News and Events

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.

screenshot of colorectal peritoneal metastasis

Clinical trial studies surgical treatment for adults with peritoneal carcinomatosis

Andrew M. Blakely, M.D., Assistant Research Physician in the Surgical Oncology Program, is leading a surgical study for adults with peritoneal carcinomatosis that tests two chemotherapy treatments, called HIPEC, simulated in a tissue-testing platform.

Blood test reveals when benign NF1 tumors turn cancerous

People with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) often develop non-cancerous, or benign, tumors that grow along nerves. These tumors can sometimes become cancerous, but there hasn’t been a good way to determine whether this transformation to cancer has happened. In a new study, researchers co-led by Jack F. Shern, M.D., Lasker Clinical Research Scholar in the Pediatric Oncology Branch, have developed a blood test that could one day offer a highly sensitive and inexpensive approach to detect cancer early in people with NF1.

Areas of the body affected by von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. Credit: NCI Visuals

FDA approves belzutifan, first drug for cancers associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease

On August 13, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration approved belzutifan, a new drug for adult patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease-associated renal cell carcinoma (RCC), central nervous system hemangioblastomas, or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, not requiring immediate surgery.

Ramaprasad Srinivasan, M.D., Ph.D., Investigator in the Urologic Oncology Branch (UOB), designed the ongoing study and played a key leadership role as the principal investigator on the cooperative research and development agreement under which NCI served as a site in the study. Belzutifan is now the first and only approved systemic therapy for certain patients with VHL-associated RCC.

VHL disease is a rare, inherited disorder that causes tumors and cysts to grow in certain parts of the body. Patients with this disease have an increased risk of certain types of cancer, especially kidney cancer and pancreatic cancer. The VHL gene was originally identified by Marston Linehan, M.D., and colleagues in the UOB in the 1990s, and the group continues to define the methods for clinical management of VHL disease.

New study tests drug combination for treatment of biliary tract cancer

Biliary tract cancer (BTC) is a cancer that arises from the bile ducts that carry bile, a digestive fluid, through the liver. There are few treatment options for BTC. Tim F. Greten, M.D., Deputy Chief of the Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, is leading a study of a drug combination that may prolong survival in adults with BTC.

Clinical trial investigates drug combination for relapsed small cell lung cancers and advanced neuroendocrine cancers

Anish Thomas, M.B.B.S., M.D., Lasker Clinical Research Scholar in the Developmental Therapeutics Branch (DTB), and Jaydira Del Rivero, M.D., Assistant Research Physician in DTB, are heading a trial testing the safety and efficacy of berzosertib, an ATR inhibitor, in combination with lurbinectedin to treat relapsed small cell lung cancer or high-grade neuroendocrine cancers.

A collection of cancer cells surrounded by immune cells

Clinical trial will test triple-drug combination against aggressive colon and HPV-associated cancers

CCR researchers are exploring whether a special cocktail of drugs, which collectively make cancer cells vulnerable and the immune system stronger, will yield better outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers. Preliminary research in preclinical models suggests that the triple-drug combination is more effective than just one or two of the drugs being administered.

Steven A. Rosenberg and Louis M. Staudt receive HHS Departmental Awards

Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D., and Louis M. Staudt, M.D., Ph.D. are 2021 Health and Human Services (HHS) Departmental Award recipients. Rosenberg, Chief of the Surgery Branch, is a recipient of the Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service, the highest honor granted by HHS. The award recognizes senior leaders for their sustained excellence. Staudt, Chief of the Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, is a recipient of the Career Achievement Award, which recognizes ten or more years in HHS and dedication and loyalty to the Department.

Microscopic image of oral chronic graft-versus-host disease

Collaborative study leads to FDA approval of belumosudil for chronic graft-versus-host disease

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved belumosudil on July 16, 2021, for people 12 years and older with chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) after failure of at least two prior lines of systemic therapy. Chronic GVHD is a complex condition that can be life threatening and occurs when donated stem cells attack healthy tissues in a patient’s body. Steven Z. Pavletic, M.D., M.S., Senior Clinician in the Immune Deficiency Cellular Therapy Program, guided CCR’s involvement in the pivotal consortium study that led to FDA approval of belumosudil. Pavletic was part of the trial clinical leadership at CCR, one of the 28 centers that enrolled study patients. The study found belumosudil to be safe and well-tolerated, and it may have the potential to improve overall patient well-being.

Clinical trial studies six-drug combination aimed at relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphoma

Christopher J. Melani, M.D., Assistant Research Physician in the Lymphoid Malignancies Branch, is leading a study to see whether a combination of six drugs is safe and can help people with both aggressive and indolent B-cell lymphoma.

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