News and Events

In Memoriam: James M. Phang, M.D.

CCR mourns the recent passing of James M. Phang, M.D., former Senior Investigator in the Basic Research Laboratory.

Lung cancer cells fluorescently labeled for MYC (red), MYCL (green) and chromosomes (blue) to identify MYC- and MYCL-positive ecDNA in the cells.

Extrachromosomal DNA promotes aggressiveness of small cell lung cancer

Cancers harboring small particles of DNA that exist outside of chromosomes, called extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA), are associated with aggressive tumor growth, drug resistance, and shorter patient survival. New research shows that ecDNAs in small cell lung cancer contribute to variability between cancer cells, allowing them to rapidly evolve and leading to these undesirable outcomes.

Immunohistochemical staining of a human brain metastasis.

First clinical trial testing a prevention for breast cancer metastasis to the brain yields encouraging results

When breast cancer metastasizes to the brain, new tumors usually develop even after treatment. But recurrence was low among women who received low-dose temozolomide with T-DM1 in a phase I clinical trial.

4th NCI Symposium on Cancer Health Disparities - Registration Deadline March 28, 2023!

Dates: April 4-5, 2023
Location: Building 35, Rooms 610/620/630/640, NIH

Cancer health disparities affect millions of people across the United States and globally. Disparities in cancer burden are evident by geography, race/ethnicity, genetic ancestry, immigrant status, culture, gender, sexual orientation (LGBTQ+), and socioeconomic class, among other factors. Cancer disparities are not only due to barriers in access to health care, but also due to cultural barriers, structural racism and environmental disadvantage, ancestry-related risk factors, persistent co-morbidities, and chronic stress exposure because of discrimination and social isolation. The challenge of reducing and eliminating health disparities and achieving equity has been largely attributed to the complex interactions among these various determinants.

The symposium will highlight a range of topics to address the systemic barriers and racism that lead to health disparities and showcase ongoing research being done in the social, clinical, epidemiologic, and basic science disciplines. We seek to feature challenges and solutions, and the programs that were developed to address cancer health disparities from researchers in the field and within the intramural NCI program.

Registration is required to attend the symposium.

For conference-related questions, please contact ccrconferences@mail.nih.gov

2023 NCI RNA Biology Symposium - Registration and Abstract Submission Now Open!

Dates: April 27-28, 2023
Location: Building 45, Natcher Auditorium, National Institutes of Health

RNA biology has emerged as one of the most influential areas in modern biology and biomedicine. The discovery of new classes of RNAs and their functions in a wide spectrum of biological processes has revolutionized molecular biology and has profound implications for clinical sciences. Key areas of current research include the elucidation of RNA biogenesis and structure, the identification of functions for various classes of RNAs, establishing the role of RNA in disease and the exploration of RNA-based and RNA-targeted therapies.

The symposium offers the opportunity to learn more about the current status of RNA biology in development and disease and share research with leading figures in the field and discuss the use and implications of these advances for clinical applications.

Registration is free, but is required to attend. There will be no onsite registration.

For conference-related questions, please contact ccrconferences@mail.nih.gov.

INSPIRED Symposium - Registration Now Open!

Date: March 1, 2023
Location: Building 45, Natcher Auditorium, National Institutes of Health

INSPIRED: Insights in Pediatric CAR T-cell Immunotherapy: Recent Advances and Future Directions

With the primary goal to bring together the expanding pediatric and young adult CAR T-cell community, in addressing major clinical advances achieved over the last decade and outstanding gaps warranting further focus, we aim to reflect on the 10+ year experience of CAR T-cell delivery to pediatric and young adults with B-cell malignancies. Based on experience gained over this time, this conference will focus on highlighting current best practices, opportunities to address unmet needs, and areas where future research is needed or ongoing. Our primary goal for this conference is to allow for cross-fertilization and collaboration as we strive to improve outcomes using CAR T-cell therapy in pediatric cancers.

Online registration information can be found at: https://go.cancer.gov/I2IUxi0
For conference-related questions, please contact ccrconferences@mail.nih.gov

Three-dimensional illustration of a SSHEL drug delivery system.

Researchers create a novel cancer drug delivery system inspired by bacterial spores

CCR researchers, led by Senior Investigator Kumaran S. Ramamurthi, Ph.D., have found a way to deliver drugs directly to cancerous tissue — at least in an animal model — by copying the structure of bacterial spores. Their synthetic, spore-like particles are a novel approach to avoiding the harmful systemic side effects of chemotherapy.

In Memoriam: Ji Ming Wang, M.D., Ph.D. (1950 – 2022)

The CCR mourns the recent passing of colleague and friend Ji Ming Wang, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Investigator and Head of the Chemoattractant Receptor and Signal Section in the Cancer Innovation Laboratory.

Normally, tumor cells evade T cells by expressing a checkpoint protein known as PD-L1 (left). Atezolizumab (Tecentriq) binds to PD-L1 and blocks it from binding to another checkpoint protein, PD-1 (right). This helps T cells regain their ability to kill tumor cells.

NCI clinical trial leads to atezolizumab approval for advanced alveolar soft part sarcoma

NCI and CCR researchers have played an instrumental role in identifying the first treatment approved for advanced alveolar soft part sarcoma. The immunotherapy drug atezolizumab (Tecentriq) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of adults and children two years of age and older with alveolar soft part sarcoma that has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be removed by surgery. The CCR Pediatric Oncology Branch provided treatment and care for all trial patients under 18 years old, making this the first approval for atezolizumab in children.

Tumor cell community in a hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer.

Researchers uncover stable molecular networks inside liver tumors

The ever-changing nature of tumor microenvironments makes treating cancerous tumors difficult. CCR researchers, led by Xin Wei Wang, Ph.D., Deputy Chief of the Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, have performed single-cell RNA sequencing analyses on samples from 44 liver cancer patients. They have uncovered stable molecular networks that cells within liver tumors use to speak with nearby immune cells, which could open a path for therapeutic exploration for liver cancer.

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