.jpg?sfvrsn=116d4b69_4 "Nicholas Nick Turner (874x492)")
Photo: Professor Nicholas Turner
A researcher from The Institute of Cancer Research, London, has been given a prestigious award at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, one of the world’s most important annual breast cancer research conferences.
Professor Nicholas Turner, Team Leader in Molecular Oncology at the ICR and Consultant Medical Oncologist at our partner hospital The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, was presented with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Outstanding Investigator Award for Breast Cancer Research at the Texas conference.
The prize is awarded to researchers whose work has made a significant impact on breast cancer diagnosis, treatment or prevention.
Leading major clinical trials
The AACR honoured Professor Turner for his important work on targeted therapies in breast cancer, and directing treatment with blood tests known as ‘liquid biopsies’.
These blood tests – for example a new highly sensitive blood test that could help detect remaining cancer cells early – offer a non-invasive way to track cancer’s progress and response to treatment.
Professor Turner has also led major international clinical trials such as PALOMA-3, which found that combining a targeted breast cancer drug called palbociclib with the hormone therapy fulvestrant could slow the progression of advanced breast cancer.
Researchers at The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre lead important study programmes to understand the genetic and environmental causes of breast cancer.
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'A real honour'
The AACR particularly praised his work on targeting cell division proteins for breast cancer treatment, and his contribution to understanding the role of the FGFR1 and FGFR2 genes in resistance to hormone therapy.
In his award lecture Professor Turner spoke about the challenge of tackling genetic diversity in breast cancer, and the potential of cancer to evolve to become resistant to treatment.
Professor Nicholas Turner said:
“I was delighted to accept the Outstanding Investigator Award for Breast Cancer Research. It’s a real honour and reflects the strong partnership between the ICR and The Royal Marsden.”