Leadership & Expert Views - Cancer Currents Blog
Commentaries from scientific leaders at NCI and other institutions about cancer research topics, programs, and initiatives.
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Commemorating the Contributions of Cancer Research GreatsFollowing the death of Dr. Emil Freireich in February, NCI Director Norman E. Sharpless reflects on the accomplishments and legacies of Dr. Freireich and several other cancer research luminaries who have passed in recent years.
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Commemorating and Making History: The National Cancer Act 50th AnniversaryThe week after the globe recognized World Cancer Day and NCI staff were honored with a virtual visit from First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, the NCI director kicks off the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act of 1971.
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The Cancer Moonshot: A Midpoint Progress UpdateWith the Cancer Moonshot having reached its midway point, NCI Director Dr. Ned Sharpless and Deputy Director Dr. Dinah Singer provide a report on the progress to date and future directions for this ambitious initiative to accelerate progress against cancer.
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SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Can Protect from Reinfection, NCI Study SuggestsIn a study using data from more than 3 million people, NCI researchers have found that people who have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, appear to have some degree of protection against being reinfected with the virus.
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Saying YES: Inspiring a Diverse Generation of Cancer ScientistsDrs. Ned Sharpless and Sanya Springfield highlight NCI’s YES program, which is encouraging young students from underrepresented populations to become interested and engaged in cancer research.
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Reducing Cancer’s Global Burden: A Conversation with NCI’s Dr. Satish GopalDr. Satish Gopal, director of NCI’s Center for Global Health, discusses opportunities for making progress against cancer worldwide, particulary in low- and middle-income countries, many of which are seeing increasing cancer incidence and deaths.
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CCDI Activities Enhance NCI’s Childhood and AYA Cancer ResearchSince launching the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative, NCI has undertaken a range of research activities to support this important effort. In this Cancer Currents post, NCI Director Dr. Norman Sharpless provides an update on these efforts.
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A New FDA Approval Furthers the Role of Genomics in Cancer CareFDA’s approval of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to treat people whose cancer is tumor mutational burden-high highlights the importance of genomic testing to guide treatment, including for children with cancer, according to NCI Director Dr. Ned Sharpless.
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How Does COVID-19 Affect People with Cancer? NCCAPS Will Help Find OutNCI has launched the COVID-19 in Cancer Patients Study (NCCAPS), which will help answer questions about COVID-19’s impact on cancer patients. The study is now open to adults and will later be expanded to include children.
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Updated Nutrition Facts Label Reflects Science on Diet and Health, including CancerOn January 1, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began requiring food manufacturers to display updated nutrition facts labels on their product packaging. Experts from FDA and NCI discuss the update and the research that underpins the changes.
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At NCI, A Robust and Rapid Response to the COVID-19 PandemicNCI is lending its tremendous expertise and unique research capabilities to the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. NCI Director Dr. Norman Sharpless describes some of the COVID-19 specific research activities NCI has initiated.
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Training Cancer Researchers: A Conversation with Dr. Oliver BoglerNCI’s Center for Cancer Training (CCT) develops training and career development programs for the next generation of cancer researchers. Here, the new CCT director discusses his goals for CCT and the challenges of training cancer researchers.
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Cancer Moonshot℠ Workshop Highlights Recent Research AdvancesHundreds of investigators participating in the Cancer Moonshot℠ to accelerate cancer research met recently to provide updates on their progress since the initiative was announced in 2016.
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Oncofertility: Creating a Bridge Between Cancer Care and Reproductive HealthDr. Teresa Woodruff discusses the field that connects oncology with reproductive health, and the Oncofertility Consortium’s efforts to support clinicians, cancer patients, and families in understanding how cancer and its treatment affect fertility.
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Prescribing Exercise as Cancer Treatment: A Conversation with Dr. Kathryn SchmitzUpdated guidelines on exercise for those living with cancer and cancer survivors were recently released. In this conversation, Dr. Kathryn Schmitz discusses what these new guidelines mean for doctors, patients, and survivors.
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Home Is Where the Heart IsDr. Ned Sharpless discusses his return as NCI director after serving as acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration for 7 months.
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Building on Success, Maximizing Opportunities: NCI’s Annual Plan & Budget ProposalNCI Acting Director Douglas Lowy, M.D., discusses the institute’s Annual Plan & Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2021, which includes the institute’s professional judgement on the funding required to make the most rapid progress against cancer.
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The Childhood Cancer Data Initiative: Transforming the Pediatric Cancer Landscape through Sharing DataTo prepare for the proposed Childhood Cancer Data Initiative, NCI sponsored a 3-day symposium that brought together pediatric cancer researchers, advocates, and other stakeholders.
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The Childhood Cancer Data Initiative: Why Data Sharing Is Essential to ProgressNCI is laying the groundwork to develop the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI). NCI Acting Director Douglas Lowy, M.D., explains why an initiative with a focus on data sharing is essential to accelerating progress against childhood cancer.
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Prostate Cancer Prevention and Finasteride: A Conversation with NCI’s Dr. Howard ParnesThe Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial showed that finasteride can reduce the risk of prostate cancer, but might increase the risk of aggressive disease. NCI’s Howard Parnes talks about subsequent findings and what they mean for men aged 55 and older.