Linkage newsletter, which features news and summaries of recent research publications, staff updates, organizational news and events, and information about fellowships.

Revised Fact Sheets Available

• The Obesity and Cancer fact sheet includes updated statistics and estimates of cancers caused by being overweight or obese, new information about research on the topic, and a new section about the effects of obesity on cancer survivorship.
• The Physical Activity and Cancer fact sheet now includes information on possible mechanisms for the link between physical activity and lower cancer risk, health risks associated with sedentary behavior, and updated information about research and ongoing clinical trials on this topic.
• The Mammograms fact sheet now includes the latest information about factors related to false-positive test results, categories of breast density that require reporting, and two new research studies.
• Several references listed on the Hair Dyes and Cancer Risk fact sheet were updated.
• Information about targeted therapies has been added to the Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer fact sheet.

Updated Patient Education Publications

• Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies explains what clinical trials are, why they are important, and how the rights and safety of those who take part are protected.
• Radiation Therapy and You explains the different types of radiation therapy that are used to treat cancer, covers ways that doctors attempt to protect healthy cells from harm, lists which side effects might result from treatment, and offers tips for managing them.

Brain and Other Nervous System Cancers Video

NCI has released the latest video from our Did You Know? Series. The video discusses which brain and other central nervous system cancers occur in children and adults, risk factors, survival rates, symptoms, and where to find more information about clinical trials for these cancers.

Talking to Your Loved One with Advanced Cancer

For people who have a loved one with advanced cancer, it can be difficult to know what to say or how to talk with them. This new information on NCI’s website offers suggestions for keeping the lines of communication open.

Risk Factors: Infectious Agents

NCI has updated its resource on infectious agents, including more information about the infectious agents associated with specific cancer types, such as who is at risk, how the agents spread, how spread can be prevented, symptoms, and treatment.

New Drug Information Summaries Added

Two new summaries have been added to NCI’s collection of drug information summaries.

• A drug called cladribine (Leustatin®) is used to treat a type of leukemia called hairy cell leukemia.
• Rucaparib camsylate (Rubraca™) was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat advanced ovarian cancer with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations in patients who have already been treated with chemotherapy.