Research Areas: Cancer Biology

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns#"> <head> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <script>window.CDEConfig = { "exitDisclaimerHref":{ "en":"\/policies\/linking", "es":"\/espanol\/politicas\/enlaces" }, "showFloatingDelighters":true, "environmentConfig":{ }, "glossaryConfig":{ "apiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov\/glossary\/v1\/" }, "drugDictionaryConfig":{ "apiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov\/drugdictionary\/v1\/" }, "ctsConfig":{ "apiServer":"https:\/\/clinicaltrialsapi.cancer.gov\/api\/v2", "printApiBase":"https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/CTS.Print", "zipConversionEndpoint":"\/cts_api\/zip_code_lookup" }, "r4rConfig":{ "apiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov\/r4r\/v1" }, "general":{ "apiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov", "mediaServer":"https:\/\/nci-media.cancer.gov" }, "sitewideSearchConfig":{ "bestBetsApiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov\/bestbets\/v1\/", "searchApiServer":"https:\/\/webapis.cancer.gov\/sitewidesearch\/v1\/" }, "chartData": { "factBook": { "baseUrl": "\/about-nci\/budget\/fact-book", "dataType": "json" } } };</script> <script id="ncids-nav-info">window.ncidsNavInfo = { nav: { id: "914486", menu_type: "section-nav"}, item_id: 914486};</script> <meta name="description" content="The broad base of knowledge created by studying the differences between normal cells and cancer cells has been critical to progress against the disease." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.cancer.gov/research/areas/biology" /> <meta http-equiv="content-language" content="en" /> <meta name="robots" content="index" /> <meta property="og:type" content="Website" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.cancer.gov/research/areas/biology" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Research Areas: Cancer Biology" /> <meta property="og:description" content="The broad base of knowledge created by studying the differences between normal cells and cancer cells has been critical to progress against the disease." /> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.cancer.gov/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/styles/cgov_social_media/public/cgov_image/media_image/900/000/files/breast-cancer-cells-article.jpg" /> <meta name="cgdp.domain" content="cgov" /> <meta name="cgdp.template" content="default" /> <meta name="dcterms.subject" content="Research" /> <meta name="dcterms.type" content="cgvArticle" /> <meta name="dcterms.coverage" content="nciglobal,ncienterprise" /> <meta name="dcterms.isPartOf" content="Research Areas" /> <meta name="dcterms.isReferencedBy" content="event1" /> <meta name="dcterms.issued" content="05/07/2015 - 08:00" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <link rel="icon" href="https://www.cancer.gov/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/cgov/static/images/design-elements/icons/favicons/favicon.ico" sizes="32x32"/> <link rel="icon" href="https://www.cancer.gov/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/cgov/static/images/design-elements/icons/favicons/favicon.svg" type="image/svg+xml"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.cancer.gov/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/cgov/static/images/design-elements/icons/favicons/apple-touch-icon.png"/> <link rel="manifest" href="https://www.cancer.gov/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/cgov/static/images/design-elements/icons/favicons/site.webmanifest"/> <meta name="x-no-op" content="none" /> <meta name="Generator" content="Drupal 10 (https://www.drupal.org)" /> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="width" /> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="true" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, user-scalable=yes, initial-scale=1, minimum-scale=1" /> <script id="cgov-adobe-url" type="text/javascript" src="//assets.adobedtm.com/6a4249cd0a2c/949e98979342/launch-5f2a5357bf66.min.js" async="async"></script> <script type="application/ld+json">{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebSite", "name": "National Cancer Institute (.gov)", "url": "https://www.cancer.gov" } ] }</script> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.cancer.gov/research/areas/biology" /> <link rel="alternate" hreflang="es" href="https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/investigacion/areas/biologia" /> <title>Research Areas: Cancer Biology - NCI</title> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://static.cancer.gov" /> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Open+Sans:ital,wght@0,300;0,400;0,600;0,700;1,300;1,400;1,600;1,700&family=Poppins:ital,wght@0,300;0,400;0,500;0,600;1,300;1,400;1,500;1,600&family=Roboto+Mono:ital,wght@0,300;0,400;0,700;1,300;1,400;1,700&display=swap" rel="stylesheet"> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="Cancer.gov" /> <meta name="application-name" content="Cancer.gov" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/css/css_C75Jlh7hDKpb7o8Z9GUp3uCI73y2uKkIAGIq0jHtnq8.css?delta=0&language=en&theme=ncids_trans&include=eJxFyDEOwCAIAMAPGXmSQSGVRCkBHPx9x954cSN5Q8fgYuj4ONoMID-Gq_5Tj9rpS2IyFdaUvI13Z4KBlvJq0SEULR01AD1lLP4AvZMkvQ" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/ncids_trans/dist/css/ncids-common.css?sram0y" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/ncids_trans/dist/css/article.css?sram0y" /> </head> <body class="has-translated-content"> <a href="#main-content" class="usa-skipnav"> Skip to main content </a> <div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas> <section id="usa-banner" class="usa-banner" aria-label="Official government website"> <header class="usa-banner__header"> <div class="usa-banner__inner"> <div class="usa-banner__header-text"> An official website of the United States government </div> <a href="/espanol/investigacion/areas/biologia" id="lang-toggle" class="usa-button usa-banner__language-toggle" hreflang="es">Español</a> </div> </header> </section> <header id="nci-header" class="nci-header nci-header--megamenu" data-base-path="/"> <div class="nci-header__navbar"> <div class="nci-logo" id="extended-mega-logo"> <a href="/"> <picture><source media="(min-width: 1024px)" srcset="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/ncids_header/logos/Logo_NCI.svg" /> <img src="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/ncids_header/logos/Logo_NCI_Mobile.svg" alt="National Cancer Institute Home Page" /> </picture> </a> </div> <div class="nci-header-nav__secondary"> <button class="usa-button nci-header-mobilenav__open-btn">Menu</button> <form class="nci-header-search" method="get" action="/search/results" role="search"> <label class="usa-sr-only" for="nci-header-search__field"> Search </label> <input class="usa-input" id="nci-header-search__field" type="search" name="swKeyword" data-autosuggest-collection="cgov"/> <button class="usa-button nci-header-search__search-button" type="submit" aria-label="Search"> <span class="nci-header-search__label" aria-hidden="true">Search</span> <svg class="usa-icon" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" viewbox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M15.5 14h-.79l-.28-.27C15.41 12.59 16 11.11 16 9.5 16 5.91 13.09 3 9.5 3S3 5.91 3 9.5 5.91 16 9.5 16c1.61 0 3.09-.59 4.23-1.57l.27.28v.79l5 4.99L20.49 19l-4.99-5zm-6 0C7.01 14 5 11.99 5 9.5S7.01 5 9.5 5 14 7.01 14 9.5 11.99 14 9.5 14z"/> </svg> </button> </form> </div> </div> <nav aria-label="Primary navigation" class="nci-header-nav"> <div class="nci-header-nav__inner"> <ul class="nci-header-nav__primary"> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/about-cancer" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link" data-menu-id="829"> <span>About Cancer</span> </a> </li> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/types" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link" data-menu-id="11868"> <span>Cancer Types</span> </a> </li> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/research" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link usa-current" data-menu-id="12732"> <span>Research</span> </a> </li> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/grants-training" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link" data-menu-id="914792"> <span>Grants & Training</span> </a> </li> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/news-events" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link" data-menu-id="12664"> <span>News & Events</span> </a> </li> <li class="nci-header-nav__primary-item"> <a href="/about-nci" class="nci-header-nav__primary-link" data-menu-id="10952"> <span>About NCI</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> </header> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row flex-no-wrap"> <div class="grid-col-10"> <nav class="usa-breadcrumb usa-breadcrumb--wrap" aria-label="Breadcrumbs"> <ol class="usa-breadcrumb__list"> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"> <span>Home</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/research" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"> <span>Research</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item"> <a href="/research/areas" class="usa-breadcrumb__link"> <span>Research Areas</span> </a> </li> <li class="usa-breadcrumb__list-item usa-current" aria-current="page"> <span>Cancer Biology Research</span> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> <section class="cgdp-page-options cgdp-page-options--top" aria-label="Page options top"> <button class="usa-button usa-button--unstyled" onclick="window.print()"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M19 8H5c-1.66 0-3 1.34-3 3v6h4v4h12v-4h4v-6c0-1.66-1.34-3-3-3zm-3 11H8v-5h8v5zm3-7c-.55 0-1-.45-1-1s.45-1 1-1 1 .45 1 1-.45 1-1 1zm-1-9H6v4h12V3z"/> </svg> <span class="usa-sr-only"> Print </span> </button> <a class="usa-button usa-button--unstyled" href="mailto:?subject=Information from the National Cancer Institute Web Site &body=I found this information on www.cancer.gov and I'd like to share it with you: https://www.cancer.gov/research/areas/biology %0D%0A%0D%0A NCI's Web site, www.cancer.gov, provides accurate, up-to-date, comprehensive cancer information from the U.S. government's principal agency for cancer research. If you have questions or need additional information, we invite you to contact NCI's LiveHelp instant messaging service at https://livehelp.cancer.gov, or call the NCI's Contact Center 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) (toll-free from the United States)."> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M20 4H4c-1.1 0-1.99.9-1.99 2L2 18c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h16c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V6c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm0 14H4V8l8 5 8-5v10zm-8-7L4 6h16l-8 5z"/> </svg> <span class="usa-sr-only"> Email </span> </a> </section> </div> </div> <div id="page" class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap">  <div class="desktop:grid-col-3 nci-no-print"> <nav aria-label="Secondary navigation"> <ul class="usa-sidenav"> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/research/areas" data-menu-id="914486" class="usa-current usa-current--nci-ancestor">Research Areas</a> <ul class="usa-sidenav__sublist"> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/research/areas/biology" data-menu-id="915603" class="usa-current" aria-current="page">Cancer Biology Research</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/research/areas/genomics" data-menu-id="915611">Cancer Genomics Research</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/research/areas/causes" data-menu-id="915632">Research on Causes of Cancer</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/research/areas/prevention" data-menu-id="914506">Cancer Prevention Research </a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/research/areas/screening" data-menu-id="915605">Screening & Early Detection</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/research/areas/diagnosis" data-menu-id="915607">Cancer Diagnosis Research </a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/research/areas/treatment" data-menu-id="915634">Cancer Treatment Research</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/research/areas/public-health" data-menu-id="915624">Cancer & Public Health</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/research/areas/disparities" data-menu-id="915609">Cancer Disparities</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/research/areas/childhood" data-menu-id="917216" class="nci-has-children">Childhood Cancers Research</a> </li> <li class="usa-sidenav__item"> <a href="/research/areas/global-health" data-menu-id="915615">Global Cancer Research</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="cgdpl desktop:grid-col-9"> <div id="content" class=""> <main class="contentzone has-section-nav" id="main-content">  <article> <div class="resize-content"> <h1> Cancer Biology Research </h1> <div id="cgvBody"> <div data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:media.image_display_article_medium" class="embedded-entity align-right"> <figure class="image-medium centered-set"> <div class="centered-element"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/styles/cgov_article/public/cgov_image/media_image/900/000/files/breast-cancer-cells-article.jpg?h=b0d0ceb8&itok=WAr8Ugnj" width="600" height="685" alt="Three-dimensional culture of human breast cancer cells, with DNA stained blue and a protein in the cell surface membrane stained green. " /> </div> <figcaption> <div class="caption-container no-resize"> <p>Breast cancer cells</p> <div class="image-photo-credit">Credit: NCI Center for Cancer Research, Tom Misteli, Karen Meaburn</div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <div class="accordion"> <nav class="on-this-page hide-otp-on-collapse" role="navigation"> <span class="on-this-page__header">On This Page</span> <ul> <li> <a href="#the-importance-of-cancer-biology-research"> <p>The Importance of Cancer Biology Research</p> </a> </li> <li> <a href="#selected-nci-activities-in-cancer-biology-research"> <p>Selected NCI Activities in Cancer Biology Research</p> </a> </li> <li> <a href="#recent-research-findings-in-cancer-biology"> <p>Recent Research Findings in Cancer Biology</p> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> <section> <h2 id="the-importance-of-cancer-biology-research"> <p>The Importance of Cancer Biology Research</p> </h2> <p>Research on the biology of cancer starts with the simplest of questions: What is—and isn’t—normal? To understand how cancer develops and progresses, researchers first need to investigate the biological differences between normal cells and cancer cells. This work focuses on the mechanisms that underlie fundamental processes such as cell growth, the transformation of normal cells to cancer cells, and the spread (<a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000046710" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000046710&version=Patient&language=en">metastasis</a>) of cancer cells.</p> <p>Virtually all major advances against cancer originated with discoveries in <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/research/why-invest-in-basic-science-infographic">basic science</a>. Basic research can reveal new ideas about the causes of cancer and how it develops, progresses, and responds to therapy.</p> <p>Knowledge gained from such studies deepens our understanding of cancer and produces insights that could lead to new clinical interventions. For example, studies of cell <a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000561720" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000561720&version=Patient&language=en">signaling pathways</a> in normal cells and cancer cells have contributed greatly to our knowledge about the disease, revealing molecular alterations that are shared among different types of cancer and pointing to possible treatment strategies.</p> <p>Decades of basic research in cancer biology have created a broad base of knowledge that has been critical to progress against the disease.</p> </section> <section> <h2 id="selected-nci-activities-in-cancer-biology-research"> <p>Selected NCI Activities in Cancer Biology Research</p> </h2> <div data-embed-button="insert_block_content" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:block_content.embedded_feature_card" data-entity-type="block_content" data-entity-uuid="8a0117d8-c209-48cb-9186-06d63b2a18e4" data-langcode="en" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" class="embedded-entity align-right"> <div class="feature-card"> <a href="https://nationalcancerplan.cancer.gov/"> <div class="image-hover"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/styles/cgov_featured/public/cgov_image/media_image/2023-03/NCP-Assets_4x3%20Feature%20Card%20Dk.jpg?h=1851c7f5&itok=QZYAeS_I" width="425" height="319" alt="National Cancer Plan"> </div> <h3>NCI Research and the National Cancer Plan</h3> <p>NCI supports a broad variety of research that aligns with the goals of the National Cancer Plan. Read about the plan and explore each goal. </p> </a> </div> </div> <p>Federal funding for cancer biology is essential because this area of research receives relatively little funding from entities that are driven by profit. NCI supports and directs cancer biology research through a variety of programs and approaches. For example:</p> <ul> <li>The <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="a587b994-9a70-44b8-8ce4-f68008a4a512" href="/about-nci/organization/dcb/research-programs/metnet">Metastasis Research Network (MetNet)</a> supports research to improve our understanding of how cancer spreads. Cancer metastasis is a complex, dynamic, nonlinear process. The network supports several specialized centers working collaboratively on multidisciplinary projects focused on several themes of the metastatic process, including mechanisms of early dissemination, cellular and physical <a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000791175" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000791175&version=Patient&language=en">microenvironment</a> crosstalk, dormancy, and mechanisms of responses to therapy by metastatic cells.</li> <li>The <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="18e13535-1efc-4e3e-b6d3-ae6bb0e1d40f" href="/about-nci/organization/dcb/research-programs/tbel">Translational and Basic Science Research in Early Lesions (TBEL)</a> Program is advancing the understanding of the mechanisms driving, or restraining, the development of precancers and early cancers, as well as informing the development of precision prevention approaches. The program supports multidisciplinary research centers that are integrating basic and <a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000561724" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000561724&version=Patient&language=en">translational research</a> to investigate the interactions of an early lesion, its microenvironment, and host factors as “co-organizers” of tumor initiation and the development of cancer.</li> <li>The <a href="https://humantumoratlas.org/">Human Tumor Atlas Network</a> is constructing 3-dimensional atlases of the cellular, morphological, and molecular features of human cancers as they evolve from precancerous lesions to advanced disease. The atlases, which represent a diverse patient population, will also be used to study how tumors respond to treatment and develop resistance to drugs.</li> <li>The <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="0d806b6a-b188-4348-8e2e-828a910f6fa4" href="/about-nci/organization/dcb/research-programs/tec">Cancer Tissue Engineering Collaborative (TEC)</a> supports the development and characterization of state-of-the-art biomimetic tissue-engineered technologies for cancer research. This program advances innovative, well-characterized <em><a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000045733" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000045733&version=Patient&language=en">in vitro</a></em> and <em><a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000467838" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000467838&version=Patient&language=en">ex vivo</a></em> systems available for cancer research, expands the breadth of these systems to several cancer types, and promotes investigations of cancer with tissue-engineered systems.</li> <li> <div data-embed-button="cgov_featured_content_button" data-entity-embed-display="view_mode:node.embedded_feature_card" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="89d50cd7-7e29-48fa-88ad-1f01dc8b3d8c" data-langcode="en" data-entity-embed-display-settings="[]" class="embedded-entity align-right"> <div class="feature-card"> <a href="/research/leading-progress"> <div class="image-hover"> <img loading="lazy" src="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/styles/cgov_featured/public/cgov_image/media_image/2024-09/AP-FY26-Web-Graphics_MyNCI-Carousel-Opt2-4x3%20%285%29.jpg?h=cc275ae6&itok=oXaL6C2p" width="425" height="319" alt="Illustration depicting a silhouette of ten people with different ages, backgrounds, and abilities in front of a centrally illuminated blue and red background. A connected series of people icons throughout the image represents data collected from individuals and groups."> </div> <h3>NCI FY26 Annual Plan & Professional Judgment Budget Proposal</h3> <p>Each year, NCI prepares a plan for advancing cancer research and proposes the budget required to fund a broad research portfolio.</p> </a> </div> </div> The <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="144828a6-5ee5-466b-8ad7-c8700f7db720" href="/about-nci/organization/dcb/research-programs/csbc">Cancer Systems Biology Consortium (CSBC)</a>, which includes cancer biologists, engineers, mathematicians, physicists, and oncologists, aims to tackle the most perplexing issues in cancer to increase our understanding of tumor biology, treatment options, and patient outcomes. The initiative takes an integrative approach to cancer research, with the goal of improving the lives of people with cancer.</li> <li>The consortium of tumor glycomics laboratories and their research partners that make up the <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ef6f44a8-c93f-411f-96f1-46ddc8f8fe7a" href="/about-nci/organization/dcb/research-programs/alliance-glycobiologists">Alliance of Glycobiologists for Cancer Research</a> are investigating the cancer-related dynamics of complex carbohydrates. The alliance, which NCI sponsors with the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, aims to study the structure and function of glycans in relation to cancer.</li> <li>The <a href="https://ccr.cancer.gov/research/rna-biology/rna-initiative">NCI RNA Biology Initiative</a> facilitates the exchange of information and expertise among investigator studying the structure, function, and biological roles of <a class="definition" data-glossary-id="CDR0000046568" href="/Common/PopUps/popDefinition.aspx?id=CDR0000046568&version=Patient&language=en">RNA</a> for the purpose of developing new cancer diagnostics and therapies.</li> <li>NCI’s Centers of Excellence bring together the institute’s intramural researchers to collaborate on new projects and initiatives in various areas of cancer biology, including <a href="https://ccrod.cancer.gov/confluence/display/CECB/Home">Chromosome Biology</a> and <a href="https://ccrod.cancer.gov/confluence/display/CoEGenMal/Home">Genitourinary Malignancies</a>.</li> </ul> </section> <section> <h2 id="recent-research-findings-in-cancer-biology"> <p>Recent Research Findings in Cancer Biology</p> </h2> <ul> <li style="margin-left: 24px;"><a href="https://ccr.cancer.gov/news/article/technique-targeting-cell-marker-boosts-treatment-options-for-b-cell-lymphomas">Technique targeting cell marker boosts treatment options for B-cell lymphomas</a></li> <li><a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="f1da5cac-84de-4cee-be84-63d6e21ac3c4" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2024/colorectal-cancer-fna-c2-bacteria">Scientists Link a Single Type of Bacteria to Colorectal Cancer</a></li> <li><a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="b31a94a9-b653-44dc-8fef-6ab43673d321" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2024/stress-cancer-metastasis-nets">Stress-Induced Immune Changes May Help Cancer Spread</a></li> <li><a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="2141561e-60c4-4694-ad5d-4e1885527ef3" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2024/radiation-cancer-bambi-immune-response">Manipulating an Immune Cell May Make Radiation Therapy More Effective, Study Suggests</a></li> <li><a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="901e1a7e-c698-4303-b03a-c0c4e82bfaff" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2023/iga-antibody-inside-cancer-cells">Antibody Drug Ejects Problematic Proteins from Cancer Cells</a></li> <li><a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="a9a7bcac-e712-4765-a602-6aaac9c1ec8f" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2023/cancer-cells-steal-mitochondria-t-cells">Molecular Burglary: Cancer Cells Hijack Energy from Immune Cells</a></li> <li><a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="d695295c-2e23-4e45-b48e-37f912d7907b" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2023/immunotherapy-mismatch-repair-biomarker">A Better Biomarker for Cancer Immunotherapy?</a></li> <li><a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="28ec6ac9-8830-4915-8534-99374aa5116d" href="/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2023/rewiring-cancer-cells-self-destruct">New Class of Compounds Rewires Cancer Cells to Self-Destruct</a></li> </ul> </section> </div> </div> </div> <footer class="article-footer"> <div id="nvcgRelatedResourcesArea"> <div> <aside class="related-resources list"> <h2 class="related-resources__heading">Related Resources</h2> <ul> <li class="general-list-item general list-item title-only"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="/about-nci/organization/dcb">NCI Division of Cancer Biology</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item title-only"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="https://ccr.cancer.gov/">NCI Center for Cancer Research</a> </div> </li> <li class="general-list-item general list-item title-only"> <div class="title-and-desc title desc container"> <a class="title" href="https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog?topic=biology">NCI Cancer Currents Blog – Biology of Cancer</a> </div> </li> </ul> </aside> </div> </div> <div class="document-dates horizontal"> <ul class="clearfix"> <li> <strong>Updated:</strong> <time datetime="2024-08-14T12:00:00Z">August 14, 2024</time> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="nvcgSlPublicUse"> <div class="slot-item only-SI"> <div class="public-use"> <div id="block-ncids-trans-public-use"> <p><em>If you would like to reproduce some or all of this content, see <a href="/policies/copyright-reuse">Reuse of NCI Information</a> for guidance about copyright and permissions. In the case of permitted digital reproduction, please credit the National Cancer Institute as the source and link to the original NCI product using the original product's title; e.g., “Cancer Biology Research was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.”</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </article> </main> </div> </div> <div class="desktop:grid-col-9 desktop:grid-offset-3"> <section class="cgdp-page-options cgdp-page-options--bottom" aria-label="Page options bottom"> <button class="usa-button usa-button--unstyled" onclick="window.print()"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M19 8H5c-1.66 0-3 1.34-3 3v6h4v4h12v-4h4v-6c0-1.66-1.34-3-3-3zm-3 11H8v-5h8v5zm3-7c-.55 0-1-.45-1-1s.45-1 1-1 1 .45 1 1-.45 1-1 1zm-1-9H6v4h12V3z"/> </svg> <span class="usa-sr-only"> Print </span> </button> <a class="usa-button usa-button--unstyled" href="mailto:?subject=Information from the National Cancer Institute Web Site &body=I found this information on www.cancer.gov and I'd like to share it with you: https://www.cancer.gov/research/areas/biology %0D%0A%0D%0A NCI's Web site, www.cancer.gov, provides accurate, up-to-date, comprehensive cancer information from the U.S. government's principal agency for cancer research. If you have questions or need additional information, we invite you to contact NCI's LiveHelp instant messaging service at https://livehelp.cancer.gov, or call the NCI's Contact Center 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) (toll-free from the United States)."> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none"/> <path d="M20 4H4c-1.1 0-1.99.9-1.99 2L2 18c0 1.1.9 2 2 2h16c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2V6c0-1.1-.9-2-2-2zm0 14H4V8l8 5 8-5v10zm-8-7L4 6h16l-8 5z"/> </svg> <span class="usa-sr-only"> Email </span> </a> </section> </div> </div> </div> <div id="block-ncidsfooterenglish"> <footer class="usa-footer usa-footer--nci-big" id="nci-footer" aria-label="Footer" > <div class="grid-container usa-footer__return-to-top"> <a href="#top" aria-label="Back To Top"><span>Back To Top</span></a> </div> <div class="usa-footer__primary-section"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="tablet:grid-col-8"> <nav class="usa-footer__nav" aria-label="Footer navigation"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap-4"> <div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-4"> <section class="usa-footer__primary-content usa-footer__primary-content--collapsible" > <div class="usa-footer__primary-link">About</div> <ul class="usa-list usa-list--unstyled"> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/about-website">About This Website</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/espanol">en Español</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/policies/copyright-reuse">Reuse & Copyright</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/social-media">Social Media</a> </li> </ul> </section> </div> <div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-4"> <section class="usa-footer__primary-content usa-footer__primary-content--collapsible" > <div class="usa-footer__primary-link">Resources</div> <ul class="usa-list usa-list--unstyled"> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/contact">Contact Us</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/publications">Publications</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms" >Dictionary of Cancer Terms</a > </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/research/participate/clinical-trials-search" >Find a Clinical Trial</a > </li> </ul> </section> </div> <div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-4"> <section class="usa-footer__primary-content usa-footer__primary-content--collapsible" > <div class="usa-footer__primary-link">Policies</div> <ul class="usa-list usa-list--unstyled"> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/policies/accessibility">Accessibility</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/policies/foia">FOIA</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/policies/privacy-security" >Privacy & Security</a > </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="/policies/disclaimer">Disclaimers</a> </li> <li class="usa-footer__secondary-link"> <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html" >Vulnerability Disclosure</a > </li> </ul> </section> </div> </div> </nav> </div> <div class="tablet:grid-col-4"> <div class="usa-sign-up"> <div class="usa-sign-up__heading">Sign up for email updates</div> <form action="https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIHNCI/subscribers/qualify" aria-label="Footer subscribe" class="usa-form" accept-charset="UTF-8" method="post" novalidate target="_blank" id="signup" > <input type="hidden" name="category_id" id="category_id" value="" /> <div class="usa-form-group"> <label class="usa-label" for="email"> Enter your email address </label> <input class="usa-input width-full" id="email" name="email" type="email" value="" /> </div> <button class="usa-button usa-button--accent-warm" type="submit"> Sign up </button> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="usa-footer__secondary-section"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="usa-footer__logo grid-row desktop:grid-col-5"> <div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-auto desktop:margin-bottom-3"> <p class="usa-footer__logo-heading"> <span class="logo__agency-name">National Cancer Institute </span> <span class="logo__parent-organization" >at the National Institutes of Health</span > </p> </div> </div> <div class="usa-footer__contact-links mobile-lg:grid-col-7"> <div class="usa-footer__contact-heading">Contact Us</div> <div class="usa-footer__address"> <div class="usa-footer__contact-info grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="tablet:grid-col-auto"> <a href="https://livehelp.cancer.gov/">Live Chat</a> </div> <div class="tablet:grid-col-auto"> <a href="tel:1-800-4-CANCER">1-800-4-CANCER</a> </div> <div class="tablet:grid-col-auto"> <a href="mailto:NCIinfo@nih.gov">NCIinfo@nih.gov</a> </div> <div class="tablet:grid-col-auto"> <a class="no-exit-notification" href="https://nci.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aeLLobt6ZeGVn5I" target="_blank" >Site Feedback</a > </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <div class="usa-footer__social-links desktop:grid-col-5"> <div class="usa-footer__social-heading">Follow us</div> <div class="grid-row grid-gap-1 nci-big__social"> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <a class="usa-social-link no-exit-notification" href="https://www.facebook.com/cancer.gov" > <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" width="24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-labelledby="facebook-title" > <title id="facebook-title">Facebook</title> <rect fill="none" height="24" width="24" /> <path d="M22,12c0-5.52-4.48-10-10-10S2,6.48,2,12c0,4.84,3.44,8.87,8,9.8V15H8v-3h2V9.5C10,7.57,11.57,6,13.5,6H16v3h-2 c-0.55,0-1,0.45-1,1v2h3v3h-3v6.95C18.05,21.45,22,17.19,22,12z" /> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <a class="usa-social-link no-exit-notification" href="https://twitter.com/thenci" > <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-labelledby="x-title" > <title id="x-title">Follow on X</title> <path d="M12 22c5.5 0 10-4.5 10-10S17.5 2 12 2 2 6.5 2 12s4.5 10 10 10zm5.2-15.6L13.3 11l4.3 6.2h-3.1L11.6 13 8 17.2h-.9l4.1-4.8-4.1-6h3.1l2.7 3.9 3.4-3.9h.9zm-5.6 5.4.4.6 2.8 4h1.4l-3.5-5-.4-.6-2.6-3.7H8.3l3.3 4.7z" /> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <a class="usa-social-link no-exit-notification" href="https://www.instagram.com/nationalcancerinstitute/" > <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-labelledby="instagram-title" > <title id="instagram-title">Instagram</title> <g id="Instagram"> <path d="M12,10a2,2,0,1,0,2,2A2,2,0,0,0,12,10Z" /> <path d="M12,2A10,10,0,1,0,22,12,10,10,0,0,0,12,2Zm6,12.69A3.32,3.32,0,0,1,14.69,18H9.31A3.32,3.32,0,0,1,6,14.69V9.31A3.32,3.32,0,0,1,9.31,6h5.38A3.32,3.32,0,0,1,18,9.31Z" /> <path d="M16.94,9.31a2.25,2.25,0,0,0-2.25-2.25H9.31A2.25,2.25,0,0,0,7.06,9.31v5.38a2.25,2.25,0,0,0,2.25,2.25h5.38a2.25,2.25,0,0,0,2.25-2.25h0ZM12,15.09A3.09,3.09,0,1,1,15.09,12,3.09,3.09,0,0,1,12,15.09Zm3.77-5.75a.79.79,0,0,1-.55.23.83.83,0,0,1-.55-.23.78.78,0,0,1,0-1.11A.82.82,0,0,1,15.22,8a.78.78,0,0,1,.55,1.33Z" /> </g> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <a class="usa-social-link no-exit-notification" href="https://www.youtube.com/NCIgov" > <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-labelledby="youtube-title" > <title id="youtube-title">Youtube</title> <g id="YouTube"> <path d="M12,2A10,10,0,1,0,22,12,10,10,0,0,0,12,2Zm5.75,12.91A1.49,1.49,0,0,1,16.69,16a34.65,34.65,0,0,1-4.69.26A34.65,34.65,0,0,1,7.31,16a1.49,1.49,0,0,1-1.06-1.06A15.88,15.88,0,0,1,6,12a15.88,15.88,0,0,1,.25-2.91A1.49,1.49,0,0,1,7.31,8,34.65,34.65,0,0,1,12,7.77,34.65,34.65,0,0,1,16.69,8a1.49,1.49,0,0,1,1.06,1.06A15.88,15.88,0,0,1,18,12,15.88,15.88,0,0,1,17.75,14.91Z" /> <polygon points="10.77 13.78 13.91 12 10.77 10.22 10.77 13.78" /> </g> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="grid-col-auto"> <a class="usa-social-link no-exit-notification" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/nationalcancerinstitute/" > <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" class="usa-icon" role="img" aria-labelledby="linkedin-title" > <title id="linkedin-title">Linkedin</title> <g id="final"> <path d="M12,2C6.48,2,2,6.48,2,12s4.48,10,10,10s10-4.48,10-10S17.52,2,12,2z M8.912001,17.584H6.584v-7.472h2.328001V17.584z M7.744,9.104C6.992,9.104,6.4,8.488,6.4,7.76c0-0.752,0.592-1.344,1.344-1.344c0.728,0,1.343999,0.592,1.343999,1.344 C9.087999,8.488,8.472,9.104,7.744,9.104z M17.6,17.584h-2.328v-3.64c0-0.856-0.024001-1.967999-1.216001-1.967999 s-1.392,0.927999-1.392,1.912v3.696H10.36v-7.472h2.224v1.008h0.024c0.464-0.752,1.296-1.216001,2.199999-1.192 c2.352001,0,2.792,1.552001,2.792,3.544001C17.6,13.472,17.6,17.584,17.6,17.584z" /> </g> </svg> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="usa-footer__contact-links desktop:grid-col-7"> <div class="usa-footer__address height-full"> <div class="usa-footer__contact-info grid-row grid-gap height-full"> <address> <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/" >U.S. Department of Health and Human Services </a> <a href="https://www.nih.gov/" >National Institutes of Health </a> <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/">National Cancer Institute </a> <a href="https://usa.gov/">USA.gov</a> </address> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> </div> <script src="/sites/g/files/xnrzdm211/files/js/js_dIeedaUmJGQNMVajpYFxcy4JqC-PZu2YGnXQ1zmWB-Y.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=ncids_trans&include=eJzLS85MKY4vKUrMK9ZPLCrJTM5JBQBNMges"></script> <script src="/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/ncids_trans/dist/js/ncids-common.js?sram0y"></script> <script src="/profiles/custom/cgov_site/themes/custom/ncids_trans/dist/js/article.js?sram0y"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Research Areas: Cancer Biology - NCI