CCR conducts basic, translational, epidemiological and clinical research on the genetic and biological basis of health disparities in several cancers.
Research
Our scientists seek to improve the lives of all cancer patients by solving important, challenging and neglected problems in cancer research.
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Principal Investigators
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Research Overview
The Center for Cancer Research (CCR) is the basic, translational and clinical intramural research program (IRP) of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Our researchers work in a distinctive environment to support our mission:
- Intellectual freedom to pursue the most important problems in cancer research and treatment.
- Stable funding to enable research that requires a long-time horizon and in areas of high risk and unmet needs.
- A diverse institutional culture that is highly collaborative.
- Access to broad clinical trial support resources and plentiful research beds at the NIH Clinical Center, the world’s largest dedicated research hospital.
- More than 40 cutting edge technical facilities and cores accessible to all CCR researchers at no or subsidized cost.
- Partnerships with academic institutions, commercial entities and patient advocacy groups.
Highlighted Research Areas
Cancer Virology & HIV
Certain infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, can cause cancer or increase the risk that cancer will form. CCR researchers are studying the mechanisms through which viruses infect cells and are identifying new viruses that may be associated with cancer as well as studying immunologic approaches for the prevention and treatment of AIDS-related malignancies, cancer-associated viral diseases and HIV infection.
Chromosome Biology
The Center of Excellence in Chromosome Biology (CECB) integrates the intellectual and physical resources within NCI's Intramural Research Program to support outstanding research in chromosome biology.
Genitourinary Malignancies
NCI’s Genitourinary Malignancies Center of Excellence (GUM-COE) brings together scientists studying genitourinary cancers (GU) from across NIH and provides centralized resources and infrastructure to accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of interventions for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these cancers.
Immunology & Immunotherapy
CCR is a world leader in cancer immunology and immunotherapy research. Our researchers have pioneered many of the seminal advances in these rapidly growing fields and are conducting clinical trials aimed at creating immune-based treatments for cancer.
Rare Diseases
CCR brings together NIH expertise in the basic and clinical science studies of rare tumors to identify and more effectively translate potential new therapies. Working with the NIH Clinical Center, we bring together patients from around the world who share rare disease diagnoses. CCR’s clinical experts can mobilize quickly to establish clinical trials on-site and identify agents that may bring relief to these patients.
RNA Biology
CCR endeavors to uncover a better understanding of the structure, function and biological roles of RNA and to apply our collective knowledge to develop new diagnostics and therapies.
Special Initiatives and Programs
CCR has established several programs to address specific areas of cancer research.
Cancer Moonshot
CCR is an active participant in the NCI Cancer Moonshot, which seeks to accelerate cancer research to make more therapies available to more patients, while also improving our ability to prevent cancer and detect it at an early stage.
Center for Advanced Preclinical Research (CAPR)
This center conducts comprehensive preclinical testing of early-stage candidate drugs.
Clinical Pharmacology Program
The mission of the Clinical Pharmacology Program (CPP) is to fully characterize the clinical pharmacology of new anticancer agents entering CCR clinics.
Comparative Oncology Program (COP)
This program helps researchers gain a better understanding the biology of cancer and improve the assessment of novel treatments for humans by treating pet animals with naturally occurring cancers.
Liver Cancer Program
A multidisciplinary network of researchers and clinicians dedicated to improving early detection, diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer.
Myeloid Malignancies Program
A trans-NIH multidisciplinary network of researchers and clinicians dedicated to improving early detection, diagnosis, prognosis and development of novel therapeutics for myeloid malignancies.
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Our Landmark Discoveries Over the Years
Looking Forward
Our scientists are unlocking the mysteries of cancer and discovering new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat it.
Horizons
The Center for Cancer Research is on a journey to discover new knowledge and new treatments for cancer.
In this collection, we highlight several areas of investigation likely to shape future research conducted in CCR.