Noted

The NCI launched its largest study, to date, of African American cancer survivors. Through interviews, information from medical records, and biospecimen collection, the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors study—funded by a 5-year, $9 million grant—will acquire comprehensive data on 5,560 patients in three counties surrounding Detroit, MI.

According to a recent study, rates of colon and rectal cancers are rising among young adults in the United States (J Natl Cancer Inst 2017;109: djw322). “Compared with adults born circa 1950, those born circa 1990 have double the risk of colon cancer and quadruple the risk of rectal cancer,” the researchers report. Obesity, sedentary behavior, and diet are among the probable culprits; the findings suggest that some screening tests may need to begin before the age of 50, which is the age currently recommended for the average individual.

The NCI launched the NCTN/NCORP Data Archive, a centralized repository of deidentified patient-level data from phase III studies carried out by groups affiliated with the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) and the NCI's Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). For information, visit https://nctn-data-archive.nci.nih.gov/.

Genome-editing tools, such as CRISPR/Cas9, have created research opportunities and potential treatments for both heritable and nonheritable health conditions, but many people consider the genome “ethically inviolable.” However, according to a report from the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine, heritable germline editing clinical trials could one day be permitted if certain stringent criteria are met, such as the absence of reasonable alternatives and credible data on the risks and potential health benefits. The report is available at www.nap.edu.

The Cleveland Clinic opened its new Taussig Cancer Center. Costing an estimated $276 million, the seven-story, 377,000-square-foot facility will house all outpatient cancer treatment services, organized by cancer type. For example, all clinical and treatment areas for breast cancer will be located on the same floor to offer greater convenience for patients.

For more news on cancer research, visit Cancer Discovery online at http://cancerdiscovery.aacrjournals.org/content/early/by/section.