Cancer Currents: An NCI Cancer Research Blog https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog <p>A blog featuring news and research updates from the National Cancer Institute.</p> en As Rates of Some Cancers Increase in Younger People, Researchers Search for Answers 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. Rapid Genetic Test Could Help Guide Brain Cancer Surgery 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. Will This Cancer Metastasize? Check Its “Stickiness” 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. FDA Approval Likely to Change Initial Treatment for Some People with Advanced Colorectal Cancer 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. What’s at the Root of Ovarian Cancer? New Study May Have Found Part of the Answer https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/ovarian-cancer-stic-high-risk-mscs https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/ovarian-cancer-stic-high-risk-mscs Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000 A subgroup of mesenchymal stem cells, called high-risk MSCs, appears to fuel the formation of cancerous lesions in the fallopian tubes and the lesions’ transition to ovarian cancer, a study has found. Are New Immune-Based Treatments for Kidney and Pancreatic Cancer on the Horizon? https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/neoantigen-vaccine-pancreatic-kidney-cancer https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/neoantigen-vaccine-pancreatic-kidney-cancer Wed, 23 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000 In small trials, personalized treatment vaccines appeared to prevent cancer from returning in patients who had successful surgery to remove their tumors. The treatments, which were created based on intensive analyses of patients’ tumors, appeared to be safe. For AYAs with Advanced Cancer, Study Finds Serious Communication Gaps About Their Care https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/aya-cancer-treatment-goals https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/aya-cancer-treatment-goals Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Documented conversations on goals of care are uncommon in AYA patients with advanced cancer. Researchers found that many patients did not have these discussions until the last month of life, and many asked about palliative care. Expanding Research on Dormant Cancer Cells Aims to Prevent Metastasis https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/metastasis-dormant-cancer-cells-immune-system https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/metastasis-dormant-cancer-cells-immune-system Thu, 10 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Some cancers come back many years after successful treatment, often as metastatic disease. Researchers believe if and how this happens is heavily influenced by dormant cancer cells and their interaction with the immune system. Experimental Treatment Uses Engineered Fat Cells to “Starve” Tumors https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/starving-tumors-engineered-fat-cells https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/starving-tumors-engineered-fat-cells Thu, 27 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000 Researchers have developed a form of cancer treatment that uses fat cells engineered to aggressively consume nutrients like glucose. When implanted in mice, the engineered cells appeared to outcompete tumors for nutrients, shrinking tumors. Zenocutuzumab Approved to Treat Lung and Pancreatic Cancers with Rare Genetic Change https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/fda-zenocutuzumab-lung-and-pancreatic-cancers-nrg1-alteration https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/fda-zenocutuzumab-lung-and-pancreatic-cancers-nrg1-alteration Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000 FDA has approved zenocutuzumab (Bizengri) to treat people with pancreatic or non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors have a rare genetic alteration called an NRG1 fusion. The approval is based on a clinical trial in which the drug shrank tumors in a third of patients.