News and Events

Combination immunotherapy shrank a variety of metastatic solid cancers

Results of a clinical trial led by Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Chief and Senior Investigator in the Surgery Branch, showed that a new form of tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy dramatically improved the treatment’s effectiveness in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal cancers. The findings, published April 1, 2025, in Nature Medicine, offer hope that this personalized immunotherapy regime could be used to treat a variety of solid tumors, which has so far eluded researchers developing cell-based therapies.

Sheue-yann Cheng, Ph.D., Anish Thomas, MBBS, M.D., and Xin Wei Wang, Ph.D.

CCR researchers nominated to 2024 class of AAAS Fellows

Sheue-yann Cheng, Ph.D., Senior Investigator in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Anish Thomas, MBBS, M.D., Senior Investigator in the Developmental Therapeutics Branch, and Xin Wei Wang, Ph.D., Acting Co-Chief and Senior Investigator in the Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, were elected as 2024 Fellows to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Since 1874, the AAAS has elected scientists, engineers and innovators as Fellows for their achievements across many disciplines. Election as a Fellow honors members whose efforts on behalf of the advancement of science or its applications in service to society have distinguished them among their peers and colleagues.

Clinical trial researching drug therapy for neuroendocrine tumors

A clinical trial led by Frank I. Lin, M.D., Lasker Clinical Research Scholar in the Molecular Imaging Branch, is researching a drug therapy for adults with gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors and pheochromocytoma/paragangliomas.

Clinical trial researching immunotherapy for metastatic cancers

A clinical trial led by James L. Gulley., M.D., Ph.D., Co-Director and Senior Investigator in the Center for Immuno-Oncology, is researching immunotherapy for adults with locally advanced or metastatic cancers.

Elaine Jaffe and Ira Pastan elected as 2025 Fellows of the AACR Academy

Elaine S. Jaffe, M.D., NIH Distinguished Investigator in the Laboratory of Pathology, and Ira Pastan, M.D., Chief Emeritus of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, were elected in the 2025 class of Fellows of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Academy. The mission of the Academy is to recognize and honor extraordinary scientists whose groundbreaking contributions have driven significant innovation and progress in the fight against cancer. Jaffe is being recognized for her revolutionary research efforts in hematopathology and transforming diagnostic standards and care for lymphoma and leukemia; Pastan is being recognized for his visionary contributions to cancer therapy and the field of receptor biology.

Kumaran Ramamurthi elected to the American Academy of Microbiology

The American Academy of Microbiology elected Kumaran S. Ramamurthi, Ph.D., Deputy Chief and Senior Investigator in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, as a 2025 fellow. Election to the Academy is a highly selective process based on records of scientific achievement and original contributions that have advanced the field of microbiology.

Nirali Shah, Benedict Anchang, and Sadhana Jackson

CCR researchers receive Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers

Three CCR researchers received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), one of the highest honors bestowed by the U.S. Government to outstanding scientists and engineers.

Natasha Caplen appointed to Senior Investigator at CCR

The CCR community congratulates Natasha J. Caplen, Ph.D., who has been appointed Senior Investigator in the Genetics Branch. Caplen contributed to the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi) in mammalian cells and has pioneered approaches for exploiting this gene regulatory mechanism to investigate cancer biology and treatment. Her current studies focus on the functional genetic analysis of cancers driven by fusion oncogenes, particularly the pediatric tumor Ewing sarcoma.

Targeting two proteins leaves some cancer cells vulnerable to chemotherapy

Targeting two proteins that cancer cells rely on to sustain their metabolism and DNA repair capabilities can double the survival rate of mice with lung cancer tumors. Cross referencing with data from The Cancer Genome Atlas of human tumors suggests that these findings could translate to people.

DNA breakage and synthesis in the cell nucleus

Research uncovers a novel mechanism for cells to recover from DNA damage

A newly discovered cellular mechanism sheds light on how cancer cells proliferate despite damage from anti-cancer treatments, providing a target for new therapies.

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