Clinical trial tests a PARP inhibitor in urothelial cancer with DNA-repair defects
Urothelial carcinoma (UC), or bladder cancer, is the most common cancer of the urinary tract with limited treatment options. A new clinical trial aims to see how this type of cancer reacts to olaparib, a drug designed to target cancers that have defective DNA-repair mechanisms in their cells by inhibiting the action of PARP, an enzyme that can repair breaks in DNA. Read more...
Clinical trial finds combination therapy effective for some biliary cancer patients
Jan 28, 2019
Completion of a phase I/II clinical trial found that two of 20 patients with biliary tract cancer disease experienced a partial response to treatment with the immune checkpoint inhibitor tremelimumab combined with microwave ablation therapy. Further studies are needed to understand why just a few patients responded well to this combination treatment. Read more...
New imaging technology to detect early-stage hereditary diffuse gastric cancer tested in clinical trial
Jan 24, 2019
Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer is a rare inherited condition caused by a mutation in the CDH1 gene. People who carry this genetic mutation are urged to have a screening endoscopy followed by surgery to remove the stomach. However, some patients elect to have regular endoscopic screenings to look for cancer. A new clinical trial is testing an imaging technology called confocal endoscopic microscopy (CEM) that may better detect cells in patients with the CDH1 mutation and potentially make a diagnosis during the endoscopy itself. Read more...
Second-generation maturation inhibitors show promise for HIV treatment
Jan 22, 2019
CCR researchers have improved upon bevirimat, a first-generation maturation inhibitor developed to treat HIV-1, the primary cause of AIDS. After pinpointing HIV-1 strains not effectively blocked by bevirimat during clinical trials, researchers developed second-generation inhibitors based on knowledge about the sequences of those resistant strains. The new inhibitors turned out to be more potent and active than bevirimat. Read more...
Registration now open for Chromatin and Cell Fate Decisions in Development, Aging & Cancer
Jan 17, 2019
The Chromatin and Cell Fate Decisions in Development, Aging & Cancer symposium, hosted by the Center of Excellence in Chromosome Biology (CECB), offers an opportunity to learn more about the current status of chromosome structure and function in development and disease, share research and discuss the use and implications of these advances for clinical applications. The mission of CECB is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms involved in chromosome function, how aberrations in chromosomes and chromatin lead to disease and how these defects can be corrected. Towards achieving our mission, this symposium brings together scientists in the fields of chromatin and chromosome biology, with the focus on stem cells, cell development, aging and cancer. Registration deadline is October 31, 2019. Read more...
Steve Rosenberg receives 2019 Nathan Davis Award and Steinman Award
Jan 11, 2019
Steve Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Surgery Branch, has received the American Medical Association’s 2019 Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service and The American Association of Immunologists’ 2019 Steinman Award for Human Immunology Research. The Nathan Davis Award recognizes individuals who promoted the art and science of medicine via government service and demonstrated outstanding leadership in his/her field. The Steinman Award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the understanding of immune processes underlying human disease pathogenesis, prevention or therapy. Read more...
Watch new Neuro-Oncology Branch video on NCI YouTube
Jan 10, 2019
The Neuro-Oncology Branch is comprised of an exceptional team of experts across scientific disciplines and medical specialties dedicated to developing new treatments for patients with brain and spine cancers using the latest technologies. Learn more about this department. Read more...
Glassdoor recognizes NIH as one of the best places to work
Dec 31, 2018
NIH has been recognized as one of the best places to work by Glassdoor and the Partnership for Public Service. Glassdoor rankings were “determined by the people who know these companies best - their employees.” The Partnership for Public Service rankings were determined by the views of more than 847,000 civil servants from 488 federal organizations on a wide range of workplace topics. Read more...
View the new NCI-CONNECT video on YouTube
Dec 27, 2018
NCI-CONNECT (Comprehensive Oncology Network Evaluating Rare CNS Tumors) aims to advance the understanding of rare adult central nervous system (CNS) cancers by establishing and fostering patient-advocacy-provider partnerships and networks to improve approaches to care and treatment. Learn more about NCI-CONNECT through this new video. Read more...
In Memoriam: Stephen Katz, M.D., Ph.D.
Dec 21, 2018
Stephen Katz, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and former Senior Investigator in the Dermatology Branch at the Center for Cancer Research, died suddenly on December 20, 2018, at the age of 77. Dr. Katz served as a senior investigator in the Dermatology Branch from 1974-2014 and became acting chief in 1977. In 1980, he became chief of the branch, a position he held until 2002. “Steve had extraordinary abilities in research, administration and training,” said NCI Deputy Director Doug Lowy, M.D. “For example, he made the Dermatology Branch the place to come for training in dermatology research and was responsible for training many American and foreign leaders in the field.” Read more...
Steve Rosenberg featured in National Geographic article on personalized medicine
Dec 20, 2018
Steve Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Surgery Branch, was recently featured in a National Geographic article on how personalized medicine is transforming health care. The article highlights Judy Perkins, a metastatic breast cancer patient who was successfully treated with an experimental immunotherapy by Dr. Rosenberg. Read more...