https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog <p>A blog featuring news and research updates from the National Cancer Institute.</p> en https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2026/cancer-grand-challenges-toughest-problems https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2026/cancer-grand-challenges-toughest-problems Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Cancer Grand Challenges brings together international, interdisciplinary teams to tackle problems no single scientist, institution, or country can solve alone. Learn how the NCI and Cancer Research UK partnership is advancing cancer biology, prevention, and treatment while training future leaders. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2026/childhood-cancer-research-widemann https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2026/childhood-cancer-research-widemann Mon, 14 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000 In recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, NCI's Dr. Brigitte Widemann discusses recent advances in treatment, shared data, artificial intelligence, research participation, and survivorship. She explains why sustained federal investment and partnerships with patients, families, advocates, and researchers are essential to continued progress. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2026/director-letai-functional-precision-medicine-workshop https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2026/director-letai-functional-precision-medicine-workshop Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Functional precision medicine tests drugs directly on living tumor cells to help clinicians identify the most effective, personalized treatments for their patients. NCI Director Dr. Anthony Letai shares his personal journey with the technology and highlights next steps for advancing the field from a recent NCI workshop. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2026/nci-role-checkpoint-inhibitors https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2026/nci-role-checkpoint-inhibitors Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer treatment, helping people with advanced melanoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer, and other cancers live longer, healthier lives. This is the story of how decades of NCI-funded research made these breakthrough immunotherapy drugs possible. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2026/director-letai-asco-reflections-progress https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2026/director-letai-asco-reflections-progress Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Following ASCO 2026, NCI Director Dr. Anthony Letai reflects on the pace of progress in cancer research, efforts to accelerate clinical trials, and NCI’s role in supporting the cancer research and care community. He highlights how decades of investment in science are driving progress for patients and creating new opportunities to improve outcomes. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2026/director-letai-aacr-priorities-reflections https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2026/director-letai-aacr-priorities-reflections Mon, 04 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000 NCI Director Dr. Anthony Letai shares his reflections on this year’s AACR Annual Meeting, including science that stood out and NCI’s leading priorities. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/early-onset-cancer-research-environment-genetics-support https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/early-onset-cancer-research-environment-genetics-support Wed, 14 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000 As diagnoses of colorectal, breast, and other cancers continue to climb in people under age 50, researchers are trying to understand what’s behind this phenomenon. Is it environmental exposures, genetics, lifestyle? The culprits, they say, remain unclear. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/brain-cancer-surgery-rapid-test-mutations-tumor-cells https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/brain-cancer-surgery-rapid-test-mutations-tumor-cells Thu, 08 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Scientists have developed a test for use during brain cancer surgery that rapidly measures the levels of certain genetic mutations in patients’ tumor samples. The test uses droplet digital polymerase chain reaction technology and produces results within 15 minutes. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/tumor-cell-adhesion-predict-metastasis https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/tumor-cell-adhesion-predict-metastasis Tue, 06 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000 A device that measures the “stickiness” of cancer cells in tumor samples may help predict the likelihood of a patient’s cancer metastasizing. Researchers believe the device could eventually help doctors make more informed treatment choices. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/fda-nivolumab-ipilimumab-dmmr-colorectal-cancer https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/fda-nivolumab-ipilimumab-dmmr-colorectal-cancer Fri, 02 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000 FDA has approved the combination of the immunotherapy drugs ipilimumab (Yervoy) and nivolumab (Opdivo) for the initial treatment of people with advanced colorectal cancer whose tumors are classified as MSI-H or dMMR.