Cancer Currents: An NCI Cancer Research Blog
A blog featuring news and research updates from the National Cancer Institute. Learn more about Cancer Currents.
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Study Identifies Potential Drug Combination for Ewing SarcomaFrom experiments in cells and mice, researchers have identified a two-drug combination that kills more Ewing sarcoma cells than either drug on its own. The study findings could help inform future clinical trials.
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Liquid Biopsy: Using DNA in Blood to Detect, Track, and Treat CancerResearch studies show tests that analyze tumor DNA in blood, called liquid biopsies, may help detect cancer early, guide precision cancer treatment, and track treatment response.
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Study Tracks the Evolution of Treatment Resistance in Metastatic Breast CancerA new study suggests that the cells in treatment-resistant tumors in women with metastatic breast cancer share important characteristics that could potentially make tumors vulnerable to therapies that otherwise might not have been considered.
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Levels of Immune Cells within Ovarian Tumors Linked to Survival for Some PatientsA large international study suggests that the presence of certain immune cells within the tumors of some patients with ovarian cancer are associated with improved survival.
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New on NCI’s Websites for November 2017NCI periodically provides updates on new websites and other online content of interest to the cancer community.
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Assuming the Role of NCI Director: Working to Accelerate ProgressNorman Sharpless, M.D., discusses his appointment as the director of the National Cancer Institute and his plans for continuing NCI’s long tradition of research excellence and commitment to improving people’s lives.
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TMIST Trial Aims to Provide Clarity on Breast Cancer Screening ApproachesA large nationwide clinical trial called TMIST has been launched to compare two techniques used for mammograms: tomosynthesis, often called 3D mammography, and standard 2D digital mammography.
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Abemaciclib Approved by FDA for Advanced or Metastatic Breast CancerFDA approved abemaciclib (Verzenio™) for the treatment of some people with advanced or metastatic HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer whose disease has progressed after treatment with hormone therapy.
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With FDA Approval for Advanced Lymphoma, Second CAR T-Cell Therapy Moves to the ClinicOne month after approving the first CAR T-cell therapy for cancer, FDA has approved a second such therapy. The treatment, axicabtagene ciloleucel (Yescarta™), was approved for some patients with advanced non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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Study Uses Open Data to Analyze “Normal” Tissue Near TumorsThe 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.
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Nivolumab Receives Accelerated Approval from FDA for Advanced Liver CancerThe 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®).
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Studies Identify Therapies That May Delay Melanoma Recurrence after SurgeryTwo 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.
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Copanlisib Approved for Follicular LymphomaFDA has granted accelerated approval to copanlisib (Aliqopa®) for the treatment of patients with follicular lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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Pembrolizumab Secures FDA Approval in Stomach CancerThe 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.
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Extensive Lymph Node Removal Doesn't Improve Survival in Some Women with Early-Stage Breast CancerLong-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.
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Study Identifies Crucial Characteristic of High-Risk HPVBy 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.
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Timing and Sequence Critical for Immunotherapy CombinationWhen 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.
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Kids First Pediatric Research Program Moves ForwardProgress 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.
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Gemtuzumab Receives New FDA Approval for Acute Myeloid LeukemiaFDA 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.
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Low-Tech Outreach Methods Improve Colorectal Cancer ScreeningProactive, low-tech outreach approaches can help increase the number of people who get screened for colorectal cancer with a colonoscopy or home stool test and complete the appropriate follow-up.