New findings show how damaged cells survive the cell cycle
As cells divide and replicate, important safety checkpoints are in place to ensure that most faulty cells with damaged DNA do not survive the cell cycle. In a new twist, CCR researchers discovered how some damaged cells use molecular inertia to drive past these safety checkpoints and continue through the cell cycle. Read more...
Undergraduate research at NCI sparks curiosity and new connections
Sep 10, 2020
Brandon Ogbunu, a Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale, recalls the time he spent studying gene regulation in Susan Gottesman’s lab. He says the experience sparked interests that have helped shape his career studying evolution and disease. Read more...
Innovative imaging tools reveal how neutrophils fight inflammation in mice
Sep 9, 2020
CCR researchers used state-of-the-art imaging techniques to observe, in real time, the path neutrophils take as they move toward a site of inflammation in a mouse model. The images showed the neutrophils leaving the blood vessels and engaging with bacteria that had been introduced into the mouse’s footpad. These observations led to the team’s discovery that the leukocyte LTB4 directs the recruitment, engagement, and penetration of neutrophils into inflamed tissues. Read more...
FDA grants rare pediatric disease designation for experimental immunotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Sep 3, 2020
A cell-based immunotherapy that is currently being evaluated at the NIH Clinical Center for the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a drug for a rare pediatric disease. Designation could encourage development of this novel therapy for children with relapsed or refractory ALL. Read more...
In mice, new therapeutic strategy enhances the effects of immunotherapy in high ASS1-expressing cancers
Aug 31, 2020
Many prevalent cancers (e.g., lung, breast and colon) exhibit abnormally high expression of the enzyme ASS1. This results in greater production of genetic material incorporating purines, consequently making these tumors more resistant to immunotherapy. The researchers showed that drugs blocking purine production in these tumors enhance their response to immunotherapy. Read more...
Our leukemia and lymphoma research
Aug 27, 2020
September is leukemia and lymphoma awareness month. Lymphoma is a broad term for cancer that begins in cells of the lymph system. The two main types are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Leukemia is a broad term for cancers of the blood cells. The type of leukemia depends on the type of blood cell that becomes cancer and whether it grows quickly or slowly. To learn more about our leukemia and lymphoma research, click here.
Experimental compound blocks SARS-CoV-2’s ability to infect and kill cells in the lab
Aug 25, 2020
A potential therapy for COVID-19 binds to a viral enzyme that SARS-CoV-2 requires for replication. With further development and testing, it might be an effective treatment for people with the disease. Read more...
Clinical trial studies three immunotherapies given before surgery in newly diagnosed head and neck cancers not caused by HPV
Aug 20, 2020
Newly diagnosed head and neck cancer not caused by HPV infection often uses surgery as the first treatment. After surgery, about half of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) that was not caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) will have disease relapse within two years. Jason Redman, M.D., Assistant Research Physician in the Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, is leading a trial of three proposed immunotherapy treatments given before surgery for HNSCC. Read more...
Epigenetic marker contributes to PARP inhibitor resistance
Aug 19, 2020
CCR scientists have discovered a way cancer cells can become resistant to PARP inhibitors, targeted therapies that are used to treat some ovarian, breast and prostate cancers. Read more...
New synthetic compounds alter RNA expression in bacteria
Aug 18, 2020
Researchers have succeeded in developing a number of different compounds that bind to ZTP riboswitches, which regulate RNA, in bacteria. Their approach could one day be used to create a new class of antibacterial drug. Read more...
A Conversation with Adam Sowalsky, Ph.D.
Aug 4, 2020
Adam Sowalsky, Ph.D., is an Investigator in the Laboratory of Genitourinary Cancer Pathogenesis. He is seeking to tease apart the molecular mechanisms underlying prostate cancers that have a high likelihood of progressing and then identifying patients who might benefit from earlier therapy. He discusses what motivated him to pursue a career in cancer biology as well as what lies ahead for his research. Read more...