National Cancer Institute

10/08/2026

For years, RAS was seen as one of the toughest targets in cancer research.

Our latest Your NCI video tells the story of how decades of NCI-supported research helped change that.

The video traces the work from early discoveries about RAS biology to the launch of the NCI RAS Initiative in 2013, when researchers from government, academia, and industry came together to take on a problem that no single group could solve alone.

Harold Varmus, M.D., and Frank McCormick, Ph.D., who helped launch the initiative, share how the field evolved. Paula, a clinical trial participant with pancreatic cancer, shares what advances in RAS research have meant for her and her family.

The RAS story is a reminder that progress in cancer research often takes time, and that sustained investment in science can lead to possibilities that once seemed out of reach. Read more: https://go.nih.gov/fDHf4Tr

10/06/2026

Big challenges call for bold ideas—and teamwork.

Meet researchers working together through a Cancer Grand Challenges grant to tackle some of the toughest questions in cancer research and help drive progress toward new discoveries.

Learn how the CAUSE team is studying how DNA damage leads to mutational signatures, with the goal of developing tools that could provide new insights for cancer prevention and treatment. https://www.cancergrandchallenges.org/cause

10/05/2026

An estimated 2.3 million cancer cases worldwide—about 1 in 8—were attributable to infections in 2024, according to a new analysis led by researchers at the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

H. pylori and HPV accounted for the most cases, followed by hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis C. The findings highlight the potential for cancer prevention through measures such as vaccination, screening, and testing and treatment for certain infections. Read more: https://go.nih.gov/wvDDQC7

10/02/2026

Seven years. One remarkable journey.

At nine years old, Autumn shared a glimpse into her life at The Children's Inn at NIH while receiving care at NCI for neurofibromatosis type one (NF1). Today, at 16, she’s still coming to NIH-and she’s found her voice in more ways than one.

She sings in her school choir, loves live music, spends time with friends, and looks forward to reconnecting with the care team she’s known for years, including Dr. Brigitte Widemann, who leads NF1 research at NCI, in addition to serving as Chief of the Pediatric Oncology Branch and a Deputy Director of NCI.

For , see Autumn‘s story then (at the video above) as a 9 year-old, and now (at our link in bio) as a teenager – at The Children’s Inn.

Because research happens at the clinic, but growing up happens everywhere. 💛 https://go.nih.gov/gcs164A

09/30/2026

In June 1990, The Children’s Inn opened after years of planning and collaboration. Dr. Philip Pizzo, then chief of NCI’s Pediatric Branch, had first envisioned the idea nine years earlier: a family-centered residence where children participating in research at NIH could stay with their families.

The Inn was designed to accommodate up to 36 families participating in NIH pediatric protocols, with approximately 60% of its residents expected to be children with cancer.

As pediatric research at NIH grew, so did The Inn. An expansion in 2004 increased the number of guest rooms, and today another major renovation and expansion is underway to serve even more children, young adults and families participating in research at NIH.

More than three decades later, the vision that helped inspire The Inn remains closely connected to NCI’s research mission: supporting the children and families whose participation makes advances in pediatric research possible.

Learn more about The Children's Inn at NIH:

The Children's Inn at NIH provides free lodging, meals, and support programs for children with rare diseases enrolled in NIH clinical research studies. A place like home.

09/30/2026

Vaccines are one of the fastest growing areas in cancer research, and one industry research firm projects that the market for personalized cancer vaccines could reach more than $8 billion a year by 2034. Former NBC News correspondent Kristen Dahlgren and cancer researcher Dr. Karen Knudsen, CEO of T...

09/30/2026

As we close out Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, NCI's Dr. Jack Shern reflects on what it will take to continue making advances against childhood cancers.

Researchers, clinicians, survivors, advocates, and families each bring important perspectives to this work. Dr. Shern shares why that collective effort gives him optimism about where childhood cancer research is headed.

09/28/2026

Progress against lung cancer is reflected in survival: the 5-year relative survival rate increased from about 15% in 2001 to 30% in 2018. Advances in early detection and treatment are helping change the outlook for people with lung cancer. https://seer.cancer.gov/report_to_nation/lung.html

09/25/2026

What happens to all the stool samples left over from at-home colorectal cancer screening tests? Turns out, they may have a useful second act.
In a screening program in Italy, researchers successfully generated microbiome data from 99.5% of the residual FIT samples selected for analysis. Analyzing samples from nearly 1,000 people, researchers found lower microbial diversity and specific bacteria, including E. coli and Bacteroides fragilis, associated with higher odds of colorectal cancer and precancerous growths.
The findings suggest screening leftovers could help scientists build large, long-term studies of how the gut microbiome relates to colorectal cancer risk—without collecting a separate sample.

Read more: https://go.nih.gov/YpOXkic

09/24/2026

For many postdocs, research is more than a career—it’s a calling to ask hard questions, pursue answers, and help others.

This , we’re grateful for all who bring that sense of purpose to science. If cancer research is part of yours, learn about opportunities at NCI: https://go.nih.gov/N5T9VkL