DCEG News Updates
The latest news and research findings from the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics.
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HLA-DPB1 Variants May Increase Risk of Severe Aplastic Anemia, Study Finds
Genetic variants in HLA-DPB1 are associated with increased risk of severe aplastic anemia and may offer etiologic insights, according to findings in The American Journal of Human Genetics on February 6, 2020.
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Retrospective on the Informatics Tool Challenge: Driving Innovation and Creativity at DCEG
The Informatics Tool Challenge, launched in 2014, provides a unique, supplementary funding source for DCEG researchers seeking to create novel tools to enhance data collection, analysis, and other avenues of investigation. A sampling of tools that illustrate the growth and success of the Challenge are described.
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Understanding the Role of Physical Activity, Obesity, and Diet in Cancer: Profile of Tenure-track Investigator Steven Moore
Steven C. Moore, Ph.D., M.P.H., has built a multidisciplinary research program in the Metabolic Epidemiology Branch focused on understanding the contributions of physical activity, obesity, and diet to human cancer and overall health.
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Progress Assessing Cancer Risk Using Clinical Practice Research Datalink
DCEG scientists use data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink to investigate risk factors and exposures that may contribute to cancer risk, ranging from medication usage to genetic cancer predisposition.
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APOBEC3-Induced Mutations in HPV 16 Viral Clearance
Bin Zhu, in the Biostatistics Branch, and Lisa Mirabello, in the Clinical Genetics Branch, conducted the largest HPV 16 whole-genome sequencing study to evaluate the contribution of genetic variation in HPV 16 to infection outcome. They found APOBEC3-induced mutations associated with benign cervical infections.
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Neelam Giri and Blanche Alter Receive FLEX Award for Study on Metformin Use as Cancer Prevention in Fanconi Anemia Patients
In February 2020, Neelam Giri and Blanche Alter received the CCR-DCEG FLEX award for their project investigating metformin use as prevention of oral squamous cell carcinoma in patients with Fanconi anemia.
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Blanche Alter and Robert Hoover Elected to Association of American Physicians
In February 2020, Blanche P. Alter and Robert N. Hoover were elected to the prestigious American Association of Physicians, a society of America’s leading physician-scientists.
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Decline in U.S. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Rates
Overall U.S. hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence rates plateaued in 2013 and dropped 4% in 2016 according to findings published in Gastroenterology on January 19, 2020.
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Elizabeth Platz Delivers Seminar on Trans-Disciplinary Epidemiology Research on Prostate Cancer
Elizabeth Platz, Sc.D., Deputy Chair of the Department of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, spent two days at DCEG as a Visiting Scholar in December 2019. Learn more about her visit.
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Metformin Use for Type 2 Diabetes May Reduce Cancer Risk in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1
Type 2 diabetes in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 was associated with excess risk of cancer, but metformin treatment may reduce this risk, according to findings in the International Journal of Cancer on November 20, 2019.
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Lindsay Morton Appointed Deputy Chief of the Radiation Epidemiology Branch
Lindsay Morton, Ph.D., has been appointed Deputy Chief of the Radiation Epidemiology Branch as of January 7, 2020.
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Martha Linet Retires from DCEG after 33 Years of Service to the NCI
Martha Linet, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Investigator and former Branch Chief in the Radiation Epidemiology Branch (REB), retired in January 2020 after 33 years of service to the National Cancer Institute.
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Ruth Kleinerman Retires From DCEG
Ruth A. Kleinerman, Ph.D., M.P.H., staff scientist and deputy chief in the Radiation Epidemiology Branch (REB) will retire at the end of 2019 after 40 years of service. Dr. Kleinerman is widely recognized for her work on treatment-related second cancers.
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Anal Cancer Incidence and Deaths Are Rising in the United States
The number of cases and deaths from anal cancer have been on the rise in the United States since 2001, according to a new study. The increases have been especially rapid in adults over the age 50 and young black men.
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Recommended Amounts of Physical Activity Associated with Reduced Risk of Seven Cancers
Engaging in the recommended amount and intensity leisure-time physical activity is associated with reduced risk of seven cancers, study finds.
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Radiation Dose to Medical Staff Performing Fluoroscopically Guided Interventional Procedures
A new study finds ionizing radiation exposure to workers performing or assisting in fluoroscopically guided interventional (FGI) procedures are among the highest in medical practice. The results were published November 26, 2019 in the journal Radiology.
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Mark Greene Retires From DCEG
Mark H. Greene, M.D., senior principal investigator in the Clinical Genetics Branch retires from the National Cancer Institute after 33 years of distinguished service.
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NCI Director’s Award Ceremony 2019, DCEG Staff Recognized
At the NCI Director’s Awards ceremony on December 5, 2019, several deserving DCEG staff were recognized for outstanding mentorship, service, and scientific contributions.
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2019 Highly Cited Researchers includes three from DCEG
In November, the Web of Science Group named Drs. Neal Freedman, Mark Schiffman, and Nicolas Wentzensen, and their collaborators among the most Highly Cited Researchers in 2019.
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2020 Diversity Career Development Program Selections
Drs. Rotana Alsaggaf, Marena Niewisch, and Christian Alvarez Privado were selected for the 2020 Diversity Career Development Program. This program seeks to provide NCI postdoctoral trainees from underrepresented and disadvantaged groups with the tools necessary to develop as leaders in independent academic research careers.