Cancer Information Highlights, February 13, 2019

Cancer Information Highlights, February 13, 2019

Cancer Information Highlights

From the National Cancer Institute

Updating you about cancer causes, prevention, screening, treatment, coping, and more

New from NCI Video—NCI's 2019 Plans: Conversation with the NCI Director   If you missed the live broadcast, you can now watch the recording of our Facebook Live event. Listen as NCI Director Ned Sharpless, M.D., discusses NCI’s budget and plans for fiscal year 2019 with Elizabeth Jaffee, M.D., of Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Dafna Bar-Sagi, Ph.D., of NYU Langone Health. Lung-MAP   Lung-MAP is a precision medicine research study for people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer that has continued to grow after treatment. In this study, patients are assigned to different study drug combinations based on the genetic makeup of their tumors. After Lung Cancer Screening, Follow-Up Procedures May Be Riskier Than Thought   Problems from invasive tests performed after lung cancer screening may be more common than have been reported in large controlled trials. Examples of invasive tests include needle biopsy, bronchoscopy, and thoracic surgery. Second Immunotherapy Drug Approved to Treat Merkel Cell Carcinoma The Food and Drug Administration has approved pembrolizumab (Keytruda) to treat people with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and often deadly form of skin cancer. Curbing Production of Immune Checkpoint Protein Slows Liver Cancer in Mice A recent study revealed how cancer cells increase their levels of PD-L1, a protein that affects the immune system. When present at high levels, PD-L1 helps cancer cells hide from the immune system and spread. PDQ Summary Updates Breast Cancer Treatment We’ve revised our PDQ summary on breast cancer with updates to the treatments used for metastatic disease. Childhood Extracranial Germ Cell Tumors Treatment We’ve revised our PDQ summary on childhood extracranial germ cell tumors with updates to the treatments used for malignant testicular germ cell tumors.

Also of Interest Acupuncture Acupuncture is a complementary therapy used by cancer patients to manage cancer and treatment-related symptoms. Learn more about acupuncture and its use as a complementary therapy in this expert-reviewed summary. Brachytherapy to Treat Cancer Learn about this type of internal radiation therapy that is often used to treat cancers of the head and neck, breast, cervix, prostate, and eye. Cancer Prevention Research During National Cancer Prevention Month, visit our page about cancer prevention research. Learn why prevention is critical to progress against cancer, opportunities and challenges in the field, and promising new approaches.