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Our Discoveries

Immune cells promote breast cancer’s metastasis to the brain in young mice

Animal studies led by Patricia S. Steeg, Ph.D., Deputy Chief of the Women’s Malignancies Branch, suggest that younger immune systems promote breast cancer’s metastasis to the brain — but that the risk can be reduced by triggering immune changes that usually occur later in life.

International study of rhabdomyosarcoma finds genetic clues, potential for tailored therapy

New findings from the largest-ever international study on rhabdomyosarcoma – the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children – suggest that children with the disease could benefit from tumor genetic testing. Javed Khan, M.D., Deputy Chief of the Genetics Branch, led the study.

Schematic showing the transcription of DNA into RNA

Live-cell imaging reveals variability in RNA processing

Real-time imaging of messenger RNA synthesis from hundreds of human genes reveals surprising variability in the way cells’ splicing machinery processes these molecules.

Personalized approach to prostate cancer diagnosis could mean less invasive biopsies

Systematic and MRI-guided biopsies can each find cancers that the other technique can miss — but not everyone needs both. According to a new analysis, magnetic resonance imaging can be used to determine which biopsy approach is appropriate for an individual.

Near-infrared compounds for visualizing enzymatic activity in living organisms

New fluorescent probes developed that can help clinicians pinpoint cancer metastases

New chemical compounds developed by CCR researchers and clinicians are safe and highly effective in fluorescently highlighting microscopic metastases. The new compounds could have great utility in complex living systems based on experiments done in mouse models of metastatic human ovarian cancer.

Stem cell transplant after CAR T-cell therapy effective for young leukemia patients

In a clinical trial, CCR physician-scientists found that long-term survival for young patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia was significantly better for those who received CD19-CAR T-cell therapy followed by a stem cell transplant. As a result of these findings, use of stem cell transplant is now recommended following CAR T-cell therapy.

New tool predicts which treatments may work best in cancer patients

A new precision oncology software tool, called SELECT, analyzes tumor transcriptomics data to predict which therapies are most beneficial for an individual patient. When applied to data from over 30 different clinical trials, SELECT was predictive of patient responses to targeted and immune therapies in about 80 percent of the trial datasets.

Drug combination leads to durable responses in patients with small cell lung cancer

Relapse after chemotherapy is common among patients with small cell neuroendocrine cancers, including small cell lung cancer. In a new clinical study, CCR scientists found a combination of berzosertib and topotecan led to durable tumor responses in patients with these cancers.

Engineered myeloid cells have promise as a potential treatment for metastatic cancer

A team led by Rosandra N. Kaplan, M.D., Investigator in the Pediatric Oncology Branch, genetically engineered immune cells, called myeloid cells, to deliver an anti-cancer signal to organs where cancer may spread. The results of the treatment, reported in Cell, shrank tumors and prevented metastasis in mice.

FDA grants orphan drug designation to PRGN-2012 for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

The Food and Drug Administration has granted orphan drug designation to PRGN-2012 immunotherapy for use in patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

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Our Discoveries