Cancer Currents: An NCI Cancer Research Blog
A blog featuring news and research updates from the National Cancer Institute. Learn more about Cancer Currents.
-
For Rare Melanoma, Checkpoint Inhibitors May Hold Substantial PromiseA new study suggests that patients with a rare form of melanoma, called desmoplastic melanoma, may be particularly likely to benefit from treatments known as immune checkpoint inhibitors. An NCI-sponsored clinical trial is already testing one such drug in patients with this cancer.
-
New Cancer Treatment Approach Targets Circadian ClockTwo compounds that target components of the circadian clock killed several types of cancer cells in the lab and slowed the growth of brain tumors in mice without harming healthy cells, a new study showed.
-
Oncolytic Virus Therapy: Using Tumor-Targeting Viruses to Treat CancerA small but growing number of patients with cancer are being treated with oncolytic viruses, which infect and kill tumor cells. But research now suggests that these treatments also work against cancer by spurring an immune response.
-
FDA Approves New Treatment for Certain Neuroendocrine TumorsPeople with cancerous neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) that affect the digestive tract now have a new treatment option. On January 29, FDA approved the targeted treatment lutetium Lu 177 dotatate (Lutathera®) for adult patients with advanced NETs that affect the pancreas or gastrointestinal tract.
-
Gut Bacteria Influence Effectiveness of a Type of ImmunotherapyUsing mouse models of cancer, researchers found that altering the gut microbiome could affect whether tumors responded to checkpoint inhibition.
-
TARGET Study Finds Major Differences between Childhood and Adult AMLAn NCI-funded study has found significant differences in the genetics of acute myeloid leukemia in younger and older patients. The findings could help guide the development of treatments tailored specifically for childhood AML.
-
Olaparib Approved for Treating Some Breast Cancers with BRCA Gene MutationsThe drug olaparib (Lynparza®) is the first treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration for patients with metastatic breast cancer who have inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
-
Study Identifies Potential Cause of Hearing Loss from CisplatinA new study has found the commonly used chemotherapy drug cisplatin is retained in the inner ear of mice and humans for long periods. The finding may explain why many patients treated with the drug develop hearing loss and could point toward potential ways to prevent it.
-
The Challenging Landscape of Cancer and Aging: Charting a Way ForwardNCI Director Dr. Norman Sharpless discusses research on aging and cancer, including understanding the biology of aging and its relationship to cancer, the treatment of older patients, and ensuring older patients participate in cancer clinical trials.
-
Study Finds Biological Differences in Lung Tumors of African Americans and WhitesPatterns of gene expression may be different in the tumors of some African Americans than in those of whites, a new study has found, and these biological differences may contribute to racial disparities in lung cancer.
-
Nilotinib Can Be Discontinued in Some Patients with Chronic Myelogenous LeukemiaOn December 22, FDA approved an update to the label of nilotinib (Tasignia) that states that some patients with CML who are taking nilotinib and whose cancer has been in remission for an extended period can safely stop taking it.
-
Incidence of Cancers of the Lower Stomach Increasing among Younger AmericansA type of cancer that occurs in the lower stomach has been increasing among some Americans under the age of 50, even though in the general population the incidence of all stomach cancers has been declining for decades, according to a new study.
-
Acupuncture May Reduce Treatment-Related Joint Pain for Breast Cancer PatientsJoint pain caused by aromatase inhibitors in postmenopausal women with breast cancer can cause some women to stop taking the drugs. Reducing their symptoms may translate into better adherence to therapy.
-
Drug Combination Improves Outlook for Some Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaInterim results from an ongoing clinical trial show that patients with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with rituximab plus venetoclax have longer progression-free survival compared with patients treated with chemotherapy.
-
Unique Trial Aims to Decrease Early Deaths in Patients with Rare LeukemiaIn a unique clinical trial, a group of oncologists with experience treating acute promyelocytic leukemia are making themselves available around the clock to help clinicians at hospitals across the country treat their APL patients.
-
Fusobacterium May Help Colorectal Cancer Grow and SpreadFusobacterium, found in the stomach and intestines, may help fuel the growth of colorectal cancer and metastases. In a mouse model of colorectal cancer, using antibiotics to kill these bacteria slowed tumor growth.
-
New on NCI’s Websites for December 2017NCI periodically provides updates on new websites and other online content of interest to the cancer community.
-
Genomic Profiling Tests Cleared by FDA Can Help Guide Cancer Treatment, Clinical Trial EnrollmentThe FDA has recently approved two tests to identify genetic alterations in tumors. One of the tests can be used to identify patients who may be candidates to receive specific targeted therapies.
-
Brentuximab Vedotin Approved for Two Rare LymphomasFDA has approved brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris®) for the treatment of adults who have been treated previously for either primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma or CD30-expressing mycosis fungoides, two rare lymphomas that start as rashes on the skin.
-
NCI: Taking Risks to Advance ScienceNorman Sharpless, M.D., offers his thoughts on his experience thus far as NCI director and areas, like big data, where NCI can play an important role in advancing science.