In the Spotlight

New Milestones publication now available

Every year, the Center for Cancer Research makes remarkable contributions to the understanding, detection, treatment and prevention of cancer. This issue of our annual publication, Milestones, features some of the most impactful science conducted in the past year in CCR. These advances include new insights into how genomes are organized and how DNA and RNA function in cells, how cellular processes and signaling events function in healthy cells and how they are affected in cancer. Other major discoveries this year include how cancers become metastatic and what drives the proliferation of cancer cells.

Former Pediatric Oncology Branch patient donates toys to NIH Pediatric Clinic

In December, former patient Julie Jones donated over 1,000 toys to the Pediatric Clinic at the NIH Clinical Center. Jones is a former patient in the Pediatric Oncology Branch who was treated more than 20 years ago for alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. She says, “I remember what it was like. What these children are going through at such a young age really breaks your heart. I’ve often said there’s nothing greater than seeing the smile on the face of a sick child.”

Fusing a ring system onto an existing chromophore

New video: Discovering new far-red fluorescent probes

Fluorescent probes are workhorse molecules used by biologists to illuminate the inner workings of cancer cells. By lighting up cell components of interest, researchers can then observe cells in action through high-powered microscopes. This new video explains a novel class of far-red fluorescent probes synthesized by Martin Schnermann, Ph.D., Senior Investigator in CCR’s Chemical Biology Laboratory, and his team.

The Center for Cancer Research celebrates National Postdoc Appreciation Week

This week, we’re celebrating National Postdoc Appreciation Week. Our postdocs come from around the world to train at the Center for Cancer Research, and they are vital members of our cancer research community. Hear from some of our international postdocs on why they came here to train, and learn more about our training programs.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 patient attends Camp Fantastic for the first time

Thirteen-year-old Dom was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 at birth. Because of Dom’s diagnosis, he hasn’t always had the opportunity to do the things the average teenager does, but his first year at Camp Fantastic changed that. Camp Fantastic, an annual week-long camp for pediatric cancer patients and survivors, gave Dom the opportunity to try lots of new things and some familiar ones in a setting of support, safety and friendship.

Landmark discovery: H2AX as a sensor of DNA damage

William Bonner’s curiosity about histones led to the discovery that the protein H2AX is altered in response to harmful DNA damage called a double-strand break. This powerful tool has led to breakthroughs in both basic and clinical cancer research.

June is Cancer Immunotherapy Awareness Month

To celebrate Cancer Immunotherapy Month this June, we are highlighting our researchers who have helped pioneer this research and continue to make seminal advances in this growing field.

iCURE helps a first-generation American reach her goal

Anaisa Quintanilla-Arteaga’s ultimate goal is to be the Latina scientist she wishes she had seen when she was younger, and “hopefully help younger generations of Latinas realize that they belong and can thrive in STEM, too.” An iCURE fellowship is helping her achieve that dream.

FDA grants orphan drug status to selumetinib for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted orphan drug status in February to selumetinib for use in patients with the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), who often develop tumors of the peripheral nervous system. Receiving orphan drug designation is a helpful step for selumetinib.

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