Cancer discovery news

Our researchers are making the discoveries that defeat cancer. Read the latest findings from our world-leading research.

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Red, yellow and blue microscope image of immunofluorescence staining showing extension of prostatic adenocarcinoma into the bladder wall
New drug hope for prostate cancer patients

10/01/25

Prostate cancer that has become resistant to hormone therapy could be treated using a new drug that is currently in clinical trials for ovarian and bile duct cancer, according to research published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.
Left: Plates showing the impact of olaparib on BRCA cancer cells and minimal impact of on healthy cells. (Right) Lynparza, olaparib's brand name, drug packaging. Photo credit: Science Museum Group
ICR welcomes NICE recommendation of olaparib for advanced breast cancer

09/01/25

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, strongly welcomes the decision by NICE to recommend that the targeted drug olaparib can be used for locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
Scientists in the lab pipetting
Supporting scientists to choose the best chemical probes

02/01/25

A ‘TripAdvisor-style’ website that helps scientists choose the best small-molecule tools for their experiments has been greatly expanded to include expert reviews of hundreds of chemical probes that can be used to increase the robustness of fundamental and applied research and help develop an arsenal of new cancer drugs.
Sentinal leadership team Georgia Mitsi, Chris Bakal, Matt de Vries
Precision oncology company Sentinal4D completes pre-seed funding round and launches to the public

20/12/24

Sentinal4D, a spinout company from The Institute of Cancer Research, London, has been announced to the public – having closed of its first round of funding and appointed its foundational leadership team.
ICR Carol service ceremony view of overhead in the chapel
Stars bring Christmas cheer to Carols from Chelsea

18/12/24 - Mernie Gilmore

Christmas arrived in style as celebrities and guests got into the festive spirit at Carols from Chelsea – raising more than £125,000 for The Institute of Cancer Research, London
breast cancer cell
Major trial shows prolonged benefit of olaparib in early-stage inherited breast cancer

12/12/24

One year of treatment with the targeted drug olaparib improves long-term survival in women with high-risk, early-stage breast cancer with mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, new results from a major clinical trial show.
Breast cancer cell spheroid blue and purple
New understanding of aggressive form of breast cancer paves the way for tests and treatments

10/12/24

Scientists have developed a machine learning tool that can predict how an aggressive type of breast cancer will respond to treatment, and when it will return.
Breast cancer cell
Scientific achievements of 2024

02/12/24

We've selected a range of discoveries from 2023/24 – chosen because they illustrate the quality and breadth of our basic, translational and clinical research and our ambitions under the ICR's research strategy.
Johann de Bono and Mateus Crespo Prostate cancer cells 547x410
Scientists can predict how long prostate cancer patients will respond to olaparib

21/11/24

Scientists have worked out a way of predicting how long a prostate cancer patient will continue to respond to the PARP inhibitor drug, olaparib, according to new research published in the journal Cancer Cell.
NovaSeq genome sequencing machine
New potential cancer-driving genes unveiled, opening new paths for precision treatments

19/11/24

Researchers have carried out an in-depth analysis of 10,478 cancer genomes across 35 different cancer types, identifying 330 potential cancer-driving genes, 74 of which are newly associated with cancer. The findings highlight the potential to develop new, more targeted treatment options for cancer patients.
Blue man van offering free health checks to men
Mobile ‘Man Van’ spots prostate cancer more quickly and cheaply than via GPs

16/11/24

Mobile testing ‘Man Van’ can diagnose prostate cancer in at-risk groups earlier and more affordably than GPs, according to new research.
New treatment target for aggressive leukaemia discovered by disrupting its genome organisation

12/11/24

Researchers have identified a key weakness in acute myeloid leukaemia, offering a promising new strategy to delay the progression of this aggressive blood cancer. The discovery focuses on disrupting the function of a certain protein complex that cancer cells, including leukaemia cells, rely on to maintain their abnormal growth.