New findings show how damaged cells survive the cell cycle
As cells divide and replicate, important safety checkpoints are in place to ensure that most faulty cells with damaged DNA do not survive the cell cycle. In a new twist, CCR researchers discovered how some damaged cells use molecular inertia to drive past these safety checkpoints and continue through the cell cycle. Read more...
New insights into what fuels an aggressive form of kidney disease
Jan 5, 2021
Researchers have uncovered a key mechanism behind an aggressive form of kidney cancer, whereby cells lacking an important enzyme are unable to replicate and maintain healthy mitochondrial DNA. This results in more genetic abnormalities in the cells, fueling the growth and spread of cancer. Read more...
Clinical trial studies therapy for relapsed/refractory T-cell malignancies
Jan 5, 2021
Milos Miljkovic, M.D., M.Sc., Assistant Research Physician in the Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, is leading a study of a 4-drug combination treatment strategy using romidepsin, oral 5-azacitidine, dexamethasone and lenalidomide for T-cell malignancies (TCMs). Researchers are seeking to determine the safety, side effects, and best dose of this 4-drug combination for people with relapsed/refractory TCM. Read more...
Study evaluates, treats, and follows patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Dec 31, 2020
More than half of all gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) start in the stomach, but they can start anywhere in the GI tract. Andrew M. Blakely, M.D., Assistant Research Physician in the Surgical Oncology Program, is leading a study of GIST that could benefit current and future patients. Read more...
New clinical trial studies immunotherapy combination for metastatic breast cancer
Dec 29, 2020
Fatima Karzai, M.D., Associate Research Physician in the Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, is leading a study in adults with breast cancer that has spread to other places in the body. Researchers want to see if a combination of four drugs, which includes immunotherapy, can shrink the tumors of metastatic breast cancer. Read more...
Clinical trial studies therapy for adults with BRAF-mutant hairy cell leukemia
Dec 16, 2020
Adults with BRAF-mutant hairy cell leukemia, that did not respond to or came back after treatment, may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial at the NIH Clinical Center. Researchers want to see if combining encorafenib and binimetinib has an improved response rate than other drugs previously used to treat HCL. Read more...
New connection between gut microbes and liver cancer uncovered in mice
Dec 15, 2020
Researchers have uncovered a mechanism by which gut microbes can influence the immune response against nearby liver tumors in mice. The new findings could potentially explain why some people with liver or gut diseases, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis and colitis, tend to be more susceptible to cholangiocarcinoma. Read more...
Immunotherapy combination tested for advanced/metastatic solid tumors
Dec 14, 2020
Adults with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors that cannot be treated with surgery may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial at the NIH Clinical Center. James L. Gulley, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, is leading a study exploring several different combinations of immunotherapies to see if they improve responses in people with cancer. Read more...
Analysis of T cells from melanoma patients uncovers characteristics leading to cancer regression
Dec 10, 2020
CCR researchers used state-ot-the-art analytic techniques to determine characteristics of cells used in effective adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) in patients with advanced melanoma. This new information opens the door to manufacturing these cells in the laboratory and using them in immunotherapy for common cancers, including liver, breast, prostate, and colon cancer. Read more...
Clinical trial evaluates therapy for adults with relapsed/refractory HCL
Dec 9, 2020
Robert J. Kreitman, M.D., Senior Investigator in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, is leading a study of a treatment for hairy cell leukemia (HCL). The goal of this study is to determine the overall rate of response to binimetinib, an MEK inhibitor, in patients with HCL who do not have a BRAF gene mutation. Read more...
Treatment for women with advanced, untreated cervical cancer tested in new clinical trial
Dec 7, 2020
Women 18 and older with previously untreated advanced cervical cancer may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial at the NIH Clinical Center. Christian S. Hinrichs, M.D., Senior Investigator in the Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, is leading a study of a treatment called induction immunotherapy that uses the patient’s own T cells (immune cells) to attack their cancer cells. Read more...