Science Talk
With our Science Talk blog, we hope to lift the lid on the black box that is the ICR: to show you inside our labs, to introduce you to a few of the people here who make the discoveries, and to allow them to tell some of the stories behind the science. We try to put our discoveries in a wider scientific context, and give an idea of how our science is actually done. We also give you the view from the ICR of important developments in the wider world of cancer research.
ASCO 2017: BRCA-targeting drug olaparib offers hope for women with advanced breast cancer with inherited mutation
Results presented at the ASCO 2017 Annual Meeting in Chicago show olaparib delays progression of advanced breast cancer in women with BRCA mutations. But what does this news mean for patients?
ASCO 2017: Using targeted cancer drugs earlier in treatment – abiraterone benefits prostate cancer patients at diagnosis
Sarah Wells reviews clinical trial data presented at ASCO showing that prostate cancer drug abiraterone – discovered at the ICR – could have even greater benefits when used at the start of treatment.
ASCO Annual Meeting 2017 to highlight advances in patient and survivor care
As leading ICR researchers head to Chicago for the world’s biggest cancer conference, we look forward to the latest advances they will be presenting.
Sharing success: how team science is helping us break new ground in cancer research
In 2016, the winning project in the ICR’s first Team Science Competition aimed to bring together Big Data mathematicians and computational biologists with clinicians and physicists developing radiotherapy treatment. One year on, we spoke to team co-leader Dr Navita Somaiah about the secrets of successfully leading a large multidisciplinary team.
We brought our science to the public – and found out that everyone has a research story
The ICR’s Dr Anna Wilkins recently spoke to members of the public at two meetings of the University of the Third Age. Helen Craig blogs about the events.
Why we rank among world’s best at working with industry to take discoveries to patients
The ICR was recently ranked among the world’s top universities for working with industry. Brad Gellert discusses what is needed for academic and business collaboration to turn research into breakthroughs for patients.
How to succeed in cancer research
The AACR conference, one of the largest annual cancer research events, is getting underway. Dr Eva Sharpe spoke to our Chief Executive, Professor Paul Workman, beforehand about a discussion he will lead there tonight on supporting career development in cancer research.
2017 AACR Annual Meeting kicks off in Washington, D.C.
As leading researchers from The Institute of Cancer Research head to the US we look forward to the latest advancements in cancer research they will be presenting.
Doing more for deadly cancers: new push to improve pancreatic cancer treatment
While survival from breast and prostate cancer is increasing, there has been barely any improvement for patients with a lesser-known type of the disease – pancreatic cancer. But a new precision medicine initiative is looking to change that.
Three ways we plan to inspire the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians
How a new strategy to develop learning and teaching at the ICR aims to educate and train the cancer research leaders of tomorrow.
Why now is our best chance to change rules on childhood cancer trials
The Institute of Cancer Research, London and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust are calling on the European Commission to update rules on testing new drugs in children. Dr Eva Sharpe, our Senior Policy and Engagement Manager, explains why.
BRCA-targeting drug olaparib could offer hope for women with advanced breast cancer with inherited mutation
AstraZeneca has issued a statement saying a phase III trial of the ovarian cancer drug olaparib significantly delayed progression of advanced breast cancer in women with BRCA mutations. But what does this news mean for patients?
The genomics revolution: opportunities and challenges for 21st century healthcare
The future of healthcare played a prominent part in discussion at the recent Festival of Genomics conference in London. Dr Keith Bradnam reports on what the genomics revolution means for routine medical care – and for cancer research in particular.
Cancer knows no borders – and nor should science
On World Cancer Day, our researchers and some of their international collaborators explain why it is essential that science can operate as a global endeavour.
We opened our labs to a local artist: the piece she created is a metaphor for hope
What role does art have in communicating the essence of cancer research? We invited local artist Tia Arberry to the ICR's labs to create a piece of art inspired by our work: the result was an intriguing combination of art and science.
A greater understanding of cancer’s metabolism could mean better treatments for patients
Improving our knowledge of the genetic, metabolic and molecular factors that affect tumour growth will help us develop and select the best treatments for patients.
Celebrating women in science, drug discovery and computing
Dr Bissan Al-Lazakani recently spoke at Ada Lovelace Live 2016, an evening of scientific performances celebrating the woman who has been described as the world’s first computer programmer.
The good, the bad and the immune system — how viruses can fight cancer, and each other
The ICR’s Professor Alan Melcher and colleagues at the University of Leeds have been pitting viruses against each other to treat cancer.
NCRI 2016: Could exciting new treatments to block cancer evolution halt drug resistance?
Cancer can evolve stubborn resistance to even our best therapies, threatening our ability to treat tumours effectively. But new research promises to solve this pressing problem and deliver better survival rates for patients.
NCRI 2016: What we learned from the UK’s largest cancer conference
We consider what the NCRI conference tells us about the future of cancer treatment.