News and Events

Mouse models and patient data suggest potential biomarker for immunotherapy response in melanoma

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are an effective treatment for about a third of patients with metastatic melanoma. Now, mouse models and patient data suggest these cancers are more likely to respond to immunotherapy if their cells resemble fully developed melanocytes rather than less mature precursor cells.

In Memoriam: Nancy Colburn, Ph.D.

The Center for Cancer Research mourns the recent death of past colleague and friend Nancy Colburn, Ph.D. She was an esteemed member of the NCI community for 36 years from 1976-2012.

CCR researchers show selumetinib shrinks tumors in children with NF1

Findings from a phase 2 clinical trial show that the drug selumetinib improves outcomes for children with the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). In the trial, selumetinib shrank the inoperable tumors that develop with NF1 called plexiform neurofibromas, and children experienced reduced pain, improved function, and better overall quality of life after receiving the treatment. This trial was led by Brigitte Widemann, M.D., Chief of the Pediatric Oncology Branch (POB), and Andrea M. Gross, M.D., Assistant Research Physician in POB, and the results were published March 18, 2020, in the New England Journal of Medicine.

New Milestones publication now available

Every year, the Center for Cancer Research makes remarkable contributions to the understanding, detection, treatment and prevention of cancer. This issue of our annual publication, Milestones, features some of the most impactful science conducted in the past year in CCR. These advances include new insights into how genomes are organized and how DNA and RNA function in cells, how cellular processes and signaling events function in healthy cells and how they are affected in cancer. Other major discoveries this year include how cancers become metastatic and what drives the proliferation of cancer cells.

CCR researchers show testing with combined biopsy method improves prostate cancer diagnosis

A method of testing for prostate cancer developed at the Center for Cancer Research leads to more accurate diagnosis and prediction of the course of the disease, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Peter Pinto, M.D., Investigator in the Urologic Oncology Branch, led the study and says this method, which combines systematic biopsy, the current primary diagnostic approach, with MRI-targeted biopsy, is poised to greatly improve prostate cancer diagnosis, thereby reducing the risk of both overtreatment and undertreatment of the disease. To see all open prostate cancer trials, click here.

Christian Hinrichs and Steve Rosenberg receive Federal Laboratory Consortium award

Christian Hinrichs, M.D., Investigator in the Experimental Transplantation and Immunotherapy Branch, and Steve Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Surgery Branch, received an award from the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) for their project, “New, First-in-class Immunotherapy for Treatment of Recurrent, Metastatic Cervical Cancer.” This award recognizes employees of FLC member laboratories and non-laboratory staff who have accomplished outstanding work in the process of transferring federally developed technology.

A new set of genes linked to metastasis in melanoma

CCR researchers have found that melanoma can reactivate gene expression patterns that are usually active in melanoblasts, facilitating their progression to metastatic behavior. These newly discovered melanoblast genes have the potential to provide a new source of pathways that could be tapped to develop new treatments for melanoma.

Clinical trial studies combination therapy for mesothelin-expressing solid tumors

A clinical trial at the NIH Clinical Center is evaluating a combination therapy for mesothelin-expressing solid tumors. Mesothelin is a protein found on the surface of certain types of normal cells and cancer cells. This trial is studying the effect of LMB-100, a man-made protein attracted to mesothelin, with a drug commonly used to treat certain types of arthritis and colitis.

Irinotecan shrinks DNA-repair-deficient breast cancers in patient-derived mouse models

Laboratory studies uncover genetic features that make some triple-negative breast cancers vulnerable to an overlooked treatment option.

Udo Rudloff and team develop potential new type of immunotherapy

New research led by Udo Rudloff, M.D., Ph.D., Investigator in the Pediatric Oncology Branch, describes a potential new type of immunotherapy that applies across many types of cancer. The findings were reported in Science Translational Medicine and showed this approach has potential for treating other diseases as well. This work was featured in a recent press release from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.

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