Study characterizes RNA molecule’s response to DNA damage in cancer cells
Researchers led by Ashish Lal, Ph.D., Investigator in the Genetics Branch, have shown that when the DNA in human colon cancer cells is damaged, a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) regulates the expression of genes that halt growth, which allows the cells to repair the damage and promote survival. Their findings suggest an important pro-survival function of a lncRNA in cancer cells. Read more...
Center for Cancer Research hosts 10th Annual GIST Clinic
Posted: Jul 14, 2017
Patients and specialists from around the world gathered for the 10th Annual Pediatric and Wildtype GIST Clinic, which took place Wednesday, July 5 through Friday, July 7, 2017 at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Occurring once a year, the clinic convenes clinicians, research scientists and advocates from across the country to consult with patients who have GIST. Christine Gonzales, a GIST clinic patient from New Mexico, says, “It’s been super amazing because I’ve never talked to a specialist about this cancer.” Learn more...
CCR researchers receive Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator awards
Posted: Jul 13, 2017
Three CCR researchers, Stephanie Harmon, Ph.D., Fatima Karzai, M.D., and David VanderWeele, M.D., Ph.D., received 2017 Young Investigator Awards from the Prostate Cancer Foundation on July 10, 2017. The Young Investigator Awards support early-career scientists who are researching promising therapies for prostate cancer.
Bacterial communities living on the skin of eczema patients vary with disease severity
Posted: Jul 5, 2017
A new study published in Science Translational Medicine reveals that strains of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) can dominate the skin of patients with eczema. This discovery could bring clinicians one step closer to understanding possible targets for treatment. Learn more...
Surgery Branch recruiting patients to study new treatment for cancers with RAS mutations
Posted: Jul 5, 2017
RAS is a family of proteins that send signals to genes involved in cell growth and is mutated in approximately a quarter of all human cancers. James Yang, M.D., of the Surgery Branch is leading a team of investigators who have generated a special T-cell receptor from mouse cells that can recognize a mutation of RAS that is found in many human cancer cells. The goal is to determine if a new therapy is safe and can help shrink tumors that have the G12V RAS mutation. Read more...
Using radioactive drugs could lead to better imaging of prostate cancer
Posted: Jun 30, 2017
Medical imaging (x-ray, ultrasound, MRI, CT, PET scan) is a noninvasive way to view the internal structures of the body. However, these tools are not ideal for detecting cancer that has spread, or metastasized, because the precise location of these cancer cells is unknown. Researchers are now testing an experimental radiotracer called 18F-DCFPyL to help find sites of cancer in the body. Learn more...
Sarcoma Awareness Month
Posted: Jun 30, 2017
To recognize Sarcoma Awareness Month this July, we are highlighting our researchers who are advancing research discovery in this field. Learn more...
POB/JHU trainee awarded Teaching Fellow of the Year
Posted: Jun 29, 2017
Julia Cohen, M.D., from the Pediatric Oncology Branch (POB), received the Teaching Fellow of the Year award from the Johns Hopkins Hospital house staff. Julia is a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellow; a joint program of the POB and Johns Hopkins University. Fellows receive combined clinical training during their first year at both Johns Hopkins Hospital and the NIH Clinical Center. Nirali Shah, M.D., Staff Clinician in POB, said, “This is a huge testament to her kind, caring nature and compassion with which she treats everyone.”
2nd International Gliomatosis Cerebri Working Group Conference
Posted: Jun 27, 2017
On June 22-23, the NIH hosted the 2nd Gliomatosis Cerebri International Conference that brought together leading neuro-oncologists, neuroscientists and families who have lost a child to the disease. Learn more...
Molecular profiles suggest two types of liver cancer should be treated as one
Posted: Jun 26, 2017
A comprehensive molecular analysis of two types of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), has identified common molecular subtypes that can be found among patients with either disease. Although HCC and ICC are considered separate diseases, the finding suggests that a unified clinical approach could benefit patients with both types of liver cancer. Read more...
New clinical trial studies the addition of immunotherapy to chemotherapy for patients with biliary tract carcinoma
Posted: Jun 22, 2017
New clinical trial studies immunotherapy and chemotherapy combination for patients with bile duct cancer for whom surgery is not an option. Learn more...