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.

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High hopes for hypofractionation in search for cheaper, better radiotherapy

25/03/15 - Liz Burtally

Giving radiotherapy in fewer treatments but at higher doses could work just as well as standard regimes, but be cheaper and more convenient for patients.
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Taking some of the uncertainties out of cancer surgery

19/03/15 - Andy Roast

The London—Milan collaboration aiming to make operations for kidney cancer less risky
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Discussing personalised cancer medicine with the aid of glitter glue, Jenga, and some locked-away sweets

12/03/15 - Helen Craig

Scientists, students and staff headed to the Royal Holloway Festival and encouraged local families and children to become 'DNA Detectives' – sharing our research with them.
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How children miss out on the latest cancer drugs – and a year in childhood cancer research

10/03/15 - Henry French

Our call to change EU rules that allow companies to avoid testing promising new drugs in children featured prominently in the media last week – coinciding with the relaunch of two fundraising appeals that feature our childhood cancer research.
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In modern cancer treatment, are two drugs better than one?

18/02/15 - Liz Burtally

We are now armed with an extensive arsenal of targeted drugs, but drug resistance is inevitable. Researchers are realising that combining targeted therapies together might limit drug resistance. So are two drugs better than one?
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Sandwiches, the pancreas and cancer’s bullying of healthy cells

13/02/15 - Helen Craig

Dr Chris Tape, a cellular biochemist at The Institute of Cancer Research, and a Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellow, talked about his research as part of the Wellcome Trust Packed Lunch series of talks.
BBC Panorama
Panorama’s behind the scenes glimpse at how science benefits cancer patients – and vice versa

11/02/15 - Richard Hoey

This week’s Panorama programme, Can you cure my cancer?, is a fantastic opportunity for us to talk about the ICR’s research and to get across how closely we work with our partner hospital, The Royal Marsden.
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For rare cancers like mine, research has to go international

29/01/15 - Andy Roast

"As a patient with a rare tumour, I was interested to read a paper that presents challenges and methods available for conducting collaborative research into rare cancers."
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Targeted treatments, big data and the pros and cons of having your genome sequenced

23/01/15 - Eva Sharpe

The ICR’s Professor Nazneen Rahman took part in an international debate on genomics – and is keen to hear your views on knowing your sequence
Our researchers spotlight
3D assays, genetic tests going mainstream and new ‘epigenetic’ drugs – ICR researchers gaze into their crystal balls

20/01/15 - Roberto Inchingolo

We asked some of our top researchers to take a look forward to what they expect for 2015. Here are their predictions about the upcoming year...
Barbara Pittam
Huge team effort on REF is rewarded by a fantastic result and memorable week

18/12/14 - Barbara Pittam

It was an enormous undertaking from our research and support staff to submit to the REF process – Dr Barbara Pittam reflects on a memorable week for The Institute of Cancer Research.
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Why patients need to be involved in using data to transform cancer care

16/12/14 - Eva Sharpe

This year’s Britain Against Cancer conference brought together MPs, policy makers, researchers, clinicians and patients to discuss cancer policy.
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Looks can be deceiving: high grade glioma in children and adults

12/12/14 - Roberto Inchingolo

Two diseases that look the same might be hiding different genetic mutations.
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How three generations of precision medicine are transforming lung cancer

09/12/14 - Graham Shaw

Lung cancer is the biggest killer in cancer, but treatments targeting specific mutations are now offering patients a lifeline, and displaying the power of precision medicine.
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Picking out the year's 10 most exciting discoveries in cancer research

02/12/14 - Eva Sharpe

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ICR research takes a step closer to patients as olaparib is assessed for NHS

24/11/14 - Eva Sharpe

Professor Paul Workman
“Three solutions to cancer’s drug resistance” – Professor Paul Workman visits China

14/11/14 - Henry French

Professor Paul Workman, Interim Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, took a global perspective on cancer in a high-profile talk this week.
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Day three at the UK’s biggest cancer conference: clinical trials, metabolomics, and targeted therapies

05/11/14 - Liz Burtally

Dr Chiara Braconi
Finding the right target for liver cancer treatment

04/11/14 - Roberto Inchingolo

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Where are we going with patient care, genomics and targeted therapies?

04/11/14 - Liz Burtally