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. Read more...
CCR researchers show selumetinib shrinks tumors in children with NF1
Clinical trial tests combination therapy for relapsed hairy cell leukemia
Nov 15, 2019
Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare and slow-growing leukemia in which bone marrow overproduces abnormal B lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Under a microscope, these malignant cells appear to be covered with tiny hair-like projections. In this study, patients will receive an immunotoxin called moxetumomab pasudotox to study its effect on relapsed HCL. Read more...
Pancreatic Cancer Research
Nov 4, 2019
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. We have many researchers, both in the basic and clinical disciplines, who are working on pancreatic cancer. Learn more...
Lung Cancer Research
Nov 4, 2019
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Our research portfolio includes investigators making important discoveries in lung cancer research. Read more...
Elaine Jaffe named an NIH Distinguished Investigator
Oct 29, 2019
Elaine Jaffe, M.D., Senior Investigator in the Laboratory of Pathology, has been selected as an NIH Distinguished Investigator, a prestigious title reserved for tenured intramural senior investigators who are at the highest level in their fields. Dr. Jaffe has conducted pioneering studies related to the classification of malignant lymphomas and has led an international effort for consensus among clinicians and pathologists. Read more...
Clinical trial will test new treatment to improve survival rates for patients with operable gastrointestinal tumors
Oct 28, 2019
A clinical phase II trial at the NIH Clinical Center will test the effectiveness of a monoclonal antibody used immediately before and after surgery for patients with primary pancreatic and bile duct cancer and those who have liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. The trial is investigating whether this treatment can prevent the disease from coming back after surgery. Read more...
Clinical trial studies antibiotic therapy for fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, a rare liver cancer
Oct 25, 2019
Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC) is a rare liver cancer that usually grows in teens and young adults. Unresectable FLC usually does not improve with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Tim F. Greten, M.D., Deputy Chief of the Thoracic and GI Malignancies Branch, is leading a study that tests the theory that certain bacteria in the gut may influence the development of FLC. Read more...
James Kochenderfer receives 2019 FNIH Trailblazer Prize for Clinician-Scientists
Oct 24, 2019
James Kochenderfer, M.D., Investigator in the Surgery Branch, has received the 2019 Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Trailblazer Prize for Clinician-Scientists. The award recognizes the outstanding contributions of early career clinician-scientists whose work has the potential to or has led to innovations in patient care. Dr. Kochenderfer was selected as the 2019 recipient for developing immunotherapies that leverage chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells to treat blood cancers, including lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Read more...
Metastatic breast cancer survivor shares her clinical trial story
Oct 23, 2019
We’re celebrating breast cancer awareness month by sharing the story of Samantha Seinfeld, a metastatic breast cancer survivor who participated in a CCR first-in-human clinical trial over 10 years ago. Since then, she has remained cancer-free. Margaret Gatti-Mays, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P., Assistant Research Physician in the Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, and James Gulley, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, are currently evaluating Samantha’s unusual immune response in hopes of improving the responses of other patients. Read more...
Stanley Lipkowitz and Alexandra Zimmer answer breast cancer “Redditor” questions
Oct 22, 2019
Stanley Lipkowitz, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Women’s Malignancies Branch (WMB), and Alexandra Zimmer, M.D., Assistant Research Physician in WMB, recently answered questions about breast cancer during a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” (AMA). During the event, Drs. Lipkowitz and Zimmer discussed topics ranging from recent advances in breast cancer treatment to genetic and environmental factors that influence risk for disease. Read more...
Kenneth Aldape discusses importance of precise diagnosis in brain and spine tumors
Oct 22, 2019
Kenneth Aldape, M.D., Chief of the Laboratory of Pathology, recently discussed the importance of a precise diagnosis in the treatment of brain and spine tumors in an NCI-CONNECTions blog. In the blog, he shares how he’s using the latest technologies and techniques to provide more individualized care for patients. Read more...