National Cancer Institute

United States government agency for cancer research

The official logo of the National Cancer Institute

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and is one of the 27 institutes and centers that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NCI coordinates the U.S. National Cancer Program and conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of cancer patients.

History

Groundbreaking ceremony for NIH Building 6, an important site for cancer research

The National Cancer Institute was established by the National Cancer Act of 1937, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was the first time Congress had appropriated funds toward a non-communicable disease. The NCI was initially part of the Public Health Service and was later incorporated into the NIH in 1944.

The NCI has played a pivotal role in cancer research and treatment development. In the 1950s and 1960s, the NCI supported the development of chemotherapy drugs such as Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Carboplatin.

Research and Programs

The NCI conducts its own research through the NCI Intramural Research Program and funds cancer research at universities and other institutions through its NCI Extramural Research Program.

Intramural Research

The NCI's intramural research program is conducted at the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, and at the NCI-Frederick campus in Frederick, Maryland. This program includes basic, translational, and clinical research.

Extramural Research

The NCI funds a wide range of cancer research projects across the United States and internationally. This includes funding for Cancer Centers, Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs), and Research Project Grants.

Cancer Centers Program

The NCI Cancer Centers Program is a cornerstone of the NCI's efforts to reduce the burden of cancer. There are currently 71 NCI-designated Cancer Centers, which are recognized for their scientific leadership, resources, and the depth and breadth of their research in basic, clinical, and population science.

Leadership

Carl Voegtlin, the first director of the NCI

The NCI is led by a director who is appointed by the President of the United States. The first director of the NCI was Carl Voegtlin, who served from 1938 to 1943. The current director is Norman E. Sharpless, who has been in office since 2017.

Notable Contributions

Structure of Cyclophosphamide, a chemotherapy drug developed with NCI support

The NCI has been instrumental in the development of many cancer treatments and has contributed to significant advances in cancer research. Notable contributions include the development of chemotherapy agents such as Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, and Carboplatin.

Related pages

• National Institutes of Health
• Cancer research
• Chemotherapy
• Oncology