News and Events

Clinical trial evaluates new combination therapy for virus-associated malignancies

Several viruses can cause cancer and less toxic and more effective treatments are urgently needed for these cancers. Kathryn A. Lurain, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Research Physician in the HIV and AIDS Malignancy Branch, is leading a trial of a combination treatment for virus-associated malignancies.

In Memoriam: Thomas A. Waldmann, M.D. (1930-2021)

The CCR mourns the recent passing of longtime colleague and friend, Thomas A. Waldmann, M.D., Chief Emeritus of the Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, NIH Distinguished Investigator and immunology pioneer.

New tool helps researchers make sense of complex immune signals

Drawing on thousands of prior studies, CCR scientists have developed a computational tool that helps predict how immune cells’ molecular communications impact cancer, infection control and inflammatory disease.

Diagram illustrates how the hydrogel platform delivers therapy directly to cancer cells

Newly developed gel can be used to treat cancers that form on organ surfaces

Researchers at CCR engineered a hydrogel carrying nanoparticles that can be sprayed or administered by syringe as part of a surgical strategy for cancers that develop on the outer surface of organs. When applied topically, the gel can reach small deposits of cancer cells that might have been missed during surgery. This approach has the potential to change the treatment paradigm for mesothelioma and possibly for other cancers that form on the surface of organs.

Clinical trial studies targeted therapy for PARP-resistant tumors and chemotherapy-resistant small cell lung cancer

Anish Thomas, M.B.B.S., M.D., Lasker Clinical Research Scholar in the Developmental Therapeutics Branch, is leading a study using a berzosertib-sacituzumab govitecan combination to target ATR, a key protein involved in an alternative DNA repair pathway used by chemotherapy and PARP inhibitor-resistant cancer cells.

brain tissue before exposure to the experimental nanoparticles

Immunotherapy studied in clinical trial for glioblastoma or gliosarcoma

Adults with glioblastoma (GBM) or gliosarcoma may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial at the NIH Clinical Center. GBM and gliosarcoma tumors can suppress the immune system so immune cells cannot work effectively within the brain. Mark Gilbert, M.D., Chief of the Neuro-Oncology Branch, is leading a study to see if this suppression can be reversed with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Clinical trial evaluates reduced dosing of cyclophosphamide to prevent severe acute graft-versus-host disease

Christopher G. Kanakry, M.D., Lasker Clinical Research Scholar in the Experimental Transplantation and Immunotherapy Branch, is leading a study that may help people with cancers that begin in blood-forming tissue who are at high risk for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following bone marrow transplant. This study will evaluate if reduced dosing of cyclophosphamide is effective in preventing severe acute GVHD.

Sandra L. Wolin receives Sandra K. Masur Senior Leadership Award

Sandra L. Wolin, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the RNA Biology Laboratory, is the 2021 recipient of the Sandra K. Masur Senior Leadership Award from the American Society for Cell Biology. This award is in recognition of a scientist whose outstanding scientific achievements are coupled with a record of active leadership in mentoring women and individuals from underrepresented groups in their scientific careers.

Clinical trial evaluates the effect of Minnelide on advanced pancreatic cancer

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas (ASCP) is a rare type of pancreatic cancer that is particularly aggressive. Christine Campo Alewine, M.D., Ph.D., Lasker Clinical Research Scholar in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, is conducting a study to see if the drug Minnelide can effectively treat ASCP.

Samira M. Sadowski discusses her work at CCR and offers advice for future cancer researchers

Samira M. Sadowski, M.D., is a Physician-Scientist Early Investigator in the Surgical Oncology Program. Along with her role as a surgeon, she studies rare forms of thyroid cancer as well as neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. In this Q&A, she talks about her current research interests and offers advice for future cancer researchers.

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