Precision Medicine | Step More, Live Longer | Gut Microbiome, Cancer Information Highlights, April 1, 2020

Precision Medicine | Step More, Live Longer | Gut Microbiome, Cancer Information Highlights, April 1, 2020

Cancer Information Highlights From the National Cancer Institute Updating you about cancer causes, prevention, screening, treatment, coping, and more   New from NCI Improving Cancer Precision Medicine   NCI scientists have come up with a new way to study tumors that may help bring precision medicine to more people with cancer. Learn more about this approach and how it may improve the process for choosing the best treatment for each person. Drug Shows Improvement for Children with NF1   A recent clinical trial showed that a drug called selumetinib reduced tumor size and pain and improved function in children with neurofibromatosis type 1, or NF1. Learn more about NF1 and the results of this trial. Higher Daily Step Count Linked with Lower Mortality A new study showed that taking more steps per day is linked to lower rates of death from all causes, including cancer. Researchers found that the number of steps taken each day is more important than the intensity of the stepping. Microbes in the Gut and Stem Cell Transplant   Recent studies have shown that the gut microbiome may play a role in cancer risk, cancer growth, and response to cancer treatments. Now, a study suggests these microbes may affect the risk of dying after a stem cell transplant. Insights into Genetics of Osteosarcoma A new study shows that people with osteosarcoma are more likely than others to carry variants in genes that cause cancer. Learn more about this study and how the results may help people with the disease. PDQ Updates Treatment of Rare and Unusual Cancers in Children and Teens We’ve created separate summaries for each of the cancers covered in Unusual Cancers of Childhood Treatment, which will be removed from the website on April 17, 2020. See the full list of childhood cancer summaries. FDA Approvals New Treatment for Rare Cancer We’ve added a new drug summary for pexidartinib hydrochloride (Turalio). The Food and Drug Administration approved it to treat tenosynovial giant cell tumor in certain adults whose disease is not likely to get better with surgery.   Also of Interest Learning to Relax Many people with cancer find that doing relaxation or imagery exercises helps them cope with pain and stress. Learn helpful relaxation skills on this page and practice them when you can. Precision Medicine in Cancer Treatment Precision medicine is an approach to patient care that allows doctors to select treatments that are most likely to help people based on a genetic understanding of their disease.