News

An image of a prescription bottle encircled with a reusable symbol.

Research Highlights: Repurposing Common Medications to Prevent Cancer

POSTED: September 11, 2023
SOURCE: Cancer Prevention Science Blog

Two recent publications focus on widely used treatments for other diseases to evaluate possible roles in the prevention of cancer. One looked at the potential of statins, a common heart disease drug, to prevent gynecologic…

Histological slide (H & E stain at x300) showing prostate cancer.
Early Detection Research Network Marks 20 Years
This month, the Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) marks its 20th anniversary. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) launched the network in 2000 with the goal of identifying and harnessing biomarkers as a way of detecting cancer at earlier stages. Today, the network comprises more than 300… Learn more
POSTED: 12/21/2020
SOURCE: AACR Cancer Research Cataylst Blog
Scientific Achievements During 2020: An Unforgettable Year of Progress in the NCI Division of Cancer Prevention
DCP Director Philip E. Castle, Ph.D., M.P.H. As this unforgettable year of 2020 comes to an end, I am reaching the milestone of my first 6 months as Director of the NCI Division of Cancer Prevention (DCP). It has been a whirlwind of virtual meetings and… Learn more
POSTED: 12/17/2020
SOURCE: Cancer Prevention Science Blog
AUTHOR: Philip E. Castle, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Portraits of Principal investigators Katherine D. Crew, M.D., M.S., (left) and Rita Kukafka, Dr.P.H., M.A. (right)
Making Informed Choices on Incorporating Chemoprevention Into Breast Care: Q & A with Dr. Katherine Crew on the MiCHOICE Trial
The SWOG Cancer Research Network is opening to accrual the MiCHOICE Trial to study the use of decision support tools by women with high-risk breast conditions and their healthcare providers to choose among chemoprevention… Learn more
POSTED: 12/8/2020
SOURCE: Cancer Prevention Science Blog
Image of clinician's hands typing on laptop on office desk from above.
How Patients and Their Doctors Determine Cancer Risk—and What Happens Next
If you were concerned that you might be at increased risk for a specific kind of cancer, what would you do to confirm that risk, and what would you be willing to do to reduce that risk? The answer is likely to be, "it depends on your doctor." Quotes from Focus Group Participants "The claim of… Learn more
POSTED: 11/19/2020
SOURCE: Cancer Prevention Science Blog
AUTHOR: Goli Samimi, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Some Clinical Trials Changes due to COVID-19 Proposed for Long-term Use by NCI Leaders
In a commentary written by several of its clinical scientific leaders, changes were proposed to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) clinical trials program to improve clinical trial availability, effectiveness, and diversity. The article, “COVID-19, Social Justice, and Clinical Cancer Research,”… Learn more
POSTED: 11/16/2020
SOURCE: DCP News
An image of healthy foods, including vegetables, nuts, and eggs.
Nutrition Frontiers - Fall 2020
This issue reveals a metaproteomic approach to assessing the gut microbiome, genestein’s effect on remodeling pathways to suppress kidney cancer, and neferine from lotus seeds pro-oxidant anticancer mechanisms. Meet our… Learn more
POSTED: 10/29/2020
SOURCE: DCP News
Photo of a cancer patient.
NCI Cancer Moonshot℠ Biobank Launches Exclusively through 20 NCORP Sites
NCI has launched the Cancer Moonshot℠ Biobank to procure and distribute longitudinal patient biospecimens for cancer research exclusively through 20 community research sites in the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). Both the biobank pilot study, "NCORP Tissue Procurement Protocol: An… Learn more
POSTED: 10/19/2020
SOURCE: NCI DCTD News
A side-by-side of two normal mammograms showing the difference between a dense breast (left) and a fatty breast (right).
Projects Making Progress in Breast Cancer Detection and Prevention
DCP Director Philip E. Castle, Ph.D., M.P.H. In the month of October, breast cancer awareness is the health message that looms large. Yet, researchers across the National Cancer Institute and across the world are focused on breast cancer all the time. In the… Learn more
POSTED: 10/19/2020
SOURCE: Cancer Prevention Science Blog
AUTHOR: Philip E. Castle, Ph.D., M.P.H.
NCI Announces SeroNet Collaboration: Division of Cancer Prevention Supports Six of These Critical SARS-CoV-2-Focused Grants
The National Cancer Institute was directed by Congress "to develop, validate, improve, and implement serological testing and associated technologies" to characterize the immune responses elicited by SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. As part of the response, the institute established Serological Sciences… Learn more
POSTED: 10/8/2020
SOURCE: DCP News
Screen grab of the 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting for NCORP Grantees.
NCORP Annual Meeting Focuses on Clinical Trials, COVID-19 and Telemedicine
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer research and clinical trials, and the growing use of telemedicine garnered much of the focus during Part 1 of the annual meeting of the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) on Aug. 31. Part 2 scheduled for October 6, will focus on progress… Learn more
POSTED: 9/29/2020
SOURCE: NCI NCORP News
An illustration of the female reproductive system.
Research Issues in Gynecology and Women's Health: How do Benign Conditions Become Cancer?
Research to uncover how and why benign gynecologic conditions like endometriosis or uterine fibroids progress to invasive and deadly ovarian cancer or uterine sarcomas, is a critical and overlooked issue in women’s health.
POSTED: 9/28/2020
SOURCE: Cancer Prevention Science Blog
AUTHOR: Goli Samimi, Ph.D., M.P.H.
A Message from the NCI Division of Cancer Prevention Director, Philip E. Castle, Ph.D., M.P.H.
DCP Director Philip E. Castle, Ph.D., M.P.H. Coming on board as the Division of Cancer Prevention (DCP) Director in July 2020 was a unique challenge. COVID is a serious problem now, but we have faith in science that it will be solved soon. While cancer is not… Learn more
POSTED: 9/11/2020
SOURCE: DCP News
The Gut Microbiome's Important Role in Immunity.
Smart Technology Is Aimed at Nutrition, Gut and Metabolism in Cancer Prevention Research Funding Opportunities
As the availability and sophistication of smart technology for health (such as wearables, sensors, and micro-robotic tools) continues to increase, these devices could prove transformative in cancer prevention. Two ongoing Division of Cancer Prevention (DCP) funding opportunities are promoting the… Learn more
POSTED: 9/8/2020
SOURCE: Cancer Prevention Science Blog
Regular Aspirin Use May Increase Older People’s Risk of Dying from Cancer
Numerous studies have suggested that people who regularly take low doses of aspirin may have reduced risks of being diagnosed with or dying from cancer. But new findings from a randomized clinical trial, called ASPREE, suggest that the same may not hold true for older adults. The study included… Learn more
POSTED: 8/18/2020
SOURCE: Cancer Currents Blog
An image of different foods that are high in Zinc.
Nutrition Frontiers - Summer 2020
This issue reveals zinc’s chemopreventive activity for Barrett’s Esophagus, the nutritional environment and intestinal stem cell’s contribution to colorectal cancer, and Sirt1 signaling in astrocytes’ contribution to… Learn more
POSTED: 7/30/2020
SOURCE: DCP News
A nurse at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, checks a young boy's temperature prior to testing him for COVID-19.
Responding to Coronavirus, Cancer Researchers Reimagine Clinical Trials
When the coronavirus pandemic reached the United States, thousands of people with cancer were participating in clinical trials, including many at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. At St. Jude, investigators took steps to reduce the risk that children participating in… Learn more
POSTED: 6/29/2020
SOURCE: NCI Cancer Currents Blog
Virus particles surround three human figures with their livers highlighted. One figure has a healthy liver, one has chronic liver disease and one has liver cancer.
NIH scientists develop blood test to help improve liver cancer screening
Scientists have developed a new test that can help identify people who are likely to develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer. The approach uses a simple blood test to check for the patient’s previous exposure to certain viruses. A study of the new approach was… Learn more
POSTED: 6/11/2020
SOURCE: NCI Press Release
EsoCheck and EsoGuard infographic
New Technology Gives Patients Access to a 5-Minute, Office-Based Test to Identify Risk for Esophageal Cancer
EsoCheck™ and EsoGuard™ NCI Annual Plan & Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2020 (PDF, 17.4 MB) A new technology coupled with a new biomarker test now in clinical trials are giving patients timely access to a quick, accurate and less invasive way to… Learn more
POSTED: 6/1/2020
SOURCE: Cancer Prevention Science Blog
A nurse consults with a patient during Coronavirus quarantine.
How Does COVID-19 Affect People with Cancer? NCCAPS Will Help Find Out
With the sudden explosion of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all living with a great deal of fear, uncertainty, and anxiety. As an oncologist and cancer researcher, I know that those feelings are heightened for many people with cancer.
POSTED: 5/21/2020
SOURCE: NCI Cancer Currents Blog
3D illustration of the novel coronavirus.
Memos and Guidance for DCP Clinical Trials Investigators during the COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. In addition to the information sources listed in the web header, the National Cancer Institute and the Division of Cancer Prevention have issued guidance for DCP investigators during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those materials are consolidated here… Learn more
POSTED: 5/7/2020
SOURCE: DCP News
3D illustration of the novel coronavirus.
NCORP Partners in ACTIV Response to COVID-19
The National Institutes of Health and the Foundation for the NIH (FNIH) are bringing together more than a dozen leading biopharmaceutical companies, the Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S… Learn more
POSTED: 5/4/2020
SOURCE: NIH Press Release
Logo AACR Virtual Annual Meeting I: April 27-28, 2020
PREVENT and DCP-funded Early Phase Clinical Projects’ Results Presented at AACR Virtual Annual Meetings 2020 I & II
Updated: July 9, 2020 NCI participated in the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meetings, held virtually on April 27 - 28, 2020 (Meeting I) and June 22 - 24, 2020 (Meeting II), including presenting the following research results from PREVENT and Early Phase Clinical Projects… Learn more
POSTED: 4/29/2020
SOURCE: DCP News
An open bottle of Vitamin D on a table with eggs, fish, and vegetables.
Nutrition Frontiers - Spring 2020
This issue reveals there is no association between vitamin D supplementation and colorectal adenomas or polyps risk, that SAHA and EGCG promote apoptosis in breast cancer, and how the metabolome changes in colorectal cancer… Learn more
POSTED: 4/23/2020
SOURCE: DCP News
A nurse administers the HPV vaccine to a participant in the NCI-funded Costa Rica HPV Vaccine Trial.
Single Dose of HPV Vaccine Yields Long-Term Protection from Many Cancer-Causing Types
More than a decade after vaccination, women who had received a single dose of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine continued to be protected against cervical infection with the two cancer-causing HPV types targeted by the vaccine, HPV16 and 18. The new findings are from an extended follow-up of the… Learn more
POSTED: 4/10/2020
SOURCE: NCI Cancer Currents Blog
An older woman reading a tablet.
Women Experience More Side Effects from Pelvic Radiation than Realized
Women undergoing radiation therapy for cervical or uterine cancer have a much higher incidence of serious side effects than previously realized, according to results from a new clinical trial. This information may help women and their clinicians more accurately weigh the potential benefits versus… Learn more
POSTED: 4/8/2020
SOURCE: NCI Cancer Currents Blog