CRI’s 9 Favorite Blogs from 2015

Just two years ago, Science magazine named cancer immunotherapy 2013’s Breakthrough of the Year—a momentous declaration for the work the Cancer Research Institute has championed for more than sixty years. It meant that the world was just starting to take notice of this powerful approach to treat many different types of cancer.

But, here at the Cancer Research Institute, we’d like to think that 2015 was the year that “cancer immunotherapy” became a household name—a word catapulted into the homes of the general public thanks to stories broadcast on TV and the radio, such as PBS’s Emperor of All Maladies, HBO’s Vice, 60 Minutes, NBC’s TODAY Show, and NPR, to name a few. And that’s thanks in large part to the fact that there were 14 FDA approvals for immunotherapy to treat melanoma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, neuroblastoma, and multiple myeloma—the most in any single year ever.

This last year, we’ve written articles about the cutting-edge research coming from our scientists all over the world, historical milestones that brought the field to where it is today, patient-oriented information, CRI event recaps, conference summaries, and much more. But before we close the door on 2015, let’s take a look back on 9 of our favorite articles that our staff has written this year. See if your favorite made the list!

Former President Jimmy Carter Declared Cancer-Free, Thanks to Immunotherapy
Carter announces his cancer has disappeared because of immunotherapy that CRI-funded scientists helped to make a reality.

What Is an Oncogene? Immunologists Rethink a Fundamental Cancer Concept
Immunology is reshaping how oncologists think about cancer, and even basic principles—like oncogenes—are getting a significant makeover.

FDA-Approved Cancer Immunotherapies and CRI’s Impact
A look at the roles CRI scientists had in the discovery and development of many immunotherapies.

What Ever Happened to Coley’s Toxins?
Experts today agree that a 100-year-old therapy cured cancer in some cases. Why did it fall out of use?

Beyond Magic Bullets: Helen Coley Nauts and the Battle for Immunotherapy
How one woman who lacked a college degree took on the cancer establishment and changed the course of medicine.

Five Myths about Clinical Trials that Just Won’t Go Away
Curious about what happens when you enroll in a clinical trial? Hear firsthand about one woman’s experience.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: What’s Next?
What’s ahead beyond CTLA-4 and PD-1?

What's in a Name?
Cancer immunotherapies can have some mind-boggling names. But there’s a reason for it all.

Could That Steak Be Giving You Cancer?
A CRI postdoctoral fellow was part of the team investigating the relation of red meat to cancer risk.

What were some of your favorite posts from 2015? Have any ideas for posts you’d like to see in 2016? Let us know!

On behalf of everyone here at the Cancer Research Institute, thank you for being dedicated readers of our blog, commenting on them, and sharing it with your friends and family. We wish you a happy New Year!