News and Events

Elaine S. Jaffe to receive 2022 Gold-Headed Cane Award from the American Society for Investigative Pathology

Elaine S. Jaffe, M.D., NIH Distinguished Investigator in the Laboratory of Pathology, has been selected to receive the 2022 American Society for Investigative Pathology Gold-Headed Cane Award. This award recognizes significant long-term contributions to the field of pathology, including meritorious research, outstanding teaching, general excellence in the discipline and demonstrated leadership in the field.

Steven A. Rosenberg named 2021 Dan David Prize laureate

Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Surgery Branch, is a recipient of the internationally renowned Dan David Prize, which honors individuals and organizations for outstanding contributions that expand knowledge of the past, enrich society in the present and promise to improve the future. Rosenberg is recognized in the “future” category for his contributions to molecular medicine, including his landmark discoveries leading to the first cancer immunotherapies and for his ongoing efforts to develop immunotherapy for solid tumors. He is one of three “future” category prize recipients and will be honored May 9, 2021, during a virtual ceremony.

Brigitte C. Widemann selected as a 2021 Sammies finalist

Brigitte C. Widemann, M.D., Chief of the Pediatric Oncology Branch, has been selected as one of 29 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal (Sammies) finalists. These finalists are outstanding federal employees who serve the public good and are addressing many of our country’s greatest challenges. Widemann is nominated in the Science and Environment category for her pioneering clinical studies that led to Food and Drug Administration approval of selumetinib as the first treatment for children with neurofibromatosis type 1 who have symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas.

Clinical trial evaluates COVID-19 vaccine in adults in treatment for cancer

Adults with hematologic malignancies or solid tumors may be eligible to participate in a new clinical trial at the NIH Clinical Center. Elad Sharon, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Investigator at the National Cancer Institute, is leading a study to assess the effects of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273) in adults undergoing treatment for various types of cancer.

Personalized approach to prostate cancer diagnosis could mean less invasive biopsies

Systematic and MRI-guided biopsies can each find cancers that the other technique can miss — but not everyone needs both. According to a new analysis, magnetic resonance imaging can be used to determine which biopsy approach is appropriate for an individual.

Vinay K. Pathak receives Cozzarelli Prize

Researchers led by Vinay K. Pathak, Ph.D., Senior Investigator in the HIV Dynamics and Replication Program, received the 2020 Cozzarelli Prize in the Biomedical Sciences class for their PNAS publication “HIV-1 uncoats in the nucleus near sites of integration.” The Cozzarelli Prize recognizes outstanding contributions to the scientific disciplines represented by the National Academy of Sciences.

Near-infrared compounds for visualizing enzymatic activity in living organisms

New fluorescent probes developed that can help clinicians pinpoint cancer metastases

New chemical compounds developed by CCR researchers and clinicians are safe and highly effective in fluorescently highlighting microscopic metastases. The new compounds could have great utility in complex living systems based on experiments done in mouse models of metastatic human ovarian cancer.

Stem cell transplant after CAR T-cell therapy effective for young leukemia patients

In a clinical trial, CCR physician-scientists found that long-term survival for young patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia was significantly better for those who received CD19-CAR T-cell therapy followed by a stem cell transplant. As a result of these findings, use of stem cell transplant is now recommended following CAR T-cell therapy.

Manufactured CAR T cells ready for infusion into a patient

FDA approves BCMA-targeted CAR T-cell therapy for multiple myeloma

The Food and Drug Administration approved idecabtagene vicleucel (Abecma) for people with multiple myeloma that has not responded to or has returned after at least four different prior cancer treatments. The approval is based, in part, on earlier clinical work led by James N. Kochenderfer, M.D., Senior Investigator in the Surgery Branch.

In Memoriam: George Vande Woude, Ph.D. (1935-2021)

The CCR community mourns the recent death of longtime National Cancer Institute colleague, George Vande Woude, Ph.D. He was an expert in molecular oncology and discovered the human MET oncogene.

Breadcrumb