A research blog from the NCI Division of Cancer Prevention Subscribe Engineering Synthetic Biomarkers for Early Detection of Cancers February 9, 2022 | By Jack J. Lee, Ph.D. Tumor cells release telltale molecules into blood, urine, and other bodily fluids. But it can be difficult to detect tumor-derived DNA, RNA, and proteins in the earliest stages of disease, when cancers can be easier to treat and cure. Earlier stages shed fewer cancer cells—and fewer tumor markers. “Endogenous markers may be there, but not detectable with current technology,” said Sudhir Srivastava, Ph.D., M.P.H., chief of the Cancer Biomarkers Research Group in the NCI Division of Cancer Prevention. The clinical detection of tumors is limited to masses larger than roughly one centimeter in diameter, which can reflect ten years of growth after the tumor first develops. Identifying New Biomarkers to Detect Lung Cancer Earlier January 14, 2022 | By Jack J. Lee, Ph.D. Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide killing 1.8 million people each year, is often diagnosed at an advanced stage when the chances for a cure are limited. In the United States, almost 60% of people diagnosed with localized lung and bronchus cancer are likely to survive for 5 years. This is nearly 10 times more than those who are not diagnosed until their cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, who have a 5-year relative survival of 6.3%. Right now, more than half of lung cancers are diagnosed at this late state. Ending Cancer as We Know It Is the Work of Many Capable Hands: A Moment to Say "Thank You" December 20, 2021 | By Philip E. Castle, Ph.D., M.P.H. Fifty years ago this week, the National Cancer Act was signed into law, kick-starting research that has changed how cancer is prevented, detected, diagnosed, treated, and survived, and moving us closer to a time when no one dies of cancer. Starting in March of this year, we, the NCI Division of Cancer Prevention, honored the champions and changemakers of prevention, detection, and supportive care science, including those who focused on cancer health disparities in these areas. When we brainstormed who should be included among the individuals who gave years of their lives and work to ending cancer, we came up with more names than we could feature in one year. Studies Focus on Testing Family Members of Cancer Gene Carriers November 29, 2021 | By DCP Staff If your family member had cancer, would you want to know if you carried a gene mutation that increased your risk of the same cancer? This question is at the heart of three novel research projects underway to determine how best to connect with the family members of women with ovarian cancer so they can decide whether to get genetic testing and counseling about their own risk of cancer. Equity and Access to Trials Highlight the 2021 NCORP Grantee Meeting November 10, 2021 | By DCP Staff The NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) annual meeting for grantees in August 2021 virtually brought together representatives from every NCORP Research Base and Community and Minority Underserved Site to discuss and learn about a range of topics. Study Seeks to Unravel the Complexity of Rare Blood Disorders Known as Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) October 5, 2021 | By Susan Jenks In a clinical study underway, scientists hope to unravel the complexities of a group of poorly understood and relatively rare blood disorders that often lead to cancer. In myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), the problem arises when normal blood cells fail to function properly or are ill-formed inside the spongy bone marrow where blood production begins, leaving patients vulnerable to infection, anemia or easy bleeding. A Message from the Director: A Year of Making the Cancer Prevention Intention Clear September 20, 2021 | By Philip E. Castle, Ph.D., M.P.H. A year ago, I said that coming on board as the Division of Cancer Prevention Director in July 2020 was a “challenge,” adding that I had faith in science that the pandemic would be solved soon. Science has brought us a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 and medicine to treat the disease, but we still aren’t all together in the workspace or many other places. We all look forward to that day. Despite the challenges that continue to keep us physically apart, I think we are philosophically together in our desire to prevent cancer. Our mission hasn’t changed, and our motivation hasn’t changed... Study Seeks to Prevent Cancer and Extend Quality of Life for Women at Increased Genetic Risk of Ovarian Cancer September 7, 2021 | By Susan Jenks Researchers in gynecologic oncology have begun testing a promising surgery for premenopausal women at high genetic risk for ovarian cancer that avoids early menopause and may prevent these malignancies from developing. Studies have shown that most ovarian cancers actually begin to grow from cancer cells that developed in the fallopian tubes. This trial is testing if removing the fallopian tubes before menopause prevents ovarian cancer. Vaccine to Prevent Hereditary Cancers Nears Human Trials July 13, 2021 | By Susan Jenks One of the first-ever vaccines for the prevention of colorectal and other cancers in patients at high genetic risk for these malignancies is expected to start its early phase safety and immunogenicity trial in the first quarter of 2022, according to investigators. Although still in the design phase, the study will test a neoantigen-based vaccine against Lynch syndrome, a common hereditary condition that carries a 70-80% lifetime risk for colorectal cancer. The syndrome also raises the risk for developing endometrial cancer and several other cancers, often before age 50 years. NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship Seeks Passionate Applicants to Drive the Field Forward May 25, 2021 | By Susan Jenks Preventing cancer today and in the future lies at the heart of the National Cancer Institute’s competitive postdoctoral fellowship program, which is accepting candidate applications for the 2022 class until August 16, 2021. The multidisciplinary Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP) selects 10 to 15 new fellows each year and provides up to 4 years of support for mentored research and professional development at the NCI. It additionally offers the opportunity for fellows to earn a master’s degree in public health depending on their previous academic training. Pagination « First First page ‹ Previous Previous page … 2 3 4 5 Next › Next page Last » Last page
